Keel laid for US Navy’s sixth John Lewis-class fleet oiler

General Dynamics NASSCO laid the keel of a future US Navy John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oiler (T-AO) in a ceremony on Friday, June 21. The sixth ship in the John Lewis-class will be named USNS Sojourner Truth in honour of an African-American former slave and human rights activist.

Like its John Lewis-class sisters, the future Sojourner Truth is designed to transfer fuel to US Navy carrier strike group ships operating at sea and has the capacity to carry 157,000 barrels of oil, a significant dry cargo capacity, and aviation capability up to a speed of 20 knots. The John Lewis-class ships are all based on commercial design standards and will form part of the navy's Combat Logistics Force.

The vessel will provide diesel fuel and lubricating oil and small quantities of fresh and frozen provisions, stores, and potable water to US Navy ships at sea, as well as jet fuel for aircraft. Construction of the T-AO was done in compliance with the American Bureau of Shipping's steel vessel rules.