New jobs are on the horizon for members of the SIU Government Services Division following the Jan. 12 launch of the future USNS John Lewis in San Diego.
The launch took place at General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, a union shipyard. The Lewis is the first of six vessels in a new fleet oiler program designed to support the U.S. Navy. Vessel construction began in the fall of 2018 and utilized more than 18,575 tons of steel to complete. The 742-foot-long vessel is designed to transfer fuel to U.S. Navy carrier strike group ships operating at sea. Each of the oilers in this class will have a capacity of 157,000 barrels of oil, a significant dry cargo capacity, aviation capability and up to a speed of 20 knots.
“NASSCO is immensely honored to be a part of this historic day launching the future John Lewis,” said Dave Carver, president of General Dynamics NASSCO. “This ship reaffirms our nation’s stability and represents the same strength, values and honor that her namesake, the Honorable John Lewis, stood for. The shipbuilders of NASSCO are proud to ensure his legacy will live on in this majestic vessel.”
Additionally, NASSCO started construction on the future USNS Earl Warren, the third vessel in the program, late last year.
In 2016, General Dynamics NASSCO was awarded the contract by the U.S. Navy for the detailed design and construction of the next generation of fleet oilers, the John Lewis-class (T-AO 205), previously known as the TAO(X).
According to the shipyard, the christening of the future USNS John Lewis “will be celebrated later in 2021 with the ship’s sponsor following tradition of breaking a champagne bottle on the ship’s hull.”
###
Comments are closed.