PATROL VESSELS

PATROL VESSELS was Designed to operate offensively against hostile surface craft and to conduct surveillance, screening, and special operations, the hydrofoil, missile-firing patrol combatant missile ships are the navy's fastest ships when foilborne and driven by their single gas turbine. They have good range on their diesel engines and excellent seakeeping qualities; they carry one rapid-firing gun and eight Harpoon missiles. Fully loaded, they displace 260 tons, measure 44 m (145 ft) in length and 9 m (28 ft) in the beam, and have a crew of 25. Patrol vessels play a major part in the national drug interdiction program.