Battle of Old Fort Wayne

The Archer Artillery System, or Archer – FH77BW L52, or Artillerisystem 08, is a Swedish self-propelled howitzer system.[3][4] The main piece of the system is a fully automated 155 mm L52 (52-calibre-long) 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[5] and M982 Excalibur guided projectiles.

Well designed for counter battery strike purposes, the long range and the ability to fire three shells and depart the location before the first shell lands enables the crew to perform with low risk of detection.[6]

Development

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 six-wheel drive articulated haul truck.

In September 2006, BAE Systems Bofors received a SEK 40 million contract from the FMV (Försvarets materielverk, Swedish Defence Materiel Administration) for detailed design work on the Archer program.

In 2008, Sweden ordered a first batch of seven units, while Norway ordered one.[7][8] In August 2009, Norway and Sweden ordered 24 Archers each, in a cooperative deal.[9][10]

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 had a requirement for 24 systems (two battalions). 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 was scheduled for completion by September 2009, which was 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.[11] It caused the Norwegian government to withdraw from the project in December 2013.[12]

The Swedish Army received its first four pre-serial production FH-77 BW L52 Archer systems on 23 September 2013,[13][14] and the first guns finally entered service on 1 February 2016.[15]

In 2019, a new configuration of the Archer, with the howitzer mounted on a Rheinmetall MAN HX2 8×8 tactical truck, was revealed. Sweden had ordered a number of HX2 trucks in 2014, with deliveries commencing in 2017.[16] On 23 January 2020, Janes Information Services reported that BAE Systems Bofors had begun trials for the HX2 variant.[17]

Design

Vehicles

Operational vehicle platform – Volvo A30D

This vehicle platform is a modification of the Volvo A30D 6×6 articulated all-terrain hauler vehicle. It was developed for the first variant of the Archer Artillery System. 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.[18]

The system also includes a munition carrier consisting of a removable, modified standard container mounted on a ballistic-proofed all-terrain lorry. As per the agreement announced in March 2010, the contract to commence the serial production of 48 Archer was signed for US$200 million, resulting in a unit cost of US$4.17 million.[19]

Future vehicle platform – Rheinmetall HX2 8×8

The Rheinmetall HX2 8×8 (HX44M) is the second platform for which the Archer Artillery System is being developed.[20] The Swedish Army ordered 48 in September 2023 for US$500 million. The delivery is planned to start from 2025.[21] There aren't any changes to the system mentioned other than its adaptation to the vehicle.[22]

Potential vehicle platform – Oshkosh Defence trucks

BAE Bofors is proposing this system as an option to the US Military, and concept variants based on the Oshkosh HEMTT (8×8) or the Oshkosh PLS (10×10).[23][24][25]

Ammunition

Another view of a deployed Archer

The vehicle carries 21 155 mm projectiles in a fully automatic magazine.[18] 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).[18] 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.

Operational capabilities

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 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III or Airbus A400M Atlas aircraft.[18] 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 are less than 30 seconds.[18] 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[18] (effective rate, 480 rounds per hour), and a salvo fire rate of three rounds in 15 seconds (effective rate, 720 rounds 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).

Technical data

The detailed specifications and capabilities of each variant are summarised in the following table.[26]

Parameters Volvo A30D

(6×6)

Rheinmetall HX2 (HX44M)

(8×8)

Vehicle characteristics
Length 14.3 m (47 ft) 13.1 m (43 ft)
Width 3.0 m (9.8 ft)
Height 3.4 m (11 ft)
Height (with turret) 4.0 m (13.1 ft)
Gun elevation 10.4 m (34 ft)
Mass 34.0 t (75,000 lb) 38.0 t (83,800 lb)
Power train
Engine Volvo D9B AC E3 (9,400 cm3, diesel, inline 6) [27] MAN D2066, (10,518 cm3, diesel, inline 6)
Engine power 252 kW (343 PS) 324 kW (441 PS)
Power / mass ratio 7.41 kW/t (10.07 PS/t) 8.53 kW/t (11.60 PS/t)
Torque 1,700 N⋅m (1,300 lb⋅ft) 2,100 N⋅m (1,500 lb⋅ft)
Drivetrain Longitudinal diff-lock on the move 6×4 or 6×6, diff-lock on each axle [28] Longitudinal diff-lock on the move 8×4 or 8×8, Hi-Lo transfer case MAN G172, diff-lock on each axle
Vehicle performances
Max speed 70 km/h (43 mph) [29] 90 km/h (56 mph)
Cruising range 650 km (400 mi) 800 km (500 mi)
Max slope 58% (30.0°) 58% (30.0°)
Max lateral lean 53.2% (28.0°) 34.5% (19°)
Ground clearance 0.45 m (1.5 ft) 0.40 m (1.3 ft)
Fording depth 1.00 m (3.28 ft) 1.00 m (3.28 ft)
Weapon System
Primary weapon Howitzer 155 mm FH-77 BW L/52
Elevation -1° to +70°
Traverse -85° to +85°
Loading system Automatic loading
Projectile magazine 21 projectiles
Propellant magazine 126 modular propellant charges Bofors Uniflex 2 (made of insensitive guanylurea dinitramide, known as FOX-12 or GUDN).

