Pics from todays PMRF inspection, with the Deputy Commandant as Reviewing Officer:



LVTH6 No 112; note the M2 .50 HMG above the turret and the PMRF seal at the starboard aft aspect of the hull



V150 with additional M2 .50 HMG for rear and anti-air defense

more photos at Opus' Phil Defense Forum later...

Nice job Marines!

Hindi ba masyadong mataas yung M2 .50 HMG making the gunner open? How about gunshields?

was the rear cupola on the v150 locally produced?

can you post more pics sir jepot. :specool:

Nice addition of the ma deuce on the V-150. Hmm... that means that they could also mount 40mm AGLs on the rear for heavier fire-support capability.

The cupola was reportedly salvaged from decomissioned V-100 Chaimites.

:thumb: nice job marines!! :specool:

wow galeng, kudos to the Marines for their initiative

tanong ko lang bat di kayang gawin ng Army yung nagawa ng PMC e di hamak na mas malaki yung budget nila?

wala atang improvement yung mga vehicles nila

Sa tingin ko mas magaling ata gumawa ng paraan ang PMC mag modify ng mga gamit nila. Why cant the army do the same with their APC's and other Vehicles.

:thumb: nice job.

Oo nga ... nakakahiya ang army. Di hamak na mas marami kayong oras magisip ng mga ganyan bagay kaysa sa marines. Halos marines na nga yata ang gumagawa ng trabaho nyo eh.

Tapos ang innovation nyo lang yung Jeep na may bazooka.... at yung UAV na ni minsan di ko narinig na ginamit. :brrt:

Details of the V150 cupola here....

http://www.hueybravo.net/
http://www.hueybravo.net/Marinepages/armor.htm

Some old news about the PAF and pics from the Marines.

nice pre painting pics manoks... :armyeek:

Four letters: M-B-L-T

I do hope the LABde finds its own counterpart. :aberet:

indeed, the innovative approach of sir mblt6 has done wonders in motivating the unit into coming up with a lot of great achievements in so short a time.

LABDE has its own share of good armor officers I believe ( mblt6 is not even an armor officer afaik), but if these people are being given the chance to prove themselves, thats another story....

thanks for the comments Jepot and Adroth but lets keep the forum focused on the things that need to be done. I have learned a lot from sensible comments in this forum and am grateful. I'm not a politician than needs recognition but just a marine doing his job for his country. Thanks anyway.

Well for me, my intention ... is to challenge them or maybe compete with you. We all know that our military has the lowest budget in the region and it can hardly afford to buy more hi-tech equipments ... GIVEN NA YON EH ... we civilians know that very well ... but it doesn't stop there.

We cannot always depends on the technology or ... the "brains" of other countries. We should learn to trust ourselves too and trust our own capabilities.

Marami kasi sa atin "DYOS" ang tingin sa AMERIKA eh ... kaya puro na lang hingi tayo ng grasya. Kapag hindi gawang AMERIKA o lalo na gawang Pinoy ... hindi effective o madaling masira...

Yan ... kaya ganito tayo ... we're stuck to this mentality ... kaya kahit innovation ... di na rin natin pinapasok ... papaano kapag yung iniisip natin bago o innovation walang tulad nun sa AMERIKA, BAGSAK na ... kaya conceptualizing pa lang ... Negatibo na ang nasa isip ... at gugustuhin pang bumili na lang ng gawang abroad ... haaay wla talagang tiwala sa sarili.


Good thing may tulad nyo MBLT6 at iba pa ... pero iilan lang ba kayo?

Just imagine kung walang tulad nyo sa forum na ito? .... wala man lang ma-ishare o maipakita ang pinoy na sariling gawa or innovation ... tsk tsk ... lalabas na BOBO tayo ...

Sir ... sana wag lumaki ang ulo nyo ... pero yung mga post nyo or gawa nyo sa military ... serves us a GREAT INSPIRATION and we even praise it more than the work of other GENERALS up there. :thumb:

what they are currently doing in the Marine Corps is really impressive. hopefully, other branches of the AFP will emulate the PMC in terms of improvising and innovating. :thumb:

and to think these PMC innovations have not been featured extensively by the mainstream media, if not for timawa.net and PDFF, we could have not known of these very laudable effort :thumb:

the pictures are no no more, can someone repost?

