The Archer Artillery System, or Archer – FH77BW L52, or Artillerisystem 08 is a self-propelled gun system of Sweden.[2][3] The main piece of the system is a fully automated 155 mm/L52 gun howitzer and a M151 Protector remote controlled weapon station mounted on a modified 6×6chassis of the Volvo A30D all-terrain articulated hauler. The crew and engine compartment is armoured and the cab is fitted with bullet and fragmentation-resistant windows. The system also includes an ammunition resupply vehicle, a support vehicle, BONUS submunitions[4] and M982 Excalibur guided projectiles.
The project began in 1995 as earlier studies for a self-propelled system based on the existing FH 77 howitzer. Further test systems received the designation FH 77BD and FH 77BW. By 2004, two prototypes had been ordered based on a lengthened version of the FH 77B mounted on a modified Volvo Construction Equipment A30D articulated haul truck (6x6). In 2008, Sweden ordered a first batch of seven units, while Norway ordered one.[5][6] In August 2009, Norway and Sweden ordered 24 Archers each, in a cooperative deal.[7][unreliable source?]
The howitzer was developed for the Swedish armed forces following a contract awarded to Bofors (now BAE Systems Bofors) in 2003 by Försvarets Materielverk (FMV), the Swedish defence acquisition agency to build two demonstrator howitzers. The prototype FH77 BW L52 self-propelled howitzers entered firing trials in Sweden in 2005 and 2006. In September 2006, the FMV placed a contract for detailed design work on Archer and, in January 2007, a contract for the next development phase. The Swedish Army has a requirement for 24 systems (two battalions). Following In September 2008, the Swedish government approved the final development and procurement of the Archer artillery system.
In November 2008, Sweden and Norway signed a co-operative agreement for the development of the Archer system and, in January 2009, awarded BAE Systems a contract to complete development of the artillery system with the exception of the remote weapon system which is made by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. A final prototype is scheduled for completion by September 2009, which is expected to be followed by a contract for 48 systems – 24 for Sweden and 24 for Norway. Archer was planned to enter service in 2011 but was delayed until October 2013. This was because of unforeseen technical problems.[8]
The Swedish Army received its first four pre-serial production FH-77 BW L52 Archer systems on 23 September 2013,[9][10] and the first guns finally entered service on 1 February 2016.[11]
The Norwegian government withdrew from the project in December 2013.[12]
In 2019, a new configuration of the Archer, with the howitzer mounted on a RMMVHX2 8×8 tactical truck, was revealed. Interestingly, Sweden ordered a number of HX2 trucks in 2014, with deliveries commencing in 2017.[13] On January 23, 2020, Janes reported that BAE Systems Bofors had begun trials for the HX2 variant.[14]
Vehicle platform
The vehicle platform is a modification of the Volvo A30D 6×6articulated all-terrain hauler vehicle. Operators control the entire gun system in any weather from the safety of the armored vehicle cabin which is fitted with bullet and fragmentation-proof windows. The cabin seats up to four personnel. The howitzer is operated by three or four crew but can be run by a single operator.[15] The system also includes a munition carrier consisting of a removable, modified standard container mounted on a ballistic-proofed all-terrain lorry. The unit cost is approximately $4,500,000.
Ammunition
Another view of a deployed Archer
The vehicle carries 21 155mm projectiles in the fully automatic magazine.[15] Reloading the magazine from the accompanying munitions carrier takes about 10 minutes using the purpose-built lifting device. The howitzer can use NATO modular charges or Bofors Uniflex 2 modular charges. The Uniflex 2IM modular charge system consists of two sizes of combustible charge cases; one full-size and one half-size case, both filled with the same type of insensitiveguanylurea dinitramide (GuDN) propellant. The modular charge system allows several increments of charge to be available and increases the system's multiple rounds simultaneous impact (MRSI) capability and good range overlap between the increments. With BAE Bofors/Nexter Bonus rounds the range is 35 kilometres (22 mi). Due to the glide wings of the precision-guided Raytheon/Bofors M982 Excalibur rounds, the range of the gun is extended to more than 50 kilometres (31 mi).[15] The Excalibur shell is corrected in flight towards a pre-programmed trajectory by a GPS guidance system. For armoured vehicles, the Bofors 155 Bonus is used.
