IIT Madras and Munitions India collaborate on India’s first 155mm Smart Ammunition, enhancing defense precision and fostering ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ The landscape of defense technology is witnessing a transformative chapter with the collaborative efforts of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and Munitions India Limited, a Defense Public Sector Enterprise. Together, they embark on a groundbreaking mission to develop India’s first indigenously-designed 155mm Smart Ammunition IIT Madras, an endeavor set to redefine precision, accuracy, and self-reliance in the nation’s defense capabilities.
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The Significance of Indigenous Development:
The initiative to develop indigenous 155mm Smart Ammunition with IIT Madras stems from a collective vision to enhance India’s defense capabilities and reduce dependency on foreign sources. With a focus on achieving ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ or self-reliance, the collaboration aims to push the boundaries of innovation, contributing to the nation’s strategic autonomy.
IIT Madras and Munitions India Limited:
At the forefront of this ambitious project is Professor G. Rajesh, along with his team of researchers at the Department of Aerospace Engineering, IIT Madras. The academic prowess of IIT Madras combined with the manufacturing and operational expertise of Munitions India Limited sets the stage for a symbiotic partnership that holds the promise of groundbreaking developments in defense technology.
The Research Roadmap:
The development of the 155mm Smart Ammunition is set to unfold over a comprehensive two-year timeline. This duration is earmarked for meticulous research, testing, and refinement, ensuring that the final product meets the highest standards of precision, reliability, and effectiveness. The collaborative effort involves a multi-faceted approach, combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications to create a weapon system that aligns with the dynamic requirements of modern warfare.
Objective:
The primary objectives of this collaboration with IIT Madras revolve around significantly enhancing the accuracy of the 155mm shell. The aim is to achieve a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of merely 10 meters, a quantum leap from the current standards where ammunitions developed in India exhibit a CEP of 500 meters. Such precision becomes crucial in military operations where minimizing collateral damage and hitting specific targets with accuracy are paramount.
Simultaneously, the collaboration endeavors to elevate the lethality at the terminal impact point. By integrating cutting-edge technologies and strategic design elements, the research team aims to ensure that the 155mm Smart Ammunition delivers optimal impact, thereby increasing its effectiveness in diverse combat scenarios.
The Role of Munitions India Limited:
Munitions India Limited, operating under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, plays a pivotal role in this collaborative effort. As India’s largest manufacturer and market leader in the production, testing, research and development, and marketing of ammunition and explosives, the organization brings invaluable experience and resources to the table.
Ravi Kant, IOFS, Chairman, and Managing Director of Munitions India Limited, expresses enthusiasm about the collaboration, emphasizing its significance in the context of India’s larger goals. He states, “Munitions India Limited (MIL), which has carved a niche for itself in global defense manufacturing and supplies within two years of its formation, is excited to join hands with IIT Madras in the development of this world-class ammunition.”
Kant further highlights the collaborative potential, stating, “This will be a giant leap forward for the country in achieving its goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat.’ We are confident that the might of MIL in conventional ammunition manufacturing and the brain of IIT Madras in developing a guidance system will pave the way for MIL’s foray into modern ammunition manufacturing with Niche Technologies.”
The Vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’:
The collaboration’s alignment with the broader vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ signifies a strategic commitment to reduce dependence on foreign entities in the defense sector. By developing indigenous capabilities and fostering innovation within the country, the collaboration IIT Madras aims to contribute not only to defense technology but also to economic growth, job creation, and the overall resilience of the nation.
Professor G. Rajesh, Department of Aerospace Engineering, IIT Madras, underscores the significance of this project in the larger context of national goals. He elaborates, “The Special Purpose Shell will house the guidance, navigation and control system along with roll isolation strategies, canard actuation system, fuze, shell body, and warhead. The smart projectile will have complex technologies such as miniaturized electronics/sensors and mechanical structures.”
Leveraging Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS):
A notable aspect of the collaboration is the integration of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) for guidance. Professor G. Rajesh highlights the importance of this decision, emphasizing that it ensures independence from foreign government satellite systems. This strategic move aligns with the overarching goal of achieving ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and signifies a conscious effort to safeguard critical defense technologies from external dependencies.
