Description
Military Sealift Command's newest class of ships ? Large, Medium-speed, Roll-on/Roll-off Ships, or LMSR ? has significantly expanded the nation's sealift capability in the 21st century. Twenty LMSRs have been converted or built at U.S. shipyards.

Features
Large, Medium-speed, Roll-on/Roll-off Ships, or LMSRs, can carry an entire U.S. Army Task Force, including 58 tanks, 48 other track vehicles, plus more than 900 trucks and other wheeled vehicles. The ships can carry vehicles and equipment to support humanitarian missions, as well as combat missions. The new construction vessels have a cargo carrying capacity of more than 380,000 square feet, equivalent to almost eight football fields. In addition, LMSRs have a slewing stern ramp and a removable ramp that services two side ports making it easy to drive vehicles on and off the ship. Interior ramps between decks ease traffic flow once cargo is loaded aboard ship. Two 110-ton single pedestal twin cranes make it possible to load and unload cargo where shoreside infrastructure is limited or nonexistent. A commercial helicopter deck was added for emergency, daytime landing.

Background
The need for additional military sealift ships was identified in a congressionally-mandated study by the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the early 1990s. The Mobility Requirements Study focused on Department of Defense transportation during the 1991 Gulf War. It highlighted the urgent need for greater sealift capacity to transport military equipment and supplies during wartime and other national contingencies.

In response to the sealift shortfall, an ambitious Strategic Sealift Acquisition Program was introduced. Plans called for adding 19 LMSRs to provide five million square feet of new capacity. Subsequently, one conversion LMSR, USNS Soderman, was transferred to MSC's Prepositioning Program for further conversion as the Maritime Prepositioning Force (Enhanced) ship USNS Lance Cpl. Roy M. Wheat. Congress then authorized the construction of a new replacement LMSR to be named USNS Soderman.

General Characteristics, Gordon Class

Builder: Built in Denmark in 1972 and lengthened by Hyundai in 1984; Conversion: Newport News Shipbuilding.
Propulsion: 1 Burmeister & Wain 12K84EF diesel; 26,000 hp(m) (19.11 MW); 2 Burmeister & Wain 9K84EF diesels, 39,000 hp(m) (28.66 MW); 3 shafts (center cp prop) bow thruster.
Length: 956 (291.58 meters).
Beam: 105.9 feet (32.29 meters).
Displacement: 55,422 tons (56,308.75 metric tons) full load.
Speed: 24 knots (27.62 mph).
Crew: 26 civilian crew (up to 45); up to 50 active duty.
Load: 284,064 sq. ft. plus 49,991 sq. ft. deck cargo.
Homeport: No homeport assigned.
Ships:
USNS Gordon (T-AKR 296) - formerly the Jutlandia
USNS Gilliland (T-AKR 298) - formerly the Selandia

General Characteristics, Shughart Class

Builder: Built in Denmark in 1981 and lengthened by Hyundai in 1987; Conversion: National Steel and Shipbuilding Co.
Propulsion: 1 Burmeister & Wain 12L90 GFCA diesel; 46,653 hp(m) (34.29 MW); 1 shaft; bow and stern thrusters.
Length: 906.75 (276.56 meters).
Beam: 105.5 feet (32.29 meters).
Displacement: 55,298 tons (56,182.77 metric tons) full load.
Speed: 24 knots (27.62 mph).
Crew: 26 civilian crew (up to 45); up to 50 active duty.
Load: 260,779 sq. ft. plus 51,682 sq. ft. deck cargo.
Homeport: No homeport assigned.
Ships:
USNS Shughart (T-AKR 295) - formerly the Laura Maersk
USNS Yano (T-AKR 297) - formerly the Leise Maersk

General Characteristics, Bob Hope Class

Builder: Avondale Industries.
Propulsion: 4 Colt Pielstick 10 PC4.2 V diesels; 65,160 hp(m) (47.89 MW).
Length: 951.4 feet (290.18 meters).
Beam: 106 feet (32.33 meters).
Displacement: 62,069 tons (63,062.10 metric tons) full load.
Speed: 24 knots (27.62 mph).
Crew: 26 civilian crew (up to 45); up to 50 active duty/
Load: 380,000 sq. ft. cargo space.
Homeport: No homeport assigned.
Ships:
USNS Bob Hope (T-AKR 300)
USNS Seay (T-AKR 302)
USNS Mendonca (T-AKR 303)
USNS Pililaau (T-AKR 304)
USNS Brittin (T-AKR 305)
USNS Benavidez (T-AKR 306)
USNS Fisher (T-AKT 301)

General Characteristics, Watson Class

Builder: National Steel and Shipbuilding Co.
Propulsion: 2 GE Marine LM gas turbines; 64,000 hp (7.7 MW); 2 shafts, cp props.
Length: 951.4 feet (290.18 meters).
Beam: 106 feet (32.33 meters).
Displacement: 62,968 tons (63,975.49 metric tons) full load.
Speed: 24 knots (27.62 mph).
Crew: 26 civilian crew (up to 45); up to 50 active duty/
Load: 393,000 sq. ft. cargo space.
Homeport: No homeport assigned.
Ships:
USNS Watson (T-AKR 310)
USNS Sisler (T-AKR 311)
USNS Dahl (T-AKR 312)
USNS Red Cloud (T-AKR 313)
USNS Charlton (T-AKR 314)
USNS Watkins (T-AKR 315)
USNS Pomeroy (T-AKR 316)
USNS Soderman (T-AKR 317)