Deployment
The system is designed for high strategic, operational and tactical mobility. The vehicle can reach road speeds of up to 90 kilometres per hour (56 mph), is capable of traversing snow up to a depth of one metre (3.3 ft), is rail transportable and can be air-transported in C-17 or A400M aircraft.[15] A large hydraulically operated stabilizer is installed in the rear of the chassis and is lowered with the vehicle in the selected firing position. The gun elevation and traverse ranges are -1° to +70° vertically and −85° to +85° horizontally. The initial deployment time and the redeployment times less than 30 seconds.[15] The system provides precision strike and high sustained firepower for support and for deep firing operations with more than 25 t of ammunition per gun and 24-hour operation. The howitzer has a continuous fire rate of 75 rounds per hour, an intensive fire rate of 20 rounds (i.e., a full magazine) in 2.5 minutes[15] (effective rate, 480 per hour), and a salvo fire rate of three rounds in 15 seconds (effective rate, 720 per hour). The MRSI capability, multiple round simultaneous impact, is up to 6 rounds. Direct-sighting can be used for target ranges up to 2,000 metres (2,200 yd).
General characteristics
Side view of an Archer
Length: 14.1 meters
Width: 3.0 meters
Height: 3.3 meters without the Protector mounted, 3.9 meters with.
Rate of fire: 8–9 rounds/min in Multiple round simultaneous impact-mode, which means that several shells are fired in succession with different trajectories so they hit the target simultaneously.
Weapon range (main gun): 30 km with standard shells, 40 km with base bleed, in excess of 50 km with Excalibur
Protection level of armour: 7.62 mm armour-piercing rounds, mines up to 6 kg (Level 2 STANAG 4569)
Emergency driving: all wheels – emergency driving equipment (Hutchinson AMVFI) makes it possible to drive with all wheels punctured; it also provides greater protection if the vehicle hits a blast-pressure mine; the same system is used on the Finnish APC Pasi.
Swedish Army – 48 in service, 24 originally ordered[16] for Royal Swedish Artillery Regiment (9th Artillery regiment).[7] Decided to buy additional 24 Norwegian export systems on 20 September 2016.[17] 24 additional Archers are intended to be ordered, increasing the total to 72.[18]
Future operators
Ukrainian Army - On 19 January 2023, the Swedish government announced that it had instructed the Swedish armed forces to begin preperations for the delivery of an unspecified number of Archer artillery systems to the Ukrainian armed forces.[19]
The Croatian Army stated a requirement for up to 24 systems as a replacement for their 2S1 Gvozdika, which were nearing the end of their life-cycle; but due to the economic crisis that occurred between 2008 and 2012 a decision on a new artillery system was postponed. The Croatian MOD eventually chose surplus PzH 2000 over the Archer System as it was deemed to be a cheaper alternative to the Archer. 15+simulator Ex-German PzH 2000 refurbished pieces were purchased for $54 million, to enter service in 2015/16.[22]
Potential operators
The US army has shown interest in the Archer system. The system was displayed in Camp Atterbury in November 2021. Deputy chief of staff for programs, lieutenant general Erik Peterson, visited Sweden to inspect the system in April 2022.[23][24]
Switzerland shortlisted Archer for the final round of its Future Artillery System competition June 2022.[25]
^Unit cost is based on the 2010 US$216 million contract for 48 systems.[1]
References
^ abJanes (26 August 2022), "FH-77 BW L52 Archer (155 mm)", Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery & Air Defence, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK Limited., retrieved 22 January 2023
^"ARCHER: The development of wheeled artillery with a new purpose". BAE Systems | International. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
^"Norwegian-Swedish cooperation on the future of artillery – invitation to the signing of agreement" (in Norwegian). Norwegian Ministry of Defence. 30 May 2007. Retrieved 30 March 2010.
^(PDF). BAE Systems- Bofors AB. 2008-07-03. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-08-26.