The decision to utilize the IRNSS for guidance not only showcases technical ingenuity but also underscores the commitment to strategic autonomy. By relying on an indigenous navigation system, the 155mm Smart Ammunition becomes less vulnerable to disruptions or restrictions imposed by foreign entities, enhancing its reliability and operational effectiveness.
Key Characteristics of the 155mm Indian Smart Ammunition:
The indigenous 155mm Smart Ammunition is designed to be launched from 39 and 45 caliber – 155mm Artillery Guns without necessitating any modifications to the existing gun systems. This compatibility ensures a seamless integration of the smart ammunition into the current artillery infrastructure, optimizing its utility across different platforms.
Key characteristics of the ammunition include a fin-stabilized, canard-controlled, guided shell configuration. The fin stabilization ensures the projectile’s stability during flight, while the canard control system adds maneuverability, allowing the ammunition to adjust its trajectory for enhanced precision.
The ammunition boasts a maximum range of 38 km and a minimum range of 8 km, offering versatility in various operational scenarios. This range capability enables the armed forces to deploy the ammunition across different theaters of operation, addressing a spectrum of strategic and tactical requirements.
A 3-mode fuse operation further enhances the adaptability of the ammunition. The inclusion of point detonation, height of burst, and delayed detonation modes allows for customization based on mission objectives. This flexibility ensures that the 155mm Smart Ammunition can be tailored to specific scenarios, making it a versatile asset for the defense forces.
The integration of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) for guidance, backed by GPS as a backup, marks a significant technological leap. This dual-system approach ensures that the guided ammunition remains completely independent of any foreign agency involvement, aligning with the principles of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat.’
Implications for Modern Warfare:
The development of the 155mm Smart Ammunition holds profound implications for modern warfare strategies. The enhanced accuracy and lethality achieved through this indigenous innovation provide the armed forces with a formidable tool for precision strikes and strategic engagements. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and strategic design, the ammunition addresses the evolving needs of contemporary military operations.
The fin-stabilized, canard-controlled, guided shell configuration, coupled with the advanced guidance, navigation, and control system, positions the ammunition as a force multiplier. The ability to adapt its trajectory during flight enhances its effectiveness in dynamic combat scenarios, offering a level of precision that is crucial for minimizing collateral damage and ensuring the success of mission objectives.
Moreover, the integration of the IRNSS for guidance ensures operational independence from foreign satellite systems. In an era where technological dependencies are scrutinized for national security reasons, the decision to rely on an indigenous navigation system enhances the resilience and reliability of the 155mm Smart Ammunition.
Economic and Strategic Impacts:
Beyond the immediate implications for defense capabilities, the collaborative effort between IIT Madras and Munitions India Limited is poised to have broader economic and strategic impacts. The development of advanced defense technologies within the country contributes to job creation, skill development, and the growth of a robust defense manufacturing ecosystem.
Ravi Kant, Chairman and Managing Director of Munitions India Limited, highlights the potential for this collaboration to pave the way for the organization’s foray into modern ammunition manufacturing with Niche Technologies. This indicates a transformative shift in the landscape of defense manufacturing, with an emphasis on incorporating cutting-edge technologies into indigenous production processes.
The collaboration with IIT Madras also aligns with the broader goals of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, which aims to promote domestic manufacturing, reduce import dependency, and bolster economic growth. As the research and development phase progresses, it is anticipated that the expertise gained in developing the 155mm Smart Ammunition will contribute to the advancement of defense technology capabilities in other domains.
The collaborative endeavor between IIT Madras and Munitions India Limited to develop indigenous 155mm Smart Ammunition represents a paradigm shift in India’s defense innovation landscape. The project encapsulates the spirit of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat,’ emphasizing self-reliance, innovation, and strategic autonomy. As the research and development phase unfolds over the next two years, the outcomes are anticipated to not only redefine defense capabilities but also contribute to the broader goals of economic growth and technological advancement.
The integration of advanced technologies, such as the fin-stabilized, canard-controlled, guided shell configuration and the utilization of the IRNSS for guidance, showcases a commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is achievable within the country. The 155mm Smart Ammunition, with its enhanced accuracy, adaptability, and operational independence, emerges as a testament to the collaborative potential of academia and industry.