Official websites use .mil
Secure .mil websites use HTTPS
Last updated: 28 Feb 2025
Description T-AO fleet replenishment oilers are operated by Military Sealift Command (MSC) and provide underway replenishment of fuel to U.S. Navy ships at sea and jet fuel for aircraft assigned to aircraft carriers. T-AOs provide additional capacity to the Navy’s Combat Logistical Force and are a cornerstone of the Navy’s fuel delivery system. The platform is an enabler of ships that provide forward presence, maritime security, sea control and deterrence
Features The T-AO fleet is made up of the Henry J. Kaiser-class ships and the John Lewis-class Fleet Replenishment Oilers. Fleet Replenishment Oilers carry jet fuel, diesel fuel and lubricating oil, small quantities of fresh and frozen provisions, stores, potable water and more. Fleet replenishment oilers can operate with up to five underway replenishment stations when deployed.
Background Three ships within the Kaiser-class Rappahannock, Laramie and Patuxent and all John Lewis-class ships were built with double hulls in compliance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, although government-owned ships currently are exempt from the act.
Program Status In June 2016, the Navy awarded a $3.2 billion contract to General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego for the design and construction of the first six ships (T-AO 205 - 210) of the Fleet Replenishment Oiler, the John Lewis class (T-AO 205), formerly T-AO(X), with construction commencing in September 2018. In August 2022, three additional ships (T-AO 211-213) were awarded as options on the original contract. In September 2024, the program awarded a contract to NASSCO in accordance with the authorities provided in the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for ships ten through seventeen (T-AO 214 – 221). The Navy plans to procure 20 ships of the John Lewis class.
The first of class, USNS John Lewis (T-AO 205), delivered in July 2022, the second ship, USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206) delivered in July 2023, the third ship, USNS Earl Warren (T-AO 207) delivered in May 2024 and the fourth ship, USNS Robert F Kennedy (T-AO 208) delivered in December 2024. T-AO 209 - 212 are under construction at General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego and T-AO 213 - 214 are under contract.
General Characteristics, Henry J. Kaiser Class
Builder: Avondale Shipyards
Propulsion: Two fully automatic diesel engines, twin shafts, controllable-pitch propellers, 32,540 horsepower
Length: 677.5 feet (206.5 meters)
Beam: 97.5 feet (29.7 meters)
Displacement: 41,225 tons full load (double hull), 40,900 tons full load (single hull)
Speed: 20 knots (23 mph)
Crew: 74-89 civilian mariners (CIVMARS)
Load: 180,000 barrels of aviation and diesel fuel
Aircraft: None (landing platform for vertical replenishment provided)
Homeport: No homeports assigned.
Ships:
USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187) - Operates in the area of Pacific/Arabian Gulf
USNS Joshua Humphreys (T-AO 188) - Operates in the area of Persian Gulf
USNS John Lenthall (T-AO 189) - Operates in the area of Atlantic/Mediterranean/Arabian Gulf
USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193) - Operates in the area of Pacific/Arabian Gulf
USNS John Ericsson (T-AO 194) - Operates in the area of Pacific/Arabian Gulf
USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195) - Operates in the area of Atlantic/Mediterranean/Arabian Gulf
USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196) - Operates in the area of Atlantic/Mediterranean/Arabian Gulf
USNS Pecos (T-AO 197) - Operates in the area of Pacific/Arabian Gulf
USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198) - Operates in the area of Atlantic/Mediterranean
USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) - Operates in the area of Pacific/Arabian Gulf
USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200) - Operates in the area of Pacific/Arabian Gulf
USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201) - Operates in the area of Atlantic/Mediterranean/Arabian Gulf
USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) - Operates in the area of Pacific/Arabian Gulf
USNS Laramie (T-AO 203) - Operates in the area of Atlantic/Mediterranean/Arabian Gulf
USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204) - Operates in the area of Pacific/Arabian Gulf
General Characteristics, John Lewis Class
Builder: NASSCO
Propulsion: Twin shaft, geared medium speed diesels with PTO/PTI generators
Length: 227.3 meters
Beam: 32.2 meters
Displacement: (T-AO 205 – 207) 22,531 metric tons (Lightship), 49,620 metric tons (Full Load)
(T-AO 208 and Follow) 22,424 metric tons (Lightship), 49,793 metric tons (Full Load)
Speed: 20 knots
Crew: 125 - 129 civilian mariners (CIVMARS)
Load: (T-AO 205 – 207) - Dry Stores Capacity: 1,589 m3, Freeze/Chill Capacity: 885 m3, Fuel Oil Cargo: 25,782 m3, Fresh Water Cargo: 213 m3
(T-AO 208 and Follow) - Dry Stores Capacity: 1,590 m3, Freeze/Chill Capacity: 1,017 m3, Fuel Oil Cargo: 25,782 m3, Fresh Water Cargo: 213 m3
Aircraft: None (landing platform for vertical replenishment can accommodate H-1, H-53, H-60, MV-22, and MSC's commercial logistics helicopters)
USNS John Lewis (T-AO-205) - Delivered, operates in the Pacific
USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO-206) - Delivered, operates in the Atlantic
USNS Earl Warren (T-AO 207) - Delivered, operates in the Pacific
USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) - Delivered, operates in the Atlantic
USNS Lucy Stone (T-AO 209) - Under construction
USNS Sojourner Truth (T-AO 210) - Under construction
USNS Thurgood Marshall (T-AO 211) – Under construction
USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg (T-AO 212) – Under construction
USNS Harriet Tubman (T-AO 213) – Under contract
USNS Dolores Huerta (T-AO 214) – Under contract
USNS Joshua L. Goldberg (T-AO 215) – Named
USNS Thomas D. Parham (T-AO 216) – Named
Point of Contact Military Sealift Command Public Affairs
471 East C. St. Norfolk, VA 23511-2419
(757) 443-2839
Google Translation Disclaimer