An Illustrated Data Guide to Modern Fast Attack Craft (Illustrated Data Guides)

This book is one of a series of 10 publication. Although the type of small naval vessels now commonly called FACs (fast attack craft) were used in both world wars, the craft of that period were hampered by their restriction to the free-running torpedo as their primary weapon. After WWII, the development of the surface-launched guided missile as an effective and reliable weapon significantly enhanced the role of the FAC. This transformation has now created a weapon that is both affordable and effective and which can have a decisive effect on larger warships. The effect derives mainly from the FACS use of the anti-ship missile as its primary weapon, but also from other advanced features such as the provision of a medium-calibre automatic gun, and of advanced electronics for the detection of targets. In more recent years the distinction between the FAC and larger vessels has become less well-defined, and there are now FACs of more than 500 tons with a multi-role anti-submarine, anti-ship and anti-aircraft capability as well as the ability to carry a light helicopter for log-range target detection and targeting.