Indian, Russian rockets test-fired successfully

youngindian

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Indian, Russian rockets test-fired successfully




First Published : 23 Jun 2009 11:45:58 AM IST
Last Updated : 23 Jun 2009 12:52:41 PM IST


BALASORE: Barely a month before the fresh test of India’s most powerful nuclear capable ballistic missile Agni-III, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully tested a series of Indian and Russian rocket systems from a defence base off Orissa coast.

The 3,500-km range Agni-III missile is all set to be tested for the forth time by the end of July. The indigenously built multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) ‘Pinaka’ system and Russia-made ‘Smearch’ Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) were tested last week from the Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) test range, a part of DRDO, at Chandipur-on-sea, 15 km from Balasore.

“The tests were conducted between Monday and Friday. While 16 rounds of Smearch rockets were fired, 18 rounds of Pinaka rockets were tested and all the tests yielded desired results,” a scientist involved with the project said today. The tests were conducted by the PXE scientists while the technical staff of the integrated test range (ITR) provided strategic support. The tests termed as sample tests were aimed to assess the stability of the rockets in flight as well as accuracy and consistency.

Defence sources said, the Pinaka MBRL, which is also known as the Weapon Area System (WAS), can fire rockets with a range of 39-40 km and also can launch 12 rockets with 1.2 tonne of high explosives within 40 seconds. It is capable of acting as a force-multiplier and can gradually replace the current artillery system.

“The indigenous Pinaka can neutralise a target area of 350 sq km and is meant to supplement the existing artillery system at a range beyond 30 km. Its quick reaction time and high rate of fire provide the Army an edge during low-intensity war-like situations. The unguided rocket system put on trial here could be used to neutralise a higher geographical area with its salvo of rockets,” the scientist said. On the other hand, the Smearch tests were conducted both in solo and salvo mode by the DRDO scientists and the rocket target acquisition unit of Army.

The Russian Smearch MLRS is the most powerful and the perfect in the world. It is intended to defeat live power, destroy armoured vehicles, fortifications and command centres in 20-70-km range. “Smearch launch vehicle can fire 12 rockets at a time. It is able to fire single rockets, or salvo from two to all 12 rockets. Full salvo lasts 38 seconds. While the diameter of the launcher is about 300 mm, the rocket’s diameter is 214 mm,” said a defence scientist. “It also has the capability of launching surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles. The system can be integrated with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to provide a new dimension to artillery defence system,” he added.
 

Sridhar

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so no need for any new artillery deals , can we manage with these in difficult terrains.
 

p2prada

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so no need for any new artillery deals , can we manage with these in difficult terrains.
Artillery is more important. Especially the 155mm ones. They are more accurate and cheaper at the same time. You cant do precision strikes with present generation rockets.
 

Sridhar

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I read in a Article that Trajectory correction systems have been developed and tested by DRDO. They should increase their Accuracy at least.
 

p2prada

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I read in a Article that Trajectory correction systems have been developed and tested by DRDO. They should increase their Accuracy at least.
Yes, its being developed with Israeli Military Industries. A new Pinaka system is in the pipeline too. It will have a range of 120km and a 250kg warhead. The AOE will be huge. Also, a UAV link will help. DRDO is working on both TCS and UAV. So, accuracy will be way better.:)
 

p2prada

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It is capable of acting as a force-multiplier and can gradually replace the current artillery system.
From the Article.

Capability wise, the scientist is right. But economically, its not viable.

Future wars is a war of attrition. Losing a small number of Pinakas hurt more than losing a large number of 155mm guns. In modern warfare, both are required.

105, 125 and 155mm guns can be transported quickly, hidden effectively and will not fail us in dire need(they never have). I cannot say the same about the Pinaka.
 

Singh

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From the Article.

Capability wise, the scientist is right. But economically, its not viable.

Future wars is a war of attrition. Losing a small number of Pinakas hurt more than losing a large number of 155mm guns. In modern warfare, both are required.

105, 125 and 155mm guns can be transported quickly, hidden effectively and will not fail us in dire need(they never have). I cannot say the same about the Pinaka.
India is shifting all artillery to 155mm levels. What we need rather than field guns, is mobile and self propelled artillery like Singaporean Pegasus and French Caesar.
 

Singh

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A few of these too.

PzH 2000 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

They will look good next to our T-90s and Arjuns.
Some options we have

Heavy weight tracked chasis
Pzh2000
Polish AS-90 based on t-72 hulls
AS-90 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

light weight tracked chasis
IsraeliRascal
Rascal Light Self Propelled Howitzer - Army Technology
German AGM based on Pzh2000
Artillery Gun Module (AGM) Medium Weight Self Propelled Howitzer - Army Technology

Wheeled light weight
Israeli atmos
Atmos 2000 155mm Self-Propelled Artillery System - Army Technology
French Caesar weighing 18.5 tons
Caesar 155mm Self-Propelled Artillery System - Army Technology

Wheeled Heavy weight
Swedish Archer
Archer FH77 BW L52 Self-Propelled Howitzer, Sweden - Army Technology
South African G6
G6 155mm Self Propelled Howitzer - Army Technology

mobile chopper transportable light weight fixed guns
Pegasus (ordered)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SLWH_Pegasus
M777
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M777_howitzer
 

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