^Zerpe, Håkan (4 September 2008). "Klartecken för Archer". Retrieved 28 December 2016.
^ ab. army-technology.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
^Eriksson, Anna K (17 June 2013). "Sverige står helt utan artilleri". Svenska Dagbladet. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
^Swedish army has received first pre-serial production of Archer 155mm 6x6 self-propelled howitzer. Armyrecognition.com, 23 September 2013
^Sweden Takes Delivery of First Four Archer Artillery Systems. Deagel.com, 26 September 2013
^A Good Day at the Artillery Regiment. Forsvarsmakten.se, 9 February 2016
^"Norge avslutter kontrakten om artillerisystemet Archer". Regjeringen.no (in Norwegian). 6 December 2013.
^"Archer 155 mm Self-Propelled Gun-Howitzer". www.military-today.com. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
^"BAE Systems Bofors begins trials for HX2-based Archer". Janes.com. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
^ abcdef "Archer mobile howitzer". BAE Systems. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-08.
^ ab"Sweden's Archer Self-Propelled Artillery Project". Defense Industry Daily. 16 June 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
^Larrinaga, de, Nicholas (20 September 2016). "Sweden to double Archer artillery purchase". IHS Jane's 360. London. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
^Råssjö, Pelle (2020-11-02). "Kanonglädje i Bofors – ska leverera fler Archer i försvarets nya satsning". SVT Nyheter (in Swedish). Retrieved 2021-03-16.
^Nyheter, S. V. T.; Martorell, Jenny (2023-01-19). "Klart: Artillerisystemet Archer levereras till Ukraina". SVT Nyheter (in Swedish). Retrieved 2023-01-19.
^Norway; Mod cancels participation in Swedish ARCHER 155mm Archived 2013-12-11 at archive.today. Dmilt.com, 11 December 2013
^Norway orders K9 howitzers in latest win for South Korean arms industry. Defense News. 20 December 2017.
^"HV ĆE POTROŠITI 275 MILIJUNA NA VOZILA I ORUŽJE Kotromanović nabavlja vrhunsku haubicu kakvu imaju samo 4 vojske na svijetu". Retrieved 28 December 2016.
^"USA:s armé intresserad av att köpa svenskt artilleri". 29 April 2022.
^"Switzerland shortlists BAE Systems' Archer 155mm mobile howitzer". Army Technology. 10 June 2022.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to ARCHER Artillery System.
(in Swedish)
BAE Systems in Sweden
Video links
BAE Systems promotional video of Archer Artillery System on YouTube
January 31, 2023
archer, artillery, system, archer, fh77bw, artillerisystem, self, propelled, system, sweden, main, piece, system, fully, automated, howitzer, m151, protector, remote, controlled, weapon, station, mounted, modified, chassis, volvo, a30d, terrain, articulated, h. The Archer Artillery System or Archer FH77BW L52 or Artillerisystem 08 is a self propelled gun system of Sweden 2 3 The main piece of the system is a fully automated 155 mm L52 gun howitzer and a M151 Protector remote controlled weapon station mounted on a modified 6 6 chassis of the Volvo A30D all terrain articulated hauler The crew and engine compartment is armoured and the cab is fitted with bullet and fragmentation resistant windows The system also includes an ammunition resupply vehicle a support vehicle BONUS submunitions 4 and M982 Excalibur guided projectiles ArcherA deployed ArcherTypeSelf propelled artillery systemPlace of originSwedenService historyIn serviceSince 2016Used bySwedish Armed ForcesProduction historyDesignerBoforsDesigned1995 2009ManufacturerBAE Systems ABUnit costUS 4 5M note 1 Produced2010 2013No built48Specifications FH 77 BW L52 Archer Mass34 t 33 long tons 37 short tons Length14 3 m 46 ft 11 in Barrel length8 06 m 26 ft 5 in L 52Width3 m 9 ft 10 in Height3 3 m 10 ft 10 in top of roof4 m 13 ft 1 in top of roof mounted weaponCrew3Caliber155 mm 6 1 in Elevation 70 1244mils 1 18mils Traverse170 3022mils 85 left 85 right Rate of fire8 rds min rapid1 25 rds min sustainedEffective firing range30 km 19 mi standard shells40 km 25 mi base bleed35 km 22 mi 155 BONUS50 km 31 mi ExcaliburFeed systemAutomaticSightsComputerised FCS with Sigma 30 