Aerogas Catalytic Combustor (ACC)

Aerogas Catalytic Combustor (ACC): anti-pollution, eco-friendly Filipino invention 

              Engr. Marino C. Martinez (edited)

Aerogas Catalytic Combustor (ACC) is an anti-pollution, fuel saver and power booster engine device. It has practical application on all types of internal combustion engines like engines of Jeeps, Cars, Trucks, Ships and Motorcycles and even Gas Fired Power Plants at a very economical cost. It was invented by Engr. Marino C. Martinez, a chemical engineer. 

The Aerogas Catalytic Combustor (ACC)

The gadget has been rigidly tested with machines and on the road by government agencies like DENR-EMB, DOST – PICIERD, ITDI, LTO and private users at the onset of legislation of the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999. These are proofs of the effectiveness of the ACC to reduce pollution by as much as 82%, fuel saving by as much as 32%, increase horse power and torque by as much as 7.95%. These figures shows that engine combustion efficiently has significantly improved if not perfected.

The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 under Section 3 states, 'the state shall pursue a policy of balancing development and environmental protection. To achieve this end, the framework for sustainable development shall be pursued. It shall be the policy of the state to:

C. “Focus primarily on pollution prevention rather than control...” '

Thus, the strongest issue on the climate change are not the results but the cause which comes from emissions; the carbon dioxide (a green house gas) and primarily the largest contributor to global warming. It is normally assumed that the amount of the CO2 given off is directly related to the amount of fuel burnt. However CO2, CO, HC (hydrocarbons) can be significantly reduced by introducing elements to the combustion reaction that dissociates oxygen from the hydrocarbon compounds, separating and increasing individual elements like carbon particles (as soot), oxygen gas and the largest amount which is water vapor in the engine emissions. Thus, largely reducing CO2, HC and even NOx (oxides of nitrogen) which are poisonous and pollutant greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. 

DENR-EMB Test Results on May 1999 showing 82%
reduction of HSU reading with installed ACC

ACC utilizes this process: the Chemistry of Sublimation – releasing purified gas elements to create high speed flame when ignited simultaneously with hydrocarbon fuels in the internal combustion chamber separating carbon from oxygen to deplete CO2 and poisonous gases. Because of its high speed flame, the elements reaction is compatible to all levels of octane rating for gasoline fuel and cetane for diesel fuel, thus detonation does not occur (detonation creates detrimental effects to the engine.) the high speed flame significantly increases if not inducing complete combustion. In the process, CO2 and other harmful gases are depleted significantly reducing health problems and global greenhouse gas emissions, ultimately mitigating the devastating results of climate change.

Despite ACC's current effectiveness, we continuously do research and development to improve ACC to a much more better product in the future which is more effective in minimizing the hostile effect of global warming and combating the increasing hydrocarbon fuel price.

Paris Agreement is our world's second attempt from the first, the Paris Protocol, to mitigate the effect of climate change. This is our chance to do it the Filipino way!

Source and Photo Credits: 
Engr. M. C. Martinez via e-mail

SALAMANDER Amphibious Tricycle

Pinoy-made Salamander amphibious trike can tackle land and water

                         Vernon B. Sarne

                         TopGear, Jan 21, 2015

If you're into car customization, the name Atoy Llave will certainly ring a bell. The man behind A-Toy Bodykits and the company's aftermarket exterior designs is quite popular among Filipino car lovers. The curious thing you see here--the Salamander amphibious trike--is Llave's latest creation. He made this in partnership with a new company called H2O Technologies, developing it in particular with the firm's technical head, Lamberto Armada.

SALAMANDER trikes

Because it is amphibious, the Salamander can travel both on land and in water. It stemmed from Llave's desire to do something really useful for the benefit of his countrymen. That and his wish to put the Philippines on the global automotive map.

"I want to show the world that the Filipino can," Llave told TopGear.com.ph.

As you read this, Llave and his partners are launching the thing somewhere in Mandaluyong (near our office, actually). It's a big night for the group. They have been toiling day and night in order to seamlessly roll out the Salamander before the critical eyes of the motoring press.

Last month, Llave gave us exclusive access to the Salamander. It was for a full-length magazine story that will appear in our February issue. Writer Niky Tamayo was able to test it for himself, and you will read his initial impressions in our next issue.

