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                                                                     Exhibit 5.1


[HUTCHINS, WHEELER & DITTMAR LETTERHEAD]



                                                          April 11, 1997


Triton Systems, Inc.
522 East Railroad Street
Long Beach, MS 39560

Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to Triton Systems, Inc., a Mississippi corporation
(the "Company"), in connection with proceedings being taken to register under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, up to 3,360,000 shares of the Company's
Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Common Stock") pursuant to a
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-20577) (the "Registration
Statement"), which includes 360,000 shares which may be sold by the Company upon
exercise of the underwriters over-allotment option described in the Registration
Statement. All the shares of Common Stock being registered are being offered
by the Company. 

     As such counsel, we have examined certain corporate records of the Company,
including its Restated Articles of Incorporation, its Bylaws, stock records and
minutes of meetings of its Board of Directors and shareholders, and such other
documents as we have deemed necessary as a basis for the opinions hereinafter
expressed. For purposes of rendering this opinion, we have assumed that the
Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company in the form filed as an
Exhibit to the Registration Statement will be filed with the Secretary of the
State of Mississippi prior to the issuance and sale of its Common Stock under
the circumstances contemplated in the Registration Statement.

     Based upon the foregoing, and having regard for such legal considerations
as we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that:

     1.   The Company is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under
          the laws of the State of Mississippi.

     2.   The Company, as of the effective date of the foregoing Restated
          Articles of


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Triton Systems, Inc.
April 11, 1997
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          Incorporation, will be authorized to issue 40,000,000 shares of Common
          Stock, par value $.01 per share and 5,000,000 shares of Preferred
          Stock, par value $.01 per share.

     3.   When issued and sold under the circumstances contemplated in the
          Registration Statement, the 3,360,000 shares of Common Stock offered
          by the Company will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
          nonassessable.

     In rendering the opinions expressed herein, we have relied as to all
matters of Mississippi law on the opinion of Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes,
PLLC.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the references to us under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement.

                                           Very truly yours,

                                           /s/ Hutchins, Wheeler & Dittmar
                                           -------------------------------------

                                           HUTCHINS, WHEELER & DITTMAR
                                           A Professional Corporation


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