Friday, 12 March 2010
Written by Blood Wizard
 BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land. It is a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroeyenia who have together formed the BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited.
The acronym BrahMos is perceived as the confluence of the two nations represented by two rivers, the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia. It travels at speeds of Mach 2.5 to 2.8 and is the world's fastest cruise missile. It is about three-and-a-half times faster than the U.S.A's subsonic Harpoon cruise missile. A hypersonic version of the missile is also presently under development (Lab Tested with 5.26 Mach Speed). Though India had wanted the BrahMos to be based on a mid range cruise missile, namely P-700 Granit, instead Russia opted for the shorter range sister of the missile, P-800 Oniks, in order to comply with MTCR restrictions, to which Russia is a signatory. Its propulsion is based on the Russian missile, and guidance has been developed by BrahMos Corp.
Development and Manufacture
 The BrahMos has been developed as a joint venture between the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) of India and the Federal State Unitary Enterprise NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM) of Russia under BrahMos Aerospace. The missile is named after two rivers, the Brahmaputra and the Moskva.
Since late 2004, the missile has undergone several tests from variety of platforms including a land based test from Pokhran desert, in which the 'S' maneuver at Mach 2.8 was demonstrated for the Indian Army and a launch in which the land attack capability from sea was demonstrated.
BrahMos claims to have the capability of attacking surface targets as low as 10 meters in altitude. It can gain a speed of Mach 2.8, and has a maximum range of 290 km. The ship-launched and land-based missiles can carry a 200 kg warhead, whereas the aircraft-launched variant (BrahMos A) can carry a 300 kg warhead. It has a two-stage propulsion system, with a solid-propellant rocket for initial acceleration and a liquid-fueled ramjet responsible for sustained supersonic cruise. Air-breathing ramjet propulsion is much more fuel-efficient than rocket propulsion, giving the BrahMos a longer range than a pure rocket-powered missile would achieve.This is because thea ramjet propulsion does away with the need to carry the oxidiser thus greatly reducing the weight of the missile.
The high speed of the BrahMos likely gives it better target-penetration characteristics than lighter subsonic cruise-missiles such as the Tomahawk. Being twice as heavy and almost four times faster than the Tomahawk, the BrahMos has almost 32 times the initial kinetic energy of a Tomahawk missile (although it pays for this by having only 3/5 the payload and a fraction of the range despite weighing twice as much, suggesting a different tactical paradigm to achieve the objective).
Although BrahMos is primarily an anti-ship missile, it can also engage land based targets. It can be launched either in a vertical or inclined position and is capable of covering targets over a 360 degree horizon. The BrahMos missile has an identical configuration for land, sea, and sub-sea platforms. The air-launched version has a smaller booster and additional tail fins for added stability during launch. The BrahMos is currently being configured for aerial deployment with the sukhoi-su-30mki as its carrier.
Variants
- Ship launched, Anti-Ship variant (operational)
- Ship launched, Land attack variant (operational)
- Land launched, Land attack variant (operational)
- Land launched, Anti-Ship variant (operational)
- Air launched, Anti-Ship variant
- Air launched, Land attack variant
- Submarine launched, Anti-Ship variant
- Submarine launched, Land attack variant
Operators
India and Russia intend to make 2,000 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles over the next ten years through their joint venture company, and nearly 50 percent of them are expected to be exported to friendly countries.
Indian Navy
The missile is in service with the Indian Navy. Talwar class frigate and Shivalik class frigate are frigates of the Indian Navy that can fire the BrahMos. INS Tabar and INS Trishul are Talwar class vessels armed with supersonic BrahMos while INS Shivalik was the first vessel of the Shivalik class to incorporate the BrahMos. Other vessels of the Shivalik Class and Talwar Class are to be armed with BrahMos missiles by 2009 and 2010 respectively. In 2007, the navy promised to arm the Godavari class frigates and Brahmaputra class frigates with the BrahMos too. Rajput class destroyers are Destroyers of the Indian Navy that can fire the BrahMos. The INS Rajput, INS Ranvir (D54) and INS Ranvijay (D55) which are modified versions of Soviet Kashin class destroyers have been fitted with BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile systems. The new class of destroyers namely Kolkata Class are also to be fitted with the BrahMos and there are plans to arm the rest of the vessels of the Rajput Class with BrahMos too. On the other hand the Delhi class destroyers are to be modified to incorporate the BrahMos. The first of the Kolkata Class should roll out in 2012 while the Delhi Class and Rajput will be armed with the Brahmos by 2009
The submarine launched version of the missile is ready for testing. The missile will be either tested on a Kilo class submarine of the Indian Navy or will be tested in Russia. The land attack version of the missile was fired from Destroyer INS Rajput and the missile hit and destroyed the right target among a group of targets. The vertical launch of Brahmos was conducted on December 18, 2008 from INS Ranvir (D54).
Indian Army
 The missile was successfully tested with new capabilities for the Indian Army in the deserts of Rajasthan, test range near Pokharan (December 2004 & March 2007). It was inducted into the army on June 21, 2007.
On January 20, 2009, a test of a new BrahMos block II cruise Missile at Pokhran in Rajasthan was conducted with new software. The missile failed to hit the right target among a group of targets. The objective was to hit a small building hidden amongst a group of buildings. According to Brahmos corporation, another test of the new missile will be conducted within one month, which was eventually conducted on 4 March 2009 and was successful.
The latest test conducted on 29 March 2009, was successful. The missile took two and a half minutes to hit the target with precision.. According to official sources, "The new seeker is unique and would help us to hit our targets, which are insignificant in terms of size, in a cluster of large buildings. India is now the only nation in the world with this advanced technology" After the third test, Lt Gen Noble Thamburaj, said that the Indian Army wanted the BrahMos to achieve high standards of accuracy and congratulated the scientists on behalf of the Indian Army. The Indian Army confirmed that the test was extremely successful and the army is absolutely satisfied with the missile. The development phase of the Block II version of the missile has been over and it is ready for induction.
The army has raised one regiment (numbered 861) of the BrahMos Mark I. Now two separate missile regiments of the BrahMos Mark II, which has a seeker that can discriminate and zero in on a small target in an urban clutter, will be raised and are likely to be numbered 862 and 863. Each of the two new BrahMos cruise missile regiments would have between four and six batteries of three to four Mobile Autonomous Launchers that can be connected to a general mobile command post.
Indian Air Force
The air launched version for the Indian Air Force is ready for testing. An expert committee from the DRDO and the Indian Air Force (IAF) has ruled out any structural modification to the advanced sukhoi-su-30mki if it is to be fitted with the supersonic BrahMos. January 10, 2009 it was reported that two Indian Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets have been sent to Russia for a retrofit program that would enable them to launch the aerial version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
On October 22 2008 A. Sivathanu Pillai, chief executive officer and managing director, Brahmos Airspace announced that the Indian Air Force would get its own version of Brahmos by 2012. Trials and tests will be carried out by 2011 and it is expected to be inducted into the IAF by 2012 In addition, India's 5 Il-38 and 8 Tupolev Tu-142 maritime patrol bombers are also to be armed with the missile. There are reports of efforts towards adding the capability to fire the Indo-Russian Brahmos cruise missile from these aircrafts. Mockups have been displayed with air-launched Brahmos attached to underwing pylons on the Indian Navy aircrafts.
