The United States Navy

Patrol Coastal Ships - PC

Description: The primary mission of these ships is coastal patrol and interdiction surveillance, an important aspect of littoral operations outlined in the Navy's strategy, Forward...From the Sea. The Cyclone class PCs are particularly suited for the maritime homeland security mission and have been employed jointly with the U.S. Coast Guard to help protect our nation's coastline, ports and waterways from terrorist attack.

Background: The Cyclone class ships are assigned to Commander, Naval Special Forces. Of the thirteen ships, nine operate out of the Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Va., and four operate from the Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, Calif. These ships provide the U.S. Navy with a fast, reliable platform that can respond to emergent requirements in a shallow water environment. The lead ship of the class, Cyclone (PC 1), was decommissioned and turned over to the U.S. Coast Guard 28 February 2000. The Navy and Coast Guard announced in August 2004 that five more will be turned over to the Coast Guard beginning in October 2004.

Point of Contact:
Public Affairs Office
Naval Sea Systems Command
Washington, DC 20362

General Characteristics, Cyclone Class

Builders: Bollinger Shipyards, Inc.
Power Plant: Four Paxman diesels; four shafts; 3,350 shaft horsepower
Length: 170 feet (51.82 meters)
Beam: 25 feet (7.62 meters)
Displacement: 331 tons (336.31 metric tons) full load
Speed: 35 knots (40 miles per hour; 65 kilometers/hr.)
Ships:
USS Tempest (PC 2), Little Creek, Va. - to be turned over to Coast Guard
USS Hurricane (PC 3), San Diego, Calif.
USS Typhoon (PC 5), Little Creek, Va.
USS Sirocco (PC 6), Little Creek, Va.
USS Squall (PC 7), San Diego, Calif.
USS Chinook (PC 9), Little Creek, Va.
USS Firebolt (PC 10) , Little Creek, Va.
USS Whirlwind (PC 11), Little Creek, Va.
USS Thunderbolt (PC 12), Little Creek, Va.
Crew: Four officers, 24 enlisted personnel
Armament: One MK 96 and one MK 38 25mm machine guns; Five .50 caliber machine guns; two MK 19 40mm automatic grenade launchers; Two M-60 machine guns.