navigation and pointing systemArmorSteel amp appliqueMainarmamentFH 77 derived howitzerSecondaryarmamentProtector RWS with 12 7mm M2 HBEngineVolvo D98ACE3 I6 diesel242 kW 325 hp Drive6x6Ground clearance 4 m 16 in Fuel capacity400 L 110 US gal Operationalrange500 km 310 mi Maximum speed70 km h 43 mph ReferencesJanes 1 Contents 1 Development 2 Vehicle platform 3 Ammunition 4 Deployment 5 General characteristics 6 Operators 6 1 Current operators 6 2 Future operators 6 3 Cancelled orders 6 4 Potential operators 7 See also 8 Footnotes 9 References 10 External linksDevelopment EditThe project began in 1995 as earlier studies for a self propelled system based on the existing FH 77 howitzer Further test systems received the designation FH 77BD and FH 77BW By 2004 two prototypes had been ordered based on a lengthened version of the FH 77B mounted on a modified Volvo Construction Equipment A30D articulated haul truck 6x6 In 2008 Sweden ordered a first batch of seven units while Norway ordered one 5 6 In August 2009 Norway and Sweden ordered 24 Archers each in a cooperative deal 7 unreliable source The howitzer was developed for the Swedish armed forces following a contract awarded to Bofors now BAE Systems Bofors in 2003 by Forsvarets Materielverk FMV the Swedish defence acquisition agency to build two demonstrator howitzers The prototype FH77 BW L52 self propelled howitzers entered firing trials in Sweden in 2005 and 2006 In September 2006 the FMV placed a contract for detailed design work on Archer and in January 2007 a contract for the next development phase The Swedish Army has a requirement for 24 systems two battalions Following In September 2008 the Swedish government approved the final development and procurement of the Archer artillery system In November 2008 Sweden and Norway signed a co operative agreement for the development of the Archer system and in January 2009 awarded BAE Systems a contract to complete development of the artillery system with the exception of the remote weapon system which is made by Kongsberg Defence amp Aerospace A final prototype is scheduled for completion by September 2009 which is expected to be followed by a contract for 48 systems 24 for Sweden and 24 for Norway Archer was planned to enter service in 2011 but was delayed until October 2013 This was because of unforeseen technical problems 8 The Swedish Army received its first four pre serial production FH 77 BW L52 Archer systems on 23 September 2013 9 10 and the first guns finally entered service on 1 February 2016 11 The Norwegian government withdrew from the project in December 2013 12 In 2019 a new configuration of the Archer with the howitzer mounted on a RMMV HX2 8 8 tactical truck was revealed Interestingly Sweden ordered a number of HX2 trucks in 2014 with deliveries commencing in 2017 13 On January 23 2020 Janes reported that BAE Systems Bofors had begun trials for the HX2 variant 14 Vehicle platform EditThe vehicle platform is a modification of the Volvo A30D 6 6 articulated all terrain hauler vehicle Operators control the entire gun system in any weather from the safety of the armored vehicle cabin which is fitted with bullet and fragmentation proof windows The cabin seats up to four personnel The howitzer is operated by three or four crew but can be run by a single operator 15 The system also includes a munition carrier consisting of a removable modified standard container mounted on a ballistic proofed all terrain lorry The unit cost is approximately 4 500 000 Ammunition Edit Another view of a deployed Archer The vehicle carries 21 155mm projectiles in the fully automatic magazine 15 Reloading the magazine from the accompanying munitions carrier takes about 10 minutes using the purpose built lifting device The howitzer can use NATO modular charges or Bofors Uniflex 2 modular charges The Uniflex 2IM modular charge system consists of two sizes of combustible charge cases one full size and one half size case both filled with the same type of insensitive guanylurea dinitramide GuDN propellant The modular charge system allows several