Fleet replenishment oilers are not “sexy” but play an integral part in naval operations.

The US Navy awarded General Dynamics a contract worth almost $2 billion for the building of two new fleet replenishment oilers.  

Underrated in the eyes of many, these support ships play a key role in naval operations.  

A Navy Contract for Two John Lewis-Class Oilers

Valued at approximately $1.7 billion, the contract is for two new oilers, T-AO 215 and T-AO 216. The contract is part of General Dynamics’ multi-ship arrangement with the Navy that allows for the construction of up to eight John Lewis-class fleet replenishment ships.  

General Dynamics NASSCO is the specific company working on the contract.  

In 2016, NASSCO received a contract for six John Lewis-class ships. In 2022, the Navy modified the contract and added three additional oilers. Then last year, the Navy further modified the contract to add an additional eight vessels as part of a wider shipbuilding strategy. 

“The T-AO programme holds significant importance to the men and women of NASSCO and is one we take great pride in – it’s the longest running Navy production series in NASSCO history,” General Dynamics NASSCO president Dave Carver said in a company press release.  

What to Know About the John Lewis-Class Oiler

• Year Introduced: 2022
• Number Built: 6 (20 planned)
• Length: 746 ft (227.4 m)
• Beam (Width): 106 ft 5 in (32.4 m)
• Displacement: 49,850 tons (fully loaded)
• Engines: Two Fairbanks-Morse 12V48/60CR diesel engines; two propeller shafts
• Top Speed: ~20 knots (23 mph, 37 km/h) 
• Range: 6,147 nmi (7,074 mi, 11,384 km)
• Armaments: None
• Crew: 125

The Navy intends for both vessels to be able to carry fuel and dry cargo. The John Lewis-class oilers are 742-feet long, have a full load displacement of almost 50,000 tons, and the capacity to carry 162,000 barrels of oil and significant amounts of dry cargo. 

“The timely funding for these two ships will act to stabilise the workforce by sustaining an important backlog and prevent future layoffs. Our entire NASSCO team is honoured to continue to support the critical national security mission of the US Navy,” the senior General Dynamics officer added.  

Fleet replenishment oilers are not “sexy” but play an integral part in naval operations, especially for expeditionary naval forces. These support ships allow surface combatants to operate without the need to return to port. For example, they can carry aviation fuel for an aircraft carrier’s fighter wing. Or even munitions for an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer.  

Oilers and Coalers  

Before oil was the main fuel of warships, coalers roamed the seas ready to support surface combatants. Warships could replenish their coal supplies in port or even at sea. And in wartime, warships operating far from home would always try to take coal from enemy commercial ships before sinking them.  

That was particularly the case with German commerce raiders during World War I, which did not have many viable choices for friendly ports due to the size of the British Empire. Many German commerce raiders and cruisers found themselves thousands of miles from home when war broke out in August 1914 and had to use their wits and raiding abilities to continue operating.  

The practice of resupplying from adversary vessels largely ended as oil became the primary fuel source for warships. In practice, a warship could still refuel from an adversary oiler. But first, it would have to capture it with a boarding party or force it to supply its oil under the threat of destruction. However, fighter jets and long-range missiles can make it prohibitive for warships to remain exposed for long periods of time in an active battlefield.  

About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou       

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.      

Image: DVIDS.

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