On August 8, 2009 Alexander Leonov, Director of the Russian Machine Building Research and Production Center, said "we are ready for test launches." He also said the final development and testing of the air-launched version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile willo take place soon. A new takeoff engine for launching of the missile in air and at extreme high altitudes had been developed. He said the initial test firing of the missile would be undertaken from the Sukhoi-30 MKI, but did not specify the dates. After testing, the IAF would be the launch customers for the air launched BrahMos cruise missile, which will make the Indian Air Force, the only air force in Asia to have such a capability.
Russian Navy
According to sources the BrahMos could be fitted to the updated Gorshkov class of frigates which will be entering the Russian navy soon. The defense ministry reported that due to the size and hull specifications of the BrahMos, few if any of its new ships will be able to accommodate it.
BrahMos II
BrahMos II is a hypersonic cruise missile that has been lab tested with a speed of 5.26 Mach making it the fastest cruise missile in the world. BrahMos II is expected to be ready by 2013-14 and will arm the Project 15B destroyers of the Indian Navy.
Specifications
- Country : India
- Class : S/Su/L/ALCM
- Target : Land, Ship
- Length : 8.4 m
- Diameter : 0.67 m
- Launch Weight : 3900 kg (2500 kg for Air launched Variant)
- Payload : 200 kg HE / Conventional semi-armour-piercing warhead
- Propulsion : Ramjet w/ solid booster
- Range : 300 km
- Guidance : INS, GPS, active and passive radar
References
Tuesday, 06 April 2010
Written by Blood Wizard
| BM-21 "Grad" |
Indian Army BM-21 Grad
|
| Type |
Multiple rocket launcher |
| Place of origin |
 Soviet Union |
| Service history |
| In service |
1964–present |
| Used by |
See Operators |
| Wars |
1995 Cenepa War
2008 South Ossetia war
1999 Kargil War
|
| Production history |
| Produced |
1963–present |
| Specifications (9K51) |
| Weight |
13.71 tonnes (30,225 lbs) |
| Length |
7.35 m (24 ft) |
| Barrel length |
3.0 m (9.84 ft) |
| Width |
2.40 m (7.87 ft) |
| Height |
3.09 m (10.13 ft) |
| Crew |
4 |
|
| Caliber |
122.4 mm (4.81 in) |
| Barrels |
40 |
| Rate of fire |
2 rounds/s |
| Muzzle velocity |
690 m/s (2,264 ft/s) |
| Maximum range |
40 km (25 mi) |
| Sights |
PG-1M panoramic telescope |
|
| Engine |
V-8 gasoline ZiL-375
180 hp (130 kW) |
| Suspension |
6x6 wheeled |
Operational
range |
405 km (251 mi) |
| Speed |
75 km/h (47 mph) |
The BM-21 Grad (Russian: БМ-21 "Град") is a Soviet truck-mounted 122-mm multiple rocket launcher, developed in the early 1960s. BM stands for boyevaya mashina, ‘combat vehicle’, and the nickname grad means ‘hail’. In NATO countries, the system was initially known as M1964. Several other countries have copied it or developed similar systems.
Saturday, 10 April 2010
Written by Blood Wizard
2K12 Kub
NATO reporting name: Gainful |
ZRK SD Kvadrat
|
| Type |
Tracked medium-range surface-to-air missile system |
| Place of origin |
Soviet Union |
| Service history |
| In service |
1970–present |
| Used by |
See list of present and former operator |
| Wars |
Yom Kippur War, Chadian Civil War, Gulf War, Yugoslav wars |
| Production history |
| Designer |
NIIP/Vympel
MMZ (GM chassis) |
| Designed |
1959 |
| Manufacturer |
Ulyanovsk Mechanical Plant (SURNs)
ZiK (TELs) |
| Produced |
1968–1985 |
| Variants |
2K12 Kub, 2K12E Kvadrat (export version), 2K12M3, 2K12M4 |
| Specifications (2K12 Kub) |
|
Primary
armament |
3 9M336 (or variants) guided missiles |
The 2K12 "Kub" (Russian: 2К12 "Куб"; English: cube) mobile surface-to-air missile system is a Soviet low to medium-level air defence system designed to protect ground forces from air attack. "2К12" is the GRAU designation of the system. Kub is known in the west by its NATO reporting name "Gainful" as well as the US Department of Defense designation SA-6.
Each 2K12 battery consists of a number of similar tracked vehicles, one of which carries the 1S91 (SURN vehicle, NATO designation "Straight Flush") 25 kW G/H band radar (range 75 km/47 miles) equipped with a continuous wave illuminator, in addition to an optical sight. The battery usually also includes 4 triple-missile transporter erector launchers (TELs) and 4 trucks each carrying 3 spare missiles and a crane. TEL is based on a GM-578 chassis, while the 1S91 radar vehicle on a GM-568, all developed and produced by MMZ.
Tuesday, 07 September 2010
Written by Editor
 The Karakoram Highway, or Friendship Highway, that links Abbottabad with Kashgar. A biker poses at the Khunjerab Pass By Ajai ShuklaBusiness Standard, 7th Sept 10 The recent brouhaha over Beijing’s refusal to issue a regular stamped visa for an official visit to China by Lt Gen BS Jaswal, India’s top military commander in J&K, bore the familiar stamp of our public overreaction to Chinese provocation. But there was something remarkable this time. Alongside the “dragon is coming” rants on TV news, and from our predictable strategic community, both governments implemented a discrete but discernible damage control effort to prevent this incident from spiralling into a public exchange. New Delhi and Beijing, clearly, have agreed to moderate disagreement and to manage Indian public opinion.
Tuesday, 06 April 2010
Written by Blood Wizard
9A52-2 "Smerch" launch vehicle
The BM-30 "Smerch" (Tornado) or 9A52 is a Soviet heavy multiple rocket launcher. The system is designed to defeat manpower, armored and soft-skinned materiel in concentration areas, artillery batteries, command posts and ammunition depots. It was created in the early 1980s and entered service in the Red Army in 1989. When first observed by the West in 1983, it received the code MRL 280mm M1983.
Tuesday, 07 September 2010
Written by Editor
 The first AN-32 ever to land at Nyoma, close to the Line of Actual Control with China, in Ladakh. India is activating a number of Advanced Landing Grounds along the borders for a quick reaction capability in the event of a crisis
by Ajai ShuklaBusiness Standard, 7th Sept 10
At dawn on 18th Sept 09, Group Captain SC Chafekar lined up his AN-32 transport aircraft for a landing approach to the spectacular, 13,300 foot high Nyoma airstrip in Ladakh, sending a herd of local Khyang (Tibetan Wild Asses) fleeing in panic. This first ever fixed wing aircraft landing at Nyoma, the army’s newest Advanced Landing Ground (ALG), close by the frontline with China, was made possible by a new “miracle compound” called RBI-81.
The MoD, always secretive, merely stated that a “new advanced compound” had gone into building Nyoma ALG. But the army was pleased --- as a document with the Business Standard reveals --- at this infrastructure coup.
