Function: 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. These ships also provide full mission support for Navy SEALs and other special operations forces.





Description: The Cyclone class ships are assigned to Naval Special Warfare. Of the 13 ships, nine operate out of the Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, VA, and four operate from the Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, CA. These ships provide the Naval Special Warfare Command with a fast, reliable platform that can respond to emergent requirements in a low intensity conflict environment.



General Characteristics, Cyclone Class



Builders:

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc.





Power Plant:

Four Paxman diesels; four shafts; 3,350 shaft horsepower





Length, Overall:

170 feet (51.82 meters)





Beam:

25 feet (7.62 meters)





Displacement:

331 long tons (336.31 metric tons) full load







Speed:

35 knots (40.28 mph, 64.82 kph)





Crew:

Four officers, 24 enlisted personnel, eight Special Forces personnel





Armament:

Two 25mm MK 38 machine guns



Two .50 caliber machine guns



Two MK 19 automatic grenade launchers



Six Stinger missiles









Ships:

USS Cyclone (PC 1), Little Creek, VA

USS Tempest (PC 2), Little Creek, VA

USS Hurricane (PC 3), San Diego, CA

USS Monsoon (PC 4), San Diego, CA

USS Typhoon (PC 5), Little Creek, VA

USS Sirocco (PC 6), Little Creek, VA

USS Squall (PC 7), San Diego, CA

USS Zephyr (PC 8), San Diego, VA

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

USS Shamal (PC 13), Little Creek, VA

Tornado (PC 14), under construction