MSC Public Affairs
MSC PAO 06-21
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Christine Albert or Laura Seal
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June 20, 2006

USNS Lewis and Clark delivered to Military Sealift Command

On June 20, 2006, USNS Lewis and Clark, a dry cargo/ammunition ship, was delivered to the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command. The ship, designated T-AKE, is the first in a new class of Combat Logistics Force ships and is able to deliver ammunition, provisions, stores, spare parts, potable water and petroleum products to the Navy's carrier strike groups and other naval forces worldwide.

An advantage of this type of ship is its ability to carry multiple products such as cargo, food and spare parts. The T-AKE will replace aging, single-mission ships such as T-AE ammunition ships and T-AFS combat stores ships that are on average 40 years old and near the end of their service lives.

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.

The Lewis Clark is the first of nine ships of this class. General Dynamics/NASSCO built it in San Diego. The U.S. Navy has awarded NASSCO six contracts valued at approximately $2.8 billion for the design and construction of the nine ships in the T-AKE program. The ship will operate from the East Coast.

MSC operates approximately 120 noncombatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, chart ocean bottoms, conduct undersea surveillance, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military equipment and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces.

	About the Ship Length overall: 689 ft. Length between Perpendiculars: 654.7 ft Beam, Molded: 105.6 ft Draft, Design: 29.9 ft. Draft, Scantling: 31.2 ft Displacement at Design Draft: 41,000 MT
The USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1) departs General Dynamics NASSCO's pier on the morning of Tuesday, April 25, 2006, for its first sea trials.

Speed and Endurance Design Speed - 20 knots Range: 14,000 NM

Cargo Capacities Dry cargo 6675 MT     Cargo fuel 3242 MT Cargo potable water 200 MT

Accommodations
Berthing, messing and leisure and community spaces for a combined Military Sealift Command naval and civilian complement of 172, plus 25 spares.

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