Description
The Lewis and Clark-class T-AKE is a new Combat Logistics Force (CLF) Underway Replenishment Naval vessel intended to replace the current capability of the Kilauea-Class (T-AE 26) Ammunition Ship, Mars-Class (T-AFS 1) Combat Stores Ships, and when operating in concert with a Henry J. Kaiser-Class (T-AO 187) Oiler ship, the Sacramento-Class (AOE 1) Fast Combat Support Ship. The T-AKE Program calls for 12 ships and has a budget of approximately $4B. The program resides within the Navy's Program Executive Office, Expeditionary Warfare - Support Ships Boats and Craft Program Office (PEO EXW/PMS 325).

Features
As an auxiliary support ship, T-AKE will directly contribute to the ability of the Navy to maintain a forward presence. In its primary mission role, the T-AKE will provide logistic lift from sources of supply such as friendly ports, or at sea from specially equipped merchant ships by consolidation, and will transfer cargo (ammunition, food, limited quantities of fuel, repair parts, ship store items, and expendable supplies and material) at sea to station ships and other naval warfare forces. In its secondary mission, the T-AKE may be required to operate in concert with a Henry J. Kaiser-Class (T-AO 187) Oiler as a substitute station ship to provide direct logistics support to the ships within a Carrier Battle Group.

The primary goal of the T-AKE program is to provide effective fleet underway replenishment capability at the lowest life cycle cost. To meet that goal, the ship will be designed and constructed to commercial specifications & standards and certified/classed by the American Bureau of Shipping, United States Coast Guard, and other regulatory bodies. The ships will be operated by the Military Sealift Command.

Background
The T-AKE program utilizes a two-phase acquisition process. Phase I consisted of multiple competitively awarded contracts to conduct ship/cargo systems integration design studies. The intent of these contracts was to develop innovative integrated ship concepts with life cycle cost improvements by encouraging traditional builders of Navy ships to involve materials handling firms in system development. Contracts were awarded to Avondale Industries, Friede Goldman Halter (formerly Halter Marine), Ingalls Shipbuilding, and National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO). The Phase II contract for Detail Design and Construction of up to 12 T-AKEs was awarded to NASSCO, a General Dynamics company, on 18 October 2001. Delivery of the first ship is expected in FY2005.

General Characteristics, Lewis and Clark Class

Length: 689 feet (210 meters).
Beam: 106 feet (32.31 meters).
Displacement: 40,539 long ton (41,187.62 metric tons) full load.
Draft: 29.5 feet (8.99 meters).
Speed: 20 knots (23 mph).
Range: 14,000 nautical miles @ 20 knots.
Load: Max Dry Cargo Volume: 1,388,000 cubic feet
Max Cargo Fuel Volume: 26,000 barrels.
Ships:
Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1)
Sacagawea (T-AKE 2)