The Salamander has two powerplant choices: one electric and one internal-combustion. Boasting a six-person seating capacity (four in water), the amphibious tricycle is powered by either a 5kW electric engine or a 250cc gasoline motor. We assume these are the target specs for the production version, because the provisional spec sheet still mentions a 3kW electric engine and a 200cc motor. (Watch the video at the bottom.)

"I've already achieved so much in the car business," Llave shared. "Now, I want to leave behind a legacy. I want to produce something that will help people."

SALAMANDER in water

Llave, of course, is referring to our country being flood-prone. Imagine having an amphibious vehicle like this when the water rises. The Salamander will also be practical as a shuttle vehicle in between small islands all around the archipelago.

The only hurdle? As with any brilliant Filipino idea, there is currently a lack of funding, which Llave hopes to get as soon as word spreads about his newest brainchild. We hope a wealthy businessman with patriotic and philanthropic intentions is reading this. The Salamander is waiting to be developed, polished and marketed to the world.

Atoy Llave is right: The Filipino can.

Watch the video here:

For a more comprehensive story on the Salamander, read the February 2015 TopGear issue.

Source: 

TopGear

Photo & video credits:

TopGear by Christian Halili

TopGear in YouTube

FSPMI Light Sport Aircraft (RP-S512): First Filipino-made Operational Aircraft

It has been making headlines in various local publications including internet blogs about what is now considered as the “first Filipino-made aircraft”. It is the two-seater light sport aircraft with tail number RP-S512. However, is it really the “first Filipino-made aircraft”? No, it’s not. We had already built several aircrafts (Defiant 300 is one of them) in the past including a helicopter as what I had discussed in my previous blogs.

Maybe, it’s better to re-brand it as the “first Filipino-made operational aircraft” or “first Filipino-made aircraft in-production”. This aircraft was built by Famous Secret Precision Machining, Inc. (FSPMI) based in Cavite, Philippines. The company is a supplier of aircraft components especially parts of the flight control mechanism of airplanes of various aerospace companies including Boeing and Airbus. 

The RP-S512 Light Sport Aircraft

According to the report by 24 Oras (GMA News), the company had already produced two operational light sport aircrafts. The RP-S512 which was already sold to a costumer in Batangas and the other one which was sold to a customer in Florida, USA and already flying.

Captain Bill Wright, private consultant for the RP-S512 project, said that local use of the aircraft is constrained at present pending clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). Wright said that the plane’s category, which is a light sports aircraft, has yet to be recognized by the CAAP.

The plane costs about $100,000 (approximately P4.4 million) and has reached Cavite or Pangasinan and back on test flights. According to Wright, the plane is mostly used by aviation schools for flight instruction and for recreational purposes.

As reported by News 5, the plane has detachable wings that enables its owner to save a parking space not needing a hangar anymore. It can even be parked in a car garage. It has a safety feature, a sensor found in its control panel that can detect whether the wings are tightly and safely attached before take-off. The plane utilizes an unleaded fuel. (Editor's comment: The term "gasolina" in the report may refer to an unleaded gasoline or a common unleaded kerosene-type jet fuel such as Jet A and Jet A-1. Thus, the editor uses a general term "unleaded fuel".)

In a separate interview by Interaksyon (TV5), Jun Ramos (FSPMI marketing head) is confident and hoping that the Philippines will become the next aerospace manufacturing hub in the region at least in the next two to three years. He added that aside from their company, various big players in the industry have recently formed the Aerospace Association of the Philippines due to the growing potential of the business. For their company alone, Ramos said that they are expecting to grow their manufacturing capacity by 50 percent in the next five years due to high demand.

Until recently, the Philippine aerospace industry was largely limited to maintenance, repair and overhaul operations, which covers assembly and maintenance services of aircraft manufactured in other countries, primarily in the United States.

At present, the DOST – Metals and Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) is providing support to other local aviation manufacturers in achieving quality assurance standards including training program as confirmed by Lina Afable, DOST-MIRDC chief of the technology information section. She also added that the industry has a potential to generate jobs.

The RP-S512 aircraft was displayed during the Department of Science and Technology Science Nation Exhibit last July 24, 2014 and ran until July 28 in Pasay City.

"Everybody will be surprised that we could be a winner. The aerospace industry is, to me, the next big potential export winner," said DOST Secretary Mario Montejo. 

