Hamilton-class cutter

Class overview
USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715), lead ship of the Hamilton class
Name:	Hamilton class
Builders:	Avondale Shipyards
Operators:	United States Coast Guard Philippine Navy Nigerian Navy Bangladesh Navy
In commission:	1965 – present
Planned:	12
Completed:	12
Active:	12 (5 United States, 2 Bangladesh, 2 Nigeria, 3 Philippines)
General characteristics
Type:	High endurance cutter
Displacement:	3,250 metric tons
Length:	378 ft (115 m)
Beam:	43 ft (13 m)
Draft:	15 ft (4.6 m)
Propulsion:	CODOG system 2 × Fairbanks-Morse 38TD8-1/8-12 12-cylinder diesel engines generating 7,000 hp (5,200 kW) and 2 × Pratt & Whittney FT4A-6 gas turbines producing 36,000 hp (27,000 kW)
Speed:	29 kn (54 km/h; 33 mph)
Range:	14,000 nmi (26,000 km; 16,000 mi)
Endurance:	45 days
Complement:	167
Sensors and processing systems:	AN/SPS-40E Air Search Radar AN/SPS-78 Surface Search Radar AN/WLR-1H Electronic Support Surveillance Equipment MK92 Fire Control
Electronic warfare & decoys:	2x Mk-36 SRBOC
Armament:	Otobreda 76 mm cannon 2 × 25 mm Mk38 20 mm Phalanx CIWS 6 x .50 caliber machine guns
Aircraft carried:	HH-60 J Hawk, HH-65 Dolphin go ship to ship as needed
Aviation facilities:	hangar

AN/SPS-40E Air Search Radar AN/SPS-78 Surface Search Radar AN/WLR-1H Electronic Support Surveillance Equipment

The Hamilton-class cutter was the largest class of vessel in the United States Coast Guard until replaced by the National Security Cutter, aside from the Polar-class icebreakers. The hull classification symbol is prefixed WHEC. The cutters are called the Hamilton class after their lead ship, or "Secretary class" because most of the vessels in the class were named for former Secretaries of the Treasury (with the exception of "Hero-class cutters" Jarvis, Munro and Midgett,). They are powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) system consisting of two diesel engines and two gas turbines, and have controllable-pitch propellers. Equipped with a helicopter flight deck, retractable hangar, and the facilities to support helicopter deployment, these 12 cutters were introduced to the Coast Guard inventory in the 1960s. Beginning in the 1980s and ending in 1992, the entire class was modernized through the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) program. The program included the replacement of the original Mk30 Mod0 5 in (127 mm)/38 caliber gun with a much more modern 76 mm (3 in)/62 caliber weapon. The refit also included the installation of a Phalanx CIWS 20 mm gun mount, and a retractable hangar bay. The primary mission of these vessels is enforcement of laws and treaties and search and rescue (SAR) on the high seas, including the U.S. exclusive economic zone.