OVERVIEW: The NITRO class AE is a steam-powered Ammunition Ship.

DETAILS: The NITRO class AE are specialized underway replenishment ships built after the Second World War, designed to conduct underway replenishment in support of operating forces by simultaneously providing ammunition from 6 stations (2 starboard and 4 port) and stores, fleet freight, mail, personnel and other items.

Specifications:

Displacement: 10,000 tons (standard), 15,500 tons (full load)
Speed: 18 knts
Engineering: 1 shaft, 2 steam boilers
Range:
Complement: 350
In Commission: 1956-1995
Completed: 5

NOTES: Units in class: SURIBACHI (AE 21); MAUNA KEA (AE 22); NITRO (AE 23); PYRO (AE 24); HALEAKALA (AE 25). All ships were modernized in the 1960s with "FAST" high speed transfer equipment, three holds configured for missile stowage and a helicopter platform. The Nitro-class ammunition ships are sometimes considered part of this class.

SOURCES: Moore, John Evelyn. Jane's Fighting Ships 1987-88. London: Jane's Pub, 1987, pg. 773 ; "Suribachi-class Ammunition Ship." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Accessed April 5, 2015. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suribachi-class_ammunition_ship ; "AE-11 Mount Hood." GlobalSecurity.org - Reliable Security Information. Accessed April 5, 2015. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/ae-21.htm.