--Friday, December 30, 2005
In a joint project with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Mapua Robotics Team recently completed a weapon prototype code named "Project Trident Strike" in the Naval Sea Systems Command (NSSC) in Fort San Felipe, Cavite City, last December 2, 2005.
Project Trident Strike is a remotely operated sentry gun which can be mounted on naval gun ships or in strategic locations for perimeter defense. The machine utilizes the armed forces' 50 caliber machine guns and is protected with a high impact bullet resistant plate armor.
Three Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS)cameras are mounted on different locations atop the machine, providing a wider view range and clearer line of sight. The "Gun Director" may then view three corresponding LCD monitors and a robotic remote control system to aim the turret from a safe location, such as a command center or a boat's cockpit.
Humble Beginnings
The Mapua Robotics Team, of Michael Poblete, Leonard Canoza, Charles Rico, Ryan Floranda, Edison Tan, Ian Macalisang, Michael Lagundino, Paul Mikii Abuel and Juan de Vera, began the project last August. The absence of an allotted budget or official support did not hamper the efforts of the students who had to make use of the limited resources available here in the school. The initial prototype was constructed using chain and sprockets salvaged from bicycle parts.
The idea for the project came from the Robotics Team advisers Dean Roel John Judilla and Engr. Sherwin Magon from the School of Mechanical Engineering. The Mapua Robotics Team devised the plan for this project and presented the concept to the AFP. The project was immediately approved after the field test because of its performance and cost-effective price. Mass production of the said design is already underway.
A Bright Future
Since the completion of the weapons demonstration last year, Project Trident Strike has already received the support of the Philippine Armed Forces. The said project is now funded by the AFP's Self-Reliant Defense Program.
Future developments to the turret system may include the replacement of the plate armor with a bullet-proof dome and the installation of an automatic image processing program to facilitate automatic aiming.
Another project of the team, Project Phalanx, was also presented to the AFP. Project Phalanx is a more compact and mobile version of Project Trident Strike, and it is designed to be sent to dangerous situations or areas inaccessible to people. Unlike Trident Strike, Phalanx will make use of wireless technology for both the turret and gun aiming control. However, the machine is still in the early stages of its development.
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