Fast combat support ship
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The fast combat support ship (
History
The fast combat support ship is designed to perform the functions of three old logistic ship types in one hull - fleet oiler (AO), ammunition ship (AE), and refrigerated stores ship (AF). Aside from supplying ships, fast combat support ships need the speed, weapons, sensors, and communications equipment, to serve as an integrated component of the carrier strike battle group. The concept of fast combat support ship was envisioned by United States Navy admiral Arleigh Burke, who laid out the concept as the solution to logistics problems he encountered in World War II.[2]
The first class of the fast combat support ship was the Sacramento-class, built with multi-product supply stations, the largest fuel capacity, and the largest ammunition capacity in the US Navy at the time. The four ships of the Sacramento-class were 53,000 tons at full load, 796 feet overall length, and carried two Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters. The Sacramento-class was retired in 2005.[2]
After replacing the Sacramento-class, the
Air defense includes the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow radar and infrared surface-to-air missile in eight-cell launchers to provide point defense with 15km to 25km range. There are also two 20mm Phalanx CIWS (close-in weapon systems) and two Mk38 25mm cannons. All Supply-class combat support ships were commissioned until 2001, and then were transferred to Military Sealift Command.[3]
A program to replace the Supply-class ships, the" T-AOE(X) station-ship replacement project", was cancelled in 2005 by US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.[4]
As of early 2023, USNS Rainier and USNS Bridge have been taken out of service and struck. Along with the remaining two Supply-class ships, US Navy fleets are currently supplied by
.In the 21st century, China also developed the Type 901 fast combat support ship, which serves a similar mission in their navy.[5]
List of fast combat support ships
United States
China
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- Type 901 fast combat support ship (NATO reporting name: Fuyu-class)
References
- ^ "Fast Combat Support Ships T-AOE". US Navy. 29 September 2021.
- ^ a b "AOE-1 Sacramento Fast Combat Support Ship". Federation Of American Scientists.
- ^ a b "AOE 6 Supply". Federation Of American Scientists.
- ^ "Running On Empty". usni.org. 1 October 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ "Chinese Liaoning Carrier Strike Group Now Operating in the Philippine Sea". USNI News. 19 December 2022.
External links
- AOE class at Naval Technology
- AOE class at US Navy Military Sealift Command Archived 2005-11-19 at the Wayback Machine
- AOE class at US Naval Vessel Register
- US Navy Military Sealift Command front page Archived 2007-02-10 at the Wayback Machine
- Extensive description and photos of AOE-1 Sacramento at Military Analysis Network (unofficial)