Source:

GMA Network

Interaksyon

Philstar

YouTube-24 Oras
YouTube-Interaksyon

Photo credit:

Interaksyon

Philippine-made Concept Supercars

This is what a couple of Philippine-made concept supercars look like
                           Patrick Everett Tadeo

                           TopGear,  23 May 2014

If you're dropping by the 2014 Trans Sport Show this weekend, among the displays you absolutely have to check out are the two cars entered by Factor Aurelio Automobile. Factor Aurelio Automobile is a fledgling car manufacturer based in San Pedro, Laguna. The company takes its name after the surnames of Kevin Factor, an engineering student at Adamson University and the designer of the still-unnamed car, and Brendan Aurelio, the owner of Pacita Fibertech and the vehicles' architect and builder.

 First prototype and is powered by a Honda B16A engine

The two cars on display look similar but are slightly different from one another. The yellow one is actually the very first prototype and is powered by a Honda B16A engine. The orange one is supposedly closer to production and has a Mitsubishi 4G63T turbocharged engine. Both vehicles are made of fiberglass and carbon fiber, and utilize VR4 front and rear suspensions and 18-inch Rota wheels.

We asked Factor how close the orange car is to completion, and it's reportedly 80% finished. "We just need to finish the interior and complete some of the exterior items," he pointed out. As to why Factor Aurelio Automobile chose to run an in-line-four engine, it was a matter of cost. "It's easier to fix since there's an abundance of spare parts, but depending on the customer, we can put their choice of engine inside," Factor shared.

A close to production prototype
with Mitsubishi 4G63T turbocharged engine

The company hopes to have a production-model unit ready before the end of the year, with a price tag in the range of P1.5 to P1.6 million. "We only plan to make 10 units; that way, the cars can retain their value," added Factor. "If we make more than that, the cars will lose their value because they won’t be unique anymore." 

So, would you buy a locally manufactured, P1.6-million "supercar" if it went on sale today?

Source:
TopGear

Photo credit: 
TopGear

Self-Charging Electric Car - Philippines' hope from oil independence

Ismael Aviso Self-Charging Electric Car

                             by Sterling D. Allan
                             Pure Energy Systems News
                             Saturday, February 5, 2011

A "bare-bones" version of Aviso's Self-Charging Electric Car

When we hear of electric vehicles, we typically envision a trunk full of batteries. Not so with an electric vehicle prototype developed by Filipino inventor, Ismael Aviso. In his small prototype vehicle, one 12-volt battery is all that is needed, because his vehicle is not running from the storage capacity of the battery, but the battery is merely serving as the delivery point for the energy that is being harvested from unseen energy all around us through his special circuitry.

This is reminiscent of Nikola Tesla's Pierce-Arrow electric automobile conversion that he ran on a little black box, extracting energy freely somehow from the wheelwork of nature, requiring no petrol.

Aviso has been working on this for 13 years but recently achieved a major milestone, posting a video to YouTube showing his vehicle running for around 10 minutes back and forth in his long garage, with passengers on January 31, 2011; but the battery stayed full.

First of all, the 11 kilowatt DC motor should have very quickly drained the one battery. Aviso says that "there is no one else who can run an 11 kilowatt motor on just one 12-volt battery." So that was the first feat.

Secondly, at the end of the demonstration, the voltage on the battery was 13 — higher than the rated 12.6 volts for the stock battery. Acceleration takes a lot of energy. Stopping and starting like that repeatedly should have sucked a battery bank down. Yet the battery stayed full.

Here's the video of their demo. It's not entertainment material, but it is an excellent demo in content. Even though they don't show a "before" shot of the battery voltage, the stock specs of the Motolite battery can easily be looked up, to show that their "full" voltage is 12.6 volts.

Aviso said that this is made possible by an antenna that receives energy from signals in the range of 750 megahertz to 1.2 gigahertz. He says that once he tunes his device to the proper resonance, "any signal within that range will be collected to boost the power of the battery", enabling one battery to power his vehicle. He names the effect "Fymeg" (FYMEGM) energy, in memory of two of his late friends who helped in the earlier phases of the project. In contrast to the Bedini and Bearden technologies which are high impedance, his technology is based on low impedance and high voltage.

He did the demo in the garage because the weather was unpredictable. The next day, he posted a video of them driving around his neighborhood: a third-world depiction, that he said he would like to uplift once this technology takes hold.

