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Combat Stores Ships — T-AFS

Updated: September 15, 2003

image of UNSN Spica Description: Six combat stores ships operated by Military Sealift Command provide supplies, including frozen, chilled and dry provisions, and propulsion and aviation fuel to U.S. Navy combatant ships that are at sea for extended periods of time.

Features: Combat stores ships provide underway replenishment of all types of supplies, ranging from repair parts to fresh food, clothing and mail via tensioned cargo rigs and UH-60 Seahawk helicopters or their commercial equivalents.

Background:USNS Concord (T-AFS 5) became the first of five Navy Mars-class ships to be transferred to Military Sealift Command on Oct. 15, 1992. Mars followed on Feb. 1, 1993, USNS San Diego on Aug. 11, 1993, USNS San Jose on Nov. 2, 1993 and USNS Niagara Falls on Sept. 23, 1994. San Diego was deactivated on Dec. 10, 1997, and Mars was deactivated on Feb. 12, 1998. USNS Sirius (T-AFS 8) was transferred from the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary to MSC on Jan. 18, 1981; USNS Spica (T-AFS 9) on Nov. 5, 1981; and USNS Saturn (T-AFS 10) on Dec. 13, 1983.

Point of Contact:
Public Affairs Office
Military Sealift Command
Washington, DC 20398-5540
(202) 685-5055 or http://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; 22,000 hp (16.4MW) sustained; 1 shaft
Length: 581 feet (177.1 meters)
Beam: 79 feet (24.1 meters)
Displacement: 9,200 tons (9,347.64 metric tons) light ; 15,900-18,663 tons (16,155.17 - 18,962.51 metric tons) full load
Speed: 21 knots (24.15 mph)
Aircraft: Two embarked UH-60S Seahawk helicopters (normally embarked)
Ships: No homeports assigned
USNS Niagara Falls (T-AFS 3)
USNS Concord (T-AFS 5)
USNS San Jose (T-AFS 7)
Crew: 26 Navy personnel, 118 civilians
Armament: None

General Characteristics, Sirius Class

Builder: Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Wallsend-on-Tyne, UK
Power Plant: 1 Wallsend-Sulzer 8RD76 diesel, 11,520 hp (8.59 MW); 1 shaft
Length: 524 feet (159.7 meters)
Beam: 72 feet (22 meters)
Displacement: 9,010 tons (9,154.59 metric tons) light ; 16,792 tons (17,061.48 metric tons) full load
Speed: 19 knots (21.85 mph)
Aircraft: Two helicopters (normally embarked) can be UH-46E Sea Knight, UH-60S Seahawks or their commercial equivalents.
Ships: No homeports assigned
USNS Sirius (T-AFS 8)
USNS Spica (T-AFS 9)
USNS Saturn (T-AFS 10)
Crew: 49 Navy personnel, 115 civilians
Armament: None

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