The Powhatan class of fleet ocean tugs consists of seven ships built for the United States Navy, and operated by the Military Sealift Command (MSC).

[1] Navy aircraft carriers had tripled in displacement by the time the Powhatan class was conceived, requiring much greater towing power than previous fleet ocean tugs.

On her return voyage to New York, she towed the Free French frigate Senegalais, which had been torpedoed by a U-boat.

[2] During World War II, America's military expanded to a global presence, requiring the Powhatan class to have greater range than previous generations of fleet tugs.

The Navy Ship Characteristics Board considered a plan for an improved fleet ocean tug to replace the Abnaki class in 1967.

Its plan SAIB 744.75, dated 28 December 1973, was ultimately approved as part of the fiscal year 1975 budget.

The Navy originally wanted ten Powhatan-class ships, but cancelled three, saving $51 million in initial procurement costs.

[7] Their unrefueled range at 13 knots was 10,000 miles (16,000 km)[4] While not combatants themselves, Powhatan-class tugs were designed for deployment to areas of active fighting in order to assist damaged ships.

Since battle-damaged ships are often burning, the tugs were equipped with three fire monitors which could pump 2,200 gallons of fire-fighting foam per minute.

[7] The towing system could accommodate either wire rope or synthetic-fiber hawsers and produce as much as 90 short tons of bollard pull.

These will have substantially greater bollard pull, 176 tons, in order to effectively tow the Navy's largest aircraft carriers.

Their aft deck will be larger and have more capable connections to support a wide variety embarked equipment for different missions.

[11] Powhatan-class fleet ocean tugs served as non-commissioned ships assigned to the Military Sealift Command.