Pegasus-class hydrofoil

Last updated
PHM-1.jpg
Class overview
NamePegasus-class hydrofoil
Builders Boeing Marine Systems, Renton, Washington
OperatorsFlag of the United States Navy (official).svg  United States Navy
Built1973–1982
In commission1977–1993
Completed6
Retired6
Preserved1
General characteristics
Displacement237.2 long tons (241 t)
Length133 ft (41 m)
Beam28 ft (8.5 m)
Propulsion
  • 2 × Mercedes-Benz MTU marine diesels (hullborne), 1,600 bhp (1,193 kW)
  • 1 × General Electric LM2500 gas turbine (Foilborne), 18,000 shp (13,423 kW)
Speed
  • 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) hullborne
  • 48 knots (89 km/h; 55 mph) foilborne
Complement4 officers, 17 enlisted
Sensors and
processing systems
Armament
All six members of the Pegasus class of armed hydrofoils Six Pegasus class hydrofoils underway.jpg
All six members of the Pegasus class of armed hydrofoils
The patrol combatant missile hydrofoils USS Aquila (PHM 4), front, and USS Gemini (PHM 6), center, lie tied up in port with a third PHM. The Coast Guard surface effect ship (SES) cutter USCGC Shearwater (WSES 3) is in the background. DN-SC-90-09333.jpg
The patrol combatant missile hydrofoils USS Aquila (PHM 4), front, and USS Gemini (PHM 6), center, lie tied up in port with a third PHM. The Coast Guard surface effect ship (SES) cutter USCGC Shearwater (WSES 3) is in the background.

The Pegasus-class hydrofoils were a series of fast attack patrol boats employed by the United States Navy. They were in service from 1977 until 1993. These hydrofoils carried the designation "PHM" for "Patrol Hydrofoil, Missile." The Pegasus-class vessels were originally intended for NATO operations in the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Subsequently, participation by other NATO navies, including Germany and Italy, ceased and the U.S. Navy proceeded to procure six PHMs, which were highly successful in conducting coastal operations, such as narcotics interdiction and coastal patrol, in the Caribbean basin.

Contents

History

In the late 1960s, NATO developed a requirement for a small, fast warship to counter large numbers of Warsaw Pact missile boats, such as the Komar and Osa classes, deciding that a hydrofoil would be the best way to meet this requirement. In 1970 Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, the new Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), keen to increase the Navy's number of surface vessels in a cost-effective manner, committed the United States to the NATO program for a hydrofoil. The U.S. Navy proposed the PHM design as a NATO standard, with the program being led by the U.S. Navy, and an order placed for two prototypes in 1972. [1] The Italian Navy and the West German Bundesmarine signed letters of intent to participate in the programme, with other NATO navies, including the Royal Navy and Canadian Forces studying the project. [2] The U.S. Navy planned to buy up to 30 PHMs, with 10 to be purchased by West Germany and four by Italy. [2] [3] [4]

After Zumwalt's retirement, the Navy chose to funnel most of the money for the PHMs into larger vessels. This delayed the ongoing construction of Pegasus, and the other vessels were not started. Congress eventually forced the Navy to complete the vessels. The difficulties in project progression forced the other involved navies to abort their participation.

The Pegasus-class ships were powered by two 800 horsepower (600  kW ) twin turbo-charged Mercedes-Benz diesel engines when waterborne, using water jets (designed by Aerojet), [5] giving them a speed of 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph). When foilborne, the ships were powered by a General Electric LM2500 gas turbine and a very large water jet, giving them a speed of over 48 knots (89 km/h; 55 mph).

Pegasus ships were well armed for their size, carrying two four-rack RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles and an Oto Melara 76 mm gun. The Harpoons, specifically, were capable of sinking far larger ships at distances in excess of 60 nautical miles (110 km). The West German version would have carried the MM38 Exocet.

As Pegasus was constructed several years before the rest of the series, there are some slight differences, such as the fire-control system.