In looking at his earlier videos, you can see that he stripped down the vehicle to its bare minimal requirements – making it easy to see that there are no hidden power sources or other devices that could be accounting for the power being demonstrated. This version is also greatly simplified from earlier ones that involved banks of capacitors and other electronics equipment.

This whole scenario brings to mind for me a prophecy: "And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are…" (1 Corinthians 1:28)

Aviso envisions a retrofit kit costing around $3000 (not including labor) to enable a petrol vehicle to be converted to electric using this technology. He likes to compare that to the $25000 price tag usually accompanying conversion to run on an AC motor; or the $12000 price tag for conversion to run on a DC motor.

He said that his technology is ready for demonstration to qualified parties who are ready to help them move forward with the funding and expertise they need.

A screen shot of GMA network's interview with Ismael Aviso 

Once he gets adequate funding, he plans to file patents simultaneously worldwide. So he is not disclosing how it works yet, just that it does work. He said that the equipment that will be required to measure the ambient frequencies around the device costs around $150,000; and this will be one of the tests that will need to be done fairly soon to characterize what is going on with the device.

He hopes to get some support from the Philippine government to get some funding to do proper third party testing.

But this isn't all. There's more where that came from.

Electro-Piston

Once Aviso gets adequate funding, whether from investors and/or from sales of this first product, he wants to finish developing another technology he's been working on – creating an electric piston engine using his repelling force. He demonstrates this force in a video, showing a 1 kilogram weight flying about 15 feet into the air, the ejection having been powered by one AA battery. Aviso envisions replacing a fuel-based combustion engine with this electro-motive-force-driven engine.

Sir Ismael Aviso, we're proud of you!

Please visit the PESWIKI site for more information and to support Aviso's invention. 

Source:

peswiki.com

Photo credit:

GMA Network
YouTube

Video credit:

YouTube

Hummingbird: the first Philippine-made helicopter

The PADC Hummingbird in flight in 1980's

Today, the Philippine government rely most of the hardwares from foreign suppliers. But don’t you know that Filipinos are capable of designing and developing their own? Many Filipino inventors had proved this. In the field of transportation, one can’t forget the famous moon buggy used by the American astronauts, the hydrogasifier engine, the water-powered car, the solar-powered car, etc. and many other unsung inventions that only few people know.

I have featured two fixed-wing crafts in my previous articles --- the under development Wing-in-Ground (WIG) vehicle and the Defiant 300 which was built decades ago and not realized into production due to the lack of government support. Do you know that Philippines produced its indigenous helicopter? Yes, it is!

The helicopter is known as the Hummingbird. It was designed and developed by the Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation (PADC) which also developed the Defiant 300 aircraft in 1980’s. It was basically an improvement of the German MBB Bo 105 helicopter. After the initial development stage, it was later deactivated due to budgetary constraint.

It was not until July 1997 when President Ramos authorized spending for the project. The PADC undertook the development effort. Ramos was succeeded shortly thereafter by President Estrada, whose government immediately conducted a review of the Hummingbird program along with the Defiant. The review concluded that the two projects, which were only a year old at that point, were likely to be unjustifiably lengthy and expensive. As a result both were immediately terminated and added to the list of Filipino inventions that became scraps.

Hummingbird's present form

Another factor was that the Hummingbird was in fact essentially an unlicensed copy of the MBB/Eurocopter Bo-105C and Eurocopter had threatened to sue the Philippine government. PADC had been involved with the assembly and maintenance on the helicopters, first acquired during the 1970s. To avoid the impending legal battle the PAF destroyed the prototypes. As of 2012, no attempt had been made to revive the Defiant or develop another helicopter program.

Source:
globalsecurity.org

Photo:
wikipedia.org
globalaviationresource.com

Defiant 300 aircraft: ingenious Filipino invention

Another invention of Filipinos that became “trash” due to the lack of support from the government is the Defiant 300 aircraft. It proves Filipinos ingenuity in developing military hardware that poses capability in defending the country from threat if further improved. The Defiant 300 is a prototype turboprop aircraft designed for light attack, counter insurgency (COIN), close air support, aerial reconnaissance missions in low threat environments, as well as providing pilot training. It was made through the cooperation of Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation (PADC), Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Philippine Aerospace and Sciences Foundation (PASF) in 1986. It was designed to operate in high temperature and humidity conditions in extremely rugged terrain and very suitable in the type of conditions that the Philippines’ have.

