Next-Generation Logistics Ship

The Next-Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) is a programme being undertaken by the United States Navy to construct a fleet of medium-sized auxiliary ships that will provide underway replenishment (UNREPS), disaster relief and logistics capabilities for combined land and sea operations.

These new vessels are not intended to replace existing classes such as the John Lewis-class replenishment oilers (AO) and the Supply-class fast combat support ships (AOE) but to supplement their operations, especially in littoral waters and combat zones where larger vessels cannot be risked.

However, larger vessels represent high-value targets and their loss to enemy action can have serious operational and strategic consequences.

[1][3] To satisfy this emerging doctrine, the NGLS programme commenced in May 2020 with Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) examining the possibility of adopting or adapting existing commercial vessels that may be able to fulfil its needs, and in February 2021 envisaged the construction of a new class of ships that would be smaller and individually less expensive and faster to procure than the current CLF vessels.

[1][3] In December 2021 NAVSEA selected three US shipyards and awarded each $2 million to undertake conceptual design studies for a proposed vessel; the shipyards were:[4] It is envisaged that rather than a single type the new vessels will be a family of ships built upon a common modular design, and will fulfil the roles traditionally provided by:[1][3] While designs are yet to be published, Austal anticipates that their vessel will be similar in size and layout to the Russian Navy's Project 03182 small seagoing tanker Vice Admiral Paromov delivered to the Black Sea Fleet in 2021.