USNS Robert F. Kennedy delivered to MSC

The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC) announced it has taken delivery of the newly built replenishment oiler USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208).

Built and christened at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, the 746' Kennedy is the fourth ship in the John Lewis-class. Operated by MSC, these ships provide underway replenishment of fuel and dry cargo to U.S. Navy surface forces, enabling them to operate globally.

The new oilers can carry up to 162,000 barrels of diesel ship fuel, aviation fuel, and dry cargo. They are equipped with double hulls to reduce the risk of oil spills and feature reinforced cargo and ballast tanks for added safety.

The John Lewis-class oilers, formerly known as the TAO(X) class, are replacing the aging Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oilers. The lead ship of the class, USNS John Lewis (T-AO 205), was commissioned in 2022, and up to 20 new Lewis-class oilers are planned.

The latest addition to the fleet, USNS Robert F. Kennedy, is named in honor of Robert F. Kennedy, the 64th U.S. Attorney General, who served from January 1961 to September 1964.