increments of charge to be available and increases the system s multiple rounds simultaneous impact MRSI capability and good range overlap between the increments With BAE Bofors Nexter Bonus rounds the range is 35 kilometres 22 mi Due to the glide wings of the precision guided Raytheon Bofors M982 Excalibur rounds the range of the gun is extended to more than 50 kilometres 31 mi 15 The Excalibur shell is corrected in flight towards a pre programmed trajectory by a GPS guidance system For armoured vehicles the Bofors 155 Bonus is used Deployment EditThe system is designed for high strategic operational and tactical mobility The vehicle can reach road speeds of up to 90 kilometres per hour 56 mph is capable of traversing snow up to a depth of one metre 3 3 ft is rail transportable and can be air transported in C 17 or A400M aircraft 15 A large hydraulically operated stabilizer is installed in the rear of the chassis and is lowered with the vehicle in the selected firing position The gun elevation and traverse ranges are 1 to 70 vertically and 85 to 85 horizontally The initial deployment time and the redeployment times less than 30 seconds 15 The system provides precision strike and high sustained firepower for support and for deep firing operations with more than 25 t of ammunition per gun and 24 hour operation The howitzer has a continuous fire rate of 75 rounds per hour an intensive fire rate of 20 rounds i e a full magazine in 2 5 minutes 15 effective rate 480 per hour and a salvo fire rate of three rounds in 15 seconds effective rate 720 per hour The MRSI capability multiple round simultaneous impact is up to 6 rounds Direct sighting can be used for target ranges up to 2 000 metres 2 200 yd General characteristics Edit Side view of an Archer Length 14 1 meters Width 3 0 meters Height 3 3 meters without the Protector mounted 3 9 meters with Weight 30 metric tons 30 Mg Speed 65 km h Range 500 km Crew 3 4 commander driver 1 2 operators but in case of emergencies a driver and a gunner can operate the vehicle Armament 155 mm L52 gun howitzer Kongsberg Protector remote weapon system Rate of fire 8 9 rounds min in Multiple round simultaneous impact mode which means that several shells are fired in succession with different trajectories so they hit the target simultaneously Weapon range main gun 30 km with standard shells 40 km with base bleed in excess of 50 km with Excalibur Protection level of armour 7 62 mm armour piercing rounds mines up to 6 kg Level 2 STANAG 4569 Emergency driving all wheels emergency driving equipment Hutchinson AMVFI makes it possible to drive with all wheels punctured it also provides greater protection if the vehicle hits a blast pressure mine the same system is used on the Finnish APC Pasi Operators Edit source source source source source source source source source source source source source source Swedish Artillery Regiment A 9 demonstrates the highly mobile Archer Artillery System on Nov 15 2021 at Camp Atterbury Current operators Edit Swedish Army 48 in service 24 originally ordered 16 for Royal Swedish Artillery Regiment 9th Artillery regiment 7 Decided to buy additional 24 Norwegian export systems on 20 September 2016 17 24 additional Archers are intended to be ordered increasing the total to 72 18 Future operators Edit Ukrainian Army On 19 January 2023 the Swedish government announced that it had instructed the Swedish armed forces to begin preperations for the delivery of an unspecified number of Archer artillery systems to the Ukrainian armed forces 19 Cancelled orders Edit Norwegian Army 24 ordered 16 for Royal Norwegian Artillery Battalion The order was canceled in December 2013 for not meeting needs within the time remaining available 20 Norway later chose to purchase the K9 Thunder in December 2017 21 The Croatian Army stated a requirement for up to 24 systems as a replacement for their 2S1 Gvozdika which were nearing the end of their life cycle but due to the economic crisis that occurred between 2008 and 2012 a decision on a new artillery system was postponed The Croatian MOD eventually chose