Pegasus-class hydrofoil

USS Aquila

  • 8 × AGM -84 Harpoon
  • 1 × 7.6 cm caliber Length ( L/62 ) Sk

The Pegasus class ( PHM, Patrol Hydrofoil Missile ) was a series of fast patrol boats, hydrofoils which thanks to speeds up to 48 kn ( 90 km / h) achieved. They were used among other things for the offensive against drug trafficking in the Caribbean. They were the fastest ships, which the U.S. Navy had at that time in service.

History

The PHM program was started in the early 1970s. The aim was to deduct frigates and destroyers from the surveillance of coastal waters and to replace them with low-cost, powerful hydrofoils. In the project in addition to the U.S. Navy, the German Navy, the Royal Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Marina Militare were involved. It was planned to build up to 100 ships, for reasons of cost, however, was only the USS Pegasus, then still called Delphinius built. A few years later, five other boats were still created, but the relevant NATO naval forces had lost their interest. Only the Italian Navy entertained until the early 1990s, seven boats of a similar type ( Sparviero class).

List of vessels

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