Long Lead-Time Items for ESB-8 and TAO-211 and 212

General Dynamics NASSCO has been awarded $600 million in USN contract modifications for long lead-time items for the sixth Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) vessel and the seventh and eight John Lewis-class fleet oilers (T-AO).

The contract modifications provide $500 million for T-AO 211 and 212, and $100 million for ESB 8. Construction is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2023, and to continue into 2027. NASSCO’s unique location in San Diego Bay provides shipbuilders and skilled tradespeople with access to the nation’s leading maritime support businesses, while highly trained employees allow NASSCO to build and repair Navy ships in an efficient manner.

ESBs are highly flexible platforms designed to support multiple maritime-based missions, including Air Mine Counter Measures (AMCM), Special Operations Forces (SOF) and limited crisis response. Acting as a mobile sea base, the 784ft ship has a 52,000sqft flight deck to support MH-53, MH-60, MV-22 tilt-rotor and H1 aircraft operations. Following the delivery of the first five ships to the Navy, the sixth – the USNS John L Canley, was christened on 25 June. The USNS Robert E. Simanek (ESB 7) is currently under construction.

In 2016, the Navy awarded NASSCO a contract to design and build the first six ships in the next generation of fleet oilers, the John Lewis-class, previously known as TAO(X). Designed to transfer fuel to USN carrier strike group ships at sea, the 742ft vessels have a full load displacement of 49,850t, with the capacity to carry 157,000 barrels of oil, a significant dry cargo capacity, aviation capability and a speed of up to 20 knots. The first ship, USNS John Lewis (T-AO 205), is scheduled for delivery later this year. The future USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206), Earl Warren and Robert F Kennedy (T-AO 206-208 respectively), are currently under construction.