General Dynamics NASSCO has officially laid the keel for the US Navy’s eighth John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oiler, the future USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg (T-AO 212), at its shipyard in San Diego. The milestone ceremony marks the formal start of construction for the vessel, which is named in honor of the late Supreme Court Associate Justice who served for 27 years.
As the second woman appointed to the Supreme Court, Ginsburg became widely recognized for her work advancing gender equality and defending women’s rights. Her daughter, Jane Ginsburg, serves as the ship’s sponsor and commemorated the occasion by welding her initials onto a steel plate that will be incorporated into the vessel’s hull.
The keel-laying follows NASSCO’s delivery of the USNS Lucy Stone (T-AO 209), the Navy’s fifth John Lewis-class oiler, in December.
The John Lewis-class program began in 2016 when the Navy awarded NASSCO a $3.2 billion contract to design and construct six ships (T-AO 205 through T-AO 210). The contract has since been expanded, with the overall program expected to grow to 20 vessels, replacing the aging Henry J. Kaiser-class oilers.
Each ship measures 746 feet (227 meters) in length with a 107-foot (33-meter) beam. The vessels can carry up to 162,000 barrels (25.7 million liters) of fuel, accommodate 125 personnel, and transport additional support equipment. Operated by Military Sealift Command, the tankers are powered by two diesel engines, enabling a top speed of 20 knots and a range exceeding 6,000 nautical miles.
