Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) | |
---|---|
Type | Towed Howitzer |
Place of origin | India |
Service history | |
Used by | See Users |
Production history | |
Designer | Armament Research and Development Establishment Tata Advanced Systems Kalyani Strategic Systems |
Designed | 2013-2017 |
Manufacturer | Bharat Forge Tata Advanced Systems[1] |
Produced | 2019 |
Specifications | |
Mass | 18 tonnes (18 long tons; 20 short tons)[2] |
Barrel length | 8060 mm |
Crew | 6-8 |
Caliber | 155 mm/52 Cal |
Action | Auto gun alignment and positioning |
Breech | Screw type |
Recoil | Electro-rheological/Magneto-rheological |
Elevation | Servo based, -3/+75° |
Traverse | Servo based, +/-25°, 25 m diameter |
Rate of fire |
|
Effective firing range | 48.074 km[3] |
Maximum firing range | 48.074 km (using High Explosive Base Bleed ammunition)[4][5]
60 km+ (using Ramjet Propelled Artillery Shell, under development)[6] |
Feed system | Electrically operated ammunition handling |
Sights | Thermal sight Gunners display |
Maximum speed | With towing vehicle 80 kmph, Self propelled 12kmph with 95kw APU [7] |
The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) 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.[8] Bharat Forge, Tata Advanced Systems and Advanced Weapons and Equipment India are manufacturing partners.
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.[9] 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.[10] 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).[11] It was part of the Development cum Production Partner programme (DCPP) of DRDO.[12]
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.[13][14][15][16]
It was first publicly showcased at 68th Republic Day parade on 26 January 2017.[17] 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.[18] ATAGS is being fast-tracked by Indian Army for induction as of 27 September 2022.[19]
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.[14] 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.[20][21]
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]