THE PHILIPPINE MADE ROCKET "STA. BARBARA" PROJECT! TATAK MARCOS
The first successful Philippine made rocket launched in Caballo Island under “PROJECT STA BARBARA”. The rocket was an experimental system which was researched and developed by a group of scientists and the Philippine Navy.
This government military project has been initiated during the time of the late Pres. Ferdinand Marcos. The project includes building rockets, one of the rockets, “Bongbong 1″ was named after the president’s son.
Since December 1972, a series of 37 dynamic tests were conducted on the 180 MM rocket. All the tests were performed at Caballo Island except for four firings which were conducted in Fort Magsaysay. Different versions or configurations of the 180 MM rocket were used: short version, with fixed fins, long version with fixed fins, long version with folding fins, and the PATO (Pressure Assisted Take Off) type. The launchers tested were the Fixed-Open Frame (short), Fixed-Open frame (long), Truck-mounted tube launcher, truck-mounted open frame, and the Submerged Launcher for underwater firing. The results of the tests showed that the Truck-mounted Open Frame launcher is the most appropriate for the 180 MM rocket, and the configuration is narrowed down to the short and long versions both with fixed fins.
CONCLUSION
Based in the results of the tests conducted, the optimum preheat sequence time was found to be 20 seconds. The fuse detonation performance was 100% for all the dynamic tests of the development phase. All the problems and difficulties previously encountered during the experimental phase have been eliminated. With regards to the establishment of the firing table for the weapon system, additional 30 dynamic tests are still needed. The launcher truck has been modified to enable it to fire four rockers either in salvo or simultaneously.