.gif)
BRP Rajah Humabon (PF-11)
Encyclopedia
The BRP Rajah Humabon (PF-11) is a frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
of the Philippine Navy
Philippine Navy
The Philippine Navy is the naval arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas, literally, "Sea Force of the Philippines"....
, and is the last World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
-era destroyer escort/frigate active in its fleet and is one of the oldest active warships in the world. She is one of three ex-USN s that served the Philippine Navy
Philippine Navy
The Philippine Navy is the naval arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas, literally, "Sea Force of the Philippines"....
, the others being BRP Datu Sikatuna (PF-5/PS-77)
BRP Datu Sikatuna (PF-5)
The BRP Datu Sikatuna was one of the three ex-USN that served with the Philippine Navy, the others being BRP Datu Kalantiaw and BRP Rajah Humabon .-History:...
and BRP Datu Kalantiaw (PS-76)
BRP Datu Kalantiaw (PS-76)
The BRP Datu Kalantiaw was the first of three ex-USN that served with the Philippine Navy, the others being BRP Datu Sikatuna and BRP Rajah Humabon ...
.
She will serve as the navy's flagship until the formal commissioning of its replacement, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15)
BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15)
The BRP Gregorio del Pilar is a patrol frigate of the Philippine Navy. Originally, it was built as a US Coast Guard Hamilton class cutter, known as USCGC Hamilton and was transferred to the Philippine Navy on May 13, 2011. In late July 2011, she passed by Hawaii for a brief port visit and during...
by October 2011.
United States Navy
U-boat
U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word U-Boot , itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot , and refers to military submarines operated by Germany, particularly in World War I and World War II...
, the U-853, in 9 May 1945. She served in the Pacific theatre in the middle of 1945 until she was decommissioned and put on reserves on 10 December 1945. With her service during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, she was awarded with one battle star.
For a more detailed history of this ship while in service with the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, please refer to USS Atherton (DE-169)
USS Atherton (DE-169)
USS Atherton , a , was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Lt. John McDougal Atherton, who died when the sank near Guadalcanal during World War II....
.
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
The , or JMSDF, is the naval branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. It was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy after World War II....
. As newer ships became available to the JMSDF, both ships were decommissioned and returned to the US Navy on June 1975.
Philippine Navy
.jpg)
Philippine Navy
The Philippine Navy is the naval arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas, literally, "Sea Force of the Philippines"....
ship, she was named RPS Rajah Humabon (PS-78), and was towed to South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
for an extensive refit and modernization in 1979. During this period South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
also turned over 2 of their own ex-USN Cannon class ships to the US Navy in 1977, namely the Kyong Ki (DE-71) / and Kang Won (DE-72) / . These were also turned-over by the US to the Philippine government, which were later on cannibalized for use as parts hulk to upgrade and repair the Rajah Humabon and her sistership Datu Sikatuna
BRP Datu Sikatuna (PF-5)
The BRP Datu Sikatuna was one of the three ex-USN that served with the Philippine Navy, the others being BRP Datu Kalantiaw and BRP Rajah Humabon .-History:...
, and provide both ships with additional guns and improved machinery.
With these upgrades, she was formally commissioned to the Philippine Navy
Philippine Navy
The Philippine Navy is the naval arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas, literally, "Sea Force of the Philippines"....
on 27 February 1980, and formed the backbone of the Philippine Fleet together with 2 of her sister ships and other ex-US Navy destroyer escorts. She was renamed and reclassified as BRP Rajah Humabon (PF-6) effective 23 June 1980, now using the "BRP" ship prefix in lieu of "RPS" and following a new standard classifying it as a "Frigate"
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
, and served until 1993 when she was retired. But due to pressing needs, she was later called back into service in 1995 after being overhauled at the Cavite Naval Dockyard by Hatch & Kirk Inc., and was formally recommissioned in January 1996 as BRP Rajah Humabon (PF-11) with a new hull number.
Another minor refit between 1995 and 1996 saw changes in the ship's weapons, sensors and engine systems. Her anti-submarine weapons and equipment were removed due to lack of spare parts. This includes the EDO
EDO Corporation
EDO Corporation was an American company, which was acquired by ITT Corporation in 2007. EDO designed and manufactured products for defense, intelligence, and commercial markets, and provided related engineering and professional services. It employed 4,000 people worldwide and had revenues of $715...
