USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE-10)

USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE-10) is a Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship of the United States Navy, named in honor of Dr. Charles R. Drew (1904–1950), who developed improved techniques for blood storage, and applied his expert knowledge in developing large-scale blood banks early in World War II, saving thousands of Allied lives.[3]

USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE-10)
USNS Charles Drew during 2010
History
Name: Charles Drew
Namesake: Dr. Charles R. Drew
Awarded: 31 January 2008[1]
Builder: National Steel and Shipbuilding Company[1]
Laid down: 17 March 2009[1]
Launched: 27 February 2010[1]
Sponsored by: Mrs. Bebe Drew Price
Acquired: 14 July 2010[2]
In service: 2011
Identification:
Badge:
General characteristics
Class and type: Lewis and Clark-class cargo ship
Displacement:
  • 23,852 tons light,
  • 40,298 tons full,
  • 16,446 tons dead
Length:
  • 210 m (689 ft) overall,
  • 199.3 m (654 ft) waterline
Beam:
  • 32.3 m (106 ft) extreme,
  • 32.3 m (106 ft) waterline
Draft:
  • 9.1 m (30 ft) maximum,
  • 9.4 m (31 ft) limit
Propulsion: Integrated propulsion and ship service electrical system, with generation at 6.6 kV by FM/MAN B&W diesel generators; one fixed pitch propeller; bow thruster
Speed: 20 knots (37 km/h)
Range:
  • 14,000 nautical miles at 20 kt
  • (26,000 km at 37 km/h)
Capacity:
  • Max dry cargo weight:
  •   5,910 long tons (6,005 t)
  • Max dry cargo volume:
  •   783,000 cubic feet (22,000 m³)
  • Max cargo fuel weight:
  •   2,350 long tons (2,390 t)
  • Cargo fuel volume:
  •   18,000 barrels (2,900 m³)
  •   (DFM: 10,500) (JP5:7,500)
Complement: 49 military, 123 civilian
Electronic warfare
& decoys:
Nulka decoy launchers
Armament:
Aircraft carried: two helicopters, either Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk or Aerospatiale Super Puma

The contract to build Charles Drew was awarded to National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) of San Diego, California, on 31 January 2008. Her keel was laid down on 17 March 2009. Charles Drew was christened and launched on 27 February 2010, sponsored by Mrs. Bebe Drew Price, the eldest daughter of Dr. Drew. The principal address at the ceremony was given by Vice Admiral Regina Benjamin, the Surgeon General of the United States.[4]

Charles Drew was delivered to Military Sealift Command on 14 July 2010 and began conducting missions for MSC in spring 2011 and will operate in the Pacific.[2]

References

  1. "USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10)". Naval Vessel Register. United States Navy. 20 March 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  2. Seal, Laura M. (14 July 2010). "The Navy's Newest Dry Cargo/Ammunition Ship Delivered to MSC". Navy News Service. NNS100714-13. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  3. "Navy Names Four Ships After American Pioneers". U.S. Department of Defense. 2 December 2008. Retrieved 14 October 2010.
  4. "General Dynamics NASSCO Launches USNS Charles Drew" (Press release). PRNewswire. 27 February 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2010.


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