The future USNS Lucy Stone during sea trials. (Photo courtesy of NASSCO)
General Dynamics NASSCO has been awarded a $1.7 billion federal contract to build two more John Lewis-class fleet oilers at the shipyard in Barrio Logan.
The contract covers the future USNS Joshua L. Goldberg, named for the first rabbi to volunteer for naval service, and USNS Thomas D. Parham, honoring the first African American promoted to captain.
The ships in the class have been named for American civil rights figures, though Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth sparked controversy when he renamed the USNS Harvey Milk, which honored a famous California gay rights leader.
The 742-foot-long vessels support Navy warships at sea, carrying 162,000 barrels of fuel for ships and aircraft, as well as dry cargo.
NASSCO President Dave Carver said the John Lewis-class ships are the longest running Navy production series in the company’s history.
“The timely funding for these two ships will act to stabilize the workforce by sustaining an important backlog and prevent future layoffs,” Carver said. “Our entire NASSCO team is honored to continue to support the critical national security mission of the U.S. Navy.”
A total of 20 of the ships are currently planned. Four have been delivered, and five are under construction.
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