Large, Medium-Speed, Roll-on/Roll-off Ships (LMSRs)

Overview:

Military Sealift Command's large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ship, or LMSR, program significantly expands the nation's sealift capability for the new millennium. All of the LMSRs have been prime movers of U.S. military equipment during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Nineteen large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ships have been built or converted at U.S. shipyards. The LMSRs offset the shortage of militarily useful transport ships available in the commercial sector - a growing concern as U.S. forces overseas depend increasingly on power projection "Forward ... From the Sea."

Most of the LMSRs are named after Medal of Honor recipients. The exceptions are USNS Bob Hope (T-AKR 300) - named in honor of entertainer Bob Hope - and USNS Fisher (T-AKR 301) - named for Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher, who committed their lives to improving the quality of life for members of the U.S. armed forces. The Fisher House Program, established in 1990, has provided temporary quarters for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and Veterans Affairs medical centers.

New construction LMSRs

Seven new construction LMSRs - the Bob Hope Class - come from Northrop Grumman Ship Systems' Avondale Operations in New Orleans, La.

• USNS Bob Hope (T-AKR 300), christened in March 1997; delivered November 1998;
• USNS Fisher (T-AKR 301), christened in October 1997; delivered August 1999;
• USNS Seay (T-AKR 302), christened in June 1998; delivered March 2000;
• USNS Mendonca (T-AKR 303), christened in April 1999; delivered January 2001;
• USNS Pililaau (T-AKR 304), christened in January 2000; delivered in August 2001;
• USNS Brittin (T-AKR 305), christened in October 2000; delivered in July 2002;
• USNS Benavidez (T-AKR 306), christened in July 2001; delivered in September 2003.

Eight new construction LMSRs -- the Watson Class -- come from National Steel and Shipbuilding Company in San Diego, Calif.

• USNS Watson (T-AKR 310), christened in July 1997; delivered June 1998;
• USNS Sisler (T-AKR 311), christened in February 1998; delivered December 1998;
• USNS Dahl (T-AKR 312), christened in October 1998; delivered July 1999;
• USNS Red Cloud (T-AKR 313), christened in August 1999; delivered January 2000;
• USNS Charlton (T-AKR 314), christened in December 1999; delivered May 2000;
• USNS Watkins (T-AKR 315), christened in July 2000; delivered March 2001;
• USNS Pomeroy (T-AKR 316), christened in March 2001; delivered in August 2001;
• USNS Soderman (T-AKR 317), christened in April 2002; delivered in September 2002;

Converted LMSRs

Four container ships underwent conversion to make them ideal for the loading, transporting and unloading of U.S. Army combat equipment and combat support equipment needed overseas in wartime or during other national crises.

• USNS Shughart (T-AKR 295)
• USNS Gordon (T-AKR 296)
• USNS Yano (T-AKR 297)
• USNS Gilliland (T-AKR 298)

These four LMSRs were delivered to Military Sealift Command in 1997. USNS Gordon and USNS Gilliland were converted by Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va., while the three other ships were converted to LMSRs by National Steel and Shipbuilding Company in San Diego, Calif. The former USNS Soderman (T-AKR 299), originally built as an LMSR, was converted and transferred in May 2000 to the Maritime Prepositioning Force. The ship became a Maritime Prepositioning Force (Enhanced) ship and was re-named USNS Gunnery Sgt. Fred W. Stockham.

Two Key Missions for LMSRs

Prepositioning

The following LMSRs preposition U.S. Army equipment and supplies in strategic locations around the world.

• USNS Seay (T-AKR 302)
• USNS Watson (T-AKR 310)
• USNS Sisler (T-AKR 311)
• USNS Dahl (T-AKR 312)
• USNS Red Cloud (T-AKR 313)
• USNS Charlton (T-AKR 314)
• USNS Watkins (T-AKR 315)
• USNS Pomeroy (T-AKR 316)
• USNS Soderman (T-AKR 317)

Surge Sealift

The following LMSRs are ordinarily kept in reduced operating status. They have a cadre crew of personnel, which maintain the ships and keep the propulsion systems in a high state of readiness. When ordered to activate, the ships can be fully crewed and ready to sail in four days.

