Function: Thirteen 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.





History: Fitted with integrated electrical auxiliary propulsion, the delivery of USNS Patuxent (T-ATF 201), USNS Rappahannock (T-ATF 204) and USNS Laramie (T-ATF 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. USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187) has become part of the MSC Prepositioning Program at Diego Garcia, carrying aviation fuel.





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





General Characteristics, Henry J. Kaiser Class



Builders:

Avondale Shipyards, Inc., New Orleans, LA





Power Plant:

Two Colt-Pielstick 10 PC4.2 V 570 diesels; 34,442 hp(m) (24.3MW) sustained; 2 shafts; cp props





Length, Overall:

677.5 feet (206.50 meters)





Beam:

97.5 feet (29.72 meters)





Displacement:

40,700 long tons (41,353.16 metric tons); 42,000 long tons (42,674.02 metric tons) [T-AO 201, 203-204] full load







Capacity:

180,000; 159,000 [T-AO 201, 203-204] barrels of fuel oil or aviation fuel





Speed:

20 knots (23 mph, 37.05 kph)





Crew:

82 civilian crew (18 officers); 21 Navy (1 officer) plus 21 spare





Aircraft:

Helicopter platform only











Ships:

USNS Henry J. Kaiser (TAO 187) ? Prepositioning Program

USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193) USNS 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)