Del Pilar-class offshore patrol vessel

BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PS-15)
Class overview
NameGregorio del Pilar class
BuildersAvondale Shipyards
Operators Philippine Navy
In commission2011–present
Completed3
Active3
General characteristics
TypeFrigate
Displacement3,250 tons
Length378 ft (115.2 m)
Beam43 ft (13.1 m)
Draft15 ft (4.6 m)
Propulsion
Speed29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph)[2] via twin gas-turbines
Range12,500 nmi (23,200 km; 14,400 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)[2] via diesel[3]
Endurance45 days
Boats & landing
craft carried		2 × RHIBs
Complement80
Sensors &
processing systems
  • CMS:
    Naval Shield Baseline 2 integrated combat management system
  • Main radar:
    SeaGIRAFFE AMB multi-role 3D air-&-surface search-&-track
  • Secondary Radars:
  • (Hull 15 & 16):
    SharpEye™ Mk.2 X-band (25kW) & S-band (200W) solid-state pulse-Doppler navigation & surface-search
  • (Hull 17):
    Furuno FAR3220BB X-band (25kW) & S-band (200W) solid-state navigation & surface-search
  • Fire Control suite:
    USN Mk.92 Mod.1 Fire Control System by Sperry[1]
  • Optronic Sensors:
    SeaFLIR®230 color TV camera, low-light camera, thermal imager, LRF, laser pointer, NVIS
  • Sonar:
    ELAC Hunter 2.0 hull mounted sonar
Electronic warfare
& decoys
Armament
ArmourCBRNE defense system [9]
Aircraft carried1 × AW109E Power naval helicopter[10]
Aviation facilities
  • Helideck
  • Hangar: partly-fixed and partly-retractable
NotesSteel hull, aluminium superstructure

The Del Pilar class are frigates currently in service with the Philippine Navy and previously in service with the US Coast Guard as Hamilton-class high endurance cutters. The Department of National Defense is currently in the process of upgrading their systems and capabilities under a modernization project awarded to Hanwha Systems of South Korea.[11]

History

BRP Gregorio del Pilar

Early in 2011, the Philippine Navy announced the acquisition of an ex-US Coast Guard Hamilton-class high-endurance cutter under the "Ocean-going Escort Vessel" project through the US Excess Defense Article programme.[12][13] The ship acquired was the former USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715),[14] renamed BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15) which was officially turned over to the Philippine Navy on May 13, 2011, at Alameda Point in California. It was retrofitted and modified in the US, replacing systems removed by the USCG. The ship's arrival ceremonies were on August 23, 2011, in Manila,[15] and it was commissioned on December 14, 2011.[16]

BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz
BRP Ramon Alcaraz

A second Hamilton-class cutter, USCGC Dallas (WHEC-716), was turned over to the Philippine Navy on May 22, 2012[17] with ceremonies held at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Pier Papa in North Charleston, South Carolina.[18] The ship was named BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) in Philippine Navy service. Like its sister ship, it was retrofitted and modified in the US, replacing systems removed by the USCG.[19] It was expected to arrive in the Philippines by February 2013.[20][21] However, further training and unspecified upgrades on the ship pushed the arrival of the BRP Ramon Alcaraz to August 2013.[22] The ship's arrival ceremony was held at Subic Harbor on August 6, 2013, led by President Aquino.[23] It was commissioned on November 22, 2013.[24]

BRP Andres Bonifacio

A third Hamilton-class cutter was turned over to the Philippine Navy after US President Barack Obama announced that another high endurance cutter will be transferred to the Philippines during his visit to the BRP Gregorio del Pilar on November 17, 2015.[25] The White House subsequently confirmed that the USCGC Boutwell (WHEC-719) will be the ship that will be transferred to the Philippines. The ship was commissioned into service on July 21, 2016, and was renamed BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17). She was designated as Frigate (FF) upon commissioning, unlike her sister ships, which were designated Patrol Frigate (PF). This was because BRP Andrés Bonifacio entered service after the Philippine Navy made changes to their ship classification.[26]

The ships were re-designated as Patrol Ships (PS) in 2019 to better reflect their limited capabilities.[27][28]

Design

Accommodations

The ships were designed with a high level of habitability and provide fairly comfortable accommodations, including air conditioning.[29]

Propulsion

The Del Pilar class are the first Philippine military vessels to employ the now common shipboard application of aircraft gas turbine jet engines with the use of controllable pitch propellers. The class are equipped with two 18,000 horsepower (13,000 kW) Pratt & Whitney[2] gas turbines and can propel the ship at speeds up to 29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph). The class also has two 3,500 horsepower (2,600 kW) Fairbanks-Morse[2] diesel engines, capable of driving the ship economically at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) for up to 12,500 nmi (23,200 km; 14,400 mi) without refueling.[2] A retractable/rotatable bow propulsion unit provides manoeuvrability in tight situations.

