USNS Robert F. Kennedy

Robert F. Kennedy following her delivery to the US Navy in 2024
History
United States
Name	Robert F. Kennedy
Namesake	Robert Kennedy
Awarded	2015
Builder	National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego, California
Laid down	5 December 2022
Launched	28 October 2023
Christened	28 October 2023
Acquired	10 December 2024
Identification	Hull number: T-AO-208
Status	In active service
Badge
General characteristics
Class & type	John Lewis-class replenishment oiler
Displacement	22,515  t (22,159 long tons) (Light ship)
Length	746 ft (227 m)
Beam	106 ft (32 m)
Draft	33.5 ft (10.2 m)
Speed	20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement	99 civilian mariners (CIVMARS)

USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO-208) is a John Lewis-class replenishment oiler operated by the Military Sealift Command to logistically support the United States Navy. She was launched in 2023 and is named after former attorney-general Robert F. Kennedy.

History

Like the rest of her sister ships, the John Lewis class is intended to replace the older Henry J. Kaiser-class oilers and is heavily based on the former's design. As replenishment oilers, the vessels transport fuel and cargo to other ships at sea to extend their range and capabilities. ^[1]

Initially known as T-AO-208, she was ordered in 2015 from NASSCO along with the first six ships of the class at an estimated cost of $800 million per ship. ^{[2] : 6} The next year, she was named after former attorney-general Robert F. Kennedy for his efforts to combat inequality in the United States. ^{[3] [4]} Her keel was laid on 5 December 2022 and launched and christened on 28 October 2023, at the shipyard in San Diego. ^{[5] [6]} She entered service following her delivery to the Navy on 10 December 2024. ^[7]

References

1. "John Lewis-Class Replenishment Oiler Ships, USA". Naval Technology. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
2. "Navy John Lewis (TAO-205) Class Oiler Shipbuilding Program: Background and Issues for Congress" (PDF). fas.org. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
3. "Secretary of the Navy to Name Next Fleet Replenishment Oiler in Honor of Robert F. Kennedy | JFK Library". www.jfklibrary.org. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
4. Cannon, Sarah (30 October 2023). "USNS Robert F. Kennedy Christened as MSC's Newest Ship". navy.mil.
5. "Keel Authenticated for Future USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208)". Navy.mil. 6 December 2022.
6. "Military Sealift Command christens its newest ship, USNS Robert F. Kennedy". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
7. "U.S Navy Accepts Delivery of USNS Robert F. Kennedy". Navy.mil. 11 December 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2025.