New Artillery for India.

[Aussie Digger]

http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publish/article_1295.shtml

Here's a link to an article indicating India has signed a deal with South Africa to purchase up to 280, 155mm Howitzers from Denel. This includes 180 Self propelled guns and up to 100 towed guns. I guess these will be G6 and G5 guns respectively. This is a massive increase in firepower for the Indian Army and I guess would be concerning for Pakistan. With these continued purchases India is rapidly gaining a qualitative and numerical superiority over Pakistan. These guns are to be fitted with the new 52 Calibre barrel which with new generation ammunition has ranges in excess of 40kms, and I've read about a South African manufactured extended range munition which as a range of 62kms, which no doubt India would be acquiring as well... I'll try and find that article.

 

[Indus]

http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publish/article_1295.shtml

Here's a link to an article indicating India has signed a deal with South Africa to purchase up to 280, 155mm Howitzers from Denel. This includes 180 Self propelled guns and up to 100 towed guns. I guess these will be G6 and G5 guns respectively. This is a massive increase in firepower for the Indian Army and I guess would be concerning for Pakistan. With these continued purchases India is rapidly gaining a qualitative and numerical superiority over Pakistan. These guns are to be fitted with the new 52 Calibre barrel which with new generation ammunition has ranges in excess of 40kms, and I've read about a South African manufactured extended range munition which as a range of 62kms, which no doubt India would be acquiring as well... I'll try and find that article.

Hey Aussie, are these supposed to be better than the Bofors that India already has..
also I was wondering if you knew anything about the comparative capabilities of the Firefinder Radar it purchased last year.. versus other types of these Radar for detecting artillery fire..

 

[gf0012-aust]

There are a couple of radar systems worth looking at.

MAMBA, developed by Ericsson, can accurately locate enemy artillery positions, including howitzers, multiple rocket launchers and mortars.

Earlier versions of MAMBA, were successfully deployed in Afghanistan, where they proved fully effective in combat, and were singled out for praise by troops in recent operations in Iraq.

The radar has been mounted on tracked BV-206 vehicles and can be deployed almost anywhere. It is amphibious, can move over snow and difficult terrain and can be easily transported by aircraft or helicopter.

The system takes just minutes to deploy and, once in action, can be effectively operated by a single soldier. It has a tactical range of around 20 km, or can be networked with others to cover an area in excess of 2,000 km2.

MAMBA/ARTHUR is suitable for Rapid Deployment forces.

The other system is COBRA.

If you are looking at small arms acoustic finders then I have had some involvement with other projects. If you are after non artillery finders then you could PM me if its commercial. If its a general enquiry then there are any number that have been developed - all are fairly similar even though the price fluctuates wildly.

eg, a small arms/mortar locater is approx $250k Aust per unit.

 

[Roger Smith]

http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publish/article_1295.shtml

Here's a link to an article indicating India has signed a deal with South Africa to purchase up to 280, 155mm Howitzers from Denel. This includes 180 Self propelled guns and up to 100 towed guns. I guess these will be G6 and G5 guns respectively. This is a massive increase in firepower for the Indian Army and I guess would be concerning for Pakistan. With these continued purchases India is rapidly gaining a qualitative and numerical superiority over Pakistan. These guns are to be fitted with the new 52 Calibre barrel which with new generation ammunition has ranges in excess of 40kms, and I've read about a South African manufactured extended range munition which as a range of 62kms, which no doubt India would be acquiring as well... I'll try and find that article.

It seems India is buying alot of new military equipment/hardware for its army! :?

 

[Aussie Digger]

Well the Indian's bought the Raytheon AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder Radar System, here's the marketing specs:

Long-Range Surveillance :
ThalesRaytheonSystems’ combat-proven AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder is the first radar capable of quickly locating long-range mortars, artillery, and rocket launchers, even beyond those weapons’ maximum effective ranges. After tracking a shell for only a few seconds, the AN/TPQ-37 weapon-locating radar can determine its point of origin. During a barrage - when myriad rockets and artillery shells are in the air - the radar pinpoints large numbers of enemy weapons and quickly relays precise location information for counterfire.

Defeats Enemy Firepower, Supports Friendly Weapons :
The AN/TPQ-37’s stationary antenna sweeps a rapid sequence of beams along the horizon, forming an electronic radar curtain over a 90º area. Any target penetrating the curtain triggers an immediate verification beam. On verification, an automatic tracking sequence
begins.
While tracking any single target, the radar continues scanning, locating and tracking others. The AN/TPQ-37 can locate up to 10 different weapons in seconds, at a maximum range of 50 km. When long-range surface-to-surface missiles must be located, a special 60º sector mode extends the AN/TPQ-37’s range. Friendly fire can then neutralize further fire from those weapons.
The AN/TPQ-37 also tracks, corrects, and improves the fire of friendly weapons with registration and adjustment data. It also identifies the impact location of hostile projectiles, allowing counterfire on highest priority targets.

