Lead Ship of T-AKE Class Delivered

General Dynamics NASSCO delivered the USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1) to the U.S. Navy. The ship is named after Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, who led a legendary exploration of the American West from 1804 to 1806. USNS Lewis and Clark is the first of an expected class of 11 dry cargo-ammunition ships. With modular cargo holding and handling systems, the Lewis and Clark can replenish combat ships at sea with ammunition, food or fuel in one mission and then be quickly reconfigured for an alternate mission, such as a humanitarian sealift of supplies. The ship incorporates international marine technologies and commercial ship-design features, including an integrated electric-drive propulsion system, to minimize operating costs over its projected 40-year service life. Construction of the ship began in September 2003. "The Lewis and Clark is the next-generation combat logistics force ship for the Navy," said Frederick J. Harris, president of General Dynamics NASSCO. "The NASSCO team is proud to have built Lewis and Clark and, based on its outstanding performance on its sea trials, it is clearly the finest lead ship we have ever delivered to the Navy."