S-Boat Class 162 (Hydrofoil-S-Boat)

Hydrofoil-S-Boat (PGH-2) Class 162 - Picture: Archives 7. S-Squadron

The planning of the US Navy for the Hydrofoil-S-Boat (PGH-2) TUCUMCARI had already started in 1962. The order was issued in 1966 and the boat was commissioned on 07.03.1968. After it run aground it was decommissioned in 1972 and striken from the list of warships of the USN in 1973.

The boat has the following measurements (airborne):

Length: 22,73 m

Beam: 10,79 m

Draft: 1,37 m

Hullborne it had the following measurements

Length: 24,49 m

Beam: 8,71 m

Draught: ......

The propulsion was performed by two Mercedes Benz dieselengines in hullborne condition and with one  Proteus Gasturbine for the operation of the waterjets, which gave the boat a speed of more than 40 knots.

Germany had signed the "Memorandum of Understanding" with the USA on 20.11.1972 and planned to replace the 10 boats of Class 142 mod of the 7. S-Squadron by this type. As weapon fit of the German version  4 x HARPOON launchers, 1 x 40mm MK forward and 2 x 12,7mm twinbarreled-MG.

TUCUMCARI was presented to the european allies in some tests after a deployment in Vietnam. In spite of the fact that the boat had proven to be an outstanding weapon-platform in the Atlantic and in the North Sea it was declared to "not suitable for combat in the Baltic"  and therefore not procured.

On board Tucumcarifrom left: FKpt Hoffmann, InSchiffstechnik, KAdm Hartwig, Stv.Bef.Flotte, VAdm Zimmermann, Bef.Flotte, FAdm Klose, BSN, KptzS Rieve, Kdr SFltl, FKpt Schmidt, AST SFltl - Picture: Archives 7. S-Squadron