The Defiant 300 aircraft

Only one prototype was completely built and another one in an incomplete airframe. The aircraft made its first flight in 1987 which lasted in little more than an hour. The brain and the main designer of the plane was Capt. Panfillo Villaruel who also contributed to the design of the first indigenously built PADC Hummingbird helicopter.

The Defiant 300's fuselage was composite construction (wood and fiberglass) and was powered by a 300 hp Lycoming piston engine. Landing gear was taken from the Beech T-34 and provided by the PAF. The intent of the program was to provide the PAF with a trainer and light strike aircraft similar in performance to the Brazil’s Tucano. The Defiant 300 was to have been followed by a larger version equipped with a turboprop engine and designated the "Defiant 500". The overall cost of the project at that time (1987) was Php40 million.

The project languished soon after the development of the prototype because of lack of government support. Currently, the sole remaining prototype now lies abandoned and display at a hangar in Philippine State College of Aeronautics.

Source:
wikipedia.org

facebook.com

Photo credit: 
facebook.com

SINAG: the first Philippine solar-powered car

The SINAG solar-powered car

A solar car is a vehicle which runs on solar energy converted into electricity by photovoltaic (PV) cells. While solar cars are not currently a practical form of transportation they are raced in competitions such as the World Solar Challenge. These meets promote the development of alternative energy technology such as solar cells. Currently, the Philippines has three solar-powered race cars. The first is the SINAG, based in De La Salle University in the Philippines, (Filipino for "sunray") and became the first entry of the Philippines to the World Solar Challenge. The solar car was inaugurated last January 27, 2007 at NBC Tent, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Design

SINAG's top and side views

The SINAG solar car was designed and constructed by a dedicated group of faculty and students from the Mechanical Engineering Department and the Electronics and Communications Engineering Department of De La Salle University-Manila, with the help and partnership of Ford Group Philippines, San Miguel Corporation, Motolite, Shell, Sunpower, Philippine Airlines and Ventus. The solar panels used by the SINAG solar–powered car was manufactured by Sun Power. The body of the car was made of carbon fiber as well as Nomex, or aramid fiber, so as to keep the vehicle light. It is painted with the Philippine colors. The SINAG’s official weight is 295 kilograms.

The World Solar Challenge 2007

The World Solar Challenge is a biennial solar-powered car race which covers 3,021 km (1,877 mi) through the Australian Outback, from Darwin to Adelaide. The race attracts teams from around the world, most of which are fielded by universities or corporations although some are fielded by high schools. The race has a 20-year history spanning nine races, with the inaugural event taking place in 1987.

In 2007, SINAG became the first Philippine entry in the history of the World Solar Challenge. In the event, the Philippine team finished 12th place from 40 participants. The team finished the 3,021-kilometer race from Darwin to Adelaide at 4 p.m. on Oct. 27 (Australian time).

The 3,000km route of World Solar Challenge

SINAG performed exceptionally well from the beginning of the race in Darwin on Sunday, October 21. Needing only minor adjustments to its brake system, SINAG quickly zoomed to 11th place. The team maintained this position and made excellent time, passing the halfway mark at Alice Springs on Wednesday, October 24, and breaching the 2,000 km mark at Cadney Homestead the following day, October 25. Netherlands's Nuon Solar Team, with their car called Nuna4 won the overall championship finishing the race on Oct. 25. According to Rene Fernandez, SINAG Team Leader, SINAG weathered the course far beyond any of our expectations.

A Philippine pride

Homegrown Filipino talent is behind every aspect of the SINAG solar car, from its sleek monocoque shell to its dynamically adaptive electrical system. Even the car's unique back-contact monocrystalline solar cells, which are among th most efficient commercial solar cells in the world, are proudly Philippine-made in Laguna. Together with other ingenious Filipino inventions and innovtions, SINAG is a symbol of national pride and a solid proof of Filipinos' capability to stand shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the world in developing solar power as a viable and sustainable source of energy.

