PHM PG 01-class

The Pegasus-class hydrofoil, designated as Patrol Hydrofoil Missile (PHM) vessels, originated from a late 1960s NATO initiative to develop a fast surface combatant to counter Warsaw Pact missile boats in littoral waters. Although the United States initially proposed the class as a NATO standard with an intended production of up to 30 vessels, lack of commitment from international partners and a shift in United States Navy priorities toward larger ships reduced the program to six units. Developed by Boeing Marine Systems, the project was characterized by cost overruns and construction delays.

The design utilized a combined diesel and gas turbine (CODOG) propulsion system with water-jet drives. Diesel engines provided power for hullborne transit, while a General Electric LM2500 gas turbine was used for foilborne operations. This configuration resulted in high fuel consumption and limited operational endurance. Armament consisted of a Mk 75 gun and Harpoon surface-to-surface missiles. The missiles were frequently not carried during operations as the weight impacted the vessels' stability.

The class entered service between 1977 and 1982, with all six vessels based at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. While designed for missile combat against larger surface threats, the vessels were primarily deployed for coastal patrol and counter-narcotics operations. Operational history was impacted by high maintenance requirements and fuel costs. A 1979 Government Accountability Office report noted inefficiencies in pricing and spare parts provisioning. The United States Navy decommissioned the entire class in 1993 due to high operating costs and limited mission profiles. Following retirement, USS Aries (PHM-5) was preserved as a memorial, while the remaining vessels were sold for scrap or civilian conversion.