Archer FH77 BW L52 is a 155mm self-propelled howitzer manufactured by BAE Systems Bofors in Karlskoga, Sweden. It is fully autonomous and can be used in traditional warfare fire support, as well as modern international peacekeeping and peace enforcement missions.
The howitzer has a 40km range using current standard ammunition, and a 60km range with the M982 Excalibur rounds. The howitzer can also fire the Bonus top attack rounds developed by Bofors and Giat (now Nexter).
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Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) received the first serial-production Archer artillery systems from BAE Systems in September 2015.
BAE Systems launched the new Archer mobile howitzer at DESI in September 2019. The new version is capable of meeting wide range of mission requirements as it is adaptable to various terrains and battlefield conditions.
Archer howitzer system development
In 2003, FMV awarded a development contract to Bofors (now BAE Systems Bofors) to build two demonstrator howitzers. The prototype FH77 BW L52 155mm 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).
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. A final prototype was rolled out in July 2009, followed by a contract for 48 systems, specifically 24 for Sweden and 24 for Norway.
The prototypes were completed in 2010 and Archer entered service with the Swedish Army in February 2016. The deliveries of all 24 Archer artillery systems were concluded in December. The Swedish government announced plans to purchase additional 24 Archer systems in September 2016, after Norway withdrew from the procurement in December 2013.
The Archer system is a development of the earlier 155mm towed FH77 L39, of which more than 700 were produced and are in service with the Swedish, Nigerian and Indian forces.
Archer vehicle platform details
The Archer howitzer system consists of ammunition resupply and support vehicles. The vehicle platform is a modification of the Volvo A30D 6×6 articulated all-terrain hauler vehicle. Both the vehicle cabin and engine compartment are fully armoured and the cab is fitted with bullet and fragmentation-proof windows.
The howitzer is operated by three or four crew seated from the vehicle cabin, which is fitted with a door each side and a circular roof hatch.
Weapon systems of the Archer
The main weapon is the 155mm 52-calibre gun. The gun uses the proven design of the cradle and recoil system from the current generation FH 77B towed field howitzer. Being equipped with a target acquisition or designation sight feature, the gun has a direct fire capability.
The weapon is equipped with a fire control system, laying system and inertial navigation and a muzzle velocity radar. Data from the radar is downloaded to the onboard computerised fire control system. However, Archer can use other remote weapon stations on the market.
A remote weapon system, comprising a day and night sight with a 7.62mm general-purpose machine gun, is installed on the roof of the cab. BAE Systems Bofors has developed the Lemur family of gyro-stabilised, fragment-protected, electro-optical sights and remotely controlled (RC) weapon systems. The lemur machine gun can be aimed and fired from inside the armour-protected cabin.
Sagem’s Sigma 30 artillery pointing and land navigation units are fitted to the Norwegian and Swedish Archers. Sagem supplies the units as part of a contract signed with BAE Systems in February 2011.
Self-protection and ammunition of the howitzer
A remote-controlled weapon station (RWS) is mounted on the top of the crew compartment of the vehicle and is the self-protection system that the vehicle is equipped with. RWS is operated remotely, it has on-mount sensors and is a stabilised weapon. The sensors are attached underneath the weapon.
The vehicle carries 20 150mm projectiles in the fully automatic magazine and an additional 20 projectiles for reload. 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 gun system’s multiple rounds simultaneous impact (MRSI) capability and good range overlap between the increments.
With BAE Bofors / Nexter Bonus rounds, the range is 35km. The range of the gun is extended to 60km with the precision-guided Raytheon / Bofors XM982 Excalibur round. The Excalibur shell is corrected in flight towards a pre-programmed trajectory by a GPS guidance system.
Archer mobility and deployment
The gun of the vehicle features fast strategic mobility. A commercial articulated hauler provides the vehicle with rapid deployment and redeployment capability. The hauler also helps the vehicle in attaining all-terrain capability.
The system is operated by three or four crew members who are protected in combat by being under armour. The armoured platform provides protection against 7.62mm rounds, armour penetration rounds, 6kg mines (level 2 STANAG 4569) and has NBC protection for the crew.
The system is designed for high strategic, operational and tactical mobility. The vehicle can reach road-speeds of up to 70km/h, is capable of traversing snow up to a depth of 100cm, is rail transportable and can be air-transported in the new A400M aircraft. A large hydraulically operated stabiliser is installed in the rear of the chassis and is lowered with the vehicle into the selected firing position.
The gun elevation and traverse ranges are 0° to 70°, and -75° to 75°. The initial deployment time and the redeployment times are each less than 30 seconds.
The system provides precision strike firepower and high sustained firepower for support and for deep firing operations, with more than 25t of ammunition a gun and 24-hour operation.
The howitzer has a continuous fire rate of 75 rounds an hour, an intensive fire rate of 20 rounds (i.e. a full magazine) in 2.5 minutes and a salvo fire rate of three rounds in 15 seconds. The MRSI capability, multiple round simultaneous impact, is up to six rounds. Direct-sighting can be used for target ranges up to 2,000m.
