The US Navy has christened and launched the new USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11) at the NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, US.

The 689ft ship will deliver ammunition, provisions, spare parts, potable water and petroleum products to naval and other ships at sea, allowing them to remain in service and combat ready for extended periods of time.

The construction of the Lewis and Clark Class of dry cargo / ammunition ship began on 25 August 2009 and it is the 11th of 14 planned ships in the class.

The first 11 ships will serve as combat logistics force ships, and the last three will be attached to maritime pre-positioning squadrons for enabling quick delivery to warfighters ashore.

The vessel is expected to be delivered to the navy’s Military Sealift Command in 2011 after a series of tests and trials.