USNS (Alan) Shepard

Navy to name ship after Alan Shepard, Manchester Union Leader

“Astronaut Alan Shepard Jr. added another feather to his cap yesterday: a 1,000-foot combat ship that will join the U.S. Navy’s fleet by March 2007”

T-AKE Program, General Dynamics

“The T-AKE 1 is a dry cargo/ammunition ship, the lead ship in the Lewis and Clark class. Designed to operate independently for extended periods at sea while providing underway replenishment services, the T-AKE will directly contribute to the ability of the Navy to maintain a forward presence.”

Editor’s note: The first two ships in this class are named for American explorers: USNS Lewis and Clark and USNS Sacagawea.