India's Next-Gen Artillery Shell Undergoes Refinement, Next Iteration Imminent

India's quest to revolutionize its artillery capabilities continues, with recent developments surrounding a next-generation ramjet-powered artillery shell undergoing testing.

Lieutenant General P R Shankar (Retd.) revealed the project's progress during a recent Southern Command seminar on National Security and Building Bharat.

Promising Developments, Room for Refinement​

The project, a collaboration between the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and the Army Design Bureau (ADB), has seen a significant test of a 155mm ramjet shell conducted last month at Balasore.

Lt Gen Shankar confirmed that while the test wasn't a complete success, it yielded invaluable data for the development team to refine the design. The next iteration, expected to be the 10th-12th version, is reportedly in the works and nearing completion.

Building on Success​

This advancement comes on the heels of a successful test firing of a half-scaled 76mm ramjet shell prototype at the Deolali firing range six months prior, demonstrating the project's foundational technological success.

Understanding Ramjet Technology​

Unlike traditional artillery shells, ramjet engines use airflow to fuel their combustion process.

This unique mechanism grants them a significant range advantage, potentially revolutionizing artillery warfare.

India's ambitious project aims to drastically increase artillery firing range while maintaining compatibility with existing howitzer systems.

Implications for India's Defence​

News of the continuous development and approaching readiness of the next ramjet shell iteration is a major positive for India's defence modernization efforts.

Successful deployment of this technology could offer the Indian Army a substantial tactical advantage on the battlefield.

 

[Instant Karma]

This technology should go directly from IIT madras to AVNL and BDL.

 

[NSR]

The Ramjet shell would be a game changer for sure but takes time to figure out all the complexities.
Very glad to hear India is progressing on it.

 

[Abhijeet Dey]

What will be the range of this ramjet artillery shell?

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

This whole ram-jet powered 155 mm artillery shell seems like a waste of time and money. Such a shell is going to be very expensive, no question about it and even if it works realiably, after putting in the ram-jet, the control and guidance, there isn't going to a lot left for explosives. At that range probably guided MLRS rockets would be more cost-effective.

 

[Sandeep]

What will be the range of this ramjet artillery shell?

Usually it will have a range between 60-80km depending on the technology and how it's built.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

This whole ram-jet powered 155 mm artillery shell seems like a waste of time and money. Such a shell is going to be very expensive, no question about it and even if it works realiably, after putting in the ram-jet, the control and guidance, there isn't going to a lot left for explosives. At that range probably guided MLRS rockets would be more cost-effective.

well, it is cutting edge technology. America has it as well. this artillery shell can allow a howizer to win artillery duels. Basically you can outrange enemy artillery, and by using a weapon locating radar, identify its position and blow it up, while staying out of range of enemy artillery.

 

[Sandeep]

This whole ram-jet powered 155 mm artillery shell seems like a waste of time and money. Such a shell is going to be very expensive, no question about it and even if it works realiably, after putting in the ram-jet, the control and guidance, there isn't going to a lot left for explosives. At that range probably guided MLRS rockets would be more cost-effective.

Developing the ramjet shell will be more precise, accurate and cheaper than using missiles. Also it fills a critical gap between normal artillery by having a longer range than your enemy. With a MBRL it is more expensive and requires a lot of large equipment which may not be accessible to use in certain areas that needs it.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

it is cutting edge technology. America has it as well. this artillery shell can allow a howitzer to win artillery duels. Basically you can outrange enemy artillery, and by using a weapon locating radar, identify its position and blow it up, while staying out of range of enemy artillery.

MLRS rockets have higher range but they serve different purpose. And the guided rockets like those of HIMARS are expensive.
main issue is also that these rockets can be intercepted by SAMs and AA guns. While artillery shells cant be intercepted

 

[Sandeep]

India needs to develop this technology because it will give us a significant advantage over other artillery guns and shells by having a longer range. This ramjet shell will be more accurate and precise and cut down on conventional artillery waste through inaccurate rounds. To develop this technology it is complex, it will take a while and there might be some failures or problems to achieve it but it's a necessity if we want to maintain a military advantage so we need to invest in it which might be expensive at first until we streamline the production of the shells.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Developing the ramjet shell will be more precise, accurate and cheaper than using missiles. Also it fills a critical gap between normal artillery by having a longer range than your enemy. With a MBRL it is more expensive and requires a lot of large equipment which may not be accessible to use in certain areas that needs it.

it also helps in enemy artillery in artillery duel due to longer range and precision strike.

 

[Pad UwU]

Looks promising but building it is waste of time IMHO it can be easily intercept by anti air defense like guns and SHORADS😹😹😹