USNS Arctic (T-AOE-8)

USNS "Arctic" (T-AOE-8), formerly USS "Arctic" (AOE-8), is the third ship in the "Supply" class of fast combat support ships and is the fifth supply ship to carry the name of the region surrounding the North Pole.

"Arctic" was built by National Steel and Shipbuilding Company in San Diego, California.

Since June 14, 2002, "Arctic" has been operated by the Military Sealift Command, homeported in Earle, New Jersey. As a U.S. Naval Ship, "Arctic" no longer carries the weapons systems she previously (as USS "Arctic") was equipped with. One of these systems was the Phalanx CIWS.

"Arctic" has the speed to keep up with the carrier strike groups. She rapidly replenishes Navy task forces and can carry more than 177,000 barrels (28,000 m³) of oil; 2,150 tons of ammunition; 500 tons of dry stores; and 250 tons of refrigerated stores. She receives petroleum products, ammunition and stores from shuttle ships and redistributes these items simultaneously to carrier strike group ships. This reduces the vulnerability of serviced ships by reducing alongside time.

Like other fast combat support ships, she is part of MSC's Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force.

USNS "Arctic"'s cargo capacities:
*Diesel Fuel Marine (DFM): 1,965,600 US gallons (7,440 m³)
*JP-5 fuel: 2,620,800 US gallons (9,920 m³)
*Bottled gas: 800 bottles
*Ordnance stowage: 1,800 tons
*Chill and freeze stowage: 400 tons
*Water: 20,000 US gallons (76 m³)

USNS "Arctic"'s refueling rigs can pump fuel at a rate of 3,000 US gallons per minute (20 L/s).

ources:

[http://navysite.de/ships/aoe8.htm Ship web page at navysite.de]

[http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/ships.asp?ship=7&type=FastCombatSupportShip Official MSC ship website]

[http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/AOE8.htm US Naval vessel register web page]