All six vessels were constructed by Boeing, in Seattle at the Renton plant at the south end of Lake Washington. They were stationed at NAS Key West. Principal contractors, along with Boeing, were Sperry Corporation for MK 92 Mod 1 fire control system, Hollandse Signaalapparaten and Sperry Corp. (under license) for WM 28 fire control system, OTO-Melara for 76 mm gun, and NAVSEC for design support. [6]

The technology was first pioneered by USS Tucumcari (PGH-2), where it successfully operated in Vietnam, but ultimately ran aground off Puerto Rico. It was judged to be more advanced than the Grumman Flagstaff which was built at the same time to the same requirements. The primary technology, also used in the Boeing Jetfoil ferries, used submerged flying foils with waterjet propulsion.

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. When in hydrofoil form, the ships would use 1000 gallons of fuel per hour. When in surface ship form, the ships would use 100 gallons of fuel per hour. [7] [ citation needed ] USS Aries PHM-5 Hydrofoil Memorial, Inc. obtained Aries for rehabilitation as a memorial located on the Gasconade River in Gasconade, Missouri at 38°40′15″N91°33′10″W / 38.67083°N 91.55278°W / 38.67083; -91.55278 . All other PHMs in the class were sold for scrap. In the early 2000s Gemini was converted into a yacht, but was abandoned by its owners in the 2010s and scrapped in 2017. [8]

List of ships

See also

Related Research Articles

A hydrofoil is a lifting surface, or foil, that operates in water. They are similar in appearance and purpose to aerofoils used by aeroplanes. Boats that use hydrofoil technology are also simply termed hydrofoils. As a hydrofoil craft gains speed, the hydrofoils lift the boat's hull out of the water, decreasing drag and allowing greater speeds.

The United States Navy, United States Coast Guard, and United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) use a hull classification symbol to identify their ships by type and by individual ship within a type. The system is analogous to the pennant number system that the Royal Navy and other European and Commonwealth navies use.

USS Pegasus is the name of two ships of the United States Navy:

USS <i>Pegasus</i> (PHM-1) Hydrofoil of the US Navy

USS Pegasus (PHM-1) was the lead ship of her class of hydrofoils operated by the United States Navy. Pegasus-class vessels were designed for high speed and mobility, and carried a powerful armament for their size.

USS <i>Gemini</i> (PHM-6) Patrol vessel of the United States Navy

USS Gemini (PHM-6) was the final ship of her class of hydrofoils operated by the U.S. Navy. She was named for the constellation.

USS <i>Aries</i> (PHM-5) Patrol vessel of the United States Navy

USS Aries (PHM-5) is the fifth ship of her class of hydrofoils operated by the United States Navy. Pegasus class vessels were designed for high speed and mobility. Despite being small in size, they carried a large 76 mm gun. Aries was named for the constellation.

USS <i>Aquila</i> (PHM-4) Patrol vessel of the United States Navy

The second USS Aquila (PHM-4) was the fourth ship of her class of hydrofoils operated by the United States Navy. Pegasus-class vessels were designed for high speed and mobility, and carried a powerful armament.

USS <i>Taurus</i> (PHM-3) Patrol vessel of the United States Navy

USS Taurus (PHM-3) was the third ship of her class of hydrofoils operated by the United States Navy. Pegasus class vessels were designed for high speed and mobility, and carried a powerful armament. The ship was named for the constellation Taurus.

USS <i>Hercules</i> (PHM-2) Patrol vessel of the United States Navy

USS Hercules (PHM-2) was a United States Navy hydrofoil patrol vessel operated from 1982 to 1993. Pegasus class vessels were designed for high speed and mobility and carried a powerful armament for their size. The Hercules was named for the constellation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">OTO Melara 76 mm</span> Naval artillery piece

The OTO Melara 76 mm gun, marketed as the OTO 76/62 Gun Mount, is a naval autocannon built and designed by the Italian defence company OTO Melara. It is based on the OTO Melara 76/62C and evolved toward 76/62 SR and 76/62 Strales.

HMCS <i>Bras dOr</i> (FHE 400) Experimental military hydrofoil boat

HMCS Bras d'Or was a hydrofoil that served in the Canadian Forces from 1968 to 1971. During sea trials in 1969, the vessel exceeded 63 knots, making her the fastest unarmed warship in the world at the time.