Saturday, 13 March 2010
Written by Blood Wizard
For years the wars and low intensity conflicts have displayed the importance of the ability to fire at enemy while protecting and concealing the operator from any sort of return fire. A Remote Controlled weapons Station is a platform designed to achieve just that. It allows a unit the total domination over a battle in a urban conflict scenario. Keeping this in mind the OFB began development of an indigenous remote controlled weapons station for the Indian defence forces now called SRCWS.
Remote Operation
Constantly evolving threat situations call for force multiplication, greater accuracy and terminal effect from a weapon system. The OFBs SRCWS provides an optimal solution for achieving this. The SRCWS aims to counter threats in unpredictable situations by making it possible for an appropriate weapon system like 7.62 mm GPMG and 12.7 mm HMG or even a grenade launcher and AT missile to be operated through remote control with high dexterity from inside a protected vehicle. The station is compact, lightweight and low silhouette system equipped with high resolution collimated optic pod, continuous zoom, day and night sight capability, laser range finder and designator. The above advanced sub-systems enable remote surveillance, observation and targeting through the ergonomically designed monitor. Additional features are tracking and video motion detection (VMD) which enable real time effective surveillance. Manual override is provided. Optional built-in support for platform network integration including inertial navigation, C4I integration and wireless remote control can be provided.
Specifications
|
Armament
|
Body
|
| Ammunition |
Pin firing
|
| Control: |
| - Traverse |
360 deg continuous |
| - Elevation |
-20 to +60 deg |
| Weight |
170 kg without weapon and ammunition |
| Height |
620 mm |
| Power Supply |
24 V DC |
Saturday, 13 March 2010
Written by Blood Wizard
The Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher System, is a state of the art weapon for destroying/neutralising enemy troop concentration areas, communication centres air terminal complexes, gun/ rocket locations and for laying mines by firing rockets with several warheads from launcher vehicle. High operational mobility, flexibility and accuracy are the major characteristics, which give Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher System an edge in modern artillery warfare.
Pinaka saw service during the Kargil War, where it was successful in neutralizing enemy positions on the mountain tops. It has since been inducted into the Indian Army in large numbers.
Development
The Indian Army operates the Russian BM-21 'Grad' Launchers. In 1981, in response to the Indian Army's need to a long range artillery system, the Indian Ministry of Defence sanctioned two competence building projects. In July 1983, the Army formulated their General Staff Qualitative Requirement (GSQR) for the system, with planned induction of one Regiment per year from 1994 onwards. This system would eventually replace the Grads.
Development began in December 1986, with a sanctioned budget of Rs 26.47 crore. The development was to be completed in December 1992. Pune-based DRDO laboratory, Armament Research and Development Establishment was the lead laboratory for the development of the system.
The indigenously built Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher Weapon Area System can fire rockets with a range of 39-40 km, in a salvo of 12 rockets with 1.2 tons of high explosives within 40 seconds. The complete system comprises a launch vehicle, a loader / replenishment vehicle, and a command post vehicle with a battery of six launchers, replenishment vehicle (RV), DIGICORA MET radar, and rocket system with various warheads and fuses.. Pinaka can neutralise a target area of 350 square kilometres, and is meant as a supplement to the existing artillery system at a range beyond 30 km. It can be fitted with a variety of warheads ranging from blast-cum-pre-fragmented high explosives to anti-tank mines. This indigenously designed MLRS is far cheaper than the international competition, costing just Rs 23 million per system. By comparison the American M270 MLRS costs Rs 195 million, and the 9P140 URAGAN of Russia and the ASTROS-II of Brazil each cost Rs 38 million.
The Indian Army felt the need for a weapon system which could soften or defeat targets between a certain range. The Ministry sanctioned two competence build up projects in 1981 for Rs 1.94 crore. Army formulated their General Staff Qualitative Requirement for the system in July 1983. They planned to induct certain number of regiments into service at the rate of one regiment per annum, equipped with the system, from 1994 onwards so that the existing system which had range limitation of 20 km could be replaced with the latest state of the art system. The Ministry issued sanction in December 1986 to develop the system at Rs 26.47 crore excluding cost of manpower. The development was to be completed in December 1992.
The General Staff Qualitative Requirement prescribed that the system should attain a certain maximum range and the circular error probability should not exceed 1 to 2 per cent of range. The system was to incorporate a twelve tube cluster configuration capable of firing a salvo in five to six seconds and neutralise the specified area by a salvo from six launchers. The entire operation of loading of one salvo from the replenishment vehicle to the launcher was required to be completed within four to five minutes. Eight types of warhead for different target effects were to be developed. The fabrication and delivery of different components of the system were to match User Trials to be conducted in two phases to be concluded by December 1993.
The Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment has successfully produced the 'Pinaka' Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher System for the Indian armed forces, to give it concentrated high volume firepower to destroy enemy targets as demanded by the top brass of the Indian army. The Pinaka system was tested at the interim test range (ITR) Chandipur-on-sea, and had undergone several tests since 1995. It has been subjected to user's trials by the Army, which was not entirely satisfied with the system, and additional tests were conducted in response to suggestions to improve its capability further. In March 1999 the system was tested in the run-up to the country's largest ever air force exercise over the site of India's 1998 underground nuclear blasts, at the eastern Indian missile launch site of Balasore. Pinaka was finally put into field testing for assessing its capability during the Kargil conflict. Pinaka reportedly proved very successful during field testing in the high altitude conflict in Kargil.
In mid-1998 it was reported that production is on at various ordnance factories, and four public sector undertakings would meet the December 1998 delivery deadline. But in May 1999 the Comptroller and Auditor General criticized the Defence Research and development Organisation (DRDO) for its failure to develop critical components of Pinaka, which led to a six-year delay in the induction of the system. Far from reaching the production stage, the DRDO has yet to develop various critical components of the system despite an expenditure of Rs 42.45 crore. The Defence Ministry in 1981 had planned to induct “Pinaka” into Indian Army regiments by 1994, and the project was originally given a Rs 26.47 crore budget. The expected date of completion of development is late 2000 at a cost of around Rs 80 crore.
The rocket developed by Armament Research and Development Establishment could achieve only 82 per cent in terms of range. For achieving the desired range the configuration of rocket will have to be changed from 214 mm calibre to 240 mm. The Army had stipulated that the calibre of rocket could be anywhere between 210 and 250 mm. Armament Research and Development Establishment erred in the decision to design the system around 214 mm calibre. The Army agreed to accept the system by reducing the range to ensure early availability of the system. Armament Research and Development Establishment, however, could not deliver the system even with the reduced range as of December 1998. With a lower range, the survivability of the system would be lowered and targets in depth would be beyond reach.
The Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) has also developed a high performance artillery rocket system which can fire within a range between 70 km to 100 km. This is a highly sophisticated "shoot-and-scoot" high mobility system capable of firing a salvo of 12 rockets, each with a payload of 100 kg within a time span of 30 seconds. This new artillery rocket system comprises of an advanced family of warheads including terminally guided submunitions with autonomous target search and engagement capability besides remotely delivered intelligent bomblets and minelets with self-neutralising capability.
In the trials conducted in June 1996 the users found that it did not meet the baseline requirements, such as ability to replenish two salvos within 4 to 5 minutes. Loader-cum-Replenishment Vehicle could carry only one salvo and the loading time extended up to 40 minutes due to the low lifting capacity of the crane, which was attributable to change in the weight of the rocket pod from 2.5 tonne to 2.8 tonne. The Army agreed to a proposal made by Armament Research and Development Establishment in September 1996 to develop a loader vehicle with 3.5 tonne crane capable of carrying two pods and another replenishment vehicle with four pods as against a single loader-cum-replenishment vehicle which can carry four pods.
