John Lewis-class replenishment oiler

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.[3] The ships will have capabilities similar to the Henry J. Kaiser-class replenishment oilers and will rely on existing technology.[4] The ships can carry 156,000 barrels of oil and have increased dry cargo storage over the Henry J. Kaiser class.[5] 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.[4]

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.[6] NASSCO began construction on John Lewis on September 20, 2018, and began construction on Harvey Milk on September 3, 2020.[7] 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.[4]

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.[4]