Armaments

Prior to turn-over to the Philippine Navy, the Hamilton-class cutters were armed with a Mk 75 Oto Melara 76 mm Compact main gun, two Mk 38 M242 Bushmaster 25mm chain gun at midships, and a Phalanx CIWS system aft. The CIWS and chain guns were removed by the United States Coast Guard prior to turn-over, with the Mk 75 gun remaining.

The Philippine Navy installed a Mk 38 Mod 1 25 mm chain gun and two Mk 16 20 mm Oerlikon autocannons to the PS-15, and six .50-caliber machine guns on both the PS-15 and PS-16.[6][30][31]

The Philippines ordered two new Mk 38 Mod 2 25 mm chain gun systems in 2012, and these are expected to be installed to the ships of the class.[32] On February 17, 2014, it was reported that said chain guns were in the Philippines, waiting for the U.S. Coast Guard armament team for installation.[33] As of January 25, 2015, 2 Mk. 38 Mod. 2 25mm guns had been installed on PF-16.[8]

Another set of Mk 38 systems, this time in Mod 3 variant were ordered in October 2015,[34] and another contract for 2 units of Mk 38 Mod 3 25mm chain guns were ordered in September 2016.[35][36] The first set of 2 units was installed on BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PS-15) on early June 2019.[37]

Flight support

The Del Pilar class has a flight deck and hangar capable of handling helicopters. A BO-105 light surveillance helicopter was initially assigned to BRP Gregorio del Pilar, and was replaced by the newer AW109E Power helicopter.[38] The helicopters first made their shipboard deployment on May 21, 2014.

Modernization

It was also reported that the Philippine Navy is planning further upgrades for the entire ship class. The upgrades will feature upgrades for navigation, propulsion, communication, surveillance, and weapons systems.[39]

In August 2019, the Department of National Defense (DND) signed a deal with Hanwha Systems Co., Ltd. to supply and install the Naval Shield Baseline 2 Integrated Combat Management System (CMS), a Hull Mounted Sonar (HMS), and a Radar Electronic Support Measure (R-ESM).[11][40] The project contract also covers system integration of Hanwha-supplied equipment with Government-supplied equipment (through US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Foreign Military Financing (FMF) ), which includes the AN/SPS-77 Sea Giraffe AMB 3D air/surface search radar,[41] a new Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), the SeaFLIR 230 electro-optical/infra-red (EO/IR) system, and two (2) Mk 38 25mm guns. The contract also include integration of Hanwha-supplied equipment with the existing ship subsystems including navigation, situational awareness, AIS, weapons and guns, countermeasures, and other systems.[11]

On February 21, 2020, Rear Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo stated that additional weapons systems were planned to be installed to complement the ships' upgraded sensors. He suggested that anti-submarine weapons might be installed to complement the sonars to be installed on the class.[42]

On October 14, 2020, Navy chief Giovanni Carlo Bacordo revealed the completion of the 3D modeling program for the class' cabling systems to be used for their electronic upgrades (CMS + 4 sensors), indicating the project is at least running despite the CoVid-19 pandemic.[43]

On July 27, 2023, it was announced by ELAC SONAR GmbH that the Hunter hull-mounted sonar had completed sea acceptance with Hanwha Systems and the Philippine Navy. It was stated that the system would be integrated with Hanwha's combat management system and that sonars would be installed on two additional ships within the following 12 months.[44]

Ships in class

Ship name Hull number Launched Commissioned Service Status
BRP Gregorio del Pilar PS-15 December 18, 1965 December 14, 2011 Offshore Combat Force Active[45]
BRP Ramon Alcaraz PS-16 October 1, 1966 November 22, 2013 Offshore Combat Force Active
BRP Andres Bonifacio PS-17 June 17, 1967 July 21, 2016[46] Offshore Combat Force Active

