NAVY FACT FILE 
PATROL COMBATANTS MISSILESHIPS (HYDROFOIL) 
 
MISSION: Operate offensively 
against hostile surface combatants and other surface craft; and 
conduct surveillance, screening and special operations. 
 
COMMENTARY: The six PHMs of the Pegasus class form a single 
squadron which operate from Key West. They are the Navy's fastest 
ships when foilborne and driven by their single gas turbine. They 
have good range on their diesels, excellent seakeeping qualities, 
amazingly fast response to requirements for speed, and a potent 
punch. Since becoming operational, they have established an 
unusually high availability rate while participating in a variety 
of missions, including significant involvement in the national drug 
interdiction program. 
 
PEGASUS CLASS (PHM-1) 
Displacement:   255 tons full load 
Length:    Foils extended, 133 feet; foils <R>retracted, 
145 feet 
Beam: 28 feet 
Speed:     Foilborne, in excess of 40 knots; hullborne, 12 
knots 
Power Plant:    Foilborne, one gas turbine, 18,000 shaft 
horsepower, waterjet propulsion units; hullborne, two diesels, 
1,600 brake horsepower, waterjet propulsion units 
Aircraft:  None 
Armament:  Eight Harpoon missiles; one 76mm gun 
Complement:     25 
Builder:   Boeing Marine Systems 
 
Units 
USS Pegasus (PHM-1); Key West, Fla. 
USS Hercules (PHM-2); Key West, Fla. 
USS Taurus (PHM-3); Key West, Fla. 
USS Aquila (PHM-4); Key West, Fla. 
USS Aries (PHM-5); Key West, Fla. 
USS Gemini (PHM-6); Key West, Fla. 
 
 
SOURCE:  Department of the Navy (OP-03PA); Washington, DC 
20350-2000; (202) 694-6049