USNS Washington Chambers
USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE-11) is a Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship of the United States Navy, named in honor of Captain Washington Chambers (1856–1934), a pioneer in US naval aviation.
USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE-11) in October 2014 | |
History | |
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Namesake | Washington Chambers[1] |
Awarded | 12 December 2008[2] |
Builder | National Steel and Shipbuilding[2] |
Laid down | 25 August 2009[1] |
Launched | 11 September 2010[3] |
Sponsored by | Loretta Penn[3] |
Christened | 11 September 2010[3] |
In service | 23 February 2011[4] |
Identification |
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Status | in active service |
Badge | |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship |
Displacement |
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Length |
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Beam |
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Draft |
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Propulsion | Integrated propulsion and ship service electrical system, with generation at 6.6 kV by FM/MAN B&W diesel generators; one fixed pitch propeller; bow thruster[2] |
Speed | 20 knots (37 km/h) |
Range | 14,000 nmi (26,000 km; 16,000 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) |
Capacity | |
Complement | 49 military, 123 civilian[2] |
Electronic warfare & decoys | Nulka decoy launchers |
Armament |
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Aircraft carried | 2 × helicopters, either Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk or Aerospatiale SA330J Puma |
Construction
The contract to build Washington Chambers was awarded to National Steel and Shipbuilding Company on 12 December 2008. Her keel was laid down on 25 August 2009.[1] Washington Chambers was launched and christened on 11 September 2010 sponsored by Loretta Penn, wife of former Acting Secretary of the Navy, B.J. Penn. Washington Chambers was delivered to the US Navy's Military Sealift Command on 23 February 2011, following a series of tests and sea trials.[4]
Operational history
The ship delivers ammunition, provisions, spare parts, potable water and petroleum products to US Navy and other navy ships at sea, allowing them to remain underway and combat ready for extended periods of time.[3]
References
- "Keel Laid for Future USNS Washington Chambers". Navy News Service. 25 August 2009. NNS090825-07.
- "Washington Chambers". Naval Vessel Register. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
- Burford, Sarah (13 September 2010). "Navy Christens Newest Lewis, Clark-Class Ship Washington Chambers". Navy News Service. Military Sealift Command Public Affairs. NNS100913-14.
- Burford, Sarah (24 February 2011). "T-AKE USNS Washington Chambers Accepted into Military Sealift Command's Fleet". Navy News Service. Military Sealift Command Public Affairs. NNS110224-02.
External links
- "USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11)". T-AKE Photo Gallery. NASSCO/General Dynamics Corporation. 2009.
- Photo gallery of USNS Washington Chambers at NavSource Naval History