Under The Microscope: Philippine Made Landing Craft Utility (LCU)

Philippine Made LCU Under Construction, courtesy of Cagayandeorodev.com

Overview: A Landing Craft Utility is used to transport soldiers and military equipment such as tracked and wheeled vehicles to the shore. It provides logistical support vital to military operations.


Inventory: 1*


Cost: P189 million (2011)

Specification: Builder Philippine Iron Construction and Marine Works (PICMW) Engine PROPMECH Capacity 15 crews 200 passengers Length 51.43M Breadth 10.00M Depth 2.44M Draft 1.52M Displacement 579 tons Speed 14 knots Hull Construction Flat Bottom Welded Steel Maximum Cargo 110 tons

Note:
*The Navy operates other support boats.


Source:
LCU Spec

Under The Microscope: Aermacchi SF-260

What is an SF-260?

Philippine Air Force SF-260 trainer planes, courtesy of Inquirer.net

Overview: The SF-260 is a fully aerobatic, two seat side-by-side, propeller driven primary trainer aircraft that is widely used to train student pilots (1, 4). According to Aermacchi, the aircraft's manufacturer, "With the SF-260, student pilots can achieve the skill levels required for a smooth transition to higher performance basic trainers. This minimizes the costs incurred when student pilots are washed out later in the training process."

Inventory: 45 operational as of September 2011, 21 in storage (1, 2, 3).

Cost: PhP34.59M (2011) (2).

Specifications (4):

Dimensions
span­	8.35 m­	27.4 ft
length	7.10 m (TP version: ­7.40 m)	23.3 ft (24.3 ft)­
height	2.68 m (TP version: 2.41 m)	8.8 ft (8,41 ft)
wing area	10.10 sqm	108.7 ­sqft
Weights
empty	840 kg (TP version: 820 kg)	1,850 lb (1,805 lb)
max T.O. (aerobatic)	1,200 kg	2,645 lb
max T.O. (utility)	1,300 kg	2,865 lb
max T.O. (armed)	1,350 kg	2,975 lb
Power Plant
Textron Lycoming (piston, 6 cylinders)	AEIO-540 D4A5­
Power, SLS, ISA	260 HP (TP version: 350 HP - flat-rated from 420 HP­)
Propeller (Hartrell)	2 blades AHC-C2YK-1 BF/F8477-8R (TP version: 3 blades HC-B3TF-7A/T101 73-25R)­­
Performance (clean, ISA, 1100 kg/2425 lb)
Max level speed (sea level)	182 KTAS (TP version: 10,000 ft 228 KTAS)
Cruise speed (6000 ft, 75% power)	175 KTAS (TP version: 215 KTAS 10,000 ft)
Never exceed speed	236 KEAS
Rate of climb (SL)	1,800 ft/min (TP version: 2,200 ft/min)
Stall speed (full flaps)	59 KCAS (TP version: 61 KCAS)
Service ceiling	20,000 ft (TP version: 25,000 ft)
Range clean (10% reserve)	TP version: 510­ nm
Range clean / 2 ext. tanks (10% reserve)	710 / 1090 nm (TP version: 840­ nm)
Takeoff ground run	275 m	900 ft
Landing ground run	270 m (TP version: 390 m)	885 ft (1280 ft)­
Limit Load factor	+6 / -3 g
Max Load Factor, Utility	TP version: +4.4/-1.76g

Sources:
(1) SF-260 Production List
(2) Philippines SF-260
(3) 18 SF-260 Delivered
(4)  SF-260 Specifications

Under The Microscope: ACV-300 IFV

What is an ACV-300?

Philippine Army's ACV-300, courtesy of Timawa.com

Inventory: 5 operational*, 3 storage* (2, 3) (2011)

Cost: $2.833 million (estimated in 2010 US$) (1).

