(With video) The video accompanying this article depicts some of the Boeing-built hydrofoils named after Tucumcari, New Mexico. It was the basis for the technology used in the subsequent Pegasus-class patrol boats and the Jetfoil ferries.
The Pegasus-class hydrofoils were a series of fast attack patrol boats employed by the US Navy. They were in service from 1977 through 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 US 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.
Hydrofoil Technology
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 US Navy for the purpose of evaluating the latest hydrofoil technology with a top speed of 50 knots. The second boat was the rival Grumman built USS Flagstaff (PGH-1).
The video by Documentary Tube below contains a short documentary on these vessels.
Picture: The US Navy patrol combatant-missile (hydrofoil) USS Pegasus (PHM-1) underway.
