General Dynamics NASSCO and Vard Marine, the Canadian subsidiary of Fincantieri, have secured contracts to deliver preliminary design and concept development services for the US Navy’s Next Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) program. Also known as the Light Replenishment Oiler (TAOL), the initiative was launched in 2020 to introduce a new class of mid-sized vessels designed to support logistics, replenishment, and humanitarian missions alongside larger auxiliary ships in contested environments.
Under the latest awards, NASSCO received a $3.9 million contract, while Vard Marine was granted $4.5 million, as reported by Inside Defense. Vard is expected to carry out its work from its Houston, Texas facility in partnership with Hanwha Defense USA. Following this initial phase, the US government is likely to move toward awarding a full design and construction contract by 2028, with plans to build a total of 13 vessels under the NGLS program.
