Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System

Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)
ATAGS during firing trials
TypeTowed Howitzer
Place of originIndia
Service history
Used bySee Users
Production history
DesignerArmament Research and Development Establishment
Tata Advanced Systems
Kalyani Strategic Systems
Designed2013-2017
ManufacturerBharat Forge
Tata Advanced Systems[1]
Produced2019
Specifications
Mass18 tonnes (18 long tons; 20 short tons)[2]
Barrel length8060 mm
Crew6-8
Caliber155 mm/52 Cal
ActionAuto gun alignment and positioning
BreechScrew type
RecoilElectro-rheological/Magneto-rheological
ElevationServo based, -3/+75°
TraverseServo based, +/-25°, 25 m diameter
Rate of fire
  • Burst: 5 rounds in 60 sec
  • Intense: 10 rounds in 2 min 30 sec
  • Sustained: 60 rounds in 60 min
Effective firing range48.074 km[3]
Maximum firing range48.074 km (using High Explosive Base Bleed ammunition)[4][5]
60 km+ (using Ramjet Propelled Artillery Shell, under development)[6]
Feed systemElectrically operated ammunition handling
SightsThermal sight Gunners display
Maximum speed With towing vehicle 80 kmph, Self propelled 12kmph with 95kw APU [7]

The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)[8] is a towed 155 mm/52 calibre howitzer that is being developed for the Indian Army by Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Tata Advanced Systems and Kalyani Strategic Systems.[9]

Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems are manufacturing partners.[10]

Development

Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)

The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) project was started in 2013 by DRDO to replace older guns in service in the Indian Army with a modern 155mm artillery gun.[11] DRDO laboratory Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) partnered with private players Bharat Forge, Mahindra Defence Naval System, Tata Power SED and public sector unit Advanced Weapons and Equipment India for this purpose.[12]

With ARDE as the nodal laboratory, development is being assisted by Instruments Research and Development Establishment (IRDE), Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE), Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), and Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory (DEAL).[13] It was part of the Development cum Production Partner programme (DCPP) of DRDO.[14]

The development of the gun took about 4 years and is expected to be complete by March 2017. The delay in completion of the project was attributed to realization of ordnance and recoil system and supply issue with manufacturing of sub-systems. The gun is expected to start user trials in 2017 and production is expected to start in 2019.[15][16][17][18]

It was first publicly showcased at 68th Republic Day parade on 26 January 2017.[19] For the first time, an indigenously developed howitzer gun, the ATAGS was included in the 21 gun salute alongside the British origin 25-pounder as part of the 76th Independence day celebrations. Two howitzer were included in the battery that fired the 21 gun salute.[20] ATAGS is being fast-tracked by Indian Army for induction as of 27 September 2022.[21]

Design

The gun consists of a barrel, breech mechanism, muzzle brake and recoil mechanism to fire 155 mm calibre ammunition with a firing range of 48 km. It has an all-electric drive to ensure reliability and minimum maintenance over a long period of time. It has advanced features like high mobility, quick deployability, auxiliary power mode, advanced communication system, automatic command and control system with night capability in direct-fire mode.[16] The gun is two tons lighter than guns in the same category and is designed to provide better accuracy and range and is capable of firing five successive rounds in short duration.

It is compatible with C3I systems like Artillery Combat Command and Control System (ACCCS) called Shakti for technical fire control, fire planning, deployment management, operational logistics management of the Indian Army.[22][23]

Ramjet Propelled Artillery Shell

IIT Madras along with IIT Kanpur, ARDE and Research Centre Imarat (RCI) are working on redesigning an existing 155 mm shell using ramjet propulsion that can cover 60 km+ range. It will be made compatible with ATAGS. The shell will use precision guidance kit for trajectory correction. IIT Madras will ensure that Munitions India can manufacture the shells.[6]

155 mm Smart Artillery Shell

IIT Madras is working with Munitions India to develop 155 mm Smart Artillery Shells with a CEP of less than 10 meters that are compatible with firing from ATAGS without the need for modification. Utilizing fin stabilization, canard control, and a three-mode fuse operation, the shell will be guided by NavIC satellites. Its range will be 8 km at minimum and 38 km at maximum.[24]

Trials

  • DRDO conducted the proof firing of armament for the 155/52 calibre Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System on 14 July 2016. The test was successful.[25]
  • Fully integrated, 155-millimeter artillery gun fired its first rounds of live ammunition at the Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) in Balasore, Odisha on 14 December 2016.[26]
  • During trials in 2017, ATAGS broke the then world record for 155 mm/52 calibre gun by firing the round to a distance of 47.2 kilometres. It again registered a maximum distance of 48.074 kilometres with high explosive–base bleed (HE–BB) ammunition, surpassing the maximum ranges fired by any artillery gun system in this category.[5][4]
  • The gun successfully completed trials and the manufacturing of first lot of 40 guns is to start soon.[27]
  • The gun underwent user trials in September 2020 and suffered a major setback with a barrel burst injuring four personnel. Investigations are on to ascertain and solve the problem[28][29][30] and in November 2020, after an investigation the gun was cleared for further trials
  • In June 2021, ATAGS successfully completed trials at 15,000 feet (4,600 m) altitude.
  • On May 2, 2022, the ATAGS successfully completed all field trials, paving way for induction into Army.