Source: http://sinag.dlsu.edu.ph

            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SINAG

            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Solar_Challenge

New Philippine-made Vessels for the Philippine Navy: BRP Tagbanua and Multi-purpose Attack Crafts (MPACs)

History

Through the years, modernization of the Philippine Navy together with the other branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines had been badly compromised due to several issues. They suffered from the lack of new weapons and supplies necessary to carry out their duty.  On February 23, 1995, Republic Act No. 7898 also known as the Armed Forces Modernization Act was made into law under the leadership of Pres. Fidel Ramos. It was aimed to modernize all branches of the AFP including the Philippine Navy. The law will last for 15 years with an initial budget of 50 billion pesos for the first five years, but the funding stops due to the 1997 Asian financial crisis. After the financial crisis, the funding for the AFP modernization comes into a halt and later forgotten by the succeeding administrations and the law expires in 2010.

The need of the amendment and revision of the AFP Modernization Act was awaken in the years 2011 to 2012 where the Philippine sovereignty was threatened due to the territorial issues in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) where different claimants of the area were staging heavy military presence especially the People’s Republic of China. China's naval intrusion to the Philippine territory since Saturday April 7, 2012 in Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) is a follow-up to its recent forays into Philippine western territorial waters. It is the fifth times where China Intruded the Philippine Territory since June 2011. 

China has confronted Philippine military and civilian vessels in the Recto Bank, Rajah Soliman Reef, Quirino Atoll, Escoda Shoal, and the second to the most recent incident is the Panatag Shoal / Scarborough Shoal. All four lie a few dozen kilometers off Palawan and well within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) but 2,000 km from China's nearest island-province of Hainan; Scarborough is 220 km off Zambales but more than 800 km from Hong Kong. China's pretext of protecting its fishermen and seismic surveyors is not unique. As in the last two decades, it trespasses into Philippine offshore oilfields and abets fish poaching to prop up a shaky counterclaim over the West Philippine (South China) Sea. On May 8, 2013, three Chinese naval ships were spotted by Philippine maritime surveillance vessels surrounding the Ayungin Reef (Second Thomas Shoal). Ayungin Reef is just 105 miles from Palawan and almost 600 miles from the nearest China port and yet China claims the Philippines is illegally occupying Chinese property.

In December 11, 2012, the AFP modernization act also known as Republic Act no. 7898 was amended by Republic Act no. 10349 also known as the Revised AFP modernization Act which extends the modernization program for another 15 years with an initial budget of 75 billion pesos for the first five years in order to continue modernizing all the branches of the AFP. The new amending law was made under the leadership of President Benigno Aquino III. This new law is aimed at building a minimum defense posture. 

The Philippine Navy upgrade 

With the funding allocated by the government to modernize the armed forces, the Philippine Navy has acquired several assets that will gradually boost their capability to carry out their duties in defending the Philippine territory. These acquisitions are part of the Philippine Navy’s Strategic Sail Plan 2020 which aim to establish a credible deterrence capability. The important acquisitions are the two ex-Hamilton class cutters (BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz), three Agusta-Westland AW 109 naval helicopters which are due for delivery in 2014, Large Landing Craft Utility (BRP Tagbanua) and the Multi-purpose Attack Crafts. The last two types are both Philippine-made by Promtech Corp. 

The Multi-purpose Attack Craft (MPAC)

MPACs are brand new units, locally designed CB-90 knock-off, built to PN specs and is used for fast interdiction or rapid troop insertion for special operations even in shallow waters and operates from a mothership. They are classified as landing assault crafts which two of them are named BA 486 and BA 487. One unit procured and operated by DOE and used by forces guarding the Malampaya oil rig, while the other two operated by the PN. Three MPAC Mk.2, incorporating improvements on the Mk.1 have been delivered in 2012. Another batch of 3 MPACs are planned to be procured and announced on March 2013. Up to a total of 42 units are expected to enter service in the near future.

General characteristics:

• could carry sixteen fully equipped soldiers and four crew members or around two tons payload
• made of welded aluminum and Kevlar materials
• fitted with Level 4 Armor Protection (proof against 7.62 mm) covering the wheel house, the transport room and the engine room
• heavily reinforced bow ramp for forceful landing on any unprepared beaches
• low profile stealth-like design
• equipped with the latest navigation system and water jet system that could reach a maximum speed of 40 knots and could reach around 300 nautical miles while traveling on a transit speed of 30 knots
• capable of operating in territorial waters up to "Sea State 3" (slight waves)
• armed with one 12.7 mm (0.5 cal) heavy machine gun with a maximum load of 2,000 rounds and two 7.62mm machine guns with 4,000 rounds 

For a video, please click HERE. 

