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T-AKE Lewis and Clark
ADC(X) Auxiliary Dry Cargo Carrier

The T-AKE is a new Combat Logistics Force (CLF) Underway Replenishment Naval vessel, intially known as the Auxiliary Dry Cargo Carrier [ADC(X)]. It is intended to replace the current capability of the Kilauea-Class (T-AE 26) Ammunition Ship, Mars-Class (T-AFS 1) Combat Stores Ships, and when operating in concert with a Henry J. Kaiser-Class (T-AO 187) Oiler ship, the Sacramento-Class (AOE 1) Fast Combat Support Ship. The T-AKE Program was initially expected to consist of 12 ships and with a budget of approximately $4B. The program resides within the Navy's Program Executive Office, Expeditionary Warfare - Support Ships Boats and Craft Program Office (PEO EXW/PMS 325).

The T-AKE Class dry cargo/ammunition ship provides a two product (ammunition and combat stores - including dry stores, frozen and chilled products, spare parts and consumables) shuttle ship replacement for the aging Combat Store (T-AFS) and Ammunition (T-AE) shuttle ships. T-AKE provides logistics lift to station ships and other ships operating with naval forces from supply sources, such as friendly ports, and at sea from merchant vessels.

Designed to operate independently for extended periods at sea while providing replenishment services to U.S. and NATO ships, and as an auxiliary support ship, the Lewis and Clark class ships directly contribute to the ability of the Navy to maintain a forward presence. These ships provide logistic lift from sources of supply such as ports or at sea from specially equipped merchant ships by consolidation, and would transfer this cargo (ammunition; food; limited quantities of fuel; repair parts; ship store items and expendable supplies and material) at sea to stations ships and other naval warfare forces.

Some combat logistics force ships (station ships) are integral parts of the CVBG and ARG's and others (shuttle ships) move logistical supplies from ports, forward logistics sites, or commercial ships (black hulls) to the battle group at sea. T-ADC(X) would be primarily a shuttle ship, providing logistics lift from sources of supply to station ships and other ships operating with naval forces. Additionally the T-ADC(X)/T-AKE may be required to operate in company with a T-AO 187 Class ship while performing a station ship role. T-ADC(X)/T-AKE must be fully inter-operable with all the US Navy and North Atlantic Treaty organization ships capable of underway replenishment.

This scenario is a typical AOE download to the T-ADC(X)/T-AKE with concurrent refueling of surface combatants followed by a CVN cross-deck and escort refueling. UNREP A has the T-ADC(X)/T-AKE receiving solid cargo CONREP and VERTREP from an AOE to port and performing liquid cargo CONREP to three DDGs to starboard in sequence. AOEs returning from deployment often download all their cargo ammunition to a shuttle ship (T-ADC(X))/T-AKE. This allows the AOE to return to home port without the lengthy evolution of downloading their ordnance first at a designated ammunition facility. UNREP A is an AOE download of 2380 unit loads (2015 metric tons) of ordnance from the AOE to the T-ADC(X)/T-AKE. The AOE is part of the aircraft carrier battle group (CVBG) and has more fuel commitments with the CVBG. Due to fuel stocks onboard, the AOE cannot afford to give the 10,000 barrels of F-76 and F-44 required to refuel a surface action group (SAG), consisting of three DDGs that are transiting independently. The operational commander has tasked the T-ADC(X) to provide fuel to the SAG. Due to time and distance constraints, the SAG refueling must be done concurrently with the AOE download.

UNREP B has the T-ADC(X)/T-AKE performing solid cargo CONREP and VERTREP to a CVN to port and liquid cargo CONREP to a CG and subsequently a DDG to starboard. Three days after completing the AOE download (UNREP A), T-ADC(X)/T-AKE is tasked to transfer to a CVN, 1840 unit loads (1543 metric tons) of RFI (ready for issue) ordnance, while retaining approximately 540 unit loads (472 metric tons) NRFI (not ready for issue) ordnance for later off load in port. The T-ADC(X)/T-AKE would be the first Navy Environmentally Sound Ship of the 21ST Century built with protection of the marine environment as a design objective. Performance requirements have been crafted in the System Specification that would not only ensure compliance with today's regulations but also with those projected for the next 20 years. Central themes are compliance with international and national regulations, adaptation of pollution prevention measures though elimination of pollutants at the source (design them out at the onset), establishment of a hazardous material prohibition list, and list of materials that may only be used with government concurrence. The T-ADC(X)/T-AKE would be the first Navy ship to be Ozone Depleting Substance free, designed in capability to perform mid-ocean ballast water exchange to minimize introduction of invasive species, a combined sewage/graywater treatment system, and a double hull around cargo fuel areas to afford port access. Analysis of total pollutant loading between legacy (existing) ships that T-ADC(X)/T-AKE would replace and with the T-ADC(X)/T-AKE design shows a decrease of 95% in total pollutants being introduced into the marine environment. Management of the T-ADC(X)/T-AKE Environmental Protection Program rests with the Assistant Project Manager. The government/industry team would be responsible for ensuring environmental performance through the Environmental Protection Working Group.

T-AKE Lewis and Clark Management

The Deputy Program Manager (DPM) is responsible to the Program Manager for the execution of the T-ADC(X)/T-AKE Program and the related Sealift Program. With over sixty programs, the Program Manager relies heavily on the DPM to keep the program on track. The DPM liaises daily with ASN and OSD Staff personnel, and attends and chairs various Integrated Product Team (IPT) meetings such as the Overarching IPT, Integrating IPT, Acquisition Strategy IPT, and Cost IPT. The DPM provides leadership to the T-ADC(X)/T-AKE Project team. The DPM billet is designated with an AQD of AAC, requiring the DPM to have completed DAWIA certification at the third level in Program Management, requiring completion of the Advanced Program Mangers Course at DSMC.

The Assistant Project Manager (APM) provides the day-to-day leadership required to maintain project momentum. Designated as the Technical Representative of the Contracting Officer, the APM works closely with the Ship Design Manager from the NAVSEA Surface Ship Design Group (SEA 05D) and shipbuilder design team to ensure that the T-ADC(X)/T-AKE ship design meets the requirements of the Navy/Fleet as expressed in the Mission Need Statement (MNS)and Operational Requirements Document (ORD). The APM is involved in all aspects of program management including cost, schedule and performance and is responsible for managing the risk associated with each. The APM led a diverse project office team made up six NAVSEA employees, two Interns and several support contractors. The APM is designated as the Environmental Program Manager, responsible for ensuring that the T-ADC(X)/T-AKE was able to operate in compliance with environmental regulations worldwide, affording unrestricted naval operations. Although not required under DAWIA guidelines, to be competitive for the position, the APM should have completed DAWIA certification at the third level in Program Management, requiring completion of the Advanced Program Mangers Course at DSMC.

The Test Director is responsible for the planning, coordination and documentation of the test program. This effort includes formulating the test strategy as leader of the Test Integrated Product Team with membership from: OSD, ASN Staff, CNO Staff, OPTEVFOR, MSC and the Fleet. Development of the Live Fire Master Plan in conjunction with OSD DOT&E staff members has enabled development of an innovative plan that meets statutory requirements, while acknowledges the commercial nature of this ship design and acquisition program. The Test Director has also developed the Program Modeling & Simulation strategy and plan for Verification, Validation and Accreditation of software tools used in the program. The assignment of a naval officer to this critical role indicates the great deal of importance given to ensuring that the T-ADC(X)/T-AKE Class of ships meets the ORD requirements.



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