The Lewis and Clark class of dry cargo ship is the next class of Combat Logistics Force (CLF) underway replenishment vessels to be constructed for the United States Navy. Lewis and Clark-class ships will replace the existing fifteen Mars- and Sirius-classclass combat store ships and the Kilauea-class ammunition ships. When operating in concert with a Henry J. Kaiser-class oiler the Lewis and Clarks will also replace Sacramento-class combat support ships. The first of the planned twelve ships is scheduled for initial operating capability in 2006, and is being designed for a forty-year service life.
The primary role of the Lewis and Clarks is to provide logistic lift from supply sources such as friendly ports, or while at sea, from specially equipped merchant ships by consolidation. Lewis and Clarks will transfer cargo (ammunition, food, limited quantities of fuel, repair parts, ship store items, and expendable supplies and material) to station ships and other naval warfare forces. As auxiliary support ships, Lewis and Clarks will directly contribute to the Navy's ability to maintain a forward presence. When operating together with Henry J. Kaiser-class oilers Lewis and Clarks will provide the carrier battle group and/or amphibious readiness group with product lift equivalent to a Supply-class combat support ship.
Construction of the lead ship (USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE-1)) was awarded to National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) of San Diego, California, on 18 October 2001. The contract contains options for eleven follow ships. The option for the first follow ship (USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE-2)) was exercised simultaneously with award of Lewis and Clark.
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This article includes information collected from the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Web site http://www.navsea.navy.mil/