:armysad:

The Philippine Marine Ready Force (PMRF):

From Innovation to a Ready and Credible Deterrent

By Lieutenant-Colonel Roberto T. Feliciano PN(M)(Res)(MNSA)


At Thursday morning 0100H 16 March 2006, Headquarters Assault Armor Battalion moved out of Marine Base Manila to proceed to Crow Valley, Tarlac to conduct the first series of field testing and functional test fire exercises for selected equipment, including two (2) LVTH6A1s, one (1) V300 FSV, one (1) V300 APC with the 40mm AGL, one (1) V150, one (1) .50 cal M35 Gun Truck, and one (1) HMMWV. The group included elements of the Philippine Marine Ready Force (“PMRF”), mainly comprised by the Assault Armor Battalion (“AABN”), Field Artillery Battalion (“FABN”), and the Service and Support Battalion (“SSBN”) of the Combat Service and Support Brigade (“CSSB”).

Earlier in the day, two (2) LVTH6A1s were loaded on low buoy transporters and were part of the convoy that departed Fort Bonifacio for Tarlac.

The functional test firing capped most of the efforts which PMRF initiated since last year to make itself operational and viable. This article, thus seeks to examine some of the efforts to date by CSSB under its Commanding Officer, Colonel Jonathan C. Martir PN(M)(GSC), to establish and make the PMRF operational. These included, but are not limited to the following:


Restoration of the LVTH6A1 to Operational Status:

Background and Preparations: Since late 2005, CSSB commenced the reintroduction of the Landing Vehicle, Tracked Howitzer 6 A1, or LVTH6A1, into operational use for PMRF. This was undertaken with the imperatives to strengthen PMC fire support assets and make them available for urban operations. These necessitated a re-examination of the LVTH6A1, which was the principal tracked, armored amphibious fire support vehicle of the Corps since the 1970s. Of the LVTH6A1s in the PMC’s inventory which were examined, two (2) units were initially selected to be brought out of storage and made ready. It was determined that most of the Continental gasoline engines were in better condition than expected and required relatively minor work to return the vehicles to operational status. These included the inspection and testing of the electro-mechanical systems, tuning, replacement of worn components such as hoses, spark plugs, and batteries. The relative ease of the work was partly due to the running condition of the vehicles when they were placed in storage. The running gear and tracks were found to be in good condition. The vehicle’s 105mm main armament was inspected and determined to be suitable for test firing, together its .30 caliber M1919 coaxial machine guns. Any items found unusable were replaced with those from other vehicles.

Use of Urban Camouflage: With the heightened importance of Military Operations in Urban Terrain (“MOUT”) and recent political considerations, CSSB undertook research to identify an urban camouflage pattern for use on its armored vehicles and equipment. After careful consideration, the pattern chosen was based on that used by the British Army’s “Berlin Brigade.”

Background: Stationed at West Berlin during the Cold War, the British Army was confronted by a unique set of challenges in an urban environment, mainly through the high level of tension due to the very close proximity of Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces to NATO forces stationed in West Berlin. In 1982, the 4/7 Royal Dragoon Guards Tank Squadron experimented with the replacement of the bronze green pattern on its Chieftain Main Battle Tanks with a combination of grey-green, brown and white patches set at right angles. Originally based on the Royal Navy’s “dazzle” pattern of World War II, the resulting pattern was intended not just to conceal but also to mislead, and was reportedly extremely effective. The scheme was subsequently adopted by all British forces in Berlin. It is important to note that all British vehicles were painted in exactly the same pattern, which denied the Soviets the opportunity to accurately determine the strength of British Forces by recognizing individual tanks and vehicles.

In late 2005, CSSB examined the pattern and adapted it to consist of an alternating geometric pattern of blocks at right angles which are colored flat white, medium gray, and roof brown. The pattern was first tested on the LVTH6A1s being readied. During evaluations and exercises, this pattern was proven very effective in the urban environment where the appropriate color combination and proportions blended with existing lighting to disrupt the overall outline of the sizeable LVTH6A1 and very effectively blend it into its urban surrounding in Manila. It was determined that in spite of their imposing size, the LVTH6A1s became a more concealed and misleading force as a result of the new urban pattern.

