SHAH ALAM: THE Philippine Navy (PN) has taken the normal route or the easy way in weaponising or arming its AW109 helicopters unlike our own Malaysian Army. They simply used gun pods which is already certified for the helicopter by the manufacturer.
According to a Janes report, the two of the PN’s AW109s had been weaponised and are now ready for deployment on board its Pilar (Hamilton and Hero)-class frigates.
For the full story go here.. The Philippine Navy procured five AW109s, with two examples weaponised or armed.
According to the same report “The weaponised versions carry two 12.7 mm machine gun pods, each with launchers for three 70 mm laser-guided rockets.” It did not specify the type of gun pod but most likely it is the FN RMP LC.
From the FN website: The RMP LC is a self-contained airborne weapon system that includes a .50 cal FN M3P (1,100 RPM) combat-proven machine gun, 250-round ammunition box, firing actuator and cocking device in one casing, allowing outstanding performance in all environments. The FN RMP can also accept guided or unguided 2.75” rockets.
It is also likely the Philippine Army which also bought 8 AW109s will go the same route as its sister service when it come to weaponise their helicopters.
As reported before, the Army has also armed some of its AW109s. Instead with gun pods like the RMP LC, a number of the PUTD AW109s – at least six – are armed with a 7.62mm Gatling gun fitted inside the cabin.
The Gatling gun armed AW109s are now based in Semporna, Sabah as part of the security build-up in response to the 2013 incursion in Lahad Datu and the continuing kidnap for ransom activities. Apart from the AW109s, RMAF Nuri and Cougars operating in the ESSCOM area will also be armed with pintle mounted machine guns.
The Nuri will be armed with the 12.7mm machine-gun while the Cougars with FN MAG. Once RMAF Blackhawks are deployed to the area, they will also be armed with the Gatling guns.
By the way, I am not disparaging the Philippine Navy in any way for taking the easy way. Far from it, the easy way is probably the best thing in most human pursuits.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (26)
For those interested, one gets a good aerial view of the PN base at Cavite (on the port side) when the plane goes on approach to Manila. I have tremendous respect for the PN's maintenance and support people. It takes a lot of ingenuity, commitment and improvisation to maintain ships that are more than 60 years old.
Robert Kaplan has a new book out. In it he quotes a U.S. military official who says people laughed when the PN got so excited about getting ships that were laid down in the 1960's but in actual fact it was an progress as it transformed the PN from a WW2 navy into one with 1980's capabilities - a bit of an exaggeration but it has an element of truth.
Marhalim, any idea why the army never went down the Giat (Nexter) 20mm pod and Zebrugge rocket pod route? I always assumed it was just a matter of time after seeing both on an A-109 at DSA 2006. I understand why there is a need to arm the A-109 but I have mixed feelings about it; especially since an armed A-109 may be misused for a role it's not intended to perform, for want of anything better.
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I believed they did not go down the 20mm gun pods due to financial woes back in 2007/08 period.
The way Army and AF put weapons onboard their heli is different from Navy due to the fact that Navy helis comes from factory with gun mounts (thus certified) while its counterparts installed guns on their own without certification. Looks like this certification matter is not a big issue as long as nothing bad happen to those heli.
Why go for gatling in cabin instead for gun pods for AW109?
That's Good
Well this is malaysia. The tak boleh land. Why put rockets on the 109. Very expensive. Just put the gatling and spray away. Cheaper. Hey. It got the job done in the movie predator
Well, each MG system, forward fixed or pintle, has its pros and cons I suppose -- flexibility, arc of fire, ammo, etc.
MAF seem to favour door guns, perhaps due to their experience with them. Most likely the AFP opted for forward fixed pods out of expediency -- they need armed helis fast but of course it could just be that's their preferred way and they like the MG-missile mix.
The only thing for me is, for the Phil Navy helis, they'll probably work alone unless the two heli-embarked ships sail in company, and there doesn't seem to be an awful lot of ammo on the helis although there's a lot of firepower. For Phil AF helis there's less of a problem in terms of numbers in a sortie and the corresponding duration of fire.
But it could change because according to Janes, the long term plan is to embark the AW-109 on the Makassar-class ships they're getting from Indonesia.
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Actually the Philippines have more experience with door and forward firing guns, they still are operating the Hueys and Little Birds, not the Navy but the Air Force.
Why the gatling route?
"national interest" is probably the best answer...
i believe Malaysia aw109 are being bought for a specific mission and due to that equipment on board making installing gun pod will put the heli too heavy? or what sort of reason i don't remember, its what someone said the defense forum.
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With the gun pods, the helicopter could still carry passengers, not six but at least two passengers, with the Gatling gun, it could only carry the gunner. The AW109 was certified to carry the gun pods by the OEM, dont you think they would have thought about the weight then?
Well in Bolehland who pay commision more win it. Same goes with arming the nuri saga. The reason for not installing two mg for full coverage of suppresing fire is they need two aqm. As far as I know, aqm intended for assist the pilot in heli winching, landing, and assist in vertrep. Door gunner is picked from normal soldier.
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You are firing blanks here. They could only install one gun on the Nuri, on the right side where the sliding door is located. Of course they could put two guns there but it will be FN MAGs not the Ma Deuce, due to its size. The other door is the entrance and exit on the left side next to the cockpit. of course you cannot put a gun there!
The gunner on the Nuri is a member of the Paskau. I am not sure about the Cougar and the Blackhawks, they could get Paskau operators to be the door gunners as well.
Firing off rockets vs machine guns or gatling guns, rockets once launched no control and more of a one off kind of shot..for guns , the operator in full control..bursts, directions etc ..guns are better ..
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On the AW109, the Gatling gun is fitted for firing to the left, so the helicopter need to be in a constant left circle to get the gunner on target. With a box of 3,000 round ammunition, the Gatling gun will go Winchester in a three three-second bursts, probably half a circle! With forward firing gun pods, the helicopter pilots can choose from which angle they can attack.
I have seen the Minigun in Mythbusters! it is one impressive weapon.
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Yes its a doozy gun. But you need a lot of ammo box. Unlikely in the confined space of the AW109!