The Large Landing Craft Utility (BRP Tagbanua)

The Landing Craft Utility (LCU) is a type of boat used by amphibious forces to transport equipment and troops to the shore. They are capable of transporting tracked or wheeled vehicles and troops from amphibious assault ships to beachheads or piers. In the Philippines, we have several landing craft utilities, some of which are foreign-made. The two large landing craft utility vessels --- the BRP Manobo (AT-297) and the BRP Tagbanua (AT 296) are both produced locally. 

BRP Tagbanua is largest Philippine-made naval vessel launched to date. She was named after the Tagbanua tribe mainly residing in Palawan island. The ship was made through the LCU Acquisition Project as a part of the 2002 Revised Reprioritized Project List with an approved budget of PhP 189 million. The contract was awarded on 16 March 2010 to Propmech Corpo-ration, which jointly constructed the ship with Philippine Iron Cons-truction and Marine Works (PICMW). Propmech was respon-sible for the engine and propulsion system, and PICMW Inc. for the hull and ship’s fixtures. Fabrication and construction was done at PICMW's shipyard at Jasaan, Misamis Oriental. The ship was launched on 28 September 2011, and her maiden voyage and sea trial was done on 10–11 November 2011 with from Jasaan, Misamis Oriental to the Navotas port in Manila. She was commissioned together with other naval assets on a ceremony in Manila on 14 December 2011. 

General Characteristics 

• Type: Landing Craft Utility
• Displacement: 579 tonnes (570 long tons)
• Length: 51.43 m (168 ft 9 in)
• Beam: 10.0 m (32 ft 10 in)
• Draft: 1.52 m (5 ft 0 in)
• Depth: 2.44 m (8 ft 0 in)
• Propulsion: Caterpillar CAT C32 ACERT Diesel Marine Engine
• Speed: 15 knots (28 km/h) maximum, 12 knots (22 km/h) cruising speed  
• Capacity: 110 tons cargo @ 250sqm space, 200 passengers
• Crew: 15 

These locally-made vessels prove the Filipino craftmanship and the ability to produce their own equipment not relying on foreign and imported materials. 

Source:

diversityhuman.com

Globalnation.inquirer.net

GMAnetwork
Interaksyon.com
koreanewsonline.blogspot.com

Wikipedia "AFP Modernization Act"
Wikipedia "BRP Tagbanua (AT-296)"
Wikipedia "Philippine Navy MPAC"
YouTube

Jeepney - only in the Philippines

When you say “Jeepney”,  it means only one place --- Philippines. Jeepney is a Filipino innovative public utility vehicle (PUV) and the most popular means of public transportation in the country though it come in many variants. They are dubbed as the "King of the Road" and known for their crowded seating and flamboyant decorations, which have become a ubiquitous symbol of Philippine culture and art.  However, this transportation is proof of the Filipinos’ creativity and ability to improvise technology into more useful forms.

History

When American troops began to leave the Philippines at the end of WWII, hundreds of surplus jeeps were sold or given to the Filipinos. The jeeps were stripped down and altered by the locals; metal roofs were added for shade; and they decorated the vehicles with vibrant colors with chrome-plated ornaments on the sides and hood. They reconfigured the back seat into two long parallel benches with passengers facing each other to accommodate more passengers. Its size, length and passenger capacity had increased as it evolved though the years.These were classified as passenger-type jeeps. The non-extended, original-seat configuration jeeps were labeled owners, short for owner-type jeeps, and are used non-commercially. The original jeepneys were refurbished military jeeps by Willys & Ford. Modern jeepneys are now produced with surplus engines and parts coming from Japan.

Manufacturers

Unfinished jeepney in Sarao Motors Assembly Area ( 06-27-2013)

The brand name that has actually come to mean jeepney is Sarao, the company that first started making them in 1953 and became famous the world over for doing so. Before the growth of backyard builders, Sarao Motors and Francisco Motors, both in Las Piñas were the largest manufacturers of jeepneys. Other current independently owned small jeepney workshops and factories include Tandenrich Motors (Nagcarlan, Laguna), Armak Motors (San Pablo, Laguna), Celestial Motors (San Pablo, Laguna), Hebron Motors, LGS Motors, Malagueña (Imus City), Mega (Lipa City), and Morales Motors (San Mateo, Rizal. Another manufacturer, PBJ Motors, manufactured jeepneys in Pampanga using techniques derived from Sarao Motors. Armak now sells remanufactured trucks and vehicles as an adjunct, alongside its jeepneys. The largest manufacturer of vintage-style army jeepneys is MD Juan.

