John Lewis-class replenishment oiler

The "John Lewis" class is a future class of fleet replenishment oilers which began construction in September 2018. The class will comprise twenty oilers which will be operated by Military Sealift Command to provide underway replenishment of fuel and limited amounts of dry cargo to United States Navy Carrier Strike Groups, Amphibious ready groups, and other surface forces to allow them to operate worldwide.
Design.
The "John Lewis"-class ships will be double-hulled ships that are being constructed to commercial standards and OPNAVINST 9070.1 requirements, and will be classed to American Bureau of Shipping steel vessel rules. The ships will have capabilities similar to the s and will rely on existing technology. The ships can carry 156,000 barrels of oil and have increased dry cargo storage over the "Henry J. Kaiser" class. There will be stations on both sides of each ship for underway replenishment of fuel and stores, and will have two dry cargo transfer rigs. The "John Lewis"-class ships will have limited means of self-defense when delivered, including defenses against mines and torpedoes, and will be equipped with crew-served weapons which will be operated by embarked Navy Expeditionary Security Teams for limited self-defense ability against small boat attack. The ships will have space, weight, and power reserved for additional self-defense systems, including close-in weapon systems (CIWS) or SeaRAM, and an anti-torpedo torpedo defense system. Even with additional self-defense systems installed the ships will still require escort if operating in a higher threat environment.
History.
On June 30, 2016, General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) was awarded detailed design and construction for six "John Lewis"-class replenishment oilers. NASSCO began construction on "John Lewis" on September 20, 2018, and began construction on "Harvey Milk" on September 3, 2020. In January 2020 it was announced the lead ship delivery estimate had been delayed from November 2020 until June 2021 due to delays in delivery of gear and flooding of a graving dock.
Naming.
The class is named for its lead unit, USNS "John Lewis", which in turn is named for the American politician and civil rights leader John Lewis. The remaining "John Lewis"-class oilers will be named after prominent civil rights activists and leaders.