Additional Armor: In recognition of its role for urban operations, additional armor was installed on the front hull. This consisted of additional track sections, which serve as stand off protection from incoming fire. In spite of the additional weight of the armor, it was determined that the front ramp of the vehicle could continue to function with no adverse effects. At the same time, the additional armor had the incidental effect of creating a more imposing image for the LVTH6A1.


Innovations of Existing Vehicles and Weapons Systems:

Among the innovations undertaken by CSSB were the adoption of several existing PN weapons systems for PMRF use, which resulted in the introduction of capabilities not previously existing in the Corps.

Organic Anti-Aircraft Capability: The need for an air defense capability was driven by the recent experience during the 1989 coup attempt, where rebel forces used the North American AT-28 Trojan light attack aircraft, and Sikorsky AUH-76 helicopter gunships of the PAF against Government forces which had no air defense capability apart from turret mounted .50 caliber heavy machine guns. The situation emphasized the consequences of the absence of any air defense capability and impressed on the PMRF to develop the same, as described in the following accounts:

40mm Bofors Guns: The 40mm Bofors has long been used by the PN as shipboard anti-aircraft artillery. Two (2) of the guns were previously mounted on towed carriages and placed in storage. These were brought out and underwent minor conditioning. Thereafter, PN instructors conducted training for Marine gun crews, who successfully test fired the guns at Marine Base Ternate last year. With the introduction of the 40mm Bofors into Marine use, a medium altitude anti-aircraft system was made available for the PMRF. As a continuing effort, a lighter and more maneuverable wheeled mount is being designed for the gun.

M35 Gun Trucks: A secondary capability existed with multiple caliber .50 M2HB Heavy Machine Guns which were previously mounted on PN vessels. Upon inspection, two (2) twin mounts were brought out of storage and mounted on 2.5ton M35 trucks. The concept draws from the US experience in Vietnam with gun trucks, which provided a very effective mobile fire support capability against air and ground targets.

20mm Mk 16 and Mk 4 Guns: An additional PN weapons system being adapted for PMRF use consists of the 20mm Mk 16 and Mk 4 naval anti-aircraft guns. The 20mm Mk 16 is a belt-fed twin gun, while the Mk 4 Oerlikon is a single drum-fed gun. Originally intended for shipboard use against air and surface targets, the same guns are being readied for installation on PMRF vehicles for additional mobile anti-air and surface fire support.


Caliber .50 Rear Weapons Station:

Another PMRF innovation was the development and installation of a rear weapons station mounting an M2 .50 Caliber Heavy Machine Gun on the V150 Commando. The initial model used the ring, mount, hatch, and hatch from the V150 “Chaimite” which was mounted on the existing rear hatch of the V150 next to its engine compartment. A gun shield is positioned on the mount to protect the front of the gunner, with additional curved armor mounted to protect his left and right sides.

The idea was to provide an additional weapons station to supplement the turreted .50 caliber M2 heavy machine gun/40mm AGL and .7.62mm M60 coaxial machine gun of the V150. The rear weapon station provides the V150 with an additional weapon to bear with 360 degree coverage against an additional target and is very useful particularly in convoy operations, to immediately repulse ambushes or bring additional fire support against air or surface threats. The system lends itself to accommodate a variety of weapons systems such as the caliber .50 heavy machine guns, 7.62mm or caliber .30 machine guns or the 40mm AGL, to provide commanders with flexibility in fire support.

While additional mounts are located and installed, subsequent mounts will be fabricated in-house by the PMC to retrofit on as many V150s as possible. It is understood that upon hearing of its, field commanders became very interested in the weapons station and made urgent requests for it to be adopted and issued to them for use in their area of operations.


