The smaller boat in the 1938 US competition was limited to 20 tons so that it could be transported easily. It was to reach 40 knots, with an operating radius of 120 miles at that speed and 240 miles at cruising speed. One proposed configuration carried two torpedoes and two depth charges. The alternative used .50-calibre machine guns and a smoke generator. The requirement therefore allowed a gunboat role before wartime crews began adding guns to torpedo-focused craft.
Notable Point · 28:49-29:41
The 1938 US requirement already included a gunboat option
The 54-foot proposal paired transportability with alternative torpedo and gunboat configurations.