Archer - FH77BW L52
The Archer is the world's most modern artillery system. Archer is a developed variant of the Haussmann 77B artillery system, where the artillery has been mounted on a heavy terrain carriage. The Archer Artillery System or Archer - FH77BW L52 was an international project aimed at developing a next-generation self-propelled artillery system for Sweden and Norway [which later dropped out].
Archer is a self-propelled field howitzer that can operate autonomously in tandem with today’s command and control systems. The 155 mm, 52 calibre, long-range weapon features an outstanding tracking capability and an intensive rate of fire, engaging ground and sea targets, both stationary and moving, with high precision.
A new generation of artillery systems is emerging in the 21st century to counter threats and carry out missions via specific deployment strategies, as well as modern artillery systems whose mobility, firepower, automation, and protected capacities far exceed those of the predecessors. Thus, the salient characteristics of today’s artillery are its modularity, versatility, and interoperability.
While air power, precision-guided bombs and missiles often receive all the glamour on the modern battlefield, cannon artillery still plays a critical role in today’s fight by serving as the only 24-hour, all-weather reinforcement for the infantry soldier - a fact proven in recent conflicts. Combat experience and extensive analyses have shown that the greatest threat to ground force survivability is indirect fire artillery. After-action studies from Operation Iraqi Freedom, Afghanistan, and Desert Storm exposed that the units have a critical need for an advanced cannon artillery solution.
The field artillery "Archer” howitzer gun system provides unprecedented responsiveness and lethality to support the Unit of Action (UA) commander. The cannon provides extended-range targeting, and precision attack of point and area targets in support of the UA with a suite of munitions that include special purpose capabilities. "Archer” provides sustained fires for close support and destructive fires for tactical standoff engagement.
Field Howitzer 77B, previously developed by BAE Systems Bofors AB, is the hub of the project. BAE experience of producing howitzer was one of the reasons that they appeared to be best suited to develop Archer. Initial studies on the truck chassis began in 1995 and Archer project began in earnest in 2006. The cooperation with Norway began in 2008. In March 2010, the FMV, with FLO, to commence series production and final delivery of Archer.
BAE Systems was selected to provide defense authorities in Sweden and Norway with automated artillery gun technologies. British defense company BAE announced 05 April 2010 it had received contracts to provide the armed forces of both Sweden and Norway with its Archer 155mm self-propelled artillery guns.
The Norwegian and the Swedish Armed Forces agreed on the joint development and purchased 24 systems each of the "Archer" 155 millimetre artillery system. Sweden’s and Norway’s purchase is based on strict quality and low cost cycle criteria. Qatar, the Czech Republic, Belgium and India expressed an interest in "Archer" and requested more information from BAE Systems Bofors a part of Global Combat Systems Weapons.
Only 24 of these are operated by Swedish army. Norway doesn't use them. At the end of 2013 Norway withdrew from the cooperation. Norway withdrawal from the Archer 155mm joint artillery project with Sweden was prompted by delivery delays and by unspecified performance shortcomings, according to Norwegian defense officials. 24 were to have been delivered by the end of 2013, and in operation by the end of 2014, but none had been delivered!
In June 2014 FMV signed an amendment agreement with BAE Systems Bofors for deliveries to the Swedish Armed Forces. In 2013, FMV has delivered the first förseriepjäserna for validation and verification. Serial deliveries from BAE to FMV started in September 2015. First delivery to the Armed Forces was in February 2016. Thereafter, continuous deliveries by about 2 pieces per month. The upgrade of the 4 pieces förseriepjäserna and transfer of these to the Armed Forces is scheduled for the first part of 2017.
Monday 01 February 2016 was a long-awaited day for the A 9 Artillery Regiment in Boden. Namely the first day of the month involved a handover ceremony where the Archer artillery system was the center of attention. This was a long-awaited day for both the unit and its personnel. The Archer artillery system was handed over by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration to the Armed Forces and the Artillery Regiment. Deliveries were made throughout 2016. When the Artillery Regiment has received the entire series of pieces, there will be a total of 24 at the unit.
Archer was delivered to the Armed Forces and for use by artillery regiment A9 in Boden. Each Archer-piece is staffed by 3-4 operators, which again is a clear improvement from its predecessor which was manned by 10-12 operators. Archer is configured for NATO standard, which means that the Swedish defense will be more interoperable with other countries' armed forces and materiel. This is a great advantage as today's military operations place high demands on teamwork between states.
On 11 December 2023, BAE Systems, Babcock and Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) announced joining forces to offer the ARCHER wheeled mobile artillery system to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) as the replacement for the legacy AS90.
The ARCHER Artillery Alliance will offer the proven, advanced technology system, which presents the lowest risk solution for the Mobile Fires Platform (MFP) programme, as the UK aims to modernise its 155mm capabilities. The three companies, each with a well-established supply chain in the UK, plan to work with other UK businesses as plans progress.
The ARCHER, already in service with the British Army as its interim solution, is one of the most advanced, fielded artillery systems in the world today. Working with strategic partners in the UK, an ARCHER-based solution would allow the British Army to significantly accelerate the delivery of the Mobile Fires Platform programme. The aim is to deliver a long-term homegrown artillery solution for the UK, which will safeguard, sustain and grow a critical, specialised British industrial capability and an opportunity for exports.
BAE Systems will provide and integrate the weapon system, including the barrel, as well as the gun control system. In addition, BAE Systems will set up and manage the Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) facility. Babcock International Group will hold responsibility for the consolidation of the superstructure and ammunition resupply system, sharing its significant manufacturing and maintenance capabilities.
In line with the MoD’s Land Industrial Strategy, Babcock is pleased to be working with BAE Systems to bring to the UK and the British Army this market-leading capability. Our skilled teams and facilities in the South-West and West Midlands will deliver important elements of the engineering expertise, system integration and innovative technology required for system assembly that will enable the ARCHER Artillery Alliance to provide the British Army with this exciting capability.
RBSL will be the UK lead for the RMMV HX 8X8 truck chassis, and prepare the cabin for integration with the ARCHER artillery system. BAE Systems, which recently secured a contract for an additional 48 ARCHER systems for the Swedish Army, plans to transfer technology from its existing production line in Sweden to the UK to establish a UK-based MFP production line. The work across the Alliance and its supply chain would create more than 350 new high-skilled jobs in the UK.
The Alliance’s proposal would ensure a significant amount of UK industrial content once the programme enters full-rate production. As part of the bid, BAE Systems plans to use its expertise in Sweden and the UK to re-establish sovereign barrel manufacturing in the UK, which would provide an opportunity to generate operational independence and security of supply through a sovereign artillery manufacturing solution.
ARCHER is a fully automated system, purpose-built to keep pace with fast-moving land forces. It is designed for rapid deployment to quickly respond to threats and deliver superior mobility, lethality and survivability. Operators control the entire gun system from the safety of ARCHER's armoured cabin. In only 20 seconds, the vehicle can stop and fire its first round. After completion of the fire mission, ARCHER is on the move again within 20 seconds. In less than two minutes, ARCHER can fire six rounds, displace and move 500 metres, making the ARCHER the ultimate shoot-and-scoot system for soldier and platform survivability.
As well as being selected by Sweden and as the UK’s interim solution, Switzerland recently down selected ARCHER for the country’s procurement of new artillery. Sweden has also donated a number of systems for use by Ukrainian armed forces.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
