T2C Buckeye
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Over 545 Buckeyes were manufactured for the US Navy, 231 of which were
the T2C variant, first delivered in 1969. The aircraft is very basic,
with all-analogue gauges and was used for advanced training including
bombing, gunnery and fighter tactics and carrier qualification.
Venezuela and Greece both acquired T-2 variants; Venezuela's surviving
aircraft include 10 weapons-capable T2Ds and 9 trainers and Greece has
36. The T2C has been replaced in US service by the T45C, but only
about 40% of the average Buckeye airframe fatigue life has been used
up and some T2Cs still have up to 70% of their available airframe life
left. The Buckeye is said to be easy to maintain, with most
components easily accessible, and has a lower accident rate than
almost all other military aircraft.
The T2C normally has two hardpoints for practice bombs but a weapons kit is available
to provide up to 6 hardpoints for up to 3,500 lbs of ordnance. In US service some T2Cs had gunpods
but these were removed after one Buckeye shot down an A-4 Skyhawk towing a target decoy.
More info:
http://www.aeronautics.ru/t2.htm
http://www.boeing.com/history/bna/t2.htm
http://www.boeing.com/history/bna/t2data.htm
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/t-2.htm
http://www.combataircraft.com/aircraft/tt2c.asp
http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/factfile/aircraft/air-t2c.html
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M113 Armored Personnel Carriers
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The M113 series is the most widely used Western armored vehicle, with
over 76,000 vehicles produced as of 1999. The US has many surplus
vehicles and with the adoption of the LAV-III Stryker many more will
be available. New Zealand has also adopted the LAV-III and its M113s
will soon be surplus. The Philippine military already operates the
M113, including some examples configured as fire-support vehicles
using Scorpion turrets with 76mm guns. New Zealand also retired
its Scorpion light tanks and these may be available for purchase.
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Refurbished AAV-7 for the Marine Corps
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The US undertook a program to refurbish and upgrade 680 AAV7s to be distributed throughout the Marine Corps. Cost of refurbishment was US$400,000 per vehicle, compared to $2 million for new vehicles. The Philippine Marines had requested a small number of these in the past but the deal fell through. Two dozen would be an ideal number to get and would allow the landing of a Marine battalion. Amphibious warfare capability is essential to an archipelagic country like ours.
>>Info from FAS.org
>>Marine Corps Fact File
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Newport-class LST for added sealift capability
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Larger and faster than the old WW2 LSTs. Capable of 20 knots. Can launch amphibious vehicles via stern gate as well as land vehicles to a beach or dock via a 112 foot bowramp. The US has leased, sold or given away several examples, though it retained 6, of which 4 were decommissioned and in reserve (requiring several months to reactivate) and 2 in ready reserve (requiring only days to reactivate). One of the ships in ready reserve, the USS LaMoure County, was grounded off the coast of Chile during an exercise and was irreparably damaged and sunk as a target in 2001. 522 ft long, with 19,000 sq. ft. of space for vehicles, 400 troop capacity. Annual operating costs are expensive at $12.5 million a year, per FY 1996 VAMOSC
>>LST list at US Naval Reserve Site
>>Info at FAS.org
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Gen. Frank S. Besson-class Logistics Support Vessel for added sealift capability
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5 operated by the US Army, plus 1 in reserve. The Philippines has 2 modified versions, with accommodations for 150 troops and no stern ramp, and a deck for a light helicopter. Two or three of the US ships, with the removable accommodations modules, would significantly increase the Philippine's sealift capability, though a small Dock Landing Ship type vessel like Singapore's Endurance-class would be more ideal.
>>Info from Naval-Technology.com
>>Info from Hazegray.org
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Hamilton-class High Endurance Cutter for the Navy
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To be retired beginning 2003. Wired for Harpoon missiles, have helicopter platform with hangar and facilities, Phalanx CIWS, 76mm Oto Breda dual purpose gun. 45-day endurance, 12,000 mile range. Great replacement for the Cannon-class. Half as old, way more effective.
>>USCG datasheet
>>Additional info
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Cyclone-class Patrol craft
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Designed to land and support SEAL-teams but was found to be too large for that role. Only a few years old. 1 has already been retired as cost-cutting measure, 6 more to be retired in 2002. With alterations could be equipped with anti-ship missiles and could add significantly to the Navy's capability.
>>Additional info
UPDATE: The United States has agreed to transfer PC-1, the USS Cyclone, name ship of the class
to the Philippines after refurbishment and upgrade in Louisiana.
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F-16 Fighting Falcon
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The current standard by which dogfighting ability is measured. Reputed to be the best all-around low-cost fighter. Enough said.
>>USAF datasheet
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P3 Orion for Maritime Patrol
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For long-range maritime patrol, another essential item for an archipelago. Many surplus examples being given away to countries that do not need them and are not in trouble.
>>Info on FAS.org
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HU-25 Guardian for Maritime Patrol
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For maritime patrol. The US Coast Guard has several excess examples in its inventory in slightly used condition.
>>Info on FAS.org
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