BAE’s US arm to shift Howitzer assembly here

[Echo_419]

Our nuclear deterrent haven't stopped them to cross north / north eastern borders so far right? So we have to be prepared even for small scale conflicts and that's where these light howitzers, combat helicopters, light tanks / tank destroyers, improved infrastructure and air transportability will be key factors. Sadly in most of these fields we lack behind schedule and far far behind Chinese efforts.

Yes & by 2020 these things will be improved too (You should look at the speed at which the govt is developing NE Infra )

 

[sancho]

Something interesting from IDEX 2015

BAE proposes first 155mm on 8x8

The first-ever 155mm artillery gun fitted to an 8x8 armoured vehicle could become a reality following proposals from BAE Systems at the IDEX exhibition.

At the show, BAE Systems is displaying a model of its M777 155mm howitzer fitted to the top and rear of the Enigma 8x8 vehicle from Emirates Technology Company (ETC).

A spokesperson from BAE said that most 155mm guns are too heavy to consider putting on a wheeled armoured vehicle and the largest calibre commonly found is 105mm.

He said that because the M777 was already much lighter, by about half at just over 4t, than other 155mm systems – due to its titanium construction – this made the design experiment feasible. The base of the M777 would be removed, reducing the weight further to 3t allowing its integration.

According to the model the gun would be carried on top of the Enigma 8x8 but connected at the rear to be mechanically manoeuvred to the ground, with the barrel facing the opposite direction to where the vehicle is pointing.

The fact that the gun is resting on the ground also aids the system’s integration on an 8x8 because the recoil forces from the gun would not damage the vehicle.

The spokesman said that some existing 155mm guns that are carried on the back of trucks can only turn the gun a few degrees each way, limiting the scope of the gun to hit targets to the far left or right whilst the M777 can traverse to 25° either side of the centre gun line.

Whilst the existing towed M777 system requires a team of 8-10 men, the 8x8 mounted system would halve this number because there would be more automation with a system to feed the shells from the inside of the vehicle out to the loader. Then a soldier would be required to physically put the shell into the feeder system that will push the round and charge into the breech.

Most crews of guns are there to physically load the shells and charges into the feeder from their storage locations. When this demanding task is reduced, its operation requires fewer crew members.

The point is that whilst there are other 155mm gun solutions on the market, the integration of the M777 gun onto the 8x8 means that the 155mm capability can now be offered as a variant that is part of a family of vehicles solution to a wheeled armoured capability solution...

IDEX 2015: BAE proposes first 155mm on 8x8 - News - Shephard

 

[Basel]

Something interesting from IDEX 2015

View attachment 196939



IDEX 2015: BAE proposes first 155mm on 8x8 - News - Shephard

But without turret the operators will be exposed to enemy fire and it will be difficult to change the direction of gun.

 

[kaykay]

Something interesting from IDEX 2015

View attachment 196939



IDEX 2015: BAE proposes first 155mm on 8x8 - News - Shephard

IMO this could be useful in places like Sikkim and Ladakh for army.

 

[sancho]

IMO this could be useful in places like Sikkim and Ladakh for army.

Such a light howitzer on a proper platform surely would be good, the way I understand it, it's a bit complicated to handle though. But I would of course prefer if they would divert knowledge / offset to India, that makes us possible to build such a system, rather than just how to assemble parts produced in the US.