Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
For NE the should remain as they are. Are they designed to be mule portable. I don't think so.
Though they should be whirly bird portable.
Though they should be whirly bird portable.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
Hats off to the Kalyani's for putting in their personal funds in setting up the defense products division. This inspite of the PSU mentality of the majority of our (Gober)ments. Only wish other Indian industrialists had the vision and guts to do something similar.Thakur_B wrote:
Bharat forge ULH.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
^^10+. Wish other private players were more enthusiastic...
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Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
Has Bharat forge offered it's ultra light howitzer to army for testing ? Last I heard that they are still working on it.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
and Bharat Forge should be rewarded by contract for this. We need light guns in the Himalayas, 145 guns is too small a number.
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Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
Army should go with all steel, less expensive and maintenance free (lesser ) artillery gun which weighs 6.8 tonnes at lesser price. They even have titanium version at 4.5 tonnes.fanne wrote:and Bharat Forge should be rewarded by contract for this. We need light guns in the Himalayas, 145 guns is too small a number.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
The steal gun is heavier but modular, it can be dismantlement into two for easy transportation and reassembled in the field with minimum effortRaghunathgb wrote:Army should go with all steel, less expensive and maintenance free (lesser ) artillery gun which weighs 6.8 tonnes at lesser price. They even have titanium version at 4.5 tonnes.fanne wrote:and Bharat Forge should be rewarded by contract for this. We need light guns in the Himalayas, 145 guns is too small a number.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
I know we do not have the vehicle platform but regarding the gun itself.. is it the same 105mm gun system they are showing with truck mounting or a different one ?
Kalyani Group India to showcase Garuda-105 105mm ultra-light field gun mounted on Humvee
Kalyani Group India to showcase Garuda-105 105mm ultra-light field gun mounted on Humvee
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
That system is called Garuda 105 which is much lighter. Bharat Forge systems have been discussed in detail in previous thread in Sep 2014.Manish_P wrote:I know we do not have the vehicle platform but regarding the gun itself.. is it the same 105mm gun system they are showing with truck mounting or a different one ?
Kalyani Group India to showcase Garuda-105 105mm ultra-light field gun mounted on Humvee
And we have Tata truck based solution too.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
Thank you. Could you please point me to relevant post/s about the system itself.
I used the search function ('Bharat Forge') but could only find general news posts in the 'India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector' and the 'Military Acquisitions, Partnerships & Developments' threads.
I used the search function ('Bharat Forge') but could only find general news posts in the 'India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector' and the 'Military Acquisitions, Partnerships & Developments' threads.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
Thank you! These didn't turn up in the search results somehow..
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
Indian Army to soon get longest range 'Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System'
Express News Service
BHUBANESWAR: India’s first indigenously built Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) with automated ammunition handling facility will be inducted in the Army soon. The 155 mm and 52 calibre howitzer is the world’s longest range gun system in its class.
Union Secretary of Defence R&D Department G Satheesh Reddy on Thursday said the gun has cleared all developmental tests successfully and will be inducted in the Armed Forces after a couple of more trials.
Reddy was attending the 125th anniversary of Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE), a laboratory of Defence and Development Organisation (DRDO), at Chandipur in Balasore district. "ATAGS is the pride of the nation. The gun has now the world’s longest range in 155 mm class. PXE has the distinction of testing the gun and making it certified. The Armed Forces have already given their consent for induction of a number of such guns," he informed.
Developed by Armament Research and Development Establishment of DRDO in a consortium model, the ATAGS comes with six round automated magazine capable of firing in 30 seconds. The existing 155 mm and 52-calibre guns have standard three-round magazine. Since the magazines need to be loaded manually, it leads to casualties during the exercise.
The project was taken up in 2013 to replace older guns in service with modern 155 mm artillery gun. Configured with an all electric drive the hydro lateral gun has a maximum firing range of 48 km and can be deployed in less than three minutes. It was first showcased publicly during the Republic Day parade in 2017.
