The US Navy has officially accepted its sixth John Lewis-class replenishment oiler vessel, the USNS Sojourner Truth (T-AO 210), from General Dynamics NASSCO.
T-AO 210 had its keel laid in June 2024, was christened in April 2025, and completed integrated sea trials in May 2026 prior to its formal handover in San Diego, California.
The Military Sealift Command operates the program’s vessels, featuring significant capacity to carry and transport fuel and dry cargo to carrier strike groups at sea.
“USNS Sojourner Truth’s delivery marks another significant milestone for the Navy and the John Lewis-class program,” said John Lighthammer, Auxiliaries and Special Mission Ships program manager, Deputy Portfolio Acquisition Executive, Auxiliaries.
Following the USNS Sojourner Truth’s delivery, the future USNS Harriet Tubman (T-AO 213) is set to undergo its keel-laying ceremony on June 18.
T-AO Program
In 2016, the Pentagon awarded General Dynamics NASSCO a $3.2-billion contract to deliver six vessels under the program, spanning T-AO 205 to 210.
Three vessels — T-AO 211 to 213 — were added under a $1.4-billion contract in 2022.
By September 2024, the Pentagon increased its orders to cover T-AO 214 to 221.
While the navy has expanded the program with contracts for up to 17 ships, it is aiming for a total of 20 John Lewis-class vessels.
Measuring 746 feet (230 meters) long, each T-AO vessel can accommodate approximately 125 personnel and carry up to 162,000 barrels of oil.
The oiler is double-hulled to protect against oil spills with strengthened cargo and ballast tanks and sails at a speed of 20 knots (23 miles/37 kilometers per hour).
