Group : Mine CounterMeasures Vessels
Status : Active
Origin : United States of America
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 1987
Total Production : ?

The Avenger-class Mine Countermeasures (MCM) vessels were designed to clear mines from waterways in the early 1980s. Primarily the US Navy's requirement for advanced mine countermeasure vessels came from lessons learned during the Iran-Iraq (1980-88) in the Persian Gulf. These ships saw combat for the first time during operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield (1990-1991). The US Navy built Avenger-class as the first large mine countermeasure vessels since the 1950s.

Avenger-class ships can perform as hunter-killers capable of finding, classifying and destroying moored or bottom mines. To do so, they were outfitted with underwater sonar and video systems, cable cutters and mine detonating devices that can be released and detonated by remote control. In addition, conventional minesweeping capability was provided to these ships. Avenger's hull combines wood sheathed with fiberglass which allows to minimize magnetic signature and the threat associated to magnetic-detonated mines.

These ships were armed with two .50 caliber (12.7mm) guns for self-defense purposes. The propulsion system consists of four diesel engines (600-hp each) and two shafts with controllable pitch propellers. Peterson Shipbuilders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin and Marinette Marine, Marinette, Wisconsin, where the shipbuilders responsible for the Avenger MCM program. The USS Avenger (MCM 1) was commissioned on September 12, 1987, and the last three in 1990.