U.S. Navy Awards $1.7B Contract for Two Fleet Oilers

General Dynamics NASSCO said on Monday it received a $1.7 billion contract from the U.S. Navy to build two additional John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oilers.

The award covers the future USNS Joshua L. Goldberg (T-AO 215) and USNS Thomas D. Parham (T-AO 216), which were previously named but not yet contracted. The contract forms part of the Navy’s ongoing multi-ship agreement for up to eight oilers covering T-AO 214 through T-AO 221.

NASSCO designed and built the first six oilers of the class under a 2016 award. In 2022, the contract was expanded to include three more vessels, T-AO 211 through T-AO 213. In 2024, the shipbuilder received an additional eight-ship contract to build T-AOs 10 through 17.

The 742-feet John Lewis-class vessels are designed to transfer fuel to Navy ships operating at sea. Each ship has a full-load displacement of 49,850 tons, capacity for 162,000 barrels of oil, dry cargo capability, and aviation facilities. The ships travel at speeds of up to 20 knots.

The Navy has taken delivery of the first four oilers in the program. Five more are under construction at NASSCO’s San Diego shipyard.

General Dynamics NASSCO operates shipbuilding and repair facilities in San Diego, Norfolk, Mayport, and Bremerton.