Technical Data:

Passengers:	Three Crew: commander, driver, and gunner. Seven to ten fully equipped infantrymen
Armor:	Conventional aluminum alloy with additional layer of spaced laminated steel armor bolted to the hull
Dimensions:	Length	17.26 ft
	Width	9.25 ft
	Height	9.15 ft
	Combat Weight	15.09 US tons
	Fuel Capacity	110.64 US gallons
Performance:	Maximum Speed	38mph (61.2kmph)
	Maximum Water Speed	3.91mph (6.3kmph)
	Maximum Range	304.29stat mi (490km)
	Step	2.10ft (64cm)
	Trench	5.35ft
	Slope	30%
	Gradient	60%
	Fording	Amphibious
Engine:	Detroit Diesel 6V-53T, or	264hp
	6V-53T (enhanced)	300hp
Suspension:	Torsion Bar Suspension with 5 dual-tired roadwheels
Armament:	Main	Oerkilon Contraves 25mm (around 180 ready rounds, 147 reserve rounds)
	Secondary	7.62x51mm NATO MAG58/M240C machine gun (230 ready rounds, 1,610 stowed rounds)

NOTE:
Updated October 11, 2011
*Corrected the inventory.
*6 confirmed delivery in 2009 (2).
*5 are operational, 3 storage as of 2011 (3).


Sources:
(1) ACV-300 Spec
(2) Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
(3) Internal Documents

Spain offers a C-295 to the Armed Forces of the Philippines

So what exactly is a C-295?

Spanish C-295, courtesy of Wikipedia

Overview: The C-295 is a medium-sized military transport plane that can carry up to 71 troops or three light vehicles from Manila to Davao four times on a single tank of gas. According to its manufacturer, EADS CASA, the C-295 has "a cargo cabin that is the largest of any medium sized military transport [plane]," and has a "lower acquisition and direct operating cost than any other aircraft in its category."

Cost: $22.5M (2002) Specifications: Crew: 2 Passengers: Up to 71 troop seats, or 48 fully equipped paratroops (130kg each), or 24 stretchers with four medical attendants, or 12 intensive care units Freight: Up to five 88x108 inch pallets or three light vehicles or, three fighter engines like EJ200 Max. cruise speed: 260kts (482km/h) Time to cruising altitude: 12 minutes Normal operating altitude: 7620m (25,000 ft) Service ceiling: 9,145m Take-off run: 1100m or 844m at normal take-off weight Landing distance from 15m: 729m Landing run: 320m at ISA, sea level at 20,700 kg weight Maximum take off weight: 51,150 lb Maximum payload: 20, 400 lb Usable fuel capacity: 7,500 liters (1,900 US gallons) Engines: 2 x Pratt & Whitney PW127G Power: 690 NM with payload of 9250 kg 750 NM with a payload of 9000 kg 1555 km (840 NM) with payload of 7050 kg 1950 NM with a payload of 6000 kg 4969 km (2683 NM) with 4000 kg payload at normal take-off weight 4167 km (2250 NM) with 6000 kg payload at max. take-off weight 2150 km (1160 NM) with 8000 kg payload (flight envelope 2.25 g) Ferry range: 5630 km (3040 NM) Maximum take off weight: 1980 US Gal

Sources:
Philippine Star, "Spain Ready to Help AFP..."
Airbus Detailed Spec
Airbus Spec

The Palace Approved Proposed Budget for 2012

Malacañan Palace, courtesy of Wikipedia

The Armed Forces of the Philippines will get around P3 billion on top of the P5 billion already allotted in the modernization fund, according to the Philippine Star.


Here's a general breakdown of the approved proposed budget for 2012:
DOE - P237 billion (14.3% increase)
DPWH - P125.9 billion (13.8% increase)
DND - P106.9 billion (2% increase)
DPWH - P53.6 billion (56% increase)
DILG- P99.3 billion (14% increase)
DOA - P52.9 billion (50.4% increase)
DOH - P44.4 billion (31% increase)
DTC - P38.6 billion (19.5% increase)
DOJ - P15.6 billion (103% increase)

Modernization Fund - P5 billion (same)

Source:
Approved Proposed Budget
Philippine Star - Palace Approved Proposed Budget for 2012
2011 Budget (R.A.10147)