Archer artillery system

Archer
A deployed Archer
TypeWheeled self-propelled howitzer
Place of originSweden
Service history
In serviceSince 2016
Used byOperators
Production history
DesignerBofors
Designed1995–2009
ManufacturerBAE Systems AB
Unit costUS$4.5M (2010)[note 1]
US$10.4M (2023)[note 2]
ProducedSince 2010
No. built48 (+ 48 on order)
Specifications (See technical data)
Caliber155 mm

Main
armament
FH 77 derived howitzer
ReferencesJanes[1]

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]

  1. ^ a b Janes (26 August 2022), "FH-77 BW L52 Archer (155 mm)", Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery & Air Defence, Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Group UK, retrieved 22 January 2023
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference bae-sep23-contract2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  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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