The United States Navy

Underway Replenishment Oilers - T-AO

Updated: September 15, 2003

image of USNS Big Horn

Description: Fourteen underway replenishment oilers are operated by Military Sealift Command and provide underway replenishment of fuel to U.S. Navy ships at sea and jet fuel for aircraft assigned to aircraft carriers. Three of the newest MSC underway replenishment oilers have double hulls.

Features: There are stations on both sides of each ship for underway replenishment of fuel and stores.

Background: Fitted with medium-speed diesel propulsion, the delivery of USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201), USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204) and USNS Laramie (T-AO 203) was delayed by the decision to fit double hulls to meet the requirements of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. This modification increased construction time from 32 to 42 months and reduced cargo capacity by 17 percent, although this can be restored in an emergency. Hull separation is 1.83 m at the sides and 1.98 m on the bottom.

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

General Characteristics: Henry J. Kaiser Class

Builder: Avondale Shipyards, Inc., New Orleans, La.
Power Plant: 2 Colt-Pielstick 10 PC4.2 V 570 diesels; 34,442 hp(m) (24.3MW) sustained; 2 shafts; cp props
Length: 677.5 feet (206.5 meters)
Beam: 97.5 feet (29.7 meters)
Displacement:
40,700 tons (41,353.16 metric ton); 42,000 tons (42,674.02 metric tons) [T-AO 201, 203-204] full load
Capactiy: 180,000; 159,000 [T-AO 201, 203-204] barrels of fuel oil or aviation fuel
Speed: 20 knots (23 mph)
Ships: No homeports assigned
USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187)
USNS John Lenthall (T-AO 189)
USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193)
USNS John Ericsson (T-AO 194)
USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195)
USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196)
USNS Pecos (T-AO 197)
USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198)
USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199)
USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200)
USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201)
USNS Yukon (T-AO 202)
USNS Laramie (T-AO 203)
USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204)
Crew: 89 civilian crew (19 officers); 6 Navy plus 29 spare
Aircraft: Helicopter platform only

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