Vehicle Research Development Establishment designed the new vehicle and fabricated two loader vehicles in September 1997 at a cost of Rs 61.59 lakh on Tatra chassis procured in December 1996 at a cost of Rs 41 lakh. The suitability of the newly fabricated loader vehicle was yet to be proved. Thus, one of the most important components of the system remained to be developed even as of June 1998.
The General Staff Qualitative Requirement stipulated requirement of a command post vehicle of equal mobility as the launcher with good cross country performance including sandy terrain for providing logistic support. The Project Management Committee selected Tata 4 ton chassis in August 1989. The Tata chassis was procured in October 1994 at a cost of Rs 5.77 lakh by the Vehicle Research and Development Establishment and superstructure fabricated on it at a cost of Rs 3.59 lakh in April 1996. It, however, failed to achieve equal mobility with the launcher vehicle configured on Tatra chassis and it was therefore decided in September 1996 to develop another command post vehicle on a Tatra chassis.
In late April 2005, India test-fired multiple rounds of the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket system at Chandipur. The tests were reported to be aimed at improving the entire system and sub-system of rockets.
Details
Pinaka is a complete MBRL system, each Pinaka battery consists of six launcher vehicles, each with 12 rockets, six loader cum replenishment vehicles, three replenishment vehicles, a Command Post vehicle with a Fire Control computer and the DIGICORA MET radar. A battery of six launchers can neutralize an area of 1000 m x 800 m.
The Army generally deploys a battery that has a total of 72 rockets. All the 72 rockets can be fired in 44 seconds, taking out an area of 1 sq km. Each launcher can fire in a different direction too. The system has the flexibility to fire all the rockets in one go or only a few.
This is made possible with a fire control computer. There is a command post linking together all the six launchers in a battery. Each launcher has an individual computer, which enables it to function autonomously in case it gets separated from the other five vehicles in a war.
K.J. Daniel, Project Director, Pinaka, calls it “a system” and explains how massive each system is. A Pinaka battery has six launchers, six loader vehicles, six replenishment vehicles, two vehicles for ferrying the command post and a vehicle for carrying the meteorological radar, which will provide data on winds. “Today, we have orders for two regiments. In the future, we will have orders for 12 regiments,” said Daniel.
Modes of operation
The launcher can operate in the following modes:
Autonomous mode. The launcher is fully controlled by a fire control computer (FCC). The microprocessor on the launcher automatically executes the commands received from the FCC, giving the operator the status of the system on displays and indicators.
Stand-alone mode: In this mode, the launcher is not linked to the FCC operator, and the operator at the console enters all the commands for laying of the launcher system and selection of firing parameters.
Remote mode: In this mode, a remote control unit carried outside the cabin up to a distance of about 200 m can be used to control the launcher system, the launcher site and to unload the fired rocket pods from the launcher.
Manual mode: All launcher operations including laying of the system and firing are manually controlled. This mode is envisaged in the situations where the microprocessor fails or where there is no power to activate the microprocessor-based operator’s console.
The Pinaka was tested in the Kargil conflict and proved its effectiveness. Since then it has been inducted into the Indian Army and series production has been ordered. The Pinaka MBRL is stated to be cheaper than other systems. It costs Rs 23 million per system compared to the M270 which costs Rs 195 million.
- Salient features
- Use of state-of-the-art technologies for improved combat performance
- Total operational time optimised for shoot & scoot capability
- Cabin pressurisation for crew protection in addition to blast shields
- Microprocessor-based fully automatic positioning and fire control console
- Night vision devices for driver and crew
- Neutralisation/destruction of the exposed troop concentrations, ‘B’ vehicles and other such soft targets
- Neutralisation of enemy guns/rocket locations
- Laying of antipersonnel and antitank mines at a short notice.
- Possesses a family of optimised warheads for high lethality
- Rugged fire control computer for comprehensive control of firing through secure wireless data link
- Automated laying of launchers by powerful microprocessor-based servo drive
- Automatic gun alignment and positioning system (AGAPS) integrated with each launcher for land navigation and launcher orientation
- No separate survey team required for positioning and orientation, making the launcher autonomous
- Fire-direction radar for fire adjustment and enhanced accuracy
- Shoot and scoot capability enables launcher to escape counter battery
- Automated features to enable fast response to call for fire
- Matching mobility and logistics commonality: Common chassis for the family of vehicles constituting the Pinaka weapon system.
Orders
The Pinaka project has been a significant success for the DRDO and its development partners in developing and delivering a state of the art, high value project to the Indian Army's demanding specifications. Whilst DRDO was responsible for the overall design and development, its partners played a significant role in developing important subsystems and components. They include TATA Power Co. Ltd. Strategic Electronic Division (Tata Power SED)and Larsen & Toubro Ltd. to state owned Ordnance Factory Board, for the rockets as well as other private and public firms.
The first Pinaka regiment was raised on February 2000. Each regiment consists of three batteries of six Pinakas each, plus reserves. On March 29, 2006, the Indian Army awarded Tata Power SED and Larsen & Toubro's Heavy Engineering Division a contract worth Rs 200 crore (US $45 million), to produce 40 Pinaka MBRLs each. Tata Power SED declared that it would be delivering the first units within six months. The Indian Army has placed an indent for Pinaka Weapon System worth Rs 1300 crores.
Deployment
The Pinaka will be operated in conjunction with the Indian Army's Firefinder radars and indigenously developed BEL Weapon Locating Radar of which 28 are on order. The Indian Army is networking all its artillery units together with the DRDO's Artillery Command & Control System (ACCS), which acts as a force multiplier. The ACCS is now in series production. The Pinaka units will also be able to make use of the Indian Army's SATA (Surveillance & Target Acquisition) Units which have been beefed up substantially throughout the late 90's, with the induction of the Searcher-1, Searcher-2 and IAI Heron UAVs into the Indian Army, as well as the purchase of a large number of both Israeli made and Indian made Battle Field Surveillance radars. These have also been coupled with purchases of the Israeli LORROS (Long Range Observation and Sighting System) which is a combination of FLIR/CCD system for long range day/night surveillance.
Presently, three regiments of Pinaka have now been inducted by the Army. The Indian Army will induct an additional number of regiments of the Pinaka during its next planning period (2012-2017) as the older Grad MLRS regiments are retired.
Future plans
The Pinaka is in the process of further improvement. Israel Military Industries teamed up with DRDO to implement its Trajectory Correction System (TCS) on the Pinaka, for further improvement of its CEP. This has been trialled and has shown excellent results. The rockets can also be guided by GPS to improve their accuracy. A wraparound microstrip antenna has been developed by DRDO for this system.
While the Pinaka will not be developed further into a larger system, its success and the experience gained from the program has led the ARDE and its partner organizations, to launch a project to develop a long range MBRL in the class of the Smerch MBRL. A 7.2-metre rocket for the Pinaka MBRL, which can reach a distance of 120 km and carry a 250 kg payload. These new rockets can be fired in 44 seconds, have a maximum speed of mach 4.7, rise to an altitude of 40 km before hitting its target at mach 1.8 and can destroy an area of 3.9 sq km. Integrating UAV with the Pinaka is also in the pipeline, as DRDO intends to install guidance systems on these rockets to increase their accuracy. Development and trials will continue and the rocket is expected to enter user trial by 2012.