• USNS Shughart (T-AKR 295)
• USNS Gordon (T-AKR 296)
• USNS Yano (T-AKR 297)
• USNS Gilliland (T-AKR 298)
• USNS Bob Hope (T-AKR 300)
• USNS Fisher (T-AKR 301)
• USNS Mendonca (T-AKR 303)
• USNS Pililaau (T-AKR 304)
• USNS Brittin (T-AKR 305)
• USNS Benavidez (T-AKR 306)

Background information

Features: The eight large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ships, or LMSRs, can carry enough ammunition, food, water, fuel, equipment and other supplies to sustain up to 20,000 troops of an Army 2x2 heavy armored brigade and the 6th Brigade Afloat for up to 15 days. The ships carry vehicles and equipment to support humanitarian missions, as well as combat missions. The new construction vessels have a cargo carrying capacity of more than 300,000 square feet, equivalent to almost eight football fields. In addition, LMSRs have a slewing stern ramp and a removable ramp which services two side ports making it easy to drive vehicles on and off the ship. Interior ramps between decks ease traffic flow once cargo is loaded aboard ship. Two 110-ton single pedestal twin cranes make it possible to load and unload cargo where shore-side infrastructure is limited or nonexistent. A commercial helicopter deck was added for emergency daytime landing.

Background: The need for additional military sealift ships was identified in a congressionally mandated study by the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the early 1990s. The Mobility Requirements Study focused on Department of Defense transportation during the Persian Gulf War. It highlighted the urgent need for greater sealift capacity to transport military equipment and supplies during wartime and other national contingencies.

Point of contact:
   Public Affairs Office
   Military Sealift Command
   914 Charles Morris Court SE
   Washington Navy Yard, D.C. 20398-5540
   (202) 685-5055 or www.msc.navy.mil

General Characteristics: Gordon Class
Builder: Built in Denmark in 1972 and lengthened by Hyundai in 1984.
Conversion: Newport News Shipbuilding
Power Plant: 1 Burmeister & Wain 12K84EF diesel; 26,000 hp(m) (19.11 MW); 2 Burmeister & Wain 9K84EF diesels, 39,000 hp(m) (28.66 MW); 3 shafts (center cp prop) bow thruster
Length: 954
Beam: 105.9 feet
Displacement: 57,792 long tons (56,311.42 metric tons) full load
Cargo capacity: 284,064 sq. ft. plus 49,991 sq. ft. deck cargo
Speed: 24 knots (27.6 mph)
Ships: No homeport assigned
   USNS Gordon (ex-Jutlandia) (T-AKR 296)
   USNS Gilliland (ex-Selandia) (T-AKR 298)
Crew: 30 civilian crew (up to 45); up to 50 active duty military

General Characteristics: Shughart Class
Builder: Built in Denmark in 1981 and lengthened by Hyundai in 1987.
Conversion: National Steel and Shipbuilding Co.
Power Plant: 1 Burmeister & Wain 12L90 GFCA diesel; 46,653 hp(m) (34.29 MW); 1 shaft; bow and stern thrusters
Length: 906.75
Beam: 105.5 feet
Measurement: 55,298 tons (56,177.24 metric tons) full load
Cargo capacity: 260,779 sq. ft. plus 51,682 sq. ft. deck cargo
Speed: 24 knots (27.6 mph)
Ships: No homeport assigned
   USNS Shughart (ex-Laura Maersk) (T-AKR 295)
   USNS Yano (ex-Leise Maersk) (T-AKR 297)
Crew: 30 civilian crew (up to 45); up to 50 active duty military

General Characteristics: Bob Hope Class
Builder: Avondale Industries.
Power Plant: 4 Colt Pielstick 10 PC4.2 V diesels; 65,160 hp(m) (47.89 MW)
Length: 949.9 feet
Beam: 106 feet
Displacement: 61,680 long tons (63,055.9 metric tons) full load
Cargo capacity: 380,000 sq. ft.
Speed: 24 knots (27.6 mph)
Ships: No homeport assigned
   USNS Bob Hope (T-AKR 300)
   USNS Fisher (T-AKR 301)
   USNS Seay (T-AKR 302)
   USNS Mendonca (T-AKR 303)
   USNS Pililaau (T-AKR 304)
   USNS Brittin (T-AKR 305)
   USNS Benavidez (T-AKR 306)
Crew: 13 in reduced operating status/30 in full operating status - up to 50 military supercargoes in full operating status

General Characteristics: Watson Class
Builder: National Steel and Shipbuilding Co.
Power Plant: 2 GE Marine LM 2500 gas turbines; 64,000 hp (7.7 MW); 2 shafts, cp props
Length: 951.4 feet
Beam: 106 feet
Displacement: 62,644 long tons (63,969.2 metric tons) full load
Cargo capacity: 393,000 sq. ft.
Speed: 24 knots (27.6 mph)
Ships: No homeport assigned
   USNS Watson (T-AKR 310)
   USNS Sisler (T-AKR 311)
   USNS Dahl (T-AKR 312)
   USNS Red Cloud (T-AKR 313)
   USNS Charlton (T-AKR 314)
   USNS Watkins (T-AKR 315)
   USNS Pomeroy (T-AKR 316)
   USNS Soderman (T-AKR 317)
Crew: 30 civilian crew (up to 45); up to 50 active duty military

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