General Dynamics NASSCO Secures $856M for T-AO 217 Oiler Construction

General Dynamics NASSCO has been awarded $856 million in funding to construct the T-AO 217, a John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oiler for the US Navy. This financial allocation supports the broader contract for up to eight additional oilers, specifically covering ships T-AO 214 through T-AO 221. Dave Carver, President of NASSCO, emphasized that this funding for the 13th ship in the block buy is crucial for maintaining workforce stability and preventing potential layoffs at the shipyard. The John Lewis-class vessels are designed to deliver fuel and dry cargo to naval fleets at sea, featuring a length of 742 feet and a displacement of nearly 50,000 tons. The program has evolved through multiple contract amendments since 2016, with recent awards including a $1.7 billion deal for two additional oilers in late 2025. Several earlier ships in the class, such as the USNS John Lewis and USNS Oscar V. Peterson, are already operational globally, while construction continues on five other vessels at the NASSCO facility in San Diego.