The advanced gun system that weighs around 18 tonne with an elevation up to 70 degrees has undergone developmental trials at Balasore, Pokhran and Sikkim. While the ballistic internal trial and proofing were done at PXE and strength and design were validated during summer trials at Pokhran, winter trails were conducted in Sikkim.
Reddy, who is also the Chairman of DRDO, urged the scientists working with the PXE and Integrated Test Range (ITR) to come up with modern technologies, equipment and infrastructure to ensure that the test range is one the most modern ranges in the world.
He also warned to remain alert for future warfare. It is just not land, water or sky, threats related to space and cyber world have entered into the warfare spectre in a big way, he said.
“When gadgets have become part and parcel of life, we are always vulnerable to cyber attacks. Measures need to be taken by all to ensure that cyber security is insured. Advisories have been sent to all laboratories. It can be detrimental if not adhered to properly,” he added.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
We regularly discuss about IA's obsession with weight. Here is one example, why it is important.
Now imagine ATAGS being towed, instead of bofors here.
Now imagine ATAGS being towed, instead of bofors here.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
^^^
Can’t have one-size-fits-all. There are 155mm ultra-light guns for rugged terrain and poor infrastructure.
Can’t have one-size-fits-all. There are 155mm ultra-light guns for rugged terrain and poor infrastructure.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
Ample space is there. More powerful trucks getting inducted today. So what's the problem. This weight obsession is unwanted to a great extend and has resulted in Army getting substandard products like T-90s and restricting itself. We have seen the example with Arjun.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
That's more to to do with the FAT specs than that of the gun itself, no ?nam wrote:We regularly discuss about IA's obsession with weight. Here is one example, why it is important.
Now imagine ATAGS being towed, instead of bofors here.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
The FAT is not just towing the gun, it is also carrying ammo. More heavier the gun, lesser the ammo you can carry.
Ofcourse, you then induct new FAT. Which means extra cost, time & effort to test the new FAT in every type of ops environment.
Not to mention, higher you go, lower the performance of the FAT engine. Steeper the inclination, more difficult to tow the gun. This reduces the number of deploy-able location.
To prevent these extra headaches, IA wants weight optimized hardware.
Ofcourse, you then induct new FAT. Which means extra cost, time & effort to test the new FAT in every type of ops environment.
Not to mention, higher you go, lower the performance of the FAT engine. Steeper the inclination, more difficult to tow the gun. This reduces the number of deploy-able location.
To prevent these extra headaches, IA wants weight optimized hardware.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
How to build a SPH.
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Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
Imho fat don't carry ammo while in long transportation modenam wrote:The FAT is not just towing the gun, it is also carrying ammo. More heavier the gun, lesser the ammo you can carry.
Ofcourse, you then induct new FAT. Which means extra cost, time & effort to test the new FAT in every type of ops environment.
Not to mention, higher you go, lower the performance of the FAT engine. Steeper the inclination, more difficult to tow the gun. This reduces the number of deploy-able location.
To prevent these extra headaches, IA wants weight optimized hardware.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
why do I in my wet dreams see 1000 ATAGS firing together and razing Muzaffarabad !! why why
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
In the video is the older Tatra fat or the NEw Ashok Leyland Fat's
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
WoW!
As is typical of BRF, love the way people disregard and wave-off operational issues.
ATAGS is 4 tonnes heavier? So what? Simply get a more powerful FAT!
Never mind the dimensions of such a FAT or the dimensions of gun itself. For example, barrel on Bofors has a length of about 19.5 feet while ATAGS has 22.8 feet. The difference in the traveling length of the two guns is likely to be higher still.
But yeah! Just get a more powerful FAT...
As is typical of BRF, love the way people disregard and wave-off operational issues.
ATAGS is 4 tonnes heavier? So what? Simply get a more powerful FAT!
