A Navy logistics ship was named for former NASA astronaut Wally Schirra, with christening ceremonies yesterday in San Diego, General Dynamics Corp. [GD] stated.
Schirra was a Navy captain who was the fifth American to venture into space.
The T-AKE 8 ship was build by GD unit NASSCO. Construction of the 689-foot-long Wally Schirra began in October 2007.
The ship’s primary mission will be to deliver more than 10,000 tons of food, ammunition, fuel and other provisions to combat ships at sea. The ship’s name is preceded by “USNS” for United States Naval Ship. The ship will be delivered to the Navy in the third quarter.