Specifications
- Range: 7 km - 40 km (4.4 - 26 mi)
- Rocket Diameter: 214 mm (8.42 in)
- Length: 4.95 m (16.24 ft)
- Warhead weight: 100 kg (220 lbs)
- Total weight: 276kg (608 lbs)
Warheads:
- Fragmentation high explosive
- Incendiary
- Anti-Tank and Anti-Personnel minelettes
- Anti-Tank bomblettes
To neutralise different types of targets, monolithic (preformed fragments and incendiary) and submunition (antitank bomblets, antitank and antipersonnel minelets) warheads have been developed. Preformed fragment warheads provide dual-purpose blast-cum-fragmentation effects. These warheads incorporate tungsten balls, which on initiation travel at high speed and cause lethal damage over a large area. The design has been perfected by choice of optimum C/M ratio ensuring higher density of fragments. Incendiary warheads with zirconium-based incendiary compositions spread burning chunks over an area of about 100 m radius with a burning time of 3-4 min. These warheads are effective against POL dumps and other inflammable targets. Antitank bomblets and antitank minelets with capability of penetrating 90 mm and 150 mm armour plates, respectively are in an advanced stage of development.
Fuses
 The following fuses have been developed for Pinaka:
Proximity fuse with set to height of burst equal to 10 m + 2 m and electronic countermeasure feature like anti-jamming frequency hopping; and ET fuse with fuse time settings in steps of 0.1 s, data retention of minimum 2 h, multiple mechanical/electronic safety, and FCC/launcher/manual fuse settings have been developed. Advance controlled variable time (CVT) fuses with anti-jamming features in the form of pseudo random phase modulation technique are in an advanced stage of development.
Rocket
The Pinaka propulsion system consists of flow-formed motor tubes fabricated from high strength special steel and lined with silica phenolic material. High energy composite propellant grain has been specially developed to achieve high thrust and specific impulse. A modified six degrees of freedom (DOFs) trajectory model has been developed and validated over a number of flight trials.
Rockets are loaded into pods making stowage, transport, loading, and unloading easy. The pods are open-frame structures made of special lightweight high-strength aluminium alloy capable of holding six rockets in separate FRP launch tubes.
AGAPS
Automatic Gun Alignment and Positioning System (AGAPS) integrated with Pinaka launcher is a state-of-the-art technology supplied by SAGEM, France. The AGAPS uses a ring laser gyro coupled with accelerometers to form a strap-down inertial sensor. It has one mil accuracy in orientation, fast reaction time, and high-precision fire with improved fire safety. The system is coupled with a global positioning system to provide hybrid land navigation to the launcher. The crew does not need any external help to manage its navigation in the field and to engage targets. It thus obviates the need for pre survey and a separate survey team. It incorporates functions to manage mission preparation through waypoints and itinerary for convenient navigation.
Fire Control Computer (FCC)
The Pinaka FCC in its current configuration operates in essentially stand-alone mode. However, the FCC software code and command structure have been developed to ensure seamless integration with the future digitised battlefield scenarios. Its special features are:
- Trajectory computation using modified six DOFs trajectory computation code
- Separate voice and data radio communication with fire units
- Radio link with DIGICORA for online meteorological data for trajectory computations
- Capability for interface with FDR
- User-friendly man-machine interface
- Computes laying angles and other parameters by deliberating launcher coordinates, target
- coordinates, meteorological data, and rocket data
- Communicates and controls up to eight launchers
- Comprehensive launcher control with capability to stop launcher operations at any time.
Launcher
The Pinaka launcher is a mobile system with capability of laying and launching 12 rockets individually or in programmed ripple-fire mode. The system also has onboard automatic gun alignment and positioning system (AGAPS) to provide navigation and orientation capabilities to the launcher.
- Based on a Kolos Tatra truck for high mobility. The truck is license manufactured by BEML.
- The truck features a central type regulation system; the driver can adjust the tire pressure to suit the terrain for optimum mobility.
- Two rocket pods per launcher, with a total of twelve rockets between them.
- A total of six launchers per battery.
- Launchers are NBC protected, have their own computerized fire control system, and automatic positioning system.
- The Pinaka system and the launchers are designed for shoot and scoot fire missions thanks to the use of an inertial navigation system SIGMA 30
- A battery of six launchers can neutralize an area of roughly 1000 * 800 meters at 40 km range.
- The launcher assembly has electromagnetic elevation and traverse, with traverse being 90º left and right of the centerline and elevation up to 55º
GPS Antenna
 Increased application of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) for navigational aids, necessitated the development of low profile antennas. Two types of low profile antennas, viz., Wraparound Microstrip Antenna for Pinaka Rocket and Quadrifilar Helix Antenna for manpack GPS have been developed by DRDO. The development of GPS antenna for Pinaka, along with its feed network, is a challenging task as it requires antenna to be conformal with the cylindrical body of the rocket. Quadrifilar Helix Antenna is one of the preferred antennas for GPS application owing to its smaller size and cardioid pattern.
Rate of Fire for a complete salvo from a launcher:
- Approximately 44 seconds.
Salvo Reload time
CEP
- 1-2% of range
- Improved substantially when Trajectory Correction System was incorporated.
Friday, 12 March 2010
Written by Blood Wizard
AKASH, developed as a part of Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) initiated by India in 1983, is an all weather medium range surface to air missile system having a multi- directional, multi target area defence capability. The weapon can simultaneously engage several air targets in a fully autonomous mode of operations.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has fully realized and integrated Mark-I Version of Akash Weapon system. DRDL, Hyderabad has been responsible for system integration and missile development, LRDE Banglaore for radar development , R&DE Pune for launcher,CVRDE for Tracked Vehicles, ARDE for Warhead, and HEMRL for Propellants. Extensive tests of the Weapon system have proved the consistency of various sub systems of the flight and ground elements thereby confirming accuracy, robustness and reliability.
The flight and ground elements of the weapon system are integrated in a plug and fight architecture. The hardware and software integration of various weapon system elements permits autonomous management of air defence functions such as programmable surveillance, target detection, target acquisition, tracking, identification, threat evaluation, prioritization, assignment and engagement. The weapon system can simultaneously engage multiple air targets in a fully autonomous mode of operation.Command and control nodes, communication links, self propelled launchers and sensors are integrated to achieve these functionalities. The system is designed to enable integration with other air defence command and control networks through secure communication links. The system is also provided with advanced ECCM Features at various levels. The weapon system is cost effective relative to equivalent systems in the market. The weapon system has cross – country mobility and has air, road and rail deployability.
 The first trial firings occurred in 1990, with the 10th test in September 1998. As of August 2006, the Akash system has been tested 16 times since January 2005, including two crossing targets taken with live warheads. Akash has multiple-targeting handling capacity, with digitally coded command guidance. Demonstration of simultaneous target intercept capability against two live aerial targets was successfully conducted in Nov 2005
Description
 The Akash Weapon System architecture is based on a Group Headquarters and a number of batteries. The system is customized on tracked or wheeled chassis to provide area air defense against multifarious air treats to mobile, semi-mobile and static vulnerable forces and areas. The Akash air defence group sanitizes a large volume of air space over the combat zone. The system can be operated either in the autonomous mode or in the Group Mode. The Akash Group consists of surveillance radars, Control Centres, phased array tracking and missile guidance radars, launchers and ground support equipment.
