Image source: topwar.ru
The Indian company Bharat Forge has unveiled a 155/52mm artillery piece mounted on a 4x4 chassis. Local observers praised this innovation.:
Traditionally, 155/52 mm guns are mounted on 6x6 or 8x8 heavy trucks to compensate for recoil force and ensure stability when firing. As indicated, the new compact 4x4 chassis offered by Bharat Forge allows it to accommodate the same firepower. As a result, the mass of the ACS is only 24 tons. For example, the weight of the ATAGS howitzer mounted on the chassis is currently 31 tons (probably referring to the Kalyani MArG 8x8 self-propelled gun, also known as the 155mm/52 Caliber Truck Mounted Gun).
As Indian observers explain, this is a radical reduction in the mass of self-propelled guns, which will allow the self-propelled gun to be deployed without difficulty in the Himalayas, where the width of roads, the bearing capacity of bridges and steep ascents limit the movement of heavier platforms. The reduced weight and dimensions also enhance air transportation capabilities.
Image source: topwar.ru
It is noted that despite the lighter design, the gun retains all the advantages of the 155 / 52mm standard - longer range, muzzle velocity and killing power. The range of fire from this self-propelled gun with a semi-automatic loading mechanism is expected to be 40-45 km when using standard ammunition, and when using modern extended-range projectiles with RAMJET engines, which are currently being developed in India, it may exceed 50 km.
The main technical issue related to the project was whether the 4x4 platform was able to withstand recoil during prolonged firing. According to the developer, he solved this problem with the help of patented smooth recoil technology, reinforced chassis design and advanced hydraulic stabilizers designed to fix the machine during fire.
It is claimed that the system has completed initial development and factory tests and is now preparing for official testing at the DRDO experimental center (an approximate analogue of Rostec). Although the ACS was not shown "in hardware".
