AFP Modernization

Submarine Design Envelope (Diesel Electric and Nuclear)

INTRODUCTION This article provides summaries of operational limitations of a submarine, as well as basic mechanics about how a submarine operates at the surface, underwater, between the sea surface and bottom of the seabed, and how to float back to the surface. Below are the cycles showing how a submarine operates, as illustrated in Fig. 1. To prove how this…



Life Support Systems Design Inside the Submarines

INTRODUCTION The atmospheric characteristics inside the submarine are importantly equal to the submarine’s major ship systems such as propulsions, navigations and sensors, weapons, auxiliaries, etc. A need to ensure an efficient and reliable health and safety of the submarine’s complements and ship machineries from atmospheric pollutants is definitely a must. To achieve and maintain this goal, an atmospheric control system…


Submarine Effectiveness and Sea Areas of Operations

INTRODUCTION A submarine is a hunter killer for as long as she can maintain her stealth. However, when HER PRESENCE in the immediate vicinity of the sea area is detected, then she looses her invincibility and the effective use of her weapons is denied. The submarine becomes the hunted. The exact coordinates or location of the submarine in terms of…



Defense Buildup

As far back as 1991, I was vocal about investing in our defense, should the government decide to let go of the U.S. bases on account of a provision in the 1987 constitution mandating “no foreign troops on Philippine soil.” Up to that point, the U.S. was our defense shield, and if we were to give it up then we…


Enhanced Role of Philippine Naval Aviation

As part of modernization, the Philippine Navy procured five new helicopters manufactured by Italy’s Agusta Westland to replace the ageing helicopters in its inventory. Three of these aircrafts that are in multi-role configuration were delivered in 2013 while the other two in armed-configuration came in 2015. These helicopters gave the Philippine Navy a great leap in terms of capabilities and…


Combat Management Systems and War-Fighting Attributes of Frigates

INTRODUCTION The Philippine National Defense Department has signed a contract with Hyundai of South Korea for the construction of two units of the Incheon Class Frigate last 24-October-2016 at the cost of US$337M to modernize the capability of the Philippine Navy’s surface combatants. This article is a guide to craft the circular of requirements for the Frigate in order to…


Surface Warships Global Market Report 2018

Global naval defence budgets are more and more constrained, putting pressure on navies around the world to build up their capabilities and fleets to remain powerful on the seven seas. The resurgence of adversaries and their increasing capabilities is forcing allied nations to re-assess their current state and to think about procurement decisions in upcoming years. In a recent survey…


Selection Parameters for the Choice of Marine Diesel Engines for the Navy and Coast Guard Vessels

INTRODUCTION Propulsion is a means of creating force leading to the movement of a vehicle in the water, air or in land. The term is derived from Latin word “pro” meaning before or forward, and “pellere” meaning to drive. A propulsion system consists of the source mechanical power, and propulsion to convert the power into propulsive force. The main engine…


Frigate Proven Design Criteria

INTRODUCTION Ship acquisition program is a very sensitive issue, thus the choice of a proven design warship tops the list. The cost of Frigate acquisition is very prohibitive that it requires a careful evaluation and analysis of the Ship Systems Work Breakdown Structures (SSWBS), an itemized cost distribution of various components of the ship versus the desired requirements and capability…


Keep Fort San Antonio Abad Afloat

IS THIS HOW IT ALL STARTED? IS THIS HOW IT WILL END? The latest Base Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) website advertises the sale of Fort Abad: A BIT OF HISTORY.  More than five centuries ago, in 1584, the Spanish Armada established  “Fuerte de San Antonio Abad” in Manila way ahead of Fort San Felipe (1609) in Cavite, to protect the…