In the central island of Cebu, the bulk of jeepneys are built from second-hand Japanese trucks, originally intended for cargo. These are euphemistically known as "surplus" trucks. Popular jeepney manufacturers in Cebu are Chariot and RDAK, known for its "flat-nosed" jeepneys made from surplus Suzuki minivans and Isuzu Elf trucks, which are no longer in use in Japan. These are equipped with high-powered sound systems, racing themes, and are allegedly bigger and taller than those in Manila.

In Iloilo City, jeepneys called passad are known for being replicas of sedans or pickup trucks. The vehicles' body has a much lower profile which resembles more of a sedan chassis with an elongated body.

Nelson type jeepneys are manufactured in Davao City and are known there as "uso-uso". The designs of these jeepneys are very different from the traditional style. These jeepneys feature modern front grille and body designs, lowered ride height, and industrial quality paint jobs. Newer models of Nelson type jeepneys feature chrome wheels, equipped with radial tubeless tires.

Many local manufacturers are moving to build modern-looking jeepneys such as Hummer-look-alikes and oversized Toyota van-style passenger jeepneys with Toyota headlights, hoods and bumpers. Manufacturers in Nueva Ecija also started making jeepneys with fronts resembling AUVs like the Honda CR-V or the Toyota Tamaraw.

Jeepney's Unique and Attractive Design

Jeepney's typical interior decorations

What makes these Philippine jeepneys attractive are the decorations that adorn its exterior and interior. The various ornaments used include moving horse figurines, flags, colorful and blinking lights, mirrors, paintings and stickers with various sayings ranging from the funny to the serious ones. Stereos that play loud music are another attraction in the PUJs which many young passengers go for. Other improvisations have also been made such as buttons on the interior’s walls which passengers have to push to make the driver stop the jeepney. Sometimes, the pushing of the button will coincide with the blinking of a light or a sound that will alert the driver. If not a push button, a string to be pulled is another way of making the PUJ stop once reaching your destination.

Future of Jeepney

Recently, the jeepney industry has faced threats to its survival in its current form. Most of the larger builders have gone bankrupt or have switched to manufacturing other products because of the economic situation, with the smaller builders, forced to go out of business. Jeepneys are now facing stiff competition against other transportation modes such as taxis, buses, rapid transits and other. Passenger jeepneys are also facing increasing restrictions and regulations for pollution control, as they increase traffic volume and consume lots of fuel. Thus, jeepney manufacturers think of jeepney designs that meet the current trend in Filipino society today especially environmental and economical concerns.

Jeepney generations can be classified according to structural and design enhancements. 

• Second Generation: Fully assembled from refurbished engines, some also have air-conditioning units, most popularly in Makati City. Most of these jeepneys have radically expanded passenger capacities, and are flamboyant and noisy. Many jeeps from this generation are notorious for belching smoke and almost all run on diesel fuel.
• Third Generation: These are jeepneys manufactured using new engine components. Many of these come with improved air-conditioning and closely resemble a minibus.
• Future generations: Here, E-jeepneys comes into play. The E-jeepney, short for electrical jeepney, was the brainchild of Green Renewable Independent Power Producers, Inc. or GRIPP in partnership with Mr Robert Puckett, President of Solar Electric Company in the Philippines. Primary manufacturer of e-jeepneys in the Philippines is the PhUV Inc ., the business arm of the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Assn. of the Phils. (MVPMAP). It is equipped with either a 5 kW, 72-volt electric motor or a 7 kW, 84-volt one, either with or without transmission, with front end (hood & fender) or none, side or rear entry and front-facing or center-facing rear seats. It is the first electric vehicle granted an orange license plate by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to operate on Philippine roads. 

Though jeepneys come in many types, its uniqueness poses a great symbol of Filipino innovative mind.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

            http://www.reuters.com

            http://laspinascity.gov.ph

            http://www.greatoffers4u.com

Photo Credit: http://www.jeepneygang.com
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