The 52 Caliber Juggernauts
BY ADMIN AT 27 DECEMBER, 2010, 1:47 PM
SOURCE : Dinakar Peri security Editorial Panel For Security Magazine (Idrw.org Magazine)
In the next few months feverish activity is expected in the 52 caliber 155 mm howitzers trails and related decision making process.
Either it is possible that blacklisted firms that were offering these guns may be brought back into the trail process or DRDO which has been pitching its case with its ability to build a 155 mm 52 caliber gun for Indian army as per its specifications, may be given the go ahead. Some of the blacklisted firms include Rheinmetall of Germany; Israel Military Industries (IMI) and Soltam of Israel and Denel of South African.
It may be known that in August the MoD canceled trials of 2 guns, namely the Singapore Technologies Kinetics (STK) gun IFH-2000 and BAE Systems gun FH-77B-05, a improved version of the Bofors gun (410 No's of which were bought in mid 80s) consequent of the CBI announcing that STK and OFB official Sudipta Ghosh were found conniving. That left only the Bofors gun in contention, which MoD considered a not so suitable situation for gun selection since the FH-77B-05 is a remnant of the Bofors bogey that has embarrassed congress governments in the past due to Bofors Scam and Indian Army's dream to get new guns has been delayed incessantly.
Either the GoI formulates a policy where even a blacklisted company should be allowed to participate in weapon trails with money kept in escrow till charges are cleared and if found guilty then getting them to pay up fine in one or other way. However whatever happens there are some questions that need to be answered about the 52 caliber guns. The following are the questions and relevant answers.
Q1. The 52 caliber guns fire heavier shells. So just how much heavy are these shells from the 39 caliber ones, and what will be their range compared to the 39s on a/c of weight.
Answer 1: 155mm/39 cal HE shell weighs 42 kg. 155mm/52 caliber shell weighs approximately 50 kgs. The range for 155mm/39 calibers to be more specific tactical range is 21 kms with maximum range of 27.4 km with base bleed projectiles. On the other hand the tactical range for 155mm/52 calibers is 30 km with standard shells, 40 km with base-bleed, 60 km with Excalibur. The 155mm/52 Caliber fires to longer distances due to its longer barrel. A 52 caliber gun barrel (155 x 52= 8.06 m) when compared with the 155 mm/39 caliber (155 x 39=6.04 m) is about 2 meters longer.
Q2. Some reports say the 52 caliber guns are ideally suited for coastal batteries, with only a few countries including Singapore (effectively a city state surrounded by water) having opted for these. So is it really viable for India to try these 52s.
Answer 2: Yes India does need long range artillery guns capable of firing heavy shells over longer distances. For example, while the 155 mm/39 caliber holds command over 1400 sq. km of battle space; the 155 mm/52 caliber can hold command over 11000 sq. km of battle space considering its maximum range and considering that battle space coverage is of significant importance for any country in any terrain.
Q3. Since these 52 caliber guns fire heavier shells, won't it need reworking the metallurgy at OFB units with regard to fuse, artillery shell and explosives?
Answer 3: Indeed the ammunition will be specially designed for 155mm/52 caliber guns. Fuse is not a problem it can be adapted to any caliber. Fuses like DA-162 and T&P 213 Mk V are used both for 81mm and 120mm mortars ammunition. In the case of metallurgy of barrels, everything remains same except that 52 caliber barrels will wear out faster than 39 caliber barrels.
Q4. Will this cancellation lead in revival of the BHIM Project?
Answer 4: While the Bhim project concerns the development of 155mm 52 caliber Self Propelled Howitzers on Arjun Tank Chassis. As per reports from Defexpo-2010, it has been revived but nothing else is known
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