SQS-17B hull-mounted sonar, a Mk.9 depth charge rack, six Mk.6 depth charge projects aft and a Hedgehog Mk.10 anti-submarine projectors
Hedgehog (weapon)
The Hedgehog was an anti-submarine weapon developed by the Royal Navy during World War II, that was deployed on convoy escort warships such as destroyers to supplement the depth charge. The weapon worked by firing a number of small spigot mortar bombs from spiked fittings...
forward, as well as Mk.38 anti-submarine torpedoes in two triple tube amidships. This totally removed her anti-submarine warfare capabilities, which was outdated on modern conditions. But it was reported in 2005 that her fore Hedgehog ASW is still operational, together with her 8 K-gun Mk6 depth charge projectors and SQS-17B sonar, although recent photos does not show the depth charge projectors on its usual location.
She had been experiencing hull problems but was repaired with the assistance of the US Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
crew of during CARAT 2002 dive training operations held in Manila Bay
Manila Bay
Manila Bay is a natural harbor which serves the Port of Manila , in the Philippines.The bay is considered to be one of the best natural harbors in Southeast Asia and one of the finest in the world...
.
Additional electronic upgrades were made, including the installation of a Furuno
Furuno
The Furuno Electric Company was founded in Nagasaki, Japan in 1938. The company sells marine electronics and has subsidiaries in the USA, Europe and China.-1940s:...
Satellite Communication system and a mast-mounted FLIR
Forward looking infrared
Forward looking infrared cameras, typically used on military aircraft, use an imaging technology that senses infrared radiation.The sensors installed in forward looking infrared cameras, as well as those of other thermal imaging cameras, use detection of infrared radiation, typically emitted from a...
package.
Present Status
Her current classification is Patrol FrigateFrigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
. As recent as May 2010 she was part of the Philippine Navy contingent for the RP-US Balikatan 2010 exercises, and continue to operate from the Philippine Navy
Philippine Navy
The Philippine Navy is the naval arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas, literally, "Sea Force of the Philippines"....
's main naval base in Cavite
Cavite
Cavite is a province of the Philippines located on the southern shores of Manila Bay in the CALABARZON region in Luzon, just 30 kilometers south of Manila. Cavite is surrounded by Laguna to the east, Metro Manila to the northeast, and Batangas to the south...
and visits the Navy Headquarters in Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
. She is currently assigned to the Patrol Force of the Philippine Fleet.
Armaments
Although fairly well-armed, most of her weapon systems are manually operated and are of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
origin.
The three Mk.22 3"/50 caliber guns, the ship's primary weapons, have a range of up to 14600 yards (13,350.2 m) and are also capable of being used as limited anti-aircraft weapon. The guns were directed by a Mk.52 gun fire control system with a Mk.41 rangefinder, but this appears to be non-operational.
She also carry a total of three twin Mk.1 Bofors L/60 40 mm
Bofors 40 mm gun
The Bofors 40 mm gun is an anti-aircraft autocannon designed by the Swedish defence firm of Bofors Defence...
anti-aircraft guns directed individually by Mk.51 gun fire control system, six Mk.4 20 mm Oerlikon
Oerlikon 20 mm cannon
The Oerlikon 20 mm cannon is a series of autocannons, based on an original design by Reinhold Becker of Germany, very early in World War I, and widely produced by Oerlikon Contraves and others...
cannons, and four M2 Browning 50 caliber machine guns.
All anti-submarine weapons were removed as of 1996.
Machinery
The ship is powered by two EMD 16-645E7 turbo-blown diesel engines with a combined power of around 6140 bhp driving two propellerPropeller
A propeller is a type of fan that transmits power by converting rotational motion into thrust. A pressure difference is produced between the forward and rear surfaces of the airfoil-shaped blade, and a fluid is accelerated behind the blade. Propeller dynamics can be modeled by both Bernoulli's...
s. The main engines can propel the 1,620 ton (full load) ship at a maximum speed of around 18 knots (35 km/h). It has a range of 6000 nautical miles (11,112 km) at a speed of 14 knots (27 km/h). It replaced the original four EMD 16-278A diesel engines during the ship's overhaul in 1996.
Electronics
The ship is equipped with a RaytheonRaytheon
Raytheon Company is a major American defense contractor and industrial corporation with core manufacturing concentrations in weapons and military and commercial electronics. It was previously involved in corporate and special-mission aircraft until early 2007...
