ESB and Fleet Oilers for Delivery by 2027
General Dynamics NASSCO has received $1.4 billion in US Navy contract modifications for construction of a sixth Expeditionary Sea Base ship (ESB 8) and two additional John Lewis-class fleet oilers (T-AO 211 and 212), the company announced on 5 August.
The award comes in addition to $600 million already received to procure long-lead time materials for the same ships. The contract modification also provides an option for the Navy to procure an additional oiler, T-AO 213, bringing the total potential value to $2.7 billion for the four ships. Construction of the four ships is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2023 and continue into 2027.
“NASSCO is committed to working together with the Navy to deliver these much needed ships to the fleet,” observed Dave Carver, President of General Dynamics NASSCO. “As partners with the Navy, we remain dedicated to ensuring the success of both of these programs to help enhance and expand the Navy’s forward presence and warfighting capabilities while providing sustained growth for our workforce.”
ESB ships are highly flexible platforms designed to support multiple missions, including air mine countermeasures, SOF and limited crisis response. Acting as a mobile sea base, the 784ft ship’s flight deck supports MH-53, MH-60, MV-22 tilt-rotor, and H1 aircraft operations. NASSCO has built five such vessels since 2011, with ESB-6 and -7 currently under construction.
The John Lewis next-generation fleet oilers are designed for underway replenishment and fuel transfer. The 742ft, 49,850t vessel can carry 157,000 barrels of oil and significant dry cargo capacity, as well as an aviation capacity, and can steam at up to 20 knots. The first (of six contracted in 2016) was delivered to the USN last month, while the next three are currently in build.
