Thirty-six 378 foot cutters were planned; however, only 12 were constructed due to the wind down of the ocean station program. Ships of 378 footclass were the largest U.S. warships built with gas turbine propulsion prior to the Navy's Spruance class destroyers.

The class has welded steel hulls and aluminium superstructures. Living spaces are air-conditioned, and the cutters were constructed with laboratories for weather and oceanographic research. Although the units were built at the same yard, there was significant variation among them. For example, 716 -723 have synchoizing clutcheswhereas the remaining have sychro self shifting clutches.

All units were modernized from late 1986 through 1990. They received new armament and a telescoping hangar, satelite communications and Mark 92 gunfire control system.

Displacement(tons)(1967) 2716
Length 378' (oa)
Beam 42'8"
Draft 20' (max)

2 Fairbanks Morse diesels / 2 Pratt Whitney turbines 7000/36000 HP
Twin screw
Max sustained speed 29 knots 2400 miles
Cruising 19 knots 9600 milers
Ecconomic 11 knots 14000 miles

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