AN/SPS-64(V)11 short range surface search and navigation radar and a Furuno
Furuno
The Furuno Electric Company was founded in Nagasaki, Japan in 1938. The company sells marine electronics and has subsidiaries in the USA, Europe and China.-1940s:...
navigation radar, replacing the SPS-5 surface search radar and the RCA/GE Mk.26 navigation radar. Previously equipped with an EDO
EDO Corporation
EDO Corporation was an American company, which was acquired by ITT Corporation in 2007. EDO designed and manufactured products for defense, intelligence, and commercial markets, and provided related engineering and professional services. It employed 4,000 people worldwide and had revenues of $715...
AN/SQS-17B hull-mounted sonar, it is said to be deleted in 1996 due to lack of spare parts and obsolescence although it was reported to be still present in 2004.
Deployments
On 17 June 2011 the Rajah Humabon was sent for patrols around the Scarborough ShoalScarborough Shoal
Scarborough Shoal or Scarborough Reef , more correctly described as a group of islands and reefs in an atoll shape than a shoal, is located between the Macclesfield Bank and Luzon, Philippines in the South China Sea. As with most of the landforms in this sea, the sovereignty of the area is disputed...
after China announced that its biggest maritime patrol vessel, the Haixun 31, will be sent to the area on its way to Singapore.
International
On 2 February 2000, the Rajah Humabon fired warning shots at two Chinese fishing boats near Scarborough ShoalScarborough Shoal
Scarborough Shoal or Scarborough Reef , more correctly described as a group of islands and reefs in an atoll shape than a shoal, is located between the Macclesfield Bank and Luzon, Philippines in the South China Sea. As with most of the landforms in this sea, the sovereignty of the area is disputed...
. According to Navy chief Vice Admiral Luisito Fernandez, the Rajah Humabon was forced to fire warning shots to avert a collision with two Chinese fishing boats and only after the Chinese boats refused to respond to radio contact, loudspeaker, sirens, and flashing lights.
On 22 June 2002, Rajah Humabon together with BRP Rizal
BRP Rizal (PS-74)
The BRP Rizal is the first of two Rizal class ships in service with the Philippine Navy. She is formerly an ex-USN Auk class minesweeper that were produced during World War II, and is now classified as a patrol corvette protecting the vast waters of the Philippines...
visited Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
for a goodwill visit.
Exercises
The Rajah Humabon, together with BRP Leopoldo Regis (PG-847), BRP Dagupan City (LC-551)BRP Dagupan City (LC-551)
The BRP Dagupan City is the second and last ship of two Bacolod City class of Logistics Support Vessel, and is based on a helicopter capable variant of the US Army Frank S. Besson class...
, BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS-37)
BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS-37)
The BRP Artemio Ricarte is one of the three Jacinto class of corvettes, and are considered as one of the most modern ships in the Philippine Navy. She was originally called HMS Starling during her service with the Royal Navy...
, , and were part of the naval component of the US-RP Balikatan 2009 bi-lateral exercises held on April 2009.
Again Rajah Humabon, together with BRP Dagupan City (LC-551)
BRP Dagupan City (LC-551)
The BRP Dagupan City is the second and last ship of two Bacolod City class of Logistics Support Vessel, and is based on a helicopter capable variant of the US Army Frank S. Besson class...
, and BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36)
BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36)
The BRP Apolinario Mabini is one of the three Jacinto class of corvettes, and are considered as one of the most modern ships in the Philippine Navy. She was originally called HMS Plover during her service with the Royal Navy...
, USS Essex (LHD-2)
USS Essex (LHD-2)
USS Essex is a built at what is now Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and commissioned on 17 October 1992 while moored at North Island NAS beside the Kitty Hawk . It is the fifth ship named for Essex County, Massachusetts...
, and USS Denver (LPD-9)
USS Denver (LPD-9)
USS Denver , an Austin-class amphibious transport dock, is the third ship of United States Navy to bear this name. Denver’s keel was laid 7 July 1964 at Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company, Seattle, Washington. She was launched 23 January 1965, christened by Mrs. John A...
were part of the naval phase of the US-RP Balikatan 2010 (BK10) bi-lateral exercises held on March 2010.
Notable Popular Culture
- BRP Rajah Humabon was among the Philippine Navy ships who battled invading People's Liberation Army - Navy ships in Dale BrownDale BrownDale Brown is an American author and aviator, most famous for his aviation techno-thriller novels, with thirteen New York Times best sellers to his name.Brown was born in Buffalo, New York...
's 1991 novel Sky Masters. In this novel, she was classified as a PF class frigate, and was equipped with a four-shot Mk141 HarpoonBoeing HarpoonThe Harpoon is an all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile system, developed and manufactured by McDonnell Douglas . In 2004, Boeing delivered the 7,000th Harpoon unit since the weapon's introduction in 1977...
missile launcher.