The development of the gun took about 4 years and is expected to be complete by March 2017. The delay in completion of the project was attributed to realization of ordnance and recoil system and supply issue with manufacturing of sub-systems. The gun is expected to start user trials in 2017 and production is expected to start in 2019.[14][15][16][17]
It was first publicly showcased at 68th Republic Day parade on 26 January 2017. Both the prototypes of TASL and KSSL was part of the parade.[18][19] For the first time, an indigenously developed howitzer gun, the ATAGS was included in the 21-gun salute alongside the British origin 25-pounder as part of the 76th Independence day celebrations. Two howitzer were included in the battery that fired the 21 gun salute.[20] ATAGS is being fast-tracked by Indian Army for induction as of 27 September 2022.[21]
Design
The gun consists of a barrel, breech mechanism, muzzle brake and recoil mechanism to fire 155 mm calibre ammunition with a firing range of 48 km. It has an all-electric drive to ensure reliability and minimum maintenance over a long period of time. It has advanced features like high mobility, quick deployment, auxiliary power mode, advanced communication system, automatic command and control system with night capability in direct-fire mode.[15] The gun is two tons lighter than guns in the same category and is designed to provide better accuracy and range and is capable of firing five successive rounds in short duration.
It is compatible with C3I systems like Artillery Combat Command and Control System (ACCCS) called Shakti for technical fire control, fire planning, deployment management, operational logistics management of the Indian Army.[22][23]
The gun is towed by Ashok Leyland FAT 6ร6 truck and can change over from towing mode to firing mode within 2 minutes.[24]
Ramjet Propelled Artillery Shell
IIT Madras along with IIT Kanpur, ARDE and Research Centre Imarat (RCI) are working on redesigning an existing 155 mm shell using ramjet propulsion that can cover 60 km+ range. It will be made compatible with ATAGS. The shell will use precision guidance kit for trajectory correction. IIT Madras will ensure that Munitions India can manufacture the shells.[25]
155 mm Smart Artillery Shell
IIT Madras is working with Munitions India to develop 155 mm Smart Artillery Shells with a CEP of less than 10 meters that are compatible with firing from ATAGS without the need for modification. Utilizing fin stabilization, canard control, and a three-mode fuse operation, the shell will be guided by NavIC satellites. Its range will be 8 km at minimum and 38 km at maximum.[26]
Trials
The ATAGS has undergone several trials since 2016.
On 14 July 2016, DRDO conducted the proof firing of armament for the 155/52 calibre advanced towed artillery gun system. The test was successful. The prototypes P1 and P2 of KSSL and TASL was tested in Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE), Balasore. The two prototypes were followed by P3 and P4 after clearance.[27][28][29]
On 14 December 2016, a fully integrated, 155-millimeter artillery gun fired its first rounds of live ammunition at the Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) in Balasore, Odisha.[30]
From 24 August to 7 September 2017, ATAGS underwent summer/desert trials in Pokhran Field Firing Range (PFFR).[31] During the trials, it broke the then world record for 155 mm/52 calibre gun by firing the round to a distance of 47.2 kilometres. It again registered a maximum distance of 48.074 kilometres with high explosiveโbase bleed (HEโBB) ammunition, surpassing the maximum ranges fired by any artillery gun system in this category.[5][4]
In March 2018, ATAGS successfully completed winter trials in Sikkim at an altitude of 11,000 feet (3,400 m) and a temperature of โ20ยฐC. The mobility of the gun was favourable at the high altitudes. The manufacturing of first lot of 40 guns was to start soon.[31]
The gun underwent user trials in September 2020 in Pokhran and suffered a major setback with a barrel burst injuring four personnel. Investigations are on to ascertain and solve the problem[32][33] During the 2020 trial, the KSSL variant ATAGS fired 130+ rounds successfully and TASL-variant ATAGS fired 99 rounds successfully. It was during the firing of the 100th round (5th round of burst firing) of the TASL gun in which the accident occur.[34] In November 2020, after an investigation the gun was cleared for further trials.[29]
In February 2021, ATAGS successfully completed another rounds of winter trials at high altitude conditions in Sikkim.[35][36]
The ATAGS successfully completed a week-long validation trials from 26 April to 2 May 2022 in Pokhran Field Firing Range (PFFR), paving way for induction into Army.[35][37][38]
It is a truck-mounted self propelled artillery variant with ATAGS mounted on an 8ร8 High Mobility Vehicle (HMV) developed by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML). The overall gun weighs 30 tonnes.[41] The first and only prototype was revealed in DefExpo 2022.[39][40]
The official technical features of the gun includes[39][40]
Has an all-up weight of 30 tonnes.
Has a maximum range of 35 to 45 km depending on the ammunition.
Features an elevation range of 0ยฐ to +72ยฐ.
Each unit of MGS can carry 24 rounds of ammunition along with enough Bi-Modular Charge System (BMCS).
The system can be transitioned from drive mode to fire mode in 80 seconds and fire mode to drive mode in 85 seconds.
It can operate in the temperature range of โ4ยฐC to +45ยฐC.
It has a chamber volume of 25 litres which can be later upgraded in need.
Features an all-electric drive and also includes a manual override system.
Includes auto gun alignment and positioning system, fire-control system (FCS), and ammunition handling system.
The MGS system has undergone mobility and performance trials along with standalone firing trials of the armoured cabin.[40]
Indian Army โ The Indian Ministry of Defence has received a proposal worth over $1 Billion from the Indian Army for the purchase of 307 ATAGS.[44] The ATAGS are planned to be deployed at the borders with China and Pakistan.[45] Contract signing expected soon as of September 2024.[46][47]
^"Projects of DRDO". Government of India Press Information Bureau. 25 November 2016. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
^"Year End Review โ 2016". Government of India Press Information Bureau. 31 December 2016. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
^Nazaretyan, Hovhannes (12 April 2024). "Untangling Armenia's Indian Arms Procurement". EVN Report. In a recent interview, Bharat Forge chairman Baba Kalyani stated that they have already exported six ATAGS howitzers and an additional six "will go this month"...