Surveillance Sensor (3 D CAR) is capable of detecting and tracking aerial targets upto a range of 150kms and altitude of 18 kms. It provides coordinates in three dimensions of upto 200 targets to the Group Control Centre (GCC) through secure communication links. The data is used to cue the weapon control radar.
Control Centers at the group (GCC) and the battery (BCC) have ruggedised computers where real time air picture from various sensors is integrated and data is processed. Decision support software carries out threat
analysis and generates options for commanders. Automated target assignment and launch commands are generated for optional engagement in kill Zone.
C 4 I software specially designed to meet Indian defence requirements, provides fusion of air pictures from various sensors, automatic tracking of air targets, designation of track numbers to different targets, identification of friend or foe, automatic assignment of target to GW batteries, automatic selection of launcher and decision support system for commander for launch and control of missiles. This feature also drastically reduces the requirement of manpower for operation of the system as the complete operations from target detection to engagement are hands free. The advanced battle management software has been extensively field tested under realistic combat development conditions using multiple live targets. The system can also be integrated with legacy or futuristic radars and networks.
Multifunction phased array radar variants have been configured on BMP and T-72 based tracked vehicle. The tracking and missile guidance radar configuration consists of a slewable phased array antenna of more than 4000 elements, spectrally pure TWT transmitter, two stage superhetrodyne correlation receiver for three channels, high speed digital signal processor, real time management computer and a powerful radar data processor. The system has multiple target handling capability from any direction. Each radar can simultaneously engage four targets and guide eight missiles in ripple mode. The radar has advanced ECCM features.
Akash launcher carries three ready to fire Akash missiles. It is interfaced with BCC via line or radio, is fully automatic and remotely controllable, has a microprocessor controlled electromechanical servo system and is capable of checkout and auto launch of the missiles. It has its own built in GTE power source and can also be operated by DC power from housed DC batteries.
The surveillance radar, launcher and control centre have been configured on T-72 and low bed trailer (Wheeled) chassis. Significant customization to user requirements has been incorporated. Akash surface-to-air missile has a launch weight of 720kg, diameter 350mm and a length of 5.8m. Its integral Ram Rocket propulsion provides all the way thrusting to a range of 25-30 km with a velocity of 600-700m/s from 1.5 km onwards. The Ram jet system enables powered intercept, high maneuverability, much higher terminal velocities, high average speed, lesser reaction time, lower flight time and better engagements of receeder targets vis-à-vis boost coast type of missiles. It also has wider no escape zones. The digital autopilot and guidance system are microprocessor based.
The missile has all the way command guidance for full range of operation. The missile uses state-of-art integral ram jet rocket propulsion system and the onboard digital autopilot ensures syability and cintrol. Electro-pneumatic servo actuation system controls cruciform wings for quick response, and thermal batteries provide onboard power supply. The Radio Proximity Fuse has advanced signal processing features. Together with the prefragmented warhead and safety arming mechanism, a high kill probability of maneuvering targets flying upto 600m/s is achieved. The missile has number of safety and abort features ensuring its safe handling and operations. The missiles do not require any maintenance in the field as it is fully integrated in the factory.
Akash Ground Support system is designed for high reliability and maintainability. The system has built in diagnostics and checkout systems with card level fault diagnostics and field replacement. The system has built in simulator for operators training.
OPERATIONAL SCENARIOS
The Akash Group is extremely flexible in employment and deployment. It is best employed as a Group. However, Batteries can be employed on independent tasks if required. This is called the Autonomous Mode. The four Batteries can be deployed in various geometric formations, as suited to the vulnerable area being protected and the extent desired to be sanitized from enemy air threat. Similarly, the Battery can deploy its launchers in a way as to be optimal for target engagement as the threat is perceived ab-initio or as it evolves during combat. Mobility enables quick redeployment and the sensors can be so positioned as to achieve the optimum kill zone.
The Akash Group and Batteries can protect static, semi-mobile as well as mobile assets. These may be critical national assets in the hinterland or large armour formations thrusting into the enemy territory. The GCC and the BCCs must be deployed in a manner, which will provide a clear line of sight (LOS) to the batteries, which may be placed upto a maximum of 30km away from it. This requires the mast of the communication antenna to be raised to the required appropriate height. The 3D CAR antenna vehicle must be placed keeping in mind the screening constraints. The antenna vehicle needs to be aligned accurately by knowing its position and orientation with respect to the north. This information is made available to the CAR computer from ALNS. Care has been taken to align the antenna with the mounting of the ALNS and the system has been calibrated. The leveling of the antenna needs to be accurate in order to avoid any tilt, which would introduce a bias. The BSR is also provided with ALNS to measure its latitude, longitude and orientation with respect to true north. This information is required by both GCC and the computer of the BSR. The BLR is also provided with ALNS to measure its latitude and longitude and orientation with respect to the true north. This information is required by GCC, BCC and BLR computers. The ASPL is a mobile launch system for missiles. It is based on a tracked vehicle and carries three prepared missiles for launch. The equipment operates fully automatically and is remotely controlled by the BCC (Battery Control Center) which may be upto 500m away. Control is effected via radio or line links. ALNS system of ASPL is also connected to its computer.
Akash has an advanced automated functioning capability. The 3D CAR automatically starts tracking targets at a distance of around 150 km providing early warning to the system and operators. The target track information is transferred to GCC. GCC automatically classifies the target. BSR starts tracking targets around a range of 100km. This data is transferred to GCC. The GCC performs multi-radar tracking and carries out track correlation and data fusion. Target position information is sent to the BLR which uses this information to acquire the targets. The BCC which can engage a target(s) from the selected list at the earliest point of time is assigned the target in real time by the GCC. The availability of missiles and the health of the missiles are also taken into consideration during this process. Fresh targets are assigned as and when intercepts with assigned targets are completed. A single shot kill probability of 88% has been achieved by the system taking into consideration various parameters of the sensors, guidance command, missile capabilities and kill zone computations. There are a number of possibilities for deploying Akash weapon system in autonomous mode and in group mode for neutralizing the threat profiles with defined multi-target engagement scenarios. In the Group mode we can have number of configurations to defend vulnerable areas depending upon nature and expected threat pattern, characteristics of threat. Similarly, multiple batteries in autonomous mode can be deployed to defend vulnerable areas/points.
Box configuration
Each battery is placed such that the four BCCs effectively cover the corner of a box of side 62 km. Each battery is defended by the other two adjacent batteries and the GCC is well within the coverage of all the four batteries. Full 360-degree radar coverage can be obtained without slewing the tracking radar. This deployment pattern can defend an area of 62km x 62km.
Linear array configuration
 All the BCCs are arranged in a straight line. GCC can be placed such that the distance between GCC and each BCC never exceeds more than 30km. This type of pattern can defend a coverage zone with maximum length in any direction. It covers an area of 98km x 44km. This deployment pattern can act as air defense support to large extended moving columns.