Introduction of New Vehicles

MMPV: Among the new vehicle platforms innovated by the PMRF was the Marine Multi-Purpose Vehicle (“MMPV”). This consists of a 4 X 4 Mitsubishi Pajero chassis and 2.5 liter diesel engine on which a bodyshell that resembles a HMMWV was mounted. The MMPV is envisioned to be a more cost-effective multi-purpose platform which would bridge the gap between the M151 and Mini-Cruiser, which are increasingly more costly and difficult to maintain, and the HMMWV. While the initial MMPV mounts a M40A1 106mm recoilless rifle, subsequent units are envisioned to serve in communications, ambulance, transport, and liaison roles. With the introduction and presentation of the MMPV, the FOIC approved the construction of 50 units.


Functional Test Firing:

Crow Valley, Capas, Tarlac: After several PMRF inspections in late 2005 and early in 2006, functional test firing of the above systems took place at Crow Valley, Capas, Tarlac, and at Marine Base Ternate, Cavite on 16-17 March 2006 and 24-25 March 2006, respectively. The tests were led by AABN, FABN personnel, together with officers from the 4th Marine Brigade (Reserve) (“4MBDE”) who completed the first reserve armor officers course in 2003 and had been contributing to the development of the PMRF. The said officers were assigned to individual vehicles and participated in the test firing.

Two (2) days earlier, FABN undertook test firing of its M101 105mm howitzers at Crow Valley and initial tests of the rear weapons station of the V150.

For the 16 March 2006 exercise, two (2) LVTH6A1s nos. 111 and 112 were loaded on 50ton low boy flatbed trailer/transporters were contracted. At 0100H, the convoy with two (2) V300 FSV/APC nos. 306 and 442 respectively, one (1) V150 number 208 and one (1) HMMWV number 75MC5 moved out of Marine Base Manila for Crow Valley, Tarlac for firing and mobility tests.

Upon arrival, the two (2) LVTH6A1s were unloaded from the transporters. This was an important opportunity for Marines to exercise the loading and offloading of heavy vehicles from transporters.

Thereafter, testing commenced with the V300 Commando in its fire support and APC variants. Vehicle no. 442 successfully test fired the 90mm Cockerill main gun against a target 700m meters away. Vehicle no. 306 test fired its 40mm AGL against the same target with no malfunction.

V150 Commando number 208 successfully tested its .50 caliber rear weapons stations using the M2 HB model and the aircraft model, which has a higher rate of fire and uses a perforated barrel jacket.

During the afternoon of 16 March, the two (2) LVTH6A1s were accompanied by the HMMWV and the MMPV drove to the firing range and tested their 105mm main guns against a hillside target approximately 800 meters away. A total of six (6) high explosive rounds were fired at Charge 1 to 3. The recoil mechanisms of the guns experienced no malfunction. It was subsequently determined that the ejector of vehicle no. 112 just needed some minor adjustment and lubrication to eject consistently. The turret mounted caliber .50 M2 heavy machine guns were also successfully tested together with the .30 caliber M1919 coaxial machine guns. Apart from the breech mechanism of vehicle no. 112’s gun which experienced some difficulty in ejecting its spent casing, the test firing was successfully completed with no untoward incident, to the enthusiastic satisfaction of the Marines. The two (2) LVTH6A1s completed thus far demonstrated their viability as stable and reliable self-propelled armored fire support vehicles for PMRF.

During the same afternoon, initial testing was also conducted with the M35 caliber .50 gun truck and the M40A1 106mm recoilless rifles.


Marine Base Ternate, Cavite: On 24 – 25 March 2006, AABN conducted the next series of functional tests of PMRF equipment. At 0500H 25 March 2006, AABN with one (10 HMMWV no. 75MC, one (1) V150 Commando no. 213 and one (1) MMPV and one (1) M151 together with one (1) M56 Gun Truck departed Marine Base Manila for Marine Base Ternate.

During the morning, the two (2) M40A1 106mm recoilless rifles mounted on the PMRF MMPV and M151 were successfully test fired using HEP-T or HESH ammunition, with no malfunction.

Firing tests were also successfully conducted for the twin caliber .50 heavy machine guns mounted on the M35 gun truck. Thereafter, firing tests were conducted using the V150 Commando rear weapons station with the caliber .50 M2 Heavy Machine Gun and the caliber .50 Aircraft Heavy Machine Gun.