Never mind the dimensions of such a FAT or the dimensions of gun itself. For example, barrel on Bofors has a length of about 19.5 feet while ATAGS has 22.8 feet. The difference in the traveling length of the two guns is likely to be higher still.
But yeah! Just get a more powerful FAT...
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
Relook at the orderbook:
144 ATAGs (52 cal)
109 K-9 Vajra (52 cal)
114 Dhanush (45 cal)
300 Sarang upgrades (45 cal)
145 M777 ULH (39 cal)
A total of 812, 155mm guns and we are still not done with our orders.
The unannounced but operative policy to not induct arty in IA which seemed to have been in force during UPA is well and truly over.
Next, fingers crossed that ammo production also moves from OFB to private sector.
2x Pinaka regiments to add to the 2x Pinaka in service were ordered in 2016. That should be 40 launchers and 16x command posts. Apart from the loading vehicles etc.
Guided Pinaka is also on the order book, with 6 regiments of orders to be placed. That's 120 launchers, and 48 command posts.
144 ATAGs (52 cal)
109 K-9 Vajra (52 cal)
114 Dhanush (45 cal)
300 Sarang upgrades (45 cal)
145 M777 ULH (39 cal)
A total of 812, 155mm guns and we are still not done with our orders.
The unannounced but operative policy to not induct arty in IA which seemed to have been in force during UPA is well and truly over.
Next, fingers crossed that ammo production also moves from OFB to private sector.
2x Pinaka regiments to add to the 2x Pinaka in service were ordered in 2016. That should be 40 launchers and 16x command posts. Apart from the loading vehicles etc.
Guided Pinaka is also on the order book, with 6 regiments of orders to be placed. That's 120 launchers, and 48 command posts.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
How about 52 call Atags for the plains and 39/45 call 155mm for the hills.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
Karan M, was there a down-select of a specific model of ATAGS based on the two distinct ones by Kalyan’s and TATA’s ? Could not track that one down
Hopefully they go with both, so the two design and manufacturing streams stay alive. Bofors/Bae stayed alive with orders in the low hundreds, as did NEXTER and IAI. Even compared to khan, we have a huge potential order book
Hopefully they go with both, so the two design and manufacturing streams stay alive. Bofors/Bae stayed alive with orders in the low hundreds, as did NEXTER and IAI. Even compared to khan, we have a huge potential order book
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
I dont understand this discussion at all because I don't have knowledge of the context. But, your response surprised me. How can you build a 23 ltr chamber volume without commensurate increase in weight and length?rohitvats wrote:WoW!
As is typical of BRF, love the way people disregard and wave-off operational issues.
ATAGS is 4 tonnes heavier? So what? Simply get a more powerful FAT!
Never mind the dimensions of such a FAT or the dimensions of gun itself. For example, barrel on Bofors has a length of about 19.5 feet while ATAGS has 22.8 feet. The difference in the traveling length of the two guns is likely to be higher still.
But yeah! Just get a more powerful FAT...
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
It is actually a Tata FAT. Orders placed in 2014. Ashoka Leyland FATs exist too, 450 of them. They can be distinguished from their cabins.Aditya_V wrote:In the video is the older Tatra fat or the NEw Ashok Leyland Fat's
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Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
I see pinaka orders going through a lot more easily than the arty guns...which kind of surprises me because arty guns are going to be the first weapon of choice (in the artillery spectrum). May be this has to do with the indigenization, more rigorous testing by IA, bureaucratic hurdles or just that pinaka is seeing repeat orders..either ways..i, like most here, would have wanted things to go faster..Karan M wrote:Relook at the orderbook:
144 ATAGs (52 cal)
109 K-9 Vajra (52 cal)
114 Dhanush (45 cal)
300 Sarang upgrades (45 cal)
145 M777 ULH (39 cal)
A total of 812, 155mm guns and we are still not done with our orders.
The unannounced but operative policy to not induct arty in IA which seemed to have been in force during UPA is well and truly over.
