General Dynamics NASSCO Starts Construction of Sixth T-AKE Ship

, SAN DIEGO: General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, today announced the start of construction on the sixth dry cargo-ammunition ship in the U.S. Navy's T-AKE program. The ship is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in the fourth quarter of 2008. 
 
“The start of construction of T-AKE 6 allows NASSCO to continue the efficient production and timely delivery of these next-generation replenishment ships to the Navy,” said General Dynamics NASSCO President Frederick J. Harris. “With five ships now under construction and the potential to build as many as eight additional ships, the T-AKE program will continue to provide significant work for NASSCO's shipbuilders and teammates into the next decade.” 
 
The lead ship of the class, USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1), was delivered to the Navy last June. The second ship, USNS Sacagawea, will go to sea for Builder's Trials on December 14 and will be delivered to the Navy in the first quarter of 2007. The third ship, USNS Alan Shepard, was launched on December 6, and is scheduled to be delivered in the second quarter of 2007. The fourth and fifth T-AKE ships, currently under construction, are the Richard E. Byrd and Robert E. Peary, respectively. 
 
The T-AKE ships are 210 meters (689 feet) in length and 32.2 meters (105.6 feet) in beam, with a design draft of 9.12 meters (29.9 feet) and a displacement of 41,000 metric tons. NASSCO has incorporated international marine technologies and commercial ship-design features into the ships, including an integrated electric-drive propulsion system, to minimize operating costs over their projected 40-year service life.  
 
Located in San Diego, NASSCO employs more than 4,500 people and is the only major ship construction yard on the West Coast of the United States. In addition to the T-AKE program, the shipyard has a contract to build nine product carriers for U.S. Shipping Partners L.P., with options for five additional ships. 
 
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 81,100 people worldwide and expects 2006 revenue of approximately $24 billion. The company is a market leader in mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation.