NASSCO Starts Construction on Third T-AKE Ship

National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO), a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, has begun construction on the third ship in the T-AKE program, a new class of combat logistics force ships designated the Lewis and Clark class.

The U.S. Navy has awarded NASSCO contracts for eight dry cargo/ammunition ships and holds options for an additional four ships. If all the options are exercised, the 12-ship program would have a total value of $3.7 billion and become the largest contract in NASSCO’s history. The first T-AKE, named the Lewis and Clark, was launched on May this year. The 210 metre long ship is in the final stages of construction alongside NASSCO’s pier, with delivery scheduled for early next year. The second T-AKE, to be named the Sacagawea, is scheduled to be launched in the spring of 2006.