Highly Mobile :
Like the smaller AN/TPQ-36 weapon-locating radar, the AN/TPQ-37 is highly mobile. The entire system can be setup or taken down and moved in minutes by a small crew. Its operation control shelter can be transported on a vehicle as small as a High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle - HMMWV.
The U.S. Army combines the AN/TPQ-37 with the AN/TPQ-36 to field an exceptionally accurate and mobile Firefinder weapon-locating system. The AN/TPQ-36 would be deployed near the battle line, with the AN/TPQ-37 farther back in friendly territory

Powerful :
Artillery rounds are more difficult for radar to detect than mortar rounds, which have higher reflectivity and more vertical trajectories. The low radar cross-section of the artillery shell means higher power is required to detect it at long ranges, and extensively refined discriminants must be applied throughout the tracking process to achieve a high probability of location and an extremely low false-location rate.
Both the AN/TPQ-36 and -37 have high-performance clutter rejection, enabling them to pick up targets out of ground or sky clutter. In both areas, the AN/TPQ-37 is optimal for locating long-range mortar, artillery, and rocket projectiles.

Exceptionally Reliable :
ThalesRaytheonSystems’ Firefinder systems are designed to achieve high system availability, with 90 percent of all repairs being performed in the field. Mean-time-to-repair is 30 minutes.
The system features both off- and on-line diagnostic hardware, built-in test equipment, and automatic fault isolation to the replaceable unit level. When the diagnostics are operating off-line, the computer injects test signals and monitors the resulting functions. When operating on-line, a continuous automatic program runs system tests. In the event of failure, the computer performs fault isolation and prints out the problem description and remedial action.
The result is a system of exceptional availability with reduced maintenance costs and downtime, because most repairs can be done quickly in the field.

Block I Program Upgrades :
Under the Firefinder Block I program, ThalesRaytheonSystems designed, developed, qualified, integrated, documented, and supported reliability and performance improvements to the AN/TPQ-37 radar.
The upgrades facilitate radar loading and unloading on C-130 and C-141 aircraft, provide self-survey capability, and add a tracked suspension system.


Capabilities :


Locates mortars, artillery, rocket launchers and missiles
Locates 10 weapons simultaneously
Locates targets on first round
Performs high-burst, datum-plane and impact registrations
Adjusts friendly fire
Interfaces with tactical fire
Predicts impact of hostile projectiles

Specifications :

Maximum range : 50 km
Effective range : Artillery : 30 km
Rockets : 50 km
Azimuth sector : 90°
Frequency : S-band, 15 frequencies
Prime power : 115/200 VAC, 400 Hz, 3-phase, 43 kW
Peak transmitted power : 120 kW, min.

Features :

Permanent storage for 99 targets
Field exercise mode
Digital data interface

I believe Australia operates a number of earlier models of these radar systems, that are due to be upgraded in the near future. Indus, I've read that the South African G5/G6 155mm Artillery is probably the most effective Artillery system in the world at present, being the longest ranging artillery and equipped with one of the best fire control systems. Other than that I'm sure the Bofor's guns are quite capable as well...

 

[gf0012-aust]

http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publish/article_1295.shtml

Here's a link to an article indicating India has signed a deal with South Africa to purchase up to 280, 155mm Howitzers from Denel. This includes 180 Self propelled guns and up to 100 towed guns. I guess these will be G6 and G5 guns respectively. This is a massive increase in firepower for the Indian Army and I guess would be concerning for Pakistan. With these continued purchases India is rapidly gaining a qualitative and numerical superiority over Pakistan. These guns are to be fitted with the new 52 Calibre barrel which with new generation ammunition has ranges in excess of 40kms, and I've read about a South African manufactured extended range munition which as a range of 62kms, which no doubt India would be acquiring as well... I'll try and find that article.

It seems India is buying alot of new military equipment/hardware for its army! :?

India is spending a bucket load of money:

03/02/2004 at 08:08:07



Date line: NEW DELHI
The Indian government Tuesday in an interim tide-over budget until general elections in April or May, earmarked 250 billion rupees (5.31 billion dollars) for the military, all of which will go towards modernising equipment.

"The process of defence prcurement often extends to three years," Finance Minister Jaswant Singh said as he announced he was setting aside 250 billion rupees for New Delhi's "Defence Modernisation Fund" for the next four months.