Variants

  • ATAGS - Towed by a High Mobility Vehicle (HMV)[31]
  • MGS - It equips ATAGS on an eight-wheeled HMV developed by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML).[32][33]

Users

ATAGS operators as of 2023
  •  Armenia - 84 guns on order in August 2023[34] with 6 delivered in September 2023.[35] They will replace D-30 and 2A65 howitzers in Armenian service.[36]

Potential Users

  •  India - The Indian Ministry of Defence has received a proposal worth over $1 Billion from the Indian Army for the purchase of 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS).[37] The ATAGS are planned to be deployed at the borders with China and Pakistan.[38]

See also

References

  1. ^ "India's Two Private Firms Win $4.5 Billion Contract To Develop Artillery Gun Systems". Defense Mirror. 26 January 2017. Archived from the original on 20 October 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  2. ^ "Trials of advanced artillery gun begin in Pokhran range". The Times of India. 27 May 2019. Archived from the original on 20 June 2019.
  3. ^ Aero India (PDF).
  4. ^ a b Peri, Dinakar (15 September 2017). "Indigenous artillery gun sets new record in range". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024.
  5. ^ a b Shukla, Ajai (5 September 2017). "World-record 'gun salute' to incoming defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017.
  6. ^ a b MP, Sidharth (21 February 2020). "IIT-M working on next-gen Ramjet-powered 155mm artillery shells for Indian Army". WION. Archived from the original on 21 September 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  7. ^ "ATAGS specifications". Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited.
  8. ^ https://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/sites/default/files/technology-focus-documrnt/TF_Aug2023.pdf
  9. ^ Kajal, Kapil (19 October 2022). "Defexpo 2022: DRDO unveils indigenous ATAGS". Janes. Archived from the original on 7 November 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  10. ^ https://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/sites/default/files/technology-focus-documrnt/TF_Aug2023.pdf
  11. ^ Shukla, Ajai (29 July 2010). "155-mm gun contract: DRDO enters the fray". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023.
  12. ^ "ATAGS to be ready for user trial by early 2017: DRDO". The Economic Times. 14 July 2018. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  13. ^ Kulkarni, Sushant. "Explained: What is ATAGS, the indigenous howitzer used in Independence Day 21-gun salute?". The Indian Express. Pune. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  14. ^ "DRDO opens up missile production partnership for Indian private sector". The Times of India. 6 April 2021. Archived from the original on 6 April 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  15. ^ Singh, Danvir (13 March 2016). "Dhanush 155mm Artillery Gun: A "Make in India" Marvel". Indian Defence Review. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  16. ^ a b "DRDO Embarked Major Success in Advanced Artillery Gun System". Government of India Press Information Bureau. 14 July 2017. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  17. ^ "Projects of DRDO". Government of India Press Information Bureau. 25 November 2016. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  18. ^ Gady, Franz-Stefan (15 July 2016). "India Successfully Tests New Advanced Artillery Gun System". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  19. ^ "Make in India: DRDO takes pride in ATAGS, to be showcased at Republic Day parade". DNA India. 25 January 2017. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023.
  20. ^ Vats, Anushka (15 August 2022). "Explained: ATAGS, The Made-In-India Howitzer Used For 21-Gun Salute On Independence Day 2022". Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  21. ^ Philip, Snehesh Alex (27 September 2022). "China threat in mind, Army to order another 100 K9 Vajra howitzers from L&T, more to follow". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 12 April 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  22. ^ "Year End Review – 2016". Government of India Press Information Bureau. 31 December 2016. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  23. ^ Dighe, Sandip (26 January 2017). "ARDE's gun set to be on display at parade today - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 28 April 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  24. ^ MP, Sidharth (5 February 2024). "IIT-M and Munitions India to develop smart ammo for 155mm artillery guns". WION. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  25. ^ "DRDO's 155 mm x 52 calibre advanced towed artillery gun test fired successfully". Financial Express. 14 July 2016. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  26. ^ Ajai, Shukla (15 December 2016). "Indian gun booms in world's biggest artillery programme". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024.
  27. ^ Banerjee, Ajay (7 February 2018). "Army to get 40 artillery guns made by DRDO". The Tribune. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023.
  28. ^ Krishnan M, Anantha (16 February 2020). "Youngsters can power India into a defence technology leader". OnManorama. Archived from the original on 17 February 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  29. ^ Singh, Lt. Gen. J P (1 October 2020). "ATAGS- A forward step towards Atamnirbharta in defence". The Financial Express. Archived from the original on 28 April 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  30. ^ Pubby, Manu (26 September 2020). "indigenous artillery gun may go back to drawing board after barrel burst". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020.
  31. ^ "Can ATAGS Give India's Military A Much-needed Boost? The Answer Is Yes". Forbes India. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  32. ^ Kajal, Kapil (1 December 2022). "DRDO tests mounted gun system". Janes. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  33. ^ Shukla, Ajai (19 October 2022). "MGS, Light Tank, WhaP: DRDO presents 3 'Make in India' successes at DefExpo". Business Standard India. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  34. ^ "Armenia's New Indian Weaponry". Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty.
  35. ^ "India sends ATAGS to Armenia -". 14 September 2023.
  36. ^ Sharma, Ritu (9 March 2024). "Armenia Orders Indian Artillery Guns Amid Azerbaijan Tensions; May Acquire ATAGS Before Indian Army - Reports". Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  37. ^ Correspondent, D. C. (2 March 2023). "Indian Army to buy 307 ATAGS howitzers for deployment along China, Pak border". www.deccanchronicle.com. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  38. ^ Dubey, Ajit K (1 March 2023). "Indian Army to buy 307 ATAGS howitzers for deployment along China, Pak border". ANI News. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
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