| Dry Cargo/Ammunition Ships - T-AKE |
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Description
The dry cargo/ammunition ships are operated by the Navy’s Military Sealift Command and provide multi-product combat logistics support to the Navy fleet. As the Navy’s newest Combat Logistics Force (CLF) underway replenishment ships, the T-AKEs will replace the current capability of the Kilauea-class (T-AE 26) ammunition ships; Mars-class (T-AFS 1) combat stores ships; and, when operating in concert with a Henry J. Kaiser-class (T-AO 187) fleet replenishment oiler, the Sacramento-class (AOE 1) fast combat support ships. The T-AKE acquisition program calls for up to 14 ships and has a budget of more than $6 billion. The T-AKE acquisition program resides within the Navy's Program Executive Office, Ships - Support Ships Boats and Craft Program Office (PEO Ships/PMS 325). |
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Features
As auxiliary support ships, T-AKEs directly contribute to the ability of the Navy to maintain a forward presence. In their primary mission role, the T-AKEs provide logistic lift to deliver cargo (ammunition, food limited quantities of fuel, repair parts and ship store items) to U.S. and allied ships at sea. In their secondary mission, the T-AKEs may be required to operate in concert with a Henry J. Kaiser-class (T-AO 187) fleet replenishment oiler as a substitute station ship to provide direct logistics support to the ships within a carrier strike group. |
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Background
The primary goal of the T-AKE program is to provide effective fleet underway replenishment capability at the lowest life cycle cost. To meet that goal, the ships are designed and constructed to commercial specifications & standards and certified/classed by the American Bureau of Shipping, United States Coast Guard, and other regulatory bodies. All are operated by the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command. They are being built in San Diego by General Dynamics, NASSCO. |
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Point Of Contact
Public Affairs Office
Military Sealift Command
914 Charles Morris Court, SE
Washington, DC 20398
(202) 685 5055
http://www.msc.navy.mil
Corporate Communications Office
Naval Sea Systems Command (SEA 00D)
1333 Isaac Hull Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20376
http://www.navsea.navy.mil
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General Characteristics
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| Ships: |
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| USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1), No homeport |
| Charles Drew (T-AKE 10), No homeport - Under Construction |
| Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11), No homeport - Under Construction |
| William McLean (T-AKE 12), No homeport - Construction began Fall 2009 |
| USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE 2), No homeport |
| USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3), No homeport |
| USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4), No homeport |
| USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE 5) |
| USNS Amelia Earhart (T-AKE 6), No homeport - Delivered Oct. 30, 2008 |
| USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE 7), No homeport - Delivered March 4, 2009 |
| USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) - Completed Acceptance Trials Aug. 6, 2009 |
| Matthew C. Perry (T-AKE 9), No homeport - Under Construction |
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| Last Update: 10 November 2009 |
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