Cyclone-class Patrol Ship

The Cyclone-class patrol ships are a class of United States Navy coastal patrol boats. Most of these ships were launched between 1992 and 1994. 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 U.S. Navy SEALs and other special operations forces.

The Cyclone-class ships are assigned to Naval Special Warfare. Of the sixteen ships, nine originally operated out of the Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Norfolk, Virginia, and seven originally operated from the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. These ships provide the United States Naval Special Warfare Command with a fast, reliable platform that can respond to emergent requirements in a low-intensity conflict environment. Three hulls were decommissioned and loaned to the United States Coast Guard to be returned to the Navy in 2011. Shamal, Tornado, and Zephyr were returned to the U.S. Navy in 2011 and placed back in commission.

The hulls on loan to the U.S. Coast Guard are used in a variety of roles, including search and rescue, interception, boarding, and inspection of foreign freighters arriving at United States ports.

In September 2010, the decision was made to recall all of the remaining ships of the class due to fatigue damage to their hulls. The class was designed for a lifespan of roughly 15 years. All but the newest members of the class, Tornado, Williwaw and Sundowner have been in service longer. The vessels will be inspected and a decision will be made whether to refit them or to decommission the ships.

In 1998, the Philippine Navy ordered a Cyclone-class patrol ship which entered service in 2000.

Cyclone-subclass

 * USS Cyclone (PC-01) - transferred to the Philippine Navy, renamed BRP Mariano Alvarez (PS-38)
 * USS Tempest (PC-02) - transferred to the Royal Bahrain Naval Force
 * USS Hurricane (PC-03) - transferred to the Egyptian Navy
 * USS Monsoon (PC-04) - transferred to the Philippine Navy
 * USS Typhoon (PC-05) - transferred to the Royal Bahrain Naval Force
 * USS Sirocco (PC-06) - transferred to the Egyptian Navy
 * USS Squall (PC-07) - transferred to the Royal Bahrain Naval Force
 * USS Zephyr (PC-08) - to be scrapped
 * USS Chinook (PC-09) - transferred to the Philippine Navy
 * USS Firebolt (PC-10) - transferred to the Royal Bahrain Naval Force
 * USS Whirlwind (PC-11) - transferred to the Royal Bahrain Naval Force
 * USS Thunderbolt (PC-12) transferred to the Egyptian Navy
 * USS Shamal (PC-13) - to be scrapped

Tornado-subclass

 * USS Tornado (PC-14) - currently awaiting sale to a foreign military partner.
 * USS Williwaw (PC-15) - currently awaiting sale to a foreign military partner.
 * USS Sundowner (PC-16) - currently awaiting sale to a foreign military partner.