Osprey class Lerici-class minehunter

uss cardinal

in august 1986, following cancellation of 17-strong mine warfare ship class after prototype failed shock testing, united states navy placed order mine warfare ship based on lerici class. in order keep construction of twelve ships, referred osprey class, under control of intermarine, company established intermarine usa acquiring sayler marine corporation. initially, twelve ships built intermarine usa in savannah, georgia, in october 1989, construction 4 ships contracted out avondale industries. ships launched between march 1991 , june 1997, , commissioned between november 1993 , december 1998.

the osprey class ships larger other lerici designs: displace 918 tons loaded, 57.3 metres (188 ft) long, 11 metres (36 ft) wide, , draught of 2.9 metres (9.5 ft). ships fitted 2 diesel motors driving 2 voith schneider propellers; these cycloidal propellers eliminate need aft 2 active rudders. ships use raytheon/thomson sintra sqq-32 vds sonar minehunting, , alliant slq-48 remote vehicles mine disposal. ships carry crew of 51, including 4 officers, , armed 2 12.7-millimetre (0.50 in) machine guns.

upon entering service, twelve ships assigned united states atlantic fleet, intention remain in service approximately twelve months before being transferred united states navy reserve. however, of ships remained in service until decommissioning in 2006 , 2007. class replaced in service avenger class mine countermeasures ships, , of 2008, 8 ospreys had either been transferred or marked transfer other navies: 2 each hellenic navy, lithuanian navy, turkish navy, , republic of china (taiwan) navy.