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Simulation Studies for MRSI of Artillery Gun Systems

M. PADMANABHAN, S.V. GADE, K.M. RAJAN

Abstract


Artillery’s ever-increasing quest to deliver more payloads to the target, with the surprise element of attack in tact is un-satiable. Time-on-target (ToT) fire plans have been in practice with battery fire to meet this requirement to certain extent. Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI), is an extensions of this methodology to a single gun system. Employing more prevalent multiple charge options through Modular Charge Systems (MCS), and ammunitions would largely benefit artillery fire schemes in realizing this goal. The advent of developments in ammunition handling, auto loading, auto laying and ballistic computing capabilities of modern artillery systems further paves the way closer towards achieving this feature. Near real time ballistic computation is an essential component in providing MRSI solutions. Although effectiveness of MRSI depends on a number of key parameters, it can be lumped in to a single parameter like Time Between Consecutive Fires (TBCF), which is the algebraic sum of time required for ordnance laying, projectile-load-ram and charge load, breech close, primer insertion operations. Factors like elevation & azimuth traverse rates, increased rate of fire, reduced projectile loading restrictions, availability projectile and charge mix available, all significantly influence the key parameter TBCF. A study to assess the technical feasibility of this capability with various 155mm family of weapon systems with constituent subsystem has been undertaken. MRSI concept modeling & simulation studies that have been carried out for 155mm ordnances considering 5/6/7 charges modules of 39cal/45cal/52cal respectively with standard ERFB-BT ammunitions are presented here. This study was applied for assessing the feasibility and for establishing the enhanced effectiveness of MRSI for 155mm/52 cal Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) of DRDO, MoD, India. Expected performance of the system is also presented briefly here. The measure of effectiveness of MRSI can be aptly specified by, total no of rounds, in a range bracket within specified impact tolerances over range, line and time. ATAGS is with elevations varying from 0 deg to 73 deg and employs M90 Somchem BMCS from zone-1 to zone-7 along Naschem ERFB shells. With a TBCF ~6.5 sec it is expected to deliver 5 rounds at a range of 20km. A capability, which arguably depends on various subsystem’s coordinated and timely functioning. This feature would illustrate the artillery weapon system’s all round performance in terms of agility brought about by automation.


DOI
10.12783/ballistics2017/16817

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