The propellant magazine contains 18 rows with each 6 full charges and 1 "half" charge.[29]

Secondary weapon RCWS "Vapenstation 01" (M151 Protector with M2 Browning or 40mm automatic grenade launcher) [30]
Crew 1 to 4 crew members: 1 driver, 1 commander, 2 operators

(The operators and commander can operate remotely)

3 crew members: 1 driver, 1 commander, 1 operator

(The operator and commander can operate remotely)

Electronic systems
Fire control systen Fire control computer with NABK software (automated ballistics calculation, ammunition management, electronic fuse setting)
Target acquisition Open architecture for the integration to local battlefield management system for target data transmission
INS (inertial navigation) SAGEM Sigma 30 [31]
Muzzle velocity radar Weibel MVRS-700SC muzzle velocity radar
Weapon performances
Weapon Setup Weapon ready to shoot in 20 seconds, out of action in 20 seconds
Rate of fire Multiple rounds simultaneous impact (MRSI) capable with 4 to 6 rounds depending on the range
  • Burst of 3 rounds in 20 seconds
  • Intensive mission of 21 rounds (full magazine) in 3 minutes
  • Continuous shooting, 54 rounds in 35 minutes
Shells in use Qualified shells on Archer:
  • High explosive HE rounds, range < 30 km (19 mi)
  • High explosive extended HEER, range > 40 km (25 mi),
  • M982 Excalibur guided rounds, range < 50 km (31 mi)
  • Bofors / Nexter BONUS anti-armour rounds, range < 35 km (22 mi)
  • Smoke, illumination and training rounds
Protection [32]
Hull It uses Steel & appliqué armour. The cabin is protected against 7.62×51mm NATO AP rounds and artillery shell fragments (STANAG 4569 Level 3)
Floor The floor of both cabins is protected against 6 kg (explosive mass) Blast AT Mine (STANAG 4569 Level 2b)
CBRN Cabin overpressure and air filters
Stealth Radar absorbent painting, radar stealth geometry and IR stealth and Saab Barracuda camouflage nets with IR and radar stealth features[29] Radar absorbent painting, IR stealth and Saab Barracuda camouflage nets with IR and radar stealth features [29]

Current operators

Swedish Artillery Regiment (A 9) demonstrates the highly mobile Archer Artillery System on 15 November 2021, at Camp Atterbury.
  Current operators
Sweden Swedish Army
26 owned as of 16 March 2023.[33]
  • Platform Volvo A30D: 24 in active service.[34] The Swedish Army ordered 24 Archer systems in 2009. An additional order for the 24 systems originally bought by Norway was placed in 2016. BAE Systems Bofors delivered 48 Archer to the Royal Swedish Artillery Regiment (9th Artillery regiment) between 2013 and 2022.[35][36][37] On 16 March 2023, the Swedish Government announced that 24 of the systems were in service and 24 were in storage. Among those formerly stored systems, 14 are to be sold and transferred to the British Army in March 2023 and 8 will be sent to Ukraine due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The remaining 2 units will be used by the Swedish army to further develop the Archer artillery system.[38][39][40]
  • Platform Rheinmetall HX2 8x8: 48 ordered. The Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV, Försvarets materielverk), signed a letter of intent to purchase 24 Archer systems in June 2022. Its intention was to equip a third artillery battalion by 2025.[41][42] In September 2023 a contract for 48 Archer systems was signed, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2025.[43][2] The cost for 48 artillery systems is $500 million.[2]
United Kingdom British Army
14 owned as of March 2023. The Archer system is also one of the contenders for the British Army's future artillery, as it is participating in the Mobile Fires Platform (MFP) programme to replace the AS-90 tracked self-propelled gun-howitzer.[44] On 16 March 2023, the Swedish Government asked for permission from the Riksdag to sell 14 Archer Artillery Systems to the British Army as an interim replacement for 32 AS-90 gifted to Ukraine.[45] Ownership of the systems was transferred in March 2023, and they would be fully operational by the following April.[46] The first Archer was delivered in October 2023.[47]
Ukraine Ukrainian Ground Forces
8 owned as of the end of 2023. On 16 March 2023, the Swedish government announced that it will send 8 Archer artillery systems to the Ukrainian armed forces.[45] The delivery was reported later in November.[48][49]

