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Artillery / Self-propelled howitzers / Archer

Archer

General Facts

  • TYPE
    Self-propelled howitzer

  • ORIGIN
    Sweden

  • NICKNAMES
    Artillery system 08

  • DESIGNED
    1995

  • DESIGNER
    Bofors

  • PRODUCTION
    2010 - present

  • PRODUCERS
    Sweden - Bofors

  • QUANTITY
    48 ordered (2010 figure)

  • UNIT COST
    Unknown

  • CHARACTERISTICS
    High level of automatization
    Long range
    High rate of fire
    Good mobility
    Requires only a small crew
    Limited amount of ammunition

Introduction

The Archer is a self-propelled howitzer of Swedish origin. It was developed in the 1990's as a highly mobile limited costs long range artillery system. The Archer is unique with its articulated design and remote controlled turret.

Layout

The Archer is based on lengthened Volvo A30D chassis that is normally used for dump trucks and special construction vehicles. A large remote controlled turret is positioned at the rear of the chassis. This houses the 155mm howitzer in a recoil system derived from the FH-77 towed howitzer and is connected to an autoloader derived from the earlier Bandkanon. The crew cabin is armored and a remote controlled weapon system is installed. Two jacks at the rear support the weapon

Firepower

The Archer is armed with a 155mm L/52 howitzer with a 25 L chamber that was derived from the towed FH-77 howitzer. The maximum range is claimed to be 30 km with standard ammunition, 40 km with base bleed and 60 km with the XM982 Excalibur round. The direct fire capability is 2 km. The maximum rate of fire is 8 - 9 rpm with a burst fire of 3 rounds in 13 seconds achieveable. The Archer has an MSRI capability of 8 rounds.

Protection

The crew is protected from small arms fire and shell splinters. A 6 kg mine may detonate under any wheel without injuring the crew. Since the laying and loading systems are automated the crew is not exposed during fire missions. The fast emplacement and displacement time creates a shoot and scoot capability. Smoke grenade launchers are not installed and the presence of a NBC system is unknown.

Mobility

The articