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General Dynamics NASSCO has announced a $1.7 billion award for the construction of two new John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oilers, the T-AO 215 and T-AO 216. These vessels are part of the company’s ongoing multi-ship contract with the U.S. Navy, covering up to eight additional oilers in the series (T-AO 214 through T-AO 221).
“The T-AO program is deeply meaningful to everyone at NASSCO — it’s the longest-running Navy production line in our company’s history,” said Dave Carver, president of General Dynamics NASSCO. “This timely funding will help stabilize our workforce, sustain vital shipyard activity, and prevent future layoffs. We are proud to continue supporting the Navy’s critical national security mission.”
The John Lewis-class program began in 2016, when the Navy awarded NASSCO a contract to design and build the first six ships of the next-generation fleet oilers. That contract was later expanded — first in 2022 to include three more oilers (T-AO 211–213), and again in 2024, when NASSCO received authorization to build an additional eight ships (T-AO 210–217).
The 742-foot-long vessels are designed to transfer fuel to U.S. Navy ships operating at sea, with a full load displacement of 49,850 tons. Each ship can carry up to 162,000 barrels of oil, along with large quantities of dry cargo, and features aviation facilities while maintaining speeds of up to 20 knots.
To date, the first four John Lewis-class oilers have been delivered to the Navy, while five more are currently under construction at NASSCO’s San Diego shipyard.
