The fast combat support ship (AOE) is the United States Navy's largest combat logistics ship, designed as an oiler, ammunition and supply ship. All fast combat support ships currently in service are operated by Military Sealift Command (MSC). The AOE has the speed and armament to keep up with carrier battle groups. It rapidly replenishes Navy task forces and can carry more than 177,000 barrels (28,100 m3) of oil, 2,150 tons of ammunition, 500 tons of dry stores and 250 tons of refrigerated stores. It receives petroleum products, ammunition and stores from shuttle ships and redistributes these items simultaneously to carrier battle group ships. This reduces the vulnerability of serviced ships by reducing alongside time.
Congress appropriated the funds for the lead ship of T-AOE 6 (Supply class) in 1987. The AOE 1, (Sacramento) class, was retired in late 2005, making the Supply class the only ship class currently in this ship classification.
Supply class displace 48,800 tons full load and operate two Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters.
The four ships of the Sacramento class were larger at 53,000 tons full load and carried two Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
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