Under the Microscope: C-130 "Hercules" B/H

PAF's C-130, courtesy of the Philippine Department of National Defense

Overview: The C-130 is a global airlift that, according to the U.S. Air Force's website, "is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas."

Cost: P1.7 billion in 2011 (Upgraded C-130H) (2)

Inventory: 1 operational, 7 stored as of October 2011 (2)

Specifications:
Power Plant	4 Allison T56-A-15 Turboprops	4,591 shp
Speed	366 mph / 318 ktas / Mach 0.52
Ceiling	23,000 ft with 42,000 lbs / 20,227 kg
Maximum Load	6 pallets or 74 litters or
	16 CDS bundles or
	92 combat troops or
	64 paratroopers
Maximum Take-off Weight	155,000 lb / 69,750 kg
Maximum Payload	42,000 lb / 19,090 kg
Maximum Cruise Speed	335 ktas / 660 km / hr
Landing / take-off roll	1,500 ft / 457 km
Range at Maximum Normal Payload	1,208 mi. / 1,050 n. mi.
Range with 35,000 lbs Payload	1,496 mi. / 1,300 n. mi.
Length	97 ft 9 in / 29.3 m
Height	38 ft 10 in / 11.9 m
Wingspan	132 ft 7 in / 40.38 m
Horizontal tail spain	52 ft 8 in / 6.05 m
Cargo Compartment	40 ft / 12.31 m

Sources:
(1) C-130 Specs

(2) Internal Documents

Under The Microscope: PZL Swidnik W-3A Sokol

Philippine Inspection, courtesy of Timawa.net

Overview: The PZL W-3A Sokol is a twin-engine medium utility helicopter that is manufactured by PZL Swidnik, a Polish company. It boasts an all weather capability, and a low parts count for cheaper operational and maintenance costs. With its twin-engine and integrated inlet particle separator, it features exceptional reliability as well as high damage tolerance in combat conditions, and beats the Bell 412, Sikorsky S-76, Westland Lynx, and ALH Dhruv in 5 critical areas, namely: maximum useful weight,  maximum range, maximum power, maximum continuous power, and maximum tow (4).

Inventory: 8 (to be delivered in November) (2)

Cost: $9 million (2010) (2)

Specifications: (1, 3)

Crew	2
Passengers	12
Propulsion	2 Turboshaft Engines
Engine Model	PZL-Rzeszow TWD-10W
Engine Power (each)	662 kW	880 shp
Speed	256 km/h
		159 mph
Service Ceiling	6.000 m	19.685 ft
Range	745 km	402 NM
		463 mi.
Empty Weight	3.300 kg	7.275 lbs
max. Takeoff Weight	6.100 kg	13.448 lbs
Rotor Blades (main/tail)	3-Apr	3-Apr
Main Rotor Diameter	15,70 m	51,5 ft
Tail Rotor Diameter	3,30 m	10,8 ft
Rotor Disc Area	193,6 m²	2084 ft²
Length (Fuselage)	14,21 m	46,6 ft
Length	18,50 m	60,7 ft
Height	4,10 m	13,5 ft
Weapons	*none
Instruments	Rockwell Collins Search Radar
	Bendix/King Radios and Intercom
	Tacan**
	GPS
	Radio Compass
	IFF***

Notes:
*Weapons to be locally installed by an unnamed US company. (2)
**Tacan is a ultra-high frequency navigation system.
*** IFF is a secondary radar.

Source:
(1) PZL Sokol Spec
(2) Internal Documents
(3) Sokol Versions
(4) Aeronet - Sokol Comparison

National Defense Budget of Spratly Claimants

Map of China, courtesy of Google Maps

China - $91,500,000,000 (2011)

Map of China, courtesy of Google Maps

Taiwan - $15,000,000,000 (2011)

Map of Malaysia, courtesy of Google Maps

Malaysia - $3,500,000,000 (2011)

Map of Vietnam, courtesy of Google Maps

Vietnam - $2,600,000,000 (2011)

Map of The Philippines, courtesy of Google Maps

Philippines - $2,439,510,000 (2011)

Map of Brunei, courtesy of Google Maps

Brunei - $43,000,000 (2011)

Sources:

Military Power Ranking

Vietnam Defense Budget

China Defense Budget

South Korea's Po Hang-class Corvette (PCC-758)

PCC-758's sister, the PCC-757, courtesy of Viggen's blog

Overview: The PCC-758 is one of four ASuW type Po Hang class corvettes in the Republic of Korea Navy. Its primary mission is to patrol the coast and to support internal operations.