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Saunders, Stephen: Jane's Fighting Ships 107th Edition 2004-2005. Jane's Information Group Ltd, 2004.
  2. ^ a b c d e "WHEC 378' Hamilton class". GlobalSecurity.org. April 27, 2005. Retrieved August 8, 2008.
  3. ^ "Hamilton, 1967 (WHEC 715)". United States Coast Guard. February 25, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  4. ^ "Navy flagship sheds US identity; videoke onboard". Philippine Daily Inquirer. September 3, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  5. ^ a b "Navy ship to get new weapons systems". The Philippine Star. October 29, 2012. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  6. ^ a b Saunders, Stephen (2013). IHS Jane's Fighting Ships 2013-2014. IHS. p. 614. ISBN 978-0-7106-3048-3.
  7. ^ Montero, Max (June 16, 2019). "Installed Mk 38 Mod 3 25mm RCWS to PS-15". facebook.com/MaxDefense. Retrieved November 28, 2021. making use of ship's downtime
  8. ^ a b "Finally, the Philippine Navy's BRP Ramon Alcaraz got its Mk 38 Mod 2 Guns". January 25, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  9. ^ "BRP Jose Rizal crew protected from chemical, nuclear attack". pna.gov.ph. February 28, 2020. This ability is also present in the 3 Del Pilar-class
  10. ^ PNA with Camille Diola (June 25, 2014). "New Navy attack helicopters to join first naval maneuvers". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  11. ^ a b c "S. Korean firm bags PH frigate upgrade deal". Philippine News Agency. August 23, 2019.
  12. ^ "Philippine Navy eyeing purchase from US". Philippine Daily Inquirer. January 24, 2011. Archived from the original on January 26, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2011.
  13. ^ "PHL Navy to acquire largest ship in inventory". GMA News. January 23, 2011. Archived from the original on May 5, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2011.
  14. ^ "Philippines builds anti-China muscle". Asia Times Online. March 2, 2012. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  15. ^ "US Government to turnover USGC Hamilton to Philippine Navy". Naval Public Affairs Office, Philippine Navy. May 12, 2011. Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  16. ^ "Noy inaugurates 2 newly commissioned ships". The Philippine Star. December 15, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  17. ^ "AFP chief to receive 2nd US patrol ship". ABS-CBN News. May 19, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  18. ^ "Decommissioned Coast Guard Cutter Dallas being transfered [sic] to Philippine navy". The Digitel Charleston. May 18, 2012. Archived from the original on May 24, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  19. ^ "Philippines to get 2nd US coast guard ship". Xinhua-ANI c/o Yahoo! News. May 21, 2012. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  20. ^ "Gazmin assures Navy of brand-new gear, assets showcased on Navy Day". InterAksyon.com. May 22, 2012. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  21. ^ "DND puts on hold plan to get third warship from US". The Philippine Star. November 1, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  22. ^ Romero, Alexis (March 4, 2013). "Arrival of new Phl warship delayed". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  23. ^ "PHL attempts to 'modernize' Navy with 46-year-old warship BRP Ramon Alcaraz". GMA News. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  24. ^ "Maiden voyage of PH's most capable warship". Rappler. November 22, 2013. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  25. ^ Salinas, Mary Alice (November 16, 2015). "Obama Hones Focus on Trade, Economy at APEC Summit". Voice of America News. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  26. ^ "PH top recipient of US naval aid among Asian allies–White House". Philippine Daily Inquirer. November 18, 2015.
  27. ^ "Del Pilar-class frigates redesignated as patrol ships". Philippine News Agency. April 2, 2019. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  28. ^ "The Thing About Downgrading Del Pilar Vessel's Fleet Classification". Pitz Defense Analysis. April 23, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  29. ^ "History of USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715)". USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715) official web site. United States Coast Guard. June 20, 2008. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2008.
  30. ^ "Re: Retitled: BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PS-15) - ex USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715)". Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  31. ^ "PN Capital Ships".
  32. ^ "No. 721-12 Contracts". U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs). Archived from the original on September 25, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  33. ^ "BRP Ramon Alcaraz fitted with 'Bushmaster' auto cannons soon". PTV News. February 17, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  34. ^ "Contracts for Oct. 29, 2015". U.S. Department of Defense. October 29, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2019.[dead link]
  35. ^ "Contracts for Sept. 29, 2016". U.S. Department of Defense. September 29, 2016. Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  36. ^ "Philippine Navy Expecting 4 New Mk. 38 Mod. 3 Gun Systems from 2 Contracts". MaxDefense Philippines. March 12, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  37. ^ MaxDefense Philippines PN Installs Mk.38 Mod.3 guns on PS-15
  38. ^ Alexis Romero (December 19, 2013). "AFP commissions 3 brand-new naval choppers". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  39. ^ Grevatt, Jon (December 16, 2013). "Philippines plans further upgrades to ex-US Coast Guard cutters". IHS Jane's 360. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  40. ^ Orpiano, Pitz (February 11, 2019). "In-Details: Upgrading the Del Pilar-class Frigates". Pitz Defense Analysis. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  41. ^ "U.S. Green Lights FMS of AN/SPS-77 Sea Giraffe Radar for Philippines Navy Hamilton-class Cutters". Navy Recognition. December 14, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  42. ^ "Navy patrol vessels to get weapons upgrade". Philippine News Agency. February 22, 2020.
  43. ^ Nepomoceno, Priam (October 14, 2020). "3D modeling for Del Pilar vessels upgrades now completed: Navy". PH: Philippine News Agency (PNA).
  44. ^ Ozberk, Tayfun (August 21, 2023). "HUNTER sonar for Philippine Navy frigates passes milestone". Naval News. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  45. ^ Nepomuceno, Priam (September 19, 2022). "Gregorio Del Pilar ready to sail 4 years after Hasa-Hasa mishap". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  46. ^ "Philippine Navy's third frigate set to sail home". Philstar Global. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregorio_del_Pilar-class_offshore_patrol_vessel