U.S.S. Hercules
PHM-2
1980
(Trident alpha Ta-10241a)
- Class: Pegasus -- 6 patrol missile hydrofoils of 1973-76
- Displacement: 198 tons light; 265 tons full load
- Dimensions: 118'1" (wl) 147'2" (fr) 131'6" (fx) x 28'2" x 6'2" (fr) 23'2" (fx)
- Machinery: 2 diesel engines; 1,630 bhp; 2 waterjets + 1 gas turbine GE LM2500; 16,767 shp; 1 waterjet
- Speed: 12 knots hull-borne; 50 knots foil-borne
- Guns: 1 76mm/62cal AA Mk 75
- Missiles: 8 Harpoon SSM (2 quad canisters Mk 141)
- Complement: 23
- Builder: Boeing Marine, Seattle, Washington
- Laid down: 13 Sep 1980
- Launched: 13 Apr 1982
- Commissioned: 12 Mar 1983
- Notes: The Pegasus-class hydrofoils were a series of USN fast attack patrol boats in service from 1977 until 1993. These hydrofoils carried the designation "PHM" for "Patrol Hydrofoil, Missile." They were originally intended for NATO operations in the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Subsequently, participation by other NATO navies, including Germany and Italy, ceased while the USN proceeded to procure six PHMs. These were highly successful in conducting coastal operations, such as narcotics interdiction and coastal patrol, in the Caribbean basin. The ships were retired because they were not judged cost effective for their mission in a Navy with primarily offensive missions rather than coastal patrol. Hercules is shown here with her hydrofoils retracted.
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