Next, fingers crossed that ammo production also moves from OFB to private sector.
2x Pinaka regiments to add to the 2x Pinaka in service were ordered in 2016. That should be 40 launchers and 16x command posts. Apart from the loading vehicles etc.
Guided Pinaka is also on the order book, with 6 regiments of orders to be placed. That's 120 launchers, and 48 command posts.
that said karan & rohit what is your take on BF ULH do you see orders for it down the lane....
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
Order on ATAGS is Yet to be Placed.ArjunPandit wrote:I see pinaka orders going through a lot more easily than the arty guns...which kind of surprises me because arty guns are going to be the first weapon of choice (in the artillery spectrum). May be this has to do with the indigenization, more rigorous testing by IA, bureaucratic hurdles or just that pinaka is seeing repeat orders..either ways..i, like most here, would have wanted things to go faster..Karan M wrote:Relook at the orderbook:
144 ATAGs (52 cal)
109 K-9 Vajra (52 cal)
114 Dhanush (45 cal)
300 Sarang upgrades (45 cal)
145 M777 ULH (39 cal)
A total of 812, 155mm guns and we are still not done with our orders.
The unannounced but operative policy to not induct arty in IA which seemed to have been in force during UPA is well and truly over.
Next, fingers crossed that ammo production also moves from OFB to private sector.
2x Pinaka regiments to add to the 2x Pinaka in service were ordered in 2016. That should be 40 launchers and 16x command posts. Apart from the loading vehicles etc.
Guided Pinaka is also on the order book, with 6 regiments of orders to be placed. That's 120 launchers, and 48 command posts.
that said karan & rohit what is your take on BF ULH do you see orders for it down the lane....
Handing over of Dhanush- Delay is seen.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
The chamber volume is actually 25 liters. And here's the most brilliant part - IA did not ask for increased chamber volume and range!!!Indranil wrote: I dont understand this discussion at all because I don't have knowledge of the context. But, your response surprised me. How can you build a 23 ltr chamber volume without commensurate increase in weight and length?
- Bofors is 12 tonnes and it seems foreign 155/52 are 15 tonnes. Most likely because of 23 liter chamber volume.
- It should be between IA and DRDO to decide on this aspect of trade-off between range and weight.
- Traditionally, I've not seen IA being too enthusiastic about sector specific weapons.
- Also, I think ATAGS original weight was 20-tonnes which was brought down to 18 tonnes. Can they bring it down any further? I don't know.
But the good thing with ATAGS is that we've time. With Dhanush being a success, and it being inducted, DRDO still has time to address whatever issues the gun has and work out an action plan in conjunction with the army.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
Got it. And thanks for the correction.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
Bofors is 39 caliber, 29 KM range artillery gun while ATAGS is 52 caliber 48KM range gun (65% increase). How come there weight be comparable? If you want big guns you would need big FATs and better roads. They also have option to keep using smaller Bofors and Dhanush to utilize their existing infrastructure while upgrading the same as new big bad boys come on board and little ones go off on retirement.
Also weight can only go down from here as design matures and technology improves and roads/infra would also only going to get better so from my POV ATAGs with larger chamber is future ready design that’ll serve us well into second part of the 21st century.
Also weight can only go down from here as design matures and technology improves and roads/infra would also only going to get better so from my POV ATAGs with larger chamber is future ready design that’ll serve us well into second part of the 21st century.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
From Twitter handle of Lt Gen Shankar, ex-Arty DG, who led the whole Dhanush effort; I had asked him about weight issue of ATAGS:
Too heavy. major issues involved. Accuracy and consistency suffers badly. Future Range increment from ammunition technologies, not from barrel lengths or increased chamber capacity any more. I welcome it as an indigenous effort only if weight comes down.
On being asked if Excalibur is the answer:
Not necessarily Excalibur. We need to go in for ramjet technology or something there.
