KSSL Pioneers Hybrid Recoil Tech to Build World’s First 155mm 52-Calibre Artillery Gun Mounted on a 4x4 Truck

In a development that could redefine the standards for mobile heavy artillery, Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd. (KSSL) has confirmed the successful creation of a 155mm/52-calibre artillery gun mounted on a 4×4 wheeled chassis.

Cited as a world first, this engineering feat integrates the firepower of a long-range heavy howitzer with the agility of a compact vehicle—a combination previously viewed as structurally unfeasible.

Breaking the Weight Barrier with Hybrid Recoil​

The primary challenge in mounting a 52-calibre gun on a light 4×4 truck is the management of the massive recoil forces produced during firing.

Typically, guns of this power require heavy 6×6 or 8×8 platforms or tracked vehicles to maintain stability.

KSSL has overcome this limitation by developing a proprietary hybrid recoil system. This advanced mechanism efficiently absorbs and disperses the firing energy, ensuring the platform remains stable and safe without the need for a heavy, cumbersome chassis.

Advanced Materials and Automation​

To further ensure the system remains viable for a 4×4 platform, engineers focused heavily on weight reduction.

The gun carriage is constructed from high-strength aluminium rather than traditional steel, significantly lowering the overall mass.

The system reportedly weighs approximately 24 tonnes, which is exceptionally light for an artillery piece of this class.

Operational efficiency is boosted by an automatic ammunition handling system, which lowers the physical strain on the crew and allows for a rapid firing rate of up to five rounds per minute.

This combination of lightweight construction and automation positions the system in a unique niche within the global defence market.

Digital Engineering and Testing​

KSSL officials have attributed the speed and success of this development to the extensive use of digital engineering.

By utilising advanced simulation and modelling tools, the design team was able to perfect the structure and recoil dynamics in a virtual environment before cutting any metal.

This approach allowed them to balance the competing demands of firepower, mobility, and structural integrity within the strict limitations of a 4×4 vehicle.

The system has already passed initial internal validation trials. It is now slated for comprehensive testing at the Balasore field firing range in Odisha.

These upcoming trials will rigorously evaluate the gun’s accuracy, structural durability, and recoil management under live-fire conditions.

Strategic Implications: "Shoot-and-Scoot"​

The strategic value of this new system lies in its "shoot-and-scoot" capability. The high mobility of the 4×4 chassis allows the artillery unit to deploy, fire a salvo, and relocate immediately to avoid enemy counter-battery fire.

Furthermore, the reduced weight simplifies logistics, making the gun easier to transport via road, rail, and potentially by air transport aircraft such as the C-17, providing commanders with greater flexibility in mountainous or difficult terrain.

This project builds upon KSSL’s prior success with the MArG family of mounted guns, reinforcing the capability of the Indian private defence industry to deliver cutting-edge indigenous solutions.

If the Balasore trials prove successful, this 155mm/52-calibre system could offer a powerful new option for modern armies requiring long-range firepower combined with high tactical mobility.

 

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Integrating a massive 155mm/52 calibre gun
onto a compact 4x4 chassis-roughly a 24-tonne platform-is a major engineering feat that presents several critical challenges: Structural Integrity and Rigidity: The chassis must be significantly reinforced to withstand "launching forces" without experiencing permanent deformation or dominant vibrations that degrade weapon efficiency.

Recoil Force Management: A standard 155mm/52 gun generates massive recoil energy that can overwhelm a light truck. Integration requires "Soft Recoil Technology" or advanced "Hybrid Recoil Mechanisms" to reduce the forces transmitted to the carriage.

Firing Stability: Maintaining accuracy is difficult because the platform must remain perfectly still during firing. Designers use hydraulic "instillation legs" or stabilizers to anchor the vehicle and resist dynamic launch vibrations.

Weight vs. Mobility Balance: Engineers must use lightweight composite materials and optimized designs to keep the total system around 23.5-24 tonnes. Heavier systems typically require an 8x8 chassis, like the TATA T5-52, for better load
distribution.

Axle Load Limits: Fitting such a heavy armament on just four wheels risks exceeding standard axle weight limits, which can lead to rapid tire wear and limited off-road capability in soft terrain.

Ammunition and Crew Space: Packaging enough ammunition (typically 18 rounds) and an armoured crew cabin while keeping the vehicle's footprint small enough for narrow mountain roads is a constant design trade-off. The recoil force of a 155mm/52 calibre gun is substantial, requiring advanced hydraulic systems to manage forces often exceeding 300- 400 tones allowing it to fire powerful zone 6 charges, modern designs often use soft recoil systems to reduce force by 60% to fit to mobile 4*4,8*8 platforms