surplus PzH 2000 over the Archer System as it was deemed to be a cheaper alternative to the Archer 15 simulator Ex German PzH 2000 refurbished pieces were purchased for 54 million to enter service in 2015 16 22 Potential operators Edit The US army has shown interest in the Archer system The system was displayed in Camp Atterbury in November 2021 Deputy chief of staff for programs lieutenant general Erik Peterson visited Sweden to inspect the system in April 2022 23 24 Switzerland shortlisted Archer for the final round of its Future Artillery System competition June 2022 25 See also EditATMOS 2000 A 222 Bereg 2S22 Bohdana CAESAR DANA G6 Rhino AHS Kryl Nora B 52 PCL 09 PCL 161 PCL 181 PLL 09 Type 19 ZUZANAFootnotes Edit Unit cost is based on the 2010 US 216 million contract for 48 systems 1 References Edit a b Janes 26 August 2022 FH 77 BW L52 Archer 155 mm Janes Land Warfare Platforms Artillery amp Air Defence Coulsdon Surrey Jane s Group UK Limited retrieved 22 January 2023 ARCHER The development of wheeled artillery with a new purpose BAE Systems International Retrieved 2022 09 02 Norwegian Swedish cooperation on the future of artillery invitation to the signing of agreement in Norwegian Norwegian Ministry of Defence 30 May 2007 Retrieved 30 March 2010 155 BONUS Strike and destroy up to 35 km PDF BAE Systems Bofors AB 2008 07 03 Archived from the original PDF on 2010 08 26 Zerpe Hakan 4 September 2008 Klartecken for Archer Retrieved 28 December 2016 Government decision on ARCHER Ministry of Defence Sweden Archived from the original on February 7 2009 Retrieved 30 March 2010 a b Archer FH77 BW L52 Self Propelled Howitzer Sweden army technology com Archived from the original on 27 April 2011 Retrieved 30 April 2011 Eriksson Anna K 17 June 2013 Sverige star helt utan artilleri Svenska Dagbladet Retrieved 28 December 2016 Swedish army has received first pre serial production of Archer 155mm 6x6 self propelled howitzer Armyrecognition com 23 September 2013 Sweden Takes Delivery of First Four Archer Artillery Systems Deagel com 26 September 2013 A Good Day at the Artillery Regiment Forsvarsmakten se 9 February 2016 Norge avslutter kontrakten om artillerisystemet Archer Regjeringen no in Norwegian 6 December 2013 Archer 155 mm Self Propelled Gun Howitzer www military today com Retrieved 2022 10 24 BAE Systems Bofors begins trials for HX2 based Archer Janes com Retrieved 2022 10 24 a b c d e f Archer mobile howitzer BAE Systems 24 August 2022 Retrieved 2022 09 08 a b Sweden s Archer Self Propelled Artillery Project Defense Industry Daily 16 June 2022 Retrieved 28 December 2016 Larrinaga de Nicholas 20 September 2016 Sweden to double Archer artillery purchase IHS Jane s 360 London Retrieved 20 September 2016 Rassjo Pelle 2020 11 02 Kanongladje i Bofors ska leverera fler Archer i forsvarets nya satsning SVT Nyheter in Swedish Retrieved 2021 03 16 Nyheter S V T Martorell Jenny 2023 01 19 Klart Artillerisystemet Archer levereras till Ukraina SVT Nyheter in Swedish Retrieved 2023 01 19 Norway Mod cancels participation in Swedish ARCHER 155mm Archived 2013 12 11 at archive today Dmilt com 11 December 2013 Norway orders K9 howitzers in latest win for South Korean arms industry Defense News 20 December 2017 HV CE POTROSITI 275 MILIJUNA NA VOZILA I ORUZJE Kotromanovic nabavlja vrhunsku haubicu kakvu imaju samo 4 vojske na svijetu Retrieved 28 December 2016 USA s arme intresserad av att kopa svenskt artilleri 29 April 2022 Artilleripjasen vacker USA s intresse Kvalificerad kund Switzerland shortlists BAE Systems Archer 155mm mobile howitzer Army Technology 10 June 2022 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to ARCHER Artillery System Swedish Defence Materiel Administration ARCHER Artillery system in Swedish Swedish Artillery Regiment BAE Systems in Sweden A unique Forestry carrier conversion Article in mil seVideo linksBAE Systems promotional video of Archer Artillery System on YouTube Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Archer Artillery System amp oldid 1136450788, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