On being asked about using ATAGS in plains/desert to mitigate weight issue:
Who said weight is not an issue in plains. One has to deploy off roads in x country and move in deserts.
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I hope this clears some air on the subject.
Too heavy. major issues involved. Accuracy and consistency suffers badly. Future Range increment from ammunition technologies, not from barrel lengths or increased chamber capacity any more. I welcome it as an indigenous effort only if weight comes down.
On being asked if Excalibur is the answer:
Not necessarily Excalibur. We need to go in for ramjet technology or something there.
On being asked about using ATAGS in plains/desert to mitigate weight issue:
Who said weight is not an issue in plains. One has to deploy off roads in x country and move in deserts.
------------------
I hope this clears some air on the subject.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
Rohitji,rohitvats wrote: Too heavy. major issues involved. Accuracy and consistency suffers badly. Future Range increment from ammunition technologies, not from barrel lengths or increased chamber capacity any more. I welcome it as an indigenous effort only if weight comes down
It is too bad .
I was having wet dreams that ATAGS is closer for induction.
But there would be some merit in the overall design otherwise why would Army even bother about ATAGS, no ?
Regarding accuracy, can't we take leverage from Kalyani Bharat 52 or Dhanush experience.
As for the weight, there is a 3 Ton difference (desired 15 Vs 18 Tons) now.From your knowledge do you feel we could reduce it a bit further while keeping the costs in check ?
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
Welcome M777 Caliber 52
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
Rohit,
I bow the generals expertise in the field. And yes a lot of refinements coming from the shell. I read about them because I am interested in the aero stuff.
But isn't it true that the calibre was restricted earlier on because the accuracy suffered way too much. Now with the shells being able to correct their trajectories, people are looking at higher capacity guns again. I know this is true in the US for sure.
The ramjet tech comes from Norway. We have discussed it here. That is phenomenally expensive way of extending range with current technology. It's been around for a while.
I bow the generals expertise in the field. And yes a lot of refinements coming from the shell. I read about them because I am interested in the aero stuff.
But isn't it true that the calibre was restricted earlier on because the accuracy suffered way too much. Now with the shells being able to correct their trajectories, people are looking at higher capacity guns again. I know this is true in the US for sure.
The ramjet tech comes from Norway. We have discussed it here. That is phenomenally expensive way of extending range with current technology. It's been around for a while.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
Interesting. I wonder why the DRDO decided to go that route then. Surely they must have looked at the tradeoffs (size and weight) and discussed with their only customer what the desired specifications should be? If not, they have only themselves to blame.rohitvats wrote: The chamber volume is actually 25 liters. And here's the most brilliant part - IA did not ask for increased chamber volume and range!!!
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
To reduce weight, would require use of Titanium, like it has been done for BF ULH or M777. However this means higher cost and maintenance.
US which has all these PG kit, has gone for 55 caliber, 25 litre M109 upgrade! PGK then provides the low cost course correction. Having longer barrel and higher chamber volume is the economical way to increase range.
We do have the option of using 25 litre on SPH & MGS, if towed becomes an issue.
Exaclibur, ramjet are silver bullet solutions. Artillery rounds are meant to be cheap volume fire. You will not get volume with such a path.Not necessarily Excalibur. We need to go in for ramjet technology or something
US which has all these PG kit, has gone for 55 caliber, 25 litre M109 upgrade! PGK then provides the low cost course correction. Having longer barrel and higher chamber volume is the economical way to increase range.
We do have the option of using 25 litre on SPH & MGS, if towed becomes an issue.
Re: Artillery Corps: News & Discussion
Personally, it is difficult for me to believe DRDO themselves decided on 25 litre chamber volume. They were building a artillery for the first time and there was no other known gun in other parts of the world with such chamber volume.
Is this a case where IA asked for longer range and DRDO implemented it through increase chamber volume rather than through PG kit on a shell?
Is this a case where IA asked for longer range and DRDO implemented it through increase chamber volume rather than through PG kit on a shell?