The USS Benicia (PG-96) was an Asheville-class gunboat commissioned into the United States Navy in 1970, notable for its advanced armament and experimental capabilities. Constructed by the Tacoma Boatbuilding Company in Tacoma, Washington, her construction was delayed after a fire in 1968 destroyed her initial hull, which had been laid down in 1967. She was launched on December 20, 1969, and commissioned on April 25, 1970. The vessel featured a length typical of Asheville-class ships, with a hull designed for agility and coastal patrol duties, and was powered by a combined diesel and gas turbine (CODOG) engine system, enabling high-speed maneuvers crucial for offshore and coastal operations. Her initial deployment included port visits to her namesake city, Benicia, California, and subsequent operations out of San Diego, California. Designed for versatility, she conducted training, shakedown exercises, and system evaluations off the coast of Southern California. During her service, she was equipped with modern navigation and communication systems, including the Sperry AN/SPS-53 radar operating in the I/J-band, and was capable of rapid acceleration thanks to her gas turbine engine. A significant aspect of her service was her involvement in missile development trials. Starting in January 1971, the USS Benicia tested a surface-to-surface guided missile system, becoming the first American gunboat to successfully fire a guided missile on March 6, 1971. These tests aimed to enhance gunboat firepower against fast attack boats and improve anti-ship missile defense strategies. The vessel also participated in "Seakindliness and Performance Trials," testing her endurance in heavy seas, and engaged in fleet exercises including convoy attack, screening tactics, and amphibious operations. In October 1971, the USS Benicia was decommissioned and transferred to the Republic of Korea, where she served as PAEK Ku 51 (PGM-351) until her return to the U.S. Navy in 1991. She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1996 and scrapped in Korea in 1998, marking her as a vessel of technological experimentation and international service in the Cold War era.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.