FALLS CHURCH (dpa-AFX) - General Dynamics NASSCO, a business unit of General Dynamics (GD), said it launched the U.S. Navy's newest resupply ship, USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14). The ship is named in honor of Cesar Estrada Chavez, the labor leader who founded the National Farm Workers Association.
General Dynamics NASSCO stated that USNS Cesar Chavezis the final ship of a class of 14 T-AKE dry cargo-ammunition ships for the Navy. The ship is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in fourth quarter 2012.
According to the company, the T-AKE class incorporates international marine technologies and commercial ship-design features, including an integrated electric-drive propulsion system, to minimize operating costs over its projected 40-year service life. When the USNS Cesar Chavez joins the fleet, its primary mission will be to deliver more than 10,000 tons of food, ammunition, fuel and other provisions to combat ships at sea.
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