General Dynamics NASSCO has officially delivered the fifth John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oiler, USNS Lucy Stone (T-AO 209), to the US Navy, marking another key milestone in the service’s ongoing logistics modernization program. The transfer follows the successful completion of extensive sea trials and system evaluations to validate the ship’s operational readiness.
The delivery supports the Navy’s broader T-AO fleet replenishment program, which aims to field a new generation of auxiliary vessels capable of supplying fuel, dry cargo, and aviation support to warships operating across multiple global theaters. These oilers are designed to sustain naval task forces by enabling extended deployments without returning to port.
Under current plans, the US Navy intends to integrate up to 20 John Lewis-class tankers into its logistics network. To date, four vessels are already in active service, while six additional ships are under construction or in advanced stages of development, ensuring a steady expansion of replenishment capacity.
The John Lewis-class oiler measures 746 feet in length with a 107-foot beam and features five underway replenishment stations and two dry cargo rigs. The ship can transport up to 162,000 barrels of fuel, support a crew of 125 personnel, and operate with an embarked support helicopter.
Powered by twin Fairbanks-Morse diesel engines, the vessel can reach speeds of 20 knots and has a range exceeding 6,000 nautical miles, allowing it to operate efficiently across vast maritime distances. For self-defense, the ship is equipped with torpedo countermeasures, .50-caliber machine guns, automatic weapons, and surface-to-air missile systems.
