General Dynamics NASSCO and Fincantieri’s Canadian subsidiary Vard Marine have been awarded contracts to provide preliminary design and concept services for the US Navy’s Next Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) program.
NGLS, also called the Light Replenishment Oiler or TAOL program, was launched in 2020 to deliver a new fleet of medium-sized vessels that can complement logistics, replenishment, and humanitarian deployments of larger auxiliary and oiler platforms across contested environments.
For the recent awards, NASSCO secured $3.9 million from the contract, while Vard signed for $4.5 million, according to Inside Defense.
A US Navy notice issued for the task last year specified a single ship type with “cost-effective” structure for consistent performance in “global maritime domains, sustaining afloat and ashore Navy and [US Marine Corps] requirements.”
“The Contractor(s) shall conduct a global market survey for replenishment ships that could be built in United States shipyards, assess feasibility and affordability of current NGLS requirements … and provide information regarding compliance with 2025 NDAA basic and functional design requirements,” the military said.
Sources told Inside Defense that Vard will facilitate its part of the work at its US site in Houston, Texas, in collaboration with Hanwha Defense USA.
Following the initial assignments, Washington is anticipated to award a detailed design and construction deal by 2028.
As of date, the government plans to assemble 13 NGLS vessels under the program.
