Combat Stores Ships - T-AFS

Description: Zero combat stores ships are operated by Military Sealift Command to provide supplies to U.S. Navy ships at sea operating for extended periods of time.

Features: Combat stores ships provide underway replenishment of all types of supplies including fresh, frozen and chilled food; dry provisions; repair parts; clothing; and mail using tensioned cargo rigs and CH-46 Sea Knight (or commercial equivalent) helicopters.

Background: USNS Concord (T-AFS 5) transferred to Military Sealift Command in October 1992, followed by USNS San Jose (T-AFS 7) in November 1993 and USNS Niagara Falls (T-AFS 3) in September 1994.
USNS Sirius (T-AFS 8) was transferred from the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary to MSC in January 1981, USNS Spica (T-AFS 9) in November 1981, and USNS Saturn (T-AFS 10) in December 1983.

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: Mars Class
Builders: National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, Calif.
Power Plant: : 3 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 580 psi (40.8 kg/cm2); 8250F (4400C); 1 De Laval turbine (Westinghouse in T-AFS 6); 22,000 hp (16.4MW) sustained; 1 shaft
Length: 581 feet (177.1 meters)
Beam: 79 feet (24.1 meters)
Displacement: 9,200 long tons (9,347.64 metric tons) light; 15,900-18,663 long tons (16,155.17 - 18,962.51 metric tons) full load
Speed: 21 knots (24.15 mph)
Aircraft: Two embarked CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters or commercial equivalent
Ships: No homeports assigned
Crew: Crew size is 136 civilian mariners, and 26 military personnel per ship.
Armament: None

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