During the same morning, the special operations component of PMRF comprised by the Marine Scout Snipers successfully test fired their scout sniper rifles under the supervision of Colonel Jonathan C. Martir PN(M)(GSC). These included the caliber .50 Barrett M95 heavy/anti-material rifle, the 7.62mm Remington 700P scout sniper rifle, and the 5.56mm Marine Scout Sniper Rifle (MSSR)/Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR). The latter rifle represents the first successfully developed and deployed sniper rifle in the PMC and the AFP.

In addition to the Scout Snipers and Colonel Martir himself, the test firing included the same reserve armor officers of the 4th Marine Brigade. During the exercise, match grade ammunition was used which was developed and hand loaded by the Marine Scout Sniper School.

The successful exercises demonstrated the viability of the equipment and vehicles which were returned to operational status, or developed in-house. The significance lies in the reinforcement of several capabilities to the PMC such as mobile fire support with the LVTH6A1, and the establishment of new capabilities such an air defense component. The introduction of the caliber .50 M35 Gun Truck, the 20mm guns, and the 40mm Bofors guns will make possible the formation of an air defense element which will be integrated to FABN to become the first Field Artillery and Air Defense Battalion.

In the months to follow, the PMRF can be expected to further strengthen its capabilities by refining its existing systems and equipment, and introduce additional ones, and further consolidate the organization itself. Equally significant is the demonstration of the initiative and cost effective use of resources to expand the firepower and operational flexibility of the PMRF to enable the PMC to respond urgently to the current and projected national security imperatives. When fully completed, the PMRF will present the national decision makers with the most flexible combined arms force in the Philippine archipelago.

Thats good news sir mblt6! It is nice to see that the PMC is making do with what it currently has and innovating its arsenal to be more combat ready! More power to the PMC! :ssalute:

Innovation if not upgrade is vital in any military unit.

Good job, Marines! :armywink:

What is the army doing? why can't they duplicate the innovation of the marine and the PN?

http://www.timawa.net//walkarounds/9-20-06/1/
http://www.timawa.net//walkarounds/9-20-06/2/
http://www.timawa.net//walkarounds/9-20-06/3/

http://www.timawa.net//walkarounds/9-20-06/1/
http://www.timawa.net//walkarounds/9-20-06/2/
http://www.timawa.net//walkarounds/9-20-06/3/

PMRF bound for Cebu to secure ASEAN summit...





Good luck! :salute:

Is the entire unit is Cebu now, so no one is guarding Metro Manila against destabilizers and Gringo sympathizers hehehe :demon:

Live fire exercise of the PMRF in Ternate was shown on 24 oras last night, one soldier was slightly injured when he was caught by the backblast of the recoilless rifle.

saw that one too, kind of disappointing though, they just shot up the hillside, but then its just a live fire exercise.

but they could have maximized the occasion by shooting at dumb targets, you know test the guns' calibration and accuracy.

That soldier who stood behind the RR and was promptly toppled by the backblast learned an unforgettable lesson.

Video of the live fire exercise: (viewable here)

[dohtml]<iframe src="http://www.gmanews.tv/evideo/16734/Marines-do-live-fire-exercises-in-Ternate-Cavite" frameborder="0" style="width:360px; height:290px; display:block; background: black;" scrolling="no">This page requires a higher version browser</iframe><br /><a href="http://www.gmanews.tv/">For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV</a>[/dohtml]

wow nice, pwede na pala embed vids dito :banana:

Do you know the latest about the PMRF? :devilwink:

It's time to update things up.

:armywink:

Thats better stacking than the one in tormentor's sig.

are those marines also?

Training improves everything :thumb:

:armywink: hnde, mga pinoy marins yun....

hehe malaysian marines ang mga yan :armysmile:

Actually they had the trainings. It is the call of the situation and the availability of equipments and protective cover at that instant. These two photos were of the same events and are just a few minutes apart. And it is unfair to judge somebody or a whole organization based on a single photo without knowing the facts of what transpired in an incident. :armyLol:

Of course brothers,If you want materiels & convinince go to the army,You want to sit most of the time Go to fly school buddy,You want to train everyday like a warrior Go to the the CORPS :salute: