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ADC(X) Auxiliary Dry Cargo Carrier

Auxiliary Dry Cargo Carrier is a new US Navy Ship acquisition program. The ADC(X) will replace aging ammunition ships and dry cargo ships in the Navy's Combat Logistics Force (CLF). The mission of the ADC(X) is to transport ammunition and dry cargo to navy battle groups at-sea; the cargo is then transferred using underway replenishment. The purpose of ADC(X) is to replace the current capability of the T-AE 26, T-AFS 1, T-AFS 8 and AOE 1 Class ships.

The primary mission of the ADC(X) is to provide a steady stream of ammunition, spare parts and provisions (dry, refrigerated and frozen) to naval forces at sea in its role as a shuttle ship. The ADC(X) will provide logistics lift from sources of supply such as friendly ports or at sea from specially equipped merchant ships for further transfer at sea to ships of a naval battle group. The ADC(X) will also have the capability to remain on station with the battle group if the situation so dictates. Remaining on station with the battle group is a secondary mission for the ADC(X). The on station role with the battle group is typically carried out by a fast combat logistics support ship normally referred to as a station ship. Station ships carry all three types of products which the battle group needs to stay at sea for extended periods of time. The three categories of products are dry stores (food, consumables, spare parts), ammunition (bombs, missiles) and fuel (oil, jet fuel). A station ship provides the ships of the battle group with one stop shopping. All three products may be transferred to the customer simultaneously.

The existing shuttle ships (AE and AFS) are single product ships which specialize in either combat stores (food and spares) or ammunition. Their primary role as shuttle ship is to resupply the station ship. ADC(X) may be a single product ship or potentially a two or three product ship. The Navy is currently performing a study to determine the most cost effective means to resupply the battle group at sea.

The ADC(X) is envisioned to be a conventional monohull. The size, speed (20-26 kts), and cargo mix (single or multi product) will be the result of various ongoing trade-off studies. The upper limit of size is that of the AOE 6 Class station ship (length 754 ft, beam 107 ft, displacement 48,500 long tons). The ships' propulsion plant will either be diesel, gas turbine, or electric drive.

The ADC(X) will use standard US Navy Underway Replenishment (UNREP) equipment or improved systems developed by industry. The transfer rates for ammunition and stores must be at least equal to those of the AOE 6 Class. The ship will be capable of landing, fueling and maintaining two H-46D helicopters (and its follow on replacement), with hangar space for both helicopters.

The ADC(X) will be built to commercial standards to the extent practicable in order to minimize cost and accommodate the possibility of civilian manning (Military Sealift Command (MSC) crews). The Government is interested in industry innovations and invites recommendations on commercial alternatives that will reduce life cycle cost and improve efficiencies.

The ADC(X) program will be especially critical to demonstrate America's ability to produce affordable and flexible container-type ships without going overseas. These ships will contribute to America's overall shipbuilding infrastructure because their design will be a common hull having tremendous application to the civilian shipbuilding industry. ADC(X) represents the re-capitalization of the Navy's sealift needs, and will greatly impact America's ability to competitively build ships on the civilian market. Although the final determination has not been made, ADC(X) will likely be a "Charter and Build" program similar to production of the successful MPS ships in the 1980s. The Navy was were asked to pursue Charter and Build by DoD's Defense Planning Guidance (DPG). The ADC(X) program will provide additional work for commercial US shipbuilders, and will utilize the US Merchant Marine by employing the expertise of the industry and providing additional sea-going jobs.

The end force structure will be such that it meets the requirements of the CLF Master Plan, which is being developed as a product of the ADC(X) Analysis of Alternatives (AoA). The preliminary results of the AoA indicate a need for 10 to 15 ADC(X) Class ships to meet the peacetime and wartime lift requirements. Details of the acquisition strategy for use of this performance specification are in the formative stages; however, approximately 12 ships of the T-ADC(X) line are anticipated. Initial procurement will commence in FY 2000. Achieving Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in FY 2005 is desired and will occur after lead ship Post Shakedown Availability (PSA).

The FY 2001–2005 shipbuilding program procures 11 T–ADC(X) dry–cargo ships, completing the planned 12–ship buy. The program also accelerated the procurement schedule relative to previous plans, funding three ships per year in FY 2002 and FY 2003. These new multiproduct vessels will replace aging T–AE and T–AFS ammunition and dry cargo ships and AOE–1 fast combat stores ships. They will be used to carry both dry and refrigerated products as well as ammunition and a limited amount of fuel. To improve affordability, the ships will be procured using commercial business and construction practices to the maximum extent possible.


Specifications

  METRIC Customary
Length Overall 210 M 689 ft
Beam 30.5 M 100 - 105.6 ft
Full Load Draft 8.9 M 28.9 - 29.5 ft
Light Ship Displacement 18,157 MT 17,871 LT
Full Load Displacement 35,850 LT 34,416 MT
Sustained Speed 20 kts 20 kts
Endurance (25,000 bbl) * 11,535 nm 11,535 nm
Dry Cargo Weight 5,550 MT 5,463 LT
Dry Cargo Stowage Capacity 31,396 m3 1,108,592 ft3
Cargo Staging Area 12,788 m3 451,544 ft3
Cargo Fuel Weight 2,427 MT 2,390 LT
Cargo Fuel Volume 2,858 m3 18,000 bbl
UNREP Gear Fueling at Sea Stations
Port Side - 1 sending
Starboard Side - 1 sending & 2 receive

Replenishment at Sea Stations
Port Side - 3 sending
Starboard Side - 2 sending & 1 sliding padeye receive

Elevators
Six 16000 lb elevators - 2 per hold
* Endurance above 10,000 nm is considered cargo fuel.



Ships

Name Number Builder Homeport Ordered Commissioned Decommissioned
ADC-1 20002003
ADC-2 20012004
ADC-3 20022005
ADC-4 20022005
ADC-5 20022005
ADC-6 20032006
ADC-7 20032006
ADC-8 20032006
ADC-9 20042007
ADC-10 20042007
ADC-11 20052008
ADC-12 20052008

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http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/adc-x.htm
Maintained by Robert Sherman
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Saturday, October 14, 2000 7:12:24 AM