According to sources that ordnance factory already built 3 dhanush artlillery and rest of 3 are assembled , first batch of six will be delivered next month .
on April 21 2015 , the 155mm/45-calibre Dhanush howitzers had “successfully met all technical parameters” during the winter and summer trials at Sikkim and Pokhran. He also stated that Dhanush incorporates “many improved features” over the Army’s existing artillery guns.
Its long range, light-weight and automation features will help it immensely. Loading ammunition will be fully automatic, and it will be compatible with various kinds of ammo as well.
Going by the views of experts on gunnery; the physics part of it has proved that a 155mm / 52 Cal is an optimum technical parameter within its class in achieving maximum range with highest accuracy. the success of 155mm / 42 Cal Dhanush under trial is of paramount importance for the futuristic ATAGS programme. The success of Dhanush in all the major trials held so far has brought in cheers and much needed hope to all those who wish to see indigenisation and self-reliance in defence sector a reality. He further added that Dhanush is 87 percent indigenous baring the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) which is from BAE SYSTEMS and the sighting system from SAGEM. Indian private company FORCE MOTORS is developing an APU which will replace the existing foreign make in times to come.
Technical features
The 155/45 Cal Gun System with electronic suite comprises the following unique features:
- 155/45 Cal barrel.
- Modified double baffle muzzle brake.
- Modified loading trough to accommodate BMCS Zone-6.
- Electronic suite for enhanced firing accuracy and auto laying.
A comparison of Technical features of Dhanush vis-a-vis in-service 155/39 Cal Bofors guns are as follows:
Electronic Suite & Auto Laying
The electronic suite is a module package, combining a hybrid (Inertial+GPS) Navigation System, a Muzzle Velocity Radar (MVR) and powerful Software solving in real time the ballistics for static or moving targets and for any combination of projectile-change available. The Inertial Navigation System (INS) is an extremely precise system determining the elevation and northing angles of the gun. The system corrects automatically the firing for any variation in ammunition, charge or meteorology. Auto laying is adaptable to any orientation and elevation system hydraulically or electronically powered, it provides an effective solution for automatic laying of the gun barrel.
This 155mm and 45 calibre gun has a maximum effective range of 38 km in plains while the original Bofors gun could not fire effectively beyond 27 km.
The main elements of the Electronic Suite integrated with the gun have EMI/EMC compatibility as per the Standards laid down by the Indian Army and they are as follows:-
Gun Control Computer (GCU/ETC).
- Inertial Navigation System (INS).
- INU, CDU, Phonic Wheel, Travel Lock sensor.
- Muzzle Velocity Radar (MVR).
- Gun Sighting System.
- Modified Electro-hydraulic Valve Block system.
- Communication System-STARS V Radio MK II.
- Drive Electronic Unit (DEU).