The interim vote-on-account does not project annual military spending as it is a temporary measure to run the government until elections are concluded and a new administration takes charge.

India had offered a standstill defence budget for the fiscal year to March, keeping its military spending below 3/0 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) or at around 14 billion dollars.

Unspent cash from the existing budget will be used for day-to-day running of the military until the post-election budget is presented, officials said.

The interim budget comes less than a month after India signed a 1.5-billion dollars contract to buy a refurbished Soviet-era aircraft carrier from Russia.

Last September, New Delhi cleared the purchase of 66 British Aerospace Hawk jet trainers for 1.7 billion dollars and a month later clinched a deal with Israel for three Phalcon airborne early warning radar systems worth one billion dollars.

India also plans to build six French-designed Scorpene submarines with the overall value of the numerous contracts generated by the project being estimated at around two billion euros (2.1 billion dollars).

In the past 24 months, Russia has supplied 300 of its latest T-90 battle tanks and a fleet of Sukhoi-30 fighter jets to India in separate deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

/off

 

[Aussie Digger]

A pretty serious bit of kit. no?

 

[Aussie Digger]

Here's the specs for the G6 system;

The G6 is a 155mm long-range gun developed and produced by the LIW division of Denel, mounted on a chassis made by Alvis (formerly Vickers) OMC. The G6 is in service with the South African Army (43 systems) and has also been exported to the United Arab Emirates (78 systems) and Oman (24 systems).

The G6 155mm self propelled howitzer is a highly autonomous system with 700km vehicle fuel range, 50km weapon range using velocity enhanced long range projectiles and the ability to fire the first round within 60 seconds of the vehicle stopping.

In September 2001, the G6 achieved a range of 53.6km using the new Velocity enhanced Long Range Projectile (V-LAP) and the new M64 bi-modular charge system. V-LAP combines base bleed and rocket motor technology, while the M64 charge system increases muzzle velocity to 910m/s VLAP is part of Denel’s new Assegai range of 155mm ammunition.

The G6 is operated by a crew of six - driver, commander, gun layer, breech operator, ammunition loader and ammunition handler.

G6 155MM HOWITZER
The 155 mm main gun is equipped with a 45 calibre auto-frettaged barrel, a semi-automatic screw type breech and an electrical trigger mechanism. The gun is fitted with a single baffle open type muzzle brake and a reinforced epoxy resin fume extractor.

The howitzer has on-board storage for 45 projectiles and 50 charges. Semi-automatic projectile loading is carried out using an electronically controlled hydraulic flick-rammer. Two loading chutes are installed at the rear of gun for direct loading from a ground ammunition pile.

Firing ports are provided for the crews' personal weapons and a machine-gun mounting is fitted on the left turret cupola with an optional machine-gun.

EXTENDED RANGE FULL-BORE AMMUNITION (ERFB)
The gun is compatible with all NATO 155mm ammunition, including extended range full-bore (ERFB) projectiles of explosive, cargo and practice types, which are all ballistically matched and with field-fittable base bleed units. The ERFB projectiles provide the G6 with increased range and terminal effectiveness. Using base-bleed projectiles, the G6 has a nominal range of 39km at sea level. As an example of the gun's accuracy, at 75% of the maximum range the probable error specification is 0.48% of the range value and 1 mil in deflection.

A five-zone combustible case modular propelling charge system is based on cool-burning propellants which ensure a barrel life of more than 6,000 standard charges. The system is compatible with direct action, electronic timing or proximity type fuses.

155mm HOWITZER FIRE CONTROL SYSTEMS
Target data is transmitted from a command and control centre to the commander's station in the crew compartment via a VHF/UHF communications link. The crew activate the gun by pressing an autolay button and the bearing, elevation and engagement data are downloaded to the automatic gun laying system.

The gun laying and navigation equipment comprises a ring laser gyroscope system equipped with a touchscreen control developed by the Kentron division of Denel. The gun has fully autonomous laying and navigation capability with no need for survey and alignment at the gun position. The system can be interfaced to an optional global positioning system (GPS). The system also has a back-up laying system. The gun is fitted with a trunnion mounted telescopic sight for direct firing up to 3,000m.

G6 SELF-PROTECTION SYSTEMS
The G6 is equipped with eight launchers which fire 81 mm smoke grenades. The high strength armour-plate hull protects the crew against small arms fire and shell splinters. The crew are protected against TM46 (or equivalent) landmine blast, 20mm gunfire from the front, and all around counter bombardment fragment and impact by 7.62mm ammunition.

