Designed to
operate
independently for extended periods at sea while providing underway
replenishment
services, the T-AKE will
directly
contribute
to the ability of the Navy to maintain a forward presence. These ships
will provide logistic lift from sources of supply either in port or at
sea and will transfer cargo that includes ammunition, food, fuel,
repair
parts, and expendable supplies and material to station ships and other
naval warfare forces at sea. The T-AKE will replace the existing
fifteen Mars and Sirius Class Combat Store Ships
and the
Kilauea Class Ammunitions
Ships that are nearing the end of their
service
lives. The T-AKE will also replace existing Sacramento Class Oilers.
The
Auxiliary Cargo and Ammunition Ship (T-AKE) program will
provide ammunition and combat stores - including dry
stores, frozen and chilled products, spare parts and consumables with a
limited combatant refueling capability. In its shuttle
role, the T-AKE will provide logistics lift to station ships from
supply sources, such as friendly ports, and at sea from Modular Cargo
Delivery System (MCDS) equipped merchant vessels. Working in concert
with an Oiler (T-AO), the pair can perform a “substitute” station ship
mission providing provisions; spare parts, dry stores, ammunition and
fuel directly to naval combatants in the absence of an assigned AOE
station ship.
Military Sealift Command (MSC) will operate
the T-AKE with a
Civilian Mariner (CIVMAR) crew and a small Military Detachment
(MILDET). Therefore, T-AKE will be built to current international
regulations for merchant ships, United States Coast Guard (USCG)
requirements, and American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Rules for Building
and Classing of Steel Vessels, including the requirements for
commercial communications. In addition, the T-AKE will have the ability
to land both commercial and military helicopters. The MILDET will be
responsible for aviation operations.
General Dynamics NASSCO
will construct all 12 of the T-AKE
ships
Design
History
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