Arjun Catapult artillery system

[Abhi9]

http://tarmak007.blogspot.in/2014/01/drdo-to-unveil-catapult-gun-system.html

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is all set to unveil a 130 mm self-propelled gun system, built based on the Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT) MK-1 chassis.

Developed by the DRDO lab Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), the Arjun Catapult Gun System is likely to be displayed in public for the first time during the Defexpo India-2014, to be held in Delhi from February 6-9, subject to security clearance.

CVRDE director P Sivakumar told Express on Wednesday that the catapult would feature advanced technologies of Arjun MBT automotive system, along with the 130 mm (SP) M-46 gun system.

"It offers the users a self-propelled system with excellent fire power, high mobility and required protection. The catapult will meet the interim and immediate requirements arising out of the replacement of two regiments holding Vijayanta Catapult Guns, by extending the life of 130 mm guns," he said.

Tipped as the fastest project of the DRDO, the Arjun Catapult had its first field development trials in November 2012, four months after receiving the order from the Army.

The project cost is estimated at `15 crore. The gun and related ordnance systems for the catapult are being supplied by the Army. The CVRDE has developed one catapult for user evaluation trials. A user-assisted General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQR ) trial of the system is likely to to be held at the Pokharan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan during April-May.

Some new features of Arjun MBT MK-II being incorporated into the catapult systems will also be evaluated during the crucial GSQR trials.

The Army is expected to place an order for 40 catapult gun systems.

"The catapult can engage enemy artillery systems, heavy tanks and mortars. It can annihilate enemy manpower and tanks at their concentration area. It can also destroy permanent earth defensive installations and other strong field type fortifications, in addition to shelling enemy rear installations," said K Sreethar, Head – Artillery, CVRDE.

He said the Arjun Catapult has better stability, accuracy and consistency. "The gun barrel is mainly used to engage in indirect fire up to a maximum range of 27.4 km. It can also be fired directly on targets up to 1.4 km range. It can be fired at various angles of elevation as well. The catapult has STANAG Level II protection (a NATO standardisation agreement) for the crew. It has low silhouette and has integrated fire fighting detection and suppression system," he added. Ergonomics using anthropometric data of Indian troops has been kept in view while designing the fighting and engine compartments. Embedded with a global positioning system, it would also feature night vision devices for both the driver and the commander.

 

[Abhi9]

 

[Shaitan]

They didnt change a damn thing from the original Catapult.

 

[Lions Of Punjab]

Few more Images :- Tarmak007 -- A bold blog on Indian defence: DRDO to unveil catapult gun system built on Arjun MBT Mk-I chassis | First public display likely at Defexpo | GSQR trials in May

 

[sayareakd]

They didnt change a damn thing from the original Catapult.

Trial is about Arjun chassis, it is not about gun. They are testing if it can take the punishment of artillery gun. Once it is clear then they can move to any gun they want like South Korean artillery guns.

 

[hitesh]

Trial is about Arjun chassis, it is not about gun. They are testing if it can take the punishment of artillery gun. Once it is clear then they can move to any gun they want like South Korean artillery guns.

Did't they test the chassis when they developed Bhem which was way more heavier and bigger gun then 130mm .The arjun chassis is of heavy class tank it should not have any problem on artillery gun.

Do IA have plan to utilize the T70 chassis to be used for such purpose once thy are phased out as MBT

 

[sayareakd]

Did't they test the chassis when they developed Bhem which was way more heavier and bigger gun then 130mm .The arjun chassis is of heavy class tank it should not have any problem on artillery gun.

Do IA have plan to utilize the T70 chassis to be used for such purpose once thy are phased out as MBT

that is not T70 but T72 tanks chassis, DRDO also used T72 chassis for similar trial and it was found that T72 can't take the weight.

You are right about Bhem, may be they just send the Arjun chassis to South Africa and then gun was put on it, when the company was blacklisted they took back their gun.