Trapezoidal configuration
 The placement of batteries is such that they are at the corner of a trapezoid. This pattern gives defense to the largest area as compared to any other pattern of deployment. This pattern can defend an area of size 5000 square km. The Diamond and Semi-circles are other variations that can be adopted.
Within each Battery the launchers can be sited in various configurations. Thus the battery can also adopt the Box, the Linear, the Trapezoid or other geometries
Radars
The Akash Group comprises a set of surveillance radars, one at the Group HQ and the other as part of the Battery. The tracking–cum-guidance radar is only at the Battery level.
 
3D Central Acquisition Radar (3D CAR ) is a long-range surveillance sensor interfaced with the GCC. It provides azimuth, range and height of targets. It is capable of detecting ,tracking and processing more than 200 tracks
The Battery Surveillance Radar (BSR) is a track vehicle based, long range sensor, interfaced with the BCC. It can detect and track upto 40 targets in range and azimuth.
  
The Battery Level Radar (BLR) is a phased array, multi-function sensor interfaced with the BCC. It acquires and tracks upto 20 targets in range, azimuth and height. Slewable and mobile, the BLR also tracks and guides upto eight missiles simultaneously towards the targets assigned by the BCC.
Launchers
 The Army Self-Propelled Launcher (ASPL) is a tracked vehicle carrier, which carries and launches three missiles in succession, if required. It is capable of remote operation from the BCC and needs minimum time for preparation. The launcher is 360 degrees slewable and its arc in elevation is from 6 to 60 degrees.
 The Akash Air Force Launcher (AAFL) is configured on a trailer based mobile vehicle, which can deploy in three ways; the vehicle mode, the trailer mode and the stand-alone mode. It carries three ready to fire missiles and is capable of remote operation. 360 degree slewable, in elevation it can fire from 8 to 75 degrees in all directions depending on the mode of deployment.
The launch platforms are microprocessor driven and controlled through an electro-mechanical servo system. They have there own inbuilt gas turbine engine (GTE) driven power sources.
Missile
 The Akash missile uses an Integral Ram Rocket (IRR) solid propulsion system, which gives it a very high-speed intercept range of 30km. The missile has an all-up weight of 720kg and a length of nearly 6m.The digital on-board command and guidance unit coupled with a highly responsive actuator system, makes the missile highly maneuverable upto 15g loads and a tail chase capability for end game engagement. A digital proximity fuze is coupled with a 55kg pre-fragmented warhead, while the safety arming and detonation mechanism enables a controlled detonation sequence. A self-destruct device is also integrated.
Support Vehicles
To enable the Akash group to perform self-sufficient in the combat zone, a number of supporting specialist vehicles have been designed and developed. They are mobile and field-worthy. Their design is based on the role and task to be performed and the vehicles are accordingly allocated to the Group HQ, the Batteries, Assembly Line Area and the Field maintenance workshop.
Some of the vehicles are:
 the Missile Transportation Vehicle (MTV),
 the Transportation and Loading Vehicle (TLV),
 the Mobile Station for Missile Checkout (MSMC) Vehicle,
 the Power Supply vehicles (GPSV, BPSV),
the Air Compressor Vehicle (ACV), the Engineering Support, Maintenance and Repair vehicles (GEM, BEM) and a few others. These specialist vehicles assemble and prepare missiles, deliver them to Batteries, carry maintenance spares and fuel, and provide logistical engineering support. Their allocation provides for flexibility and self-sufficiency to the whole Akash Group.
Services
Several testing facilities have been set up that ensure high quality design and development of hardware and software products used in the current Akash system. Hence also, the capability to generate upgrades and customized design products. Adequate missile assembly and storage facilities also exist. Both routes for testing are applied; laboratory and field conditions. Consistent performance with high reliability are two of the core objectives. Comprehensive simulation and modeling tools have also been developed and validated.
Production Readiness
The various subsystems have been sourced from private and public industry sources within India. The vendors have been chosen specifically for their mass production capabilities, manpower and quality management systems. This will ensure timely production deliveries. Cost competitiveness of the system with respect to other systems in the field with similar capabilities, has been a primary objective throughout the course of the program.
Life Cycle Support
It is intended to fully exploit the in-house design capability and make a commitment to a pre-planned product improvement program on a continuing basis. This ensures management of obsolescence of components and systems. Improved functionalities will be developed and integrated as per customer requirements. This process enables life cycle support together with the benefit of continuous improvements.
In addition, the Project has a dedicated team of scientists for obtaining feedback and rectification through maintenance support or upgrades. The training team is also available for user training in equipment functionality and technical maintenance. Engineering support packages have been developed for various systems. Our teams are conditioned to closely interact with the users to provide intimate advice, training, and maintenance support and obtain relevant technical feedback for customer satisfaction.
The customer therefore, will have a single window production and support platform.
Status
The weapon system designs have been fine tuned through number of development tests. Extensive field trials of the system were conducted by the services (both Army & Air Force) to include mobility cum performance checks at Pokharan (Rajasthan),in realistic combat conditions in desert terrain, the complete group of Akash Weapon System was fielded and its mobility and functionality assessed. These trials have beencarried out on equipment mounted on modified T-72 chassis. The extensive field trials included post mobility performance assessment and metering of time of into and out of action which is critical for mobile air defence. The rigorous trials have established the ruggedness of various electronic and mechanical packages of the ground systems. Also the response of the Akash weapon system to various air threat scenarios has been assessed in detail. The tests have conclusively proved the combat worthiness of hardware and software integration of Akash weapon system. The immunity of Akash weapon system to electronic countermeasure environment was separately tested and proven at an Indian Air Force base.
User trials to verify the consistency in performance of the total weapon system against low flying near range target, long range high altitude target, crossing and approaching target and ripple firing of two missiles from the same launcher against a low altitude receding target were conducted at ITR, Chandipur during Dec 2007. Akash missile successfully intercepted nine targets in successive launches. Fifth and last trial successfully took place at 2.15pm on 21st Dec at Chandipur on sea in which the Akash missile destroyed an Unmanned Air Vehicle (Lakshya) which was flying a path simulating an air attack.
 A decision to induct Akash Weapon System into Indian Air Force has been taken by the Indian Government. It is believed that an order for Akash Weapon System by IAF has been cleared by Ministry of Defence. Army has also shown some new interest in the system in recent times considering multiple squadrons mounted on T-72 chasis to protect its advance strike formations. The Defense Research and Development Organisation is working on enhancement of the capabilities of Akash Weapon system in its next version as preplanned product improvement.
The various subsystems have been sourced from private and public industry sources within India. The vendors have been chosen specifically for their mass production capabilities, manpower and quality management systems. This will ensure timely production deliveries. Cost competitiveness of the system with respect to other systems in the field, with similar capabilities, has been a primary objective throughout the course of the program.
Contractor
For Development
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
For Production
Bharat Electronics Ltd, Bangalore (Radar and electronic support systems).
Bharat Dynamic Limited, Hyderabad (Missile Systems).
Tata Power Ltd and Larsen & Toubro, Mumbai (Launcher Systems).
Sources :
Saturday, 13 March 2010
Written by Blood Wizard
Haubits 77 (Field Howitzer 77 or FH77) is a Swedish 155 mm howitzer. It was developed and manufactured by Bofors. It was available in two versions, the original (sometimes referred to as Haubits 77 A) with a sliding block mechanism, and the later FH77 B export version with an interrupted screw breech.
