OVERVIEW: The Osa I-class PCFG (Pr. 205 Moskit) is a three shaft, diesel-powered missile armed fast attack craft.

DETAILS: The Osa class was designed to remedy the earlier Komar class' shortcomings in range, sea keeping and armament. The Osa class is reported to have mediocre sea keeping abilities and temperamental engines.

In Soviet doctrine, missile craft such as the Osa would be used in sweep, raids, free hunt/roving patrols against merchants and ambush operations against combatants, especially in maritime choke points. Missile boats were intended to operate in  Soviet coastal waters or nearby enemy controlled waters.  Tactically, they usually operated in pairs and tried to approach maritime targets from within 15 degrees on either side of the target's bow to rapidly close the target, before slowing to approximately 15 knots to fire its missiles.  Typically, missiles would be fired in salvos of two missiles.  Within a minute, a second salvo of two missiles may be fired.
  

Specifications:

		Displacement: 171.5 tons standard; 209 tons full load
       		Speed: 38.5 knts (up to 42 with M-504B diesel engines)
       		Range:  1800 nm @14 knts; 800 nm @ 30 knts 
       		Complement: 28  
       		 
       		

NOTES: IOC 1964.  Soviet class type designation: Large Missile Cutter. Polish Hull Numbers 422-433.  Over 400 produced by the USSR, and seven produced under license by Poland.  Twelve were in Polish inventory in 1987.


SOURCES: Jane's Fighting Ships: 1987-88. Ihs Global, 1987, pg. 427; "Missile BoatsProject 205." Accessed December 30, 2019. http://russianships.info/eng/warfareboats/project_205.htm.; Vego, Milan "Soviet Naval Tactics", Annaolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1992, pg. 242; Prezelin, Bernard (ed) Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World, 1990-91,  Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1990, pg. 622.
