SOURCE: AFI
Lt. Gen. P.R. Shankar (Retd.), former Director General of Artillery in the Indian Army, recently revealed that his team at IIT Madras is working on developing ramjet propulsion technology for the Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) system. Speaking to News9 Plus Editor Sandeep Unnithan, Lt. Gen. Shankar explained that this innovative propulsion system could potentially triple the range of the Pinaka MBRL, a cornerstone of India’s artillery capabilities.
Currently, the Pinaka Mk II uses a high-energy composite solid-fuel rocket motor, which provides a range of up to 75 kilometers. Incorporating ramjet propulsion technology could significantly extend its range while maintaining the system’s tactical versatility.
Ramjet propulsion is an air-breathing engine design that uses the vehicle’s forward motion to compress incoming air, allowing it to mix with fuel and ignite, thereby generating thrust. Unlike traditional rocket motors, which carry both fuel and oxidizers, ramjets rely on atmospheric oxygen, making them more efficient at high speeds.
For the Pinaka MBRL, the inclusion of ramjet propulsion would enable sustained thrust during the projectile’s flight, reducing drag and allowing for longer trajectories.
Given that the Pinaka Mk II currently achieves a range of 75 km with its solid-fuel rocket motor, replacing this with a ramjet engine could result in a threefold increase in range. This would extend the system’s reach to approximately 225 kilometers.
This extended range would place the Pinaka MBRL in a strategic position, capable of targeting enemy assets deep within hostile territory without relocating closer to the frontlines. But Modifying the Pinaka system to accommodate ramjet propulsion requires extensive engineering, including changes to the rocket’s aerodynamics and propulsion systems. The development of ramjet engines, though efficient, requires advanced materials and manufacturing techniques, potentially increasing costs.