Ramjet Artillery Shells: Army to Deploy 155 mm Rounds
Why in the news
The Indian Army is moving to induct artillery shells with a built-in ramjet, which would make it the first force anywhere to use such rounds in operations with 155 mm guns.
Key facts
- User: Indian Army, for its 155 mm artillery guns.
- Distinction: the first armed force in the world to field such shells operationally.
- Benefit: much longer reach for conventional firepower.
- The gun itself needs no modification.
How the shell works
- A normal gun fires the projectile, which carries an air-breathing ramjet module.
- Once airborne, the ramjet keeps up thrust, stretching the range.
About ramjet technology
- An air-breathing jet engine with no moving parts, suited to supersonic speeds.
- Carries no oxidiser of its own; burns fuel with oxygen from the atmosphere.
- Works efficiently only after high speed is reached, which the gun launch supplies.
- Offers better efficiency and range than rocket-based propulsion for shells.
Exam angle
- Calibre of guns involved: 155 mm.
- Ramjet fuel burns with atmospheric oxygen, not an onboard oxidiser.
- Keyword: air-breathing, no moving parts.