USS Hercules (PHM-2)

The USS Hercules (PHM-2) was the second ship of the Pegasus-class hydrofoil. She was a high-speed, missile-carrying warship operated by the United States Navy. The Pegasus class was designed for coastal patrol and to counter fast attack craft and submarines. The Hercules, like her sister ships, was characterized by her unique hydrofoil design which allowed her to "fly" above the water at high speeds, significantly reducing drag and increasing maneuverability.

Her keel was laid down by Boeing Marine Systems of Seattle, Washington, on April 26, 1974, and she was launched on December 18, 1976. The USS Hercules was commissioned on June 15, 1982.

The ship was armed with Harpoon anti-ship missiles and a 76mm Oto Melara naval gun. She also had torpedo tubes for anti-submarine warfare. Her high speed and powerful weaponry made her a formidable asset in coastal defense scenarios.

The USS Hercules was decommissioned on July 29, 1994, and subsequently stricken from the Naval Vessel Register. She was later scrapped. The Pegasus-class hydrofoils, including the Hercules, represented an attempt to explore the potential of high-speed, missile-equipped warships for near-shore operations, although the concept was eventually deemed less cost-effective compared to other naval assets.