DOST turns over fully-automated weapon station ‘BUHAWI’ to Philippine Navy

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Friday turned over its project BUHAWI, a fully-automated remote weapon station, to the Philippine Navy.

“Isa sa mga proyekto na talagang nagawa natin at natutuwa ako sa feedback coming from our partner the Philippine Navy, itong BUHAWI ay matu-turnover na natin ngayon,” DOST chief Fortunato de la Peña said during the ceremony for the 124th anniversary of the Navy.

(One of the projects that we completed, and I am happy with the feedback from our partner the Philippine Navy. We can now turn over the BUHAWI.)

The Building a Universal Mount for Heavy-Barrel Automated Weapon Integration (BUHAWI) is armed with a Browning 0.50 Caliber Machine Gun, M2 (Heavy Barrel).

With this, the DOST said the firepower capability of the Philippine Navy’s small patrol craft will improve as they defend the country’s water territories.

BUHAWI will also ensure the safety of the personnel operating the machine, it added.

The project was in collaboration with the Philippine Navy and the Mechatronics and Robotics Society of the Philippines.

De la Peña said the DOST had prioritized defense research and development in the current administration's Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA). — DVM, GMA News