Cost: $30 million in 2010 (estimated) (5)

Specifications: (1,4)
Size	88x10x3
Displacement	1,300 tons
Maximum Speed	32knots
Cruising Range	4,000 nm (15knots)
Crew	95 (+10 officers)
Propulsion	Combined Diesel Or Gas (CODOG)
Armaments
	2 Exocet SSM
	76mm cannon
	2 Emmerson 30mm AA guns
Electronics
Surface Search Radar	Raytheon SPS-64 surface search radar
Fire Control Radar	Signaal WM 28 fire control radar
ECM, ESM	Thorn EMI or NobelTech intercepter/jammer
Combat Information System	Signaal SEWACO ZK Combat System
Chaff	4 Mel Protean Chaff Launcher
Optronic Director	Signaal LIOD (Lightweight Optronic Director)
TACAN	SRN 15 TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation)

Notes:
Awaiting official confirmation (3)
PCC-758 (6)

Sources:
(1) Korean Navy - Po Hang-class Specs
(2) Po Hang-class Types
(3) South Korea offers Po Hang-class Corvette
(4) ASUW and ASW Specs
(5) Po Hang Cost
(6) Internal Documents

Under The Microscope: Hamilton-class High Endurance Cutter

WHEC 378' Hamilton class, PF-15

Overview: The Hamilton class High Endurance Cutter is a highly versatile and capable ship that can operate throughout the world's oceans. Equipped with a helicopter flight deck, this ship has the ability to conduct a wide variety of missions including long range search and rescue operations, ocean research studies, and national defense operations.

Cost: P450 million ($13.18 million in 2011)* (1)

Inventory: 1** (1)

Specifications: (4,6,7)
Length	378ft
Beam	43ft
Draw	20ft
Displacement	3,050 tons
Capacity	19 officers
	148 enlisted
Top Speed	29 knots (gas engine engaged)
	11 knots (diesel engine)
Range	14,000 miles on diesel
Engine	2 Pratt & Whitney FT4A-6	36,000hp
	2 Fairbanks-Morse 38TD8-1/8-12	7,000hp
	12-cylinder diesel engines
	Bow Thrusters	350hp
Electronics	UHF/UVF communications
	SPS-73 short-range I-band surface search and navigation radar (removed)
Armaments	Mk 75 3"/62 compact gun system
	2 Mk 38 25mm bushmaster cannons (removed) Mk 36 SRBCC
	Mk 15 Phalanx 20mm CIWS system (removed) 25mm chain gun 6 50-caliber mounted guns 20mm cannons

Notes:

*Original Cost: $16-$20 million in 1968 US$ (5) ($104.16-$130.20 million in 2010 US$) (3).

**2 more planned (2).

Sources:

(1) WHEC Hamilton Cost (PF-15)

(2) Anonymous

(3) US $ Historical Conversion

(4) WHEC Hamilton Specifications

(5) Hamilton History (cost)

(6) Hamilton Removed Armaments

(7) WHEC Hamilton Local Armaments

Under The Microscope: M-113 Armored Personnel Carrier

Soldiers on top of an M113, courtesy of Militaryphotos.net

Overview: The M113 is a light armored personnel carrier that provides troop protection and mobility. While its main function is to safely transport soldiers, the Army has also used it move supplies in and out of the battlefield.

Inventory: 133* as of 2010 (3).

Cost: US$300,000 per vehicle in 2003** (2).

Specifications: Capacity 2 crews, 11 soldiers Combat Weight 27,180 lbs. Maximum Weight 31,000 lbs. Net Weight 23,880 lbs. Air Drop Weight 22,128 lbs. Fuel Capacity 360 liters (95 gal.) Performance Speed on Land 66km/h (41m/h) Speed in Water 5.8km/h (3.6m/h) Cruising Range 483km (300 miles) Turning Radius Pivot to infinite Slope 60% Side Slope 40% Vertical Climbing 24 in. Braking 40 ft. Engine Make and Model Detroit Diesel 6V53T Displacement 5.2L Fuel Diesel Rated Horsepower 275 hp Gross HP to Weight Ratio 20.2hp/ton Transmission Make and Model Allison X200-AB Type Hydrokinetic Steering Hydrostatic Brake Type Multiple wet plate Suspension: Torsion Bar Shock Absorbers: 3 per side Generator Amperes 200, 300 optional Volts, dc 28 Batteries 4 Armament: 50 cal MG 2,000 ready rounds Armor Basic Hull 5083 Aluminum Bolt-on Armor kit Steel Armor Mine Armor Steel Armor Gun Shield Kit Steel Armor Spall Suppresant Composite Panel

Notes:
*Operational, unknown.
**the Philippines benefits from the FMS program, thus the sticker price may not reflect the actual price paid by the Philippine Government.
**add US$100,000 to US$500,000 to upgrade communications system with digitized instruments (US$ in 2003) (2).

Sources:
(1) M113 Specs
(2) M113 Cost
(3) Stockholm International Peace Institute Database