Explainer: IIT Madras’s Ramjet Artillery Breakthrough

What has IIT Madras developed?

Researchers at IIT Madras have successfully developed and tested ramjet-assisted artillery shells that can extend the firing range of conventional guns by about 50%—without modifying the gun itself.

What exactly is a ramjet?

A ramjet is a jet engine with no moving parts. It uses the shell’s high speed to compress incoming air, mix it with fuel, and generate sustained thrust after launch.

How is this different from existing artillery upgrades?

Unlike rocket-assisted projectiles or aerodynamic tweaks, this design replaces the base-bleed unit of a standard 155 mm artillery shell with a ramjet. This allows the shell to keep accelerating after it leaves the barrel, significantly extending range without reducing impact.

Why does this matter for modern warfare?

Artillery remains the backbone of battlefield firepower—cheaper, more survivable and easier to deploy than missiles. This technology breaks the traditional trade-off between range, cost and mobility, giving commanders deeper strike options without expensive missile systems.

How much more range are we talking about?

If fully operationalised, Indian artillery units could engage targets at nearly 50% greater distances, while maintaining the same lethality at the target.

Has the technology been tested?

Yes. The project began in 2020 in collaboration with the Indian Army. After early validation using a 76 mm gun, full-scale trials on 155 mm guns were conducted at Deolali (September 2025) and Pokhran (December 2025), demonstrating clean gun exit, stable flight and successful ramjet ignition.

What comes next?

Researchers are refining remaining technical challenges to achieve full operational capability. The same ramjet technology is also being explored for rockets, which could unlock even greater range enhancements.

Why is this strategically significant for India?

The project exemplifies Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence—upgrading existing systems instead of replacing them. It showcases how academia, when aligned with military needs, can deliver scalable, cost-effective national security solutions.

(ANI and yMedia are content partners for this story)