 

[Immanuel]

Hope this one proves itself in trials, IA has 400 M-46 guns and I think they all can be retrofitted onto the Arjun, 400 of Catapults would be some truly mobile firepower. Apart from few M-777 type towed light guns for a mountain artillery regiments, I think all of IA should more more towards, Tata's truck mounted and self propelled guns. Mobilily is key in today's battle field

 

[sayareakd]

Hope this one proves itself in trials, IA has 400 M-46 guns and I think they all can be retrofitted onto the Arjun, 400 of Catapults would be some truly mobile firepower. Apart from few M-777 type towed light guns for a mountain artillery regiments, I think all of IA should more more towards, Tata's truck mounted and self propelled guns. Mobilily is key in today's battle field

sir not just mobility we need auto loader guns with all the other things develop by OFB including BMS so that guns can operate in network centric environment and MRSI capability.

 

[Dinesh_Kumar]

Muzzle Brake of the guns shown above is different:

> Perforated Muzzle Brake in one of them
> Baffle Plate Muzzle Brake on Desert Catapult Firing Shell.

Maybe different models of 130 mm Gun ?

 

[hitesh]

DRDO also used T72 chassis for similar trial and it was found that T72 can't take the weight.

But Russian were able to use same T72/T90 chassis for there heavier 155mm SPGH


May be DRDO trying to sell there arjun chassis

 

[Phantom]

Better these than nothing for the Army. Since both the gun and the chassis are proven platforms already, this should be a straight winner.

But in this case, I would take any DRDO claims of 'advanced' or 'state of the art' with a dollop of salt.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Such chassis are not recommended for such use ..

===========

Before getting suspicion over your own, Look at the logic you are putting .. ====>>

1. T-72 chassis are no longer produce in country, What T-72 chassis are in use were produced back in late 90s or imported..

2. Using a older chassis with such a gun will reduce its life quickly and the T-72 chassis made by OFB are not for SPGH but for tanks ( Russian use highly modified T-72 chassis for MSTA SPGH ),

3. If imported its cost will be higher than National Arjun Chassis ..

4. Using heavy loads on T-72 chassis will increase its ground pressure more , Arjun Chassis have better suspension so does Wider and with lower ground pressure ..

But Russian were able to use same T72/T90 chassis for there heavier 155mm SPGH

May be DRDO trying to sell there arjun chassis

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Pictures >>

==================

The next thing, IA must look for TATA & Denel 155mm combination with Arjun chassis ..

 

[sivachandan]

How this Gun turns left right ? does the whole tank chassis need to be moved for it .

good observation ....i been thinking the same and i think it needs to turn the whole thing

 

[Kunal Biswas]

You do understand term ' Traverse ' right ?

As this system does not have a turret the chassis need to be moved but, It has Traverse ability to some 15 degrees both sides ..

good observation ....i been thinking the same and i think it needs to turn the whole thing

 

[AVERAGE INDIAN]

@sivachandan @hitesh

Traverse the lateral movement of a gun about a pivot or on a carriage to change direction of .Gun laying means moving the axis of the bore of the barrel in two planes, horizontal and vertical. A gun is traversed rotated in a horizontal plane to align it with the target, and elevated moved in the vertical plane to range it to the target.

@Kunal Biswas bhai hope they understand if they need please simplify it more

 

[AVERAGE INDIAN]

 

[venkat]

The gunner should have bullet proof cabin instead of sunshade!!!!

 

[hitesh]

@sivachandan @hitesh

Traverse the lateral movement of a gun about a pivot or on a carriage to change direction of .Gun laying means moving the axis of the bore of the barrel in two planes, horizontal and vertical. A gun is traversed rotated in a horizontal plane to align it with the target, and elevated moved in the vertical plane to range it to the target.

@Kunal Biswas bhai hope they understand if they need please simplify it more

even this thing can rotate on its pivot .Arjun already has use turret system for tank they could have modified it .If i am not wrong this is the same gun used on vijayanta tank chassis .What is use of a tank if you can't protect the gun crew .
how they are utilizing the tanks inner compartment .
Iam not criticizing this solutions but questions arise in my mind as our IA crew would be using it.