Patrol Combatant Missile Hydrofoil-Design Development & Production - A Brief History, Olling & Merritt, Boeing Marine Systems, Dec 1980(0141)
In 1972 three NATO navies formally agreed to proceed with the joint development of a warship project. The United States took the leadership before the "Memorandum of Understanding" was signed by the Federal Republic of Germany and Italy and awarded a letter contract to The Boeing Company for the feasibility study and the design and construction of two Patrol Combatant Missile (Hydrofoil) lead ships.