United States Navy USNS Hector A. Cafferata Jr. Delivered

Accepted from General Dynamics NASSCO at San Diego on 25 August 2026, completing the U.S. Navy's expeditionary sea base programme after integrated sea trials earlier in the summer. The ship passes to Military Sealift Command for post-delivery test and trials before her systems, crew and aviation facilities are certified. She is the sixth and last hull of the Lewis B. Puller class, following USNS Robert E. Simanek (ESB-7) and the four commissioned units. Built on a commercial tanker hull, the 239-metre, 90,000-ton type provides a four-spot V-22-capable flight deck, hangar and mission deck for special operations support, airborne mine countermeasures, ISR and unmanned aviation.