Development
In the 1960s Sweden started to look for a replacement for the French Haubits F (Obusier de 155 mm Modèle 50). The American M109 howitzer was offered and tested. Though the price was low the Swedish Arms Administration found the high maintenance costs, the low rate of fire and the not so good mobility of the M109 made it worth the effort to develop a domestic howitzer.
The requirements for a new gun would be:
- High mobility.
- High momentary rate of fire.
The result was a compromise between a more expensive Self propelled howitzer and a less mobile conventional towed howitzer.
The FH77 was the first field howitzer featuring an APU to make it self-propelled for tactical movement.
The rate of fire was, at the time, exceptionally high for a 155 mm howitzer. The FH77 could fire 3 rounds in 8 seconds, or 6 rounds in 25 seconds. In a sustained firing role it could fire 6 rounds every second minute for 20 minutes.
FH77B
Though the haub 77 was a formidable gun it seemed impossible to export. There were two reason for this:
The maximum elevation was limited to 50°.
It did not use NATO ammunition.
Therefore Bofors developed a new version - the FH 77B. The main difference was that the B-model used a servo operated interrupted screw breech, instead of the sliding block action on the FH 77. The maximum elevation had been increased from 50° to 70°. The barrel is slightly longer, 39 calibres, and uses a single baffle muzzle brake as opposed to the pepper-pot style muzzle brake on the 77. The engine was a Mercedes diesel. Since the B-version used bagged charges it was somewhat slower than the original model - 3 rounds in 10 seconds compared to 3 rounds in less than 8 seconds. The maximum range, on the other hand, was increased to 24km and using base-bleed extended to 28km.
Nigeria bought 48 pieces in 1980 and in March 1986 India ordered 410 of the Bofors FH 77B. The Indian also got a contract option for additionally 1,100 howitzers.
Soon after the $1.4 billion contract with India had been signed two Swedish left-wing journalists reviled that Bofors had paid kickbacks to Indian public servants. As a result of this India declined to exercise their option on the second batch. A decision India has had all reasons to regret, as the FH 77B proved it self to be accurate, reliable and durable.
Bofors, who had been self-assured enough to start the production of the second batch, found them self with some 50 howitzers but no buyer. The Swedish government stepped in and forced the Army to purchase 51 of the B-model.
Specifications
- Name: 15,5 cm Haubits 77
- Type: Howitzer
- Nation: Sweden
- Manufacturer: Bofors
- Target: General
- Date: 1978
- Production Date: 1978 - 1984
- Service Date: 1978 - 2006
- Numbers Built: 720
- Operators:
 Sweden - Approximately 220 FH77 delivered to the Swedish Army between 1979 and 1984. Nigeria - 48 FH77B purchased in 1980. India - 410 FH77B purchased in 1986. Option to license-produce 1000 examples was not exercised.
- Breech: Vertically sliding breech block, hydraulic ramming
- Barrel:5.89 m (19.32 ft) 38 calibres
- Elevation: -5 to +50°
- Traverse: ±30°
- Caliber: 155×787 mm (6.10 in)
- Carriage: Split trail with castor wheels
- Weight: 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs)
- Length: 11.6 m (38 ft)
- Shell Types: Se below
- Action: Semi-fixed ammunition, propellant charge is contained in a plastic cartridge case with a steel head.
- Muzzle velocity: 300 - 770 m/s (984-2,526 ft/s)
- Tactical range: 21 km (13 mi)
- Maximum range: 24 km (15 mi) (with base bleed)
- Rate of Fire: 3 rounds in 8 seconds or 6 rounds in 25 seconds, sustained fire 6 rounds every minute for 20 minutes
- Crew: 10 - 14
- Transportation: Self deployable with APU and towed using Scania SBAT111
- Miscellaneous: Perforated muzzle brake
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Facts FH77B
- Length: 12:01 m
- Width: 2.6m
- Height: 2.8m
- Weight: 12 200 kg
- Caliber: 155 mm
- Caliber: 6045 mm (39 caliber X)
- Rate of fire: 4skott/24sec
- Max bulkhead aperture: 27.3 kilometers (SGR 77BB)
- Mechanism: Screw Mechanism
- Directional / Navigation: Pos2
- Engine: Mercedes-616 918 on a straight 4-cyl
- Fuel: Diesel
- Tank capacity: 40L. Two 20L Jeep-cans in position in front is the place
- Propulsion: Hydraulic drive with one motor per drive wheel
- Brake system: Compressed air with drum brakes
- Maximum speed: self-driving: 7-8 km / h
- Max spin speed: 70 km / h
- Electrical System: 24 V
- Quantity: 50 pc
- Manufacturer: Bofors AB
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Facts FH77A
- Length: 11.3 m
- Width: 2.6m
- Height: 2.8m
- Weight: 11 500 kg
- Caliber: 155 mm
- Eldrörslängd: 5890 mm (38 x caliber)
- Rate of fire: 3 rounds / 8 sec
- Max GUNSHOT: 21 km (SGR 77), 24 km (base flow)
- Mechanism: Vertical wedge
- Reticle: RIA-sight (some modified with POS 2 for training purposes)
- Engine: Volvo B20A
- Fuel: Gasoline
- Tank capacity: 40L. Two 20L Jeep-cans in position in front of target location
- Propulsion: Hydraulic drive with one motor per drive wheel
- Brake system: Compressed air with drum brakes
- Maximum speed: self-driving: 6 km / h
- Max spin speed: 70 km / h
- Electrical System: 24 V
- Number: XX pc
- Manufacturer: Bofors AB
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Ammunition
The FH77 uses the m/77 (42kg) 155mm HE shell combined with a plastic casing, containing 6 increments. The FH77 could also use base bleed ammunition developed for the FH77B.
APU
The FH77 is powered by a Volvo B20 petrol engine. The engine is connected to three hydraulic pumps. Two pumps are linked to the wheels and one is used for traverse, elevation, ramming and ammunition crane.
Crew
The crew consists of 10-14 men. The minimum crew setup would be 5 men; commander, layer, loader 1, loader 2 and loader 3.
- The commander direct all the activity of the crew from a platform to the left of the gunlayer.
- The layer sits on the left hand side of the gun, operating the fire control computer and driving the howitzer when in self deployment mode.
- Loader 1 is located to the right hand side of the gun and is in charge of supplying the shells form the loading table in front of him.
- Loader 2 and 3 would be working on the ground, providing shells to loader 1 by means of a hydraulic crane and loading cases in the loading trough.
Driving & Deploying
The dedicated towing vehicle for the FH77 was the Scania SBAT111 (Tgb 40). The truck is equipped with a crew compartment behind the driving cab and a HIAB-crane for ammunition handling. The Howitzer's APU can be started and controlled by the driver of the towing vehicle to give an extra boost during off road driving. The maximum towing speed is 70 km/h (45 mph).
The FH77 is maneuvered by controlling the torque of the two main wheels. Speed is regulated by changing the RPM of the APU. The howitzer is deployed by spreading the trail legs, raising the castor wheels and drive the howitzer in reverse.
Source
http://www.soldf.com/fh77.html
FH77 Howitzer of the Indian Army
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