General Dynamics NASSCO has received $856m in funding to build T-AO 217, a John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oiler.
This allocation funds part of the current US Navy contract with General Dynamics NASSCO for up to eight additional oilers of the same class, spanning T-AO 214 through T-AO 221.
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NASSCO president, Dave Carver, said the funding for T-AO 217, known as ship 13 in the fleet oiler block buy, supports workforce stability and helps “mitigate the risk of future layoffs.”
Dave Carver said: “The T-AO program is a cornerstone fixture for the dedicated team at NASSCO, representing the longest-standing Navy production series in our history. Funding for ship 13 (T-AO 217) maintains a steady workforce and helps mitigate the risk of future layoffs.
“Our commitment to the Navy is that we will continue to move fast and deliver these important ships to the fleet, while at the same time working to secure timely funding for ships 14-17.”
The John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oilers measure 742 feet in length with a displacement of 49,850 tons when fully loaded.
They are designed to deliver fuel to US Navy vessels at sea, carry up to 162,000 barrels of oil along with various dry cargo, and offer aviation capabilities while reaching speeds up to 20 knots.
Contracts for the programme have developed over several years. The Navy awarded NASSCO an initial contract of $3.2bn in 2016 to design and construct the first six ships of the John Lewis class.
In August 2022, the Navy amended the contract to include three more ships, spanning T-AO 211 to T-AO 213.
An additional eight-ship contract, including T-AOs 10 through 17, followed in September 2024.
Most recently, in November 2025, NASSCO secured a $1.7bn contract for the construction of two more oilers, T-AO 215 and T-AO 216.
The first ships of the class, including USNS John Lewis (T-AO 205), USNS Oscar V. Peterson (T-AO 206), USNS Earl Warren (T-AO 207), and USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208), have already been delivered and are operational worldwide, according to the US Navy.
Construction continues at the NASSCO shipyard on five additional T-AO vessels.