Potential operators

United Kingdom British Army
The Archer system is also one of the contenders for the British Army's Mobile Fires Platform program. The variant offered is based on the Rheinmetall HX2 8x8 truck. This truck is already in service in the British Army. As of December 2023, Babcock and Rheinmetall UK formally joined forces with BAE Bofors to pitch the Archer to the British Army. The competition is expected to start in early 2024. Among the competitors, there are: CAESAR (Nexter), the RCH-155 (KMW), the K9 Thunder (Hanwha Aerospace and Lockheed Martin) and the ATI (Artillery Truck Interface, a module based on a HX3 10x10, made by Rheinmetall) which could eventually use a 155 L/60 calibre.[50]
Switzerland Swiss Armed Forces
BAE Systems Bofors announced in June 2022 that Switzerland shortlisted the Archer for the final round of its Future Artillery System competition "Artillerie Wirkplattform und Wirkmittel 2026".[51] The version selected is the one based on the Rheinmetall HX2 8x8. On 11 August 2022, the Federal Department of Defence confirmed this information and announced that the Archer will be in competition against the RCH 155 Artillery Gun Module. KMW who manufactures the AGM offers two versions, one based on the Boxer platform, and one based on the Piranha IV .[52]

Evaluation only

United States US Army
In July 2020, the US Army released a request for proposals to evaluate wheeled self-propelled howitzers. In October 2020, BAE Systems offered the Archer as a participant to the RFP.[53] The other platforms tested were the ATMOS 2000, the CAESAr, the Brutus and the Nora B-52.[54] Throughout 2021, the various wheeled self-propelled howitzers conducted a shoot off evaluation at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona and at Camp Atterbury. The Archer was tested in November 2021.[55] As part of the evaluation, Lieutenant General Erik Peterson, visited Sweden to inspect the system in April 2022.[56][57]
The interest for a wheeled self-propelled howitzer aimes at increasing the mobility of the artillery capabilities, and to take a position between the M109 and the M777. At the same time, the platforms tested would offer an artillery system with an increased range as the greatest operational calibre in the US Army is the 155mm L/39. The US Army ultimately did not move forward with acquiring a wheeled howitzer system.[58]

Cancelled order

Norway Norwegian Army
24 ordered for Royal Norwegian Artillery Battalion[59] but the order was cancelled in December 2013 due to delays in the development and production, therefore not meeting needs within the time remaining available.[60] Norway later chose to purchase the K9 Thunder in December 2017.[61]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ Unit cost is based on the 2010 US$216 million contract for 48 systems.[1]
  2. ^ Unit cost is based on the 2023 US$500 million contract for 48 systems.[2]

References

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  2. ^ a b c "Sweden awards BAE Systems $500 million contract for additional 48 ARCHER artillery systems". BAE Systems. 13 September 2023. Archived from the original on 13 September 2023.
  3. ^ "ARCHER: The development of wheeled artillery with a new purpose". BAE Systems | International. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "155 BONUS Strike and destroy up to 35 km" (PDF). BAE Systems- Bofors AB. 3 July 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 August 2010.
  6. ^ "Sweden Reveals How Many People Engaged in Maintenance of Archer Artillery Systems". 15 November 2023.
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  11. ^ Eriksson, Anna K (17 June 2013). "Sverige står helt utan artilleri". Svenska Dagbladet. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  12. ^ "Norge avslutter kontrakten om artillerisystemet Archer". Regjeringen.no (in Norwegian). 6 December 2013.
  13. ^ Swedish army has received first pre-serial production of Archer 155mm 6x6 self-propelled howitzer. Armyrecognition.com, 23 September 2013
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External links

Video links