USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE-10) is a Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship of the United States Navy, named in honor of Dr. Charles R. Drew (1904–1950), who developed improved techniques for blood storage, and applied his expert knowledge in developing large-scale blood banks early in World War II, saving thousands of Allied lives.[3]
 USNS Charles Drew during 2010
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| History | |
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| Name | Charles Drew |
| Namesake | Dr. Charles R. Drew |
| Awarded | 31 January 2008[1] |
| Builder | National Steel and Shipbuilding Company[1] |
| Laid down | 17 March 2009[1] |
| Launched | 27 February 2010[1] |
| Sponsored by | Mrs. Bebe Drew Price |
| Acquired | 14 July 2010[2] |
| In service | 2011 |
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| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Lewis and Clark-class cargo ship |
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| Propulsion | Integrated propulsion and ship service electrical system, with 6.6 kV power provided by two Fairbanks-Morse/MAN B&W 8L48/60 and two 9L48/60 diesel generators; one fixed pitch propeller; bow thruster |
| Speed | 20 knots (37 km/h) |
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| Complement | 49 military, 123 civilian |
| Electronic warfare & decoys | Nulka decoy launchers |
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| Aircraft carried | two helicopters, either Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk or Aerospatiale Super Puma |
The contract to build Charles Drew was awarded to National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) of San Diego, California, on 31 January 2008. Her keel was laid down on 17 March 2009. Charles Drew was christened and launched on 27 February 2010, sponsored by Mrs. Bebe Drew Price, the eldest daughter of Dr. Drew. The principal address at the ceremony was given by Vice Admiral Regina Benjamin, the Surgeon General of the United States.[4]
Charles Drew was delivered to Military Sealift Command on 14 July 2010 and began conducting missions for MSC in spring 2011 and will operate in the Pacific.[2]
On 7 August 2022, the United States Navy sent its first ship, USNS Charles Drew, to Kattupalli Shipyard of Larsen & Toubro for an 11-day repair and allied services work.[5][6] The repair work was completed on 17 August 2022. This was a result of the U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in April 2022 where US was represented by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10)". Naval Vessel Register. United States Navy. 20 March 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
- ^ a b Seal, Laura M. (14 July 2010). "The Navy's Newest Dry Cargo/Ammunition Ship Delivered to MSC". Navy News Service. NNS100714-13. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
- ^ "Navy Names Four Ships After American Pioneers". U.S. Department of Defense. 2 December 2008. Retrieved 14 October 2010.
- ^ "General Dynamics NASSCO Launches USNS Charles Drew" (Press release). PR Newswire. 27 February 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
- ^ "US Navy ship docks in India for the first time for repairs". The Times of India. 8 August 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ "First ever repair of a US Navy Ship in India; 'Charles Drew'arrives at L&T Kattupalli shipyard, in huge boost to 'Make in India' & 'Aatmanirbharta in Defence'". Press Information Bureau. 7 August 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ India, U. S. Mission (17 August 2022). "U.S. Navy's Charles Drew ship successfully completes maintenance in India". U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
External links
edit
- Photo gallery of USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE-10) at NavSource Naval History
- "USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10)". T-AKE Photo Gallery. NASSCO/General Dynamics Corporation. 2009. Retrieved 11 April 2009.
- marinetraffic.com
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