Vayu: The artillery range revolution has caught everyone’s imagination! Could you please share with us Nammo’s 155mm portfolio and your plans for the near future?
Thomas Danbolt: Nammo’s portfolio currently consists of 155mm IM HE-ER/ HE-ER (40km range) and standard HE (30km range from L52 guns). Nammo’s focus is on long range artillery ammunition, from 40km range and further. Our future plans include the 155mm High Explosive Rocket Assisted Projectile, having a range of more than 70 km, with course correction fuzes as also a 100km + projectile based on Ramjet technology, both of which are in development.
Vayu: Can this ammunition be fired from a standard 155mm weapon, including the M777 lightweight towed howitzer currently in service with the Indian Army?
Thomas Danbolt: Yes, the IM HE-ER/ HE-ER is qualified for the K-9, PzH2000 and Archer and can be fired from all standard L39 and L52 guns currently in service, including the M777.
Vayu: Nammo recently showcased its ramjet-powered, guided artillery shell having a range of up to 150 km. Please give us some more information in this.
Thomas Danbolt: Nammo is working in cooperation with The Boeing Company for development of a 155mm Ramjet projectile. Development work is ongoing and as per schedule, test-firing will be in 2020.
Vayu: In order to reach such distances, has there been any compromise between range and payload?
Thomas Danbolt: For all ranges over 40km, there would be some compromise between range and payload. Since artillery is an ‘area weapon’, a large payload is needed to compensate for dispersion. Long ranges require guidance and this will ensure that the shells hit close to the target, what then reduces the need for a large payload. Long range rounds with guidance therefore do not need the same large payload as do unguided rounds for effectiveness.
Vayu: What exactly are rocket-assisted projectiles (RAP)?
Thomas Danbolt:A rocket-assisted projectile is an artillery shell with a small rocket motor which provides some of thrust; giving acceleration after leaving the muzzle which is the opposite to normal rounds. Because of its increased velocity, the RAP round will fly higher and consequently have a longer ballistic trajectory compared with standard 155mm rounds, which in turn will provide longer range.
Vayu: A 70-kilometer range is, by any estimation, a substantial leap forward from the standard range of 35 kms plus. What are your plans for India?
Thomas Danbolt: Nammo will of course offer its 70km+ round to India when this is ready for the market, within 2-3 years.
Vayu: What about the existing 155 gun system such as the K9, M777 or the FH 77 in service with the Indian Army: do they require modifications?
Thomas Danbolt: Nammo’s RAP round is based on our 155mm IM HE-ER, with is qualified for both K-9 and FH77, so no modifications are needed to any of these systems, including the M777.
Vayu: Boeing and Nammo have recently signed a teaming agreement to jointly develop and produce the next generation of extended range artillery projectiles: could you please comment on this?’
Thomas Danbolt: The teaming is exclusively focused on developing the 155mm HE Ramjet round for the international market.