The driving compartment is fitted with large bullet proof windows with an armoured shutter for the front window. When the armoured shutter is in place the driver uses a periscopic sight.

G6 PROPULSION SYSTEM
The air-cooled diesel engine provides a 386kW power output. The six-speed automatic/manual gearbox is fitted with a torque converter. The permanent six-wheel drive has longitudinal and transverse differential locks. The suspension system consists of fully independent torsion bars with shock absorbers and hydro-pneumatic bump stops.

The wheeled chassis supplied by Alvis OMC is capable of a road speed of 85km/h and a cross country/desert speed of 30km/h. The maximum gradient is 40%, trench crossing 1m and the fording depth is 1m. The cruising range on one full tank is 700km.

G6-52 ARTILLERY SYSTEM
Denel has developed a new artillery system, the G6-52. With the V-LAP projectile, the system has a range of 67km and a rate of fire of eight rounds/minute. Multiple rounds (up to six) can be fired to simultaneously hit the same target using the ADS (Thales) AS2000 artillery target engagement system. Automated ammunition handling, fuze handling and ammunition inventory reduce crew workload.

The G6-52 turret is mounted on an Alvis OMC 6x6 wheeled vehicle which has an off-road speed of nearly 70km/h and a range of 700km.

 

[Red aRRow]

A pretty serious bit of kit. no?
Most definitely. :eek

 

[Aussie Digger]

After doing a bit of research I found out that the Australian Army uses the Raytheon AN/TPQ-36 Battlefield Radar. I even found a picture of one:

These are slated to be upgraded under our new Defence capability plan. Hopefully the specs of the new system approach those of the AN/TPQ-37 system and yet remain as mobile as they currently are, that'd be sweet...

 

[The Watcher]

Heres related story came out today.

India wants more test trials

http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publish/article_1328.shtml

 

[Aussie Digger]

What are the specs of the artillery (Bofors systems) that India currently uses, anyone?

 

[suleman]

Last year India placed contracts with Bofors for vital FH-77B spare parts. For the Indian trials, the FH-77BD will use a 155mm/45-calibre barrel capable of firing a high-explosive extended-range full-bore base-bleed projectile to around 40km. A 155mm/52-calibre barrel is planned for the production systems. The 30-tonne FH-77BD has a maximum road speed of 65km/h and a road range of 500km. In mid-1995, the Indian Army completed extensive tests of four different 155mm self-propelled artillery turret systems fitted to the locally-built Russian-designed T-72M1 main battle tank (MBT) chassis. The South African LIW T-6 subsequently returned to India for further trials installed on the chassis of the Arjun MBT. So far no production order has been placed. The South African G-6 chassis has also been demonstrated in India.

 

[sinwave2]

I read about IA eliciting interest in the Israeli LORA ????

 

[Supe]

http://www.defenceindia.com/company_news/news63.html

Stockholm, June 06, 2005, Shiv Aroor (Indian Express)

The Government’s decision to completely re-work the acquisition process for wheeled artillery guns is now official.

With the deal, which almost went to South African firm, Denel, earlier this year, now on hold, the Army has asked Bofors Defence AB for a live demonstration of its new Archer 155mm 52-calibre self-propelled howitzer. Bofors officials told The Indian Express that the request was being processed and an invitation would shortly be sent for an Indian Army team to visit Sweden for a firing demo.

In light of the original post, I think this relevant. Denel must have been livid at this turnaround.

Haken Kangert, Chairman of the India-specific marketing arm of Bofors Defence, said that the company was willing to transfer Archer technology to New Delhi so that a bulk of the guns could be built under license in Bangalore.

That makes sense given that it's reported the IA resorted to having to 'cannibalise' parts from other Bofors guns in order to keep some of them operational.

 

[sinwave2]

A pretty serious bit of kit. no?
Most definitely. :eek

I wonder what these guys are building up for....not taking on China I hope. The firepower is definitely far superior to any other Army I can think of in the neighbourhood.

 

[goran]

yust look the Serbian artillery named "NORA"

 

[sinwave2]

Was talking of the Israeli Long Range Arty (LORA), guess its different form the Serbian NORA, whatever that means. :coffee

 

[goran]

just look a picture of self propeled artillery ,this is best artillery on the world.this is the true.please see a picture and characteristic.

 

[aaaditya]

i beleive the latest bofors gun the archer fh77b05l52 is the best artillery gun(field/self propelled) as of now ,it is capable of firing the bonus and the excalibur rounds to ranges of 55-60kms with almost pinpoint accuracy(within a few metres of the target).:coffee