New ship joins U.S. Navy

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SAN DIEGO, April 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy has received a new dry cargo and ammunition ship, the USNS Medgar Evers, from General Dynamics NASSCO.

The USNS Medgar Evers, named after civil rights leader, is the 13th of 14 T-AKE class ships. It was delivered Tuesday.

"As demonstrated on our successful sea trials three weeks ago, the Medgar Evers is ready for immediate service," said Fred Harris, president of General Dynamics NASSCO. "The 12 deployed T-AKE ships are performing and proving their ability to serve the fleet in their primary missions and in a variety of other roles."

General Dynamics NASSCO said the ship features an integrated electric-drive propulsion system, which helps minimize operating costs, and can carry 10,000 tons of food, ammunition, fuel and other provisions for combat ships at sea.

Construction of the Medgar Evers began in 2010. The USNS Cesar Chavez, the final ship in the T-AKE class, will be launched in May and delivered to the Navy by the end of the year.