USS <i>Tucumcari</i>

The USS Tucumcari (PGH-2) was a Boeing-built hydrofoil. Named after Tucumcari, New Mexico, it was the basis for the technology used in the subsequent Pegasus-class patrol boats and the Jetfoil ferries. Its unique feature was a waterjet propulsion and a computer-controlled fully submerged foil configuration of one foil at the bow and foils on the port and starboard sides. The Tucumcari was one of two prototype boats contracted by the Navy under project SCB 252 for the purpose of evaluating the latest hydrofoil technology. The second boat was the rival Grumman-built USS Flagstaff (PGH-1).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boeing hydrofoils</span>

Boeing has designed and built several hydrofoil craft for both military and civilian use.

USS <i>Plainview</i> Hydrofoil

USS Plainview (AGEH–1) was, in its time, the world's largest hydrofoil. Named after the cities of Plainview, New York and Plainview, Texas, she was also the United States Navy's first hydrofoil research ship. Plainview was designed under project SCB 219; laid down 8 May 1964 by the Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company, Seattle, Washington; launched 28 June 1965; sponsored by Mrs. John T. Hayward; and placed in service on 3 March 1969. She cost $21 million to construct.

<i>Sparviero</i>-class patrol boat Ship class

The Sparviero class, also known as the Nibbio class, are small hydrofoil missile boats capable of traveling at speeds of 46 knots. They were designed for and formerly used by the Italian Navy. The Japanese 1-go-class missile boat is an updated version formerly used by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Matka-class missile boat Class of Soviet hydrofoil missile boats

The Matka class is the NATO reporting name for a group of hydrofoil missile boats built for the Soviet Navy. The Soviet designation was Project 206MR Vikhr. Following the 1997 Black Sea Fleet partition treaty all Black Sea Fleet Matka class boats were passed to the Ukrainian Navy.

Sarancha-class missile boat Class of Soviet hydrofoil missile boats

The Sarancha class is the NATO reporting name for a hydrofoil missile boat built for the Soviet Navy. The Soviet designation was Project 1240 Uragan.

HMS <i>Speedy</i> (P296)

HMS Speedy (P296) was a Boeing Jetfoil, latterly a mine countermeasure vessel, of the Royal Navy, based on the civilian Boeing 929 design. She was procured in 1979, as the first of a planned class of twelve, to provide the Royal Navy with practical experience in the operation of a hydrofoil, to ascertain technical and performance characteristics, and to oversee the capability of such a craft in the Fishery Protection Squadron and North Sea Squadron. She was assigned to these squadrons in September 1981. In 1982, she was used in minesweeping and minelaying trials at Portsmouth, but these were unsuccessful and she was sold into mercantile service in 1986. The ship served as a high speed ferry between Hong Kong and Macau, under the name Lilau and operated by Far East Hydrofoil since then. The ship was idle since 2019 and scrapped in 2021 due to old age and loss of passenger demand, caused by the opening of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.

<i>PHM Pegasus</i> 1986 video game

PHM Pegasus is a ship simulation and action game released for the Commodore 64, Apple II, DOS, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum. The title refers to USS Pegasus (PHM-1), one of the Pegasus-class hydrofoils which were used by the U.S. Navy in the 1970s.

Boeing 929 Jetfoil Waterjet-propelled hydrofoil boat

The Boeing 929 Jetfoil is a passenger-carrying, waterjet-propelled hydrofoil by the Boeing Company.

References

  1. ↑ Jenkins 2000, p. 1–2.
  2. 1 2 McLeavy 1975, pp. 279–280.
  3. ↑ Jenkins 2000, p. 2.
  4. ↑ Gardiner and Chumbley 1995, p. 625.
  5. ↑ Testimony of Rear Adm. G. G. Halvorson, Fiscal year 1974 authorization for military procurement, pt. 4, p. 2392
  6. ↑ Testimony of Rear Adm. G. G. Halvorson, Fiscal year 1974 authorization for military procurement, pt. 4, p. 2379
  7. ↑ "Combat Ships: The Fast and the Furious". Youtube. Smithsonian Channel. 10 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  8. ↑ "USS Gemini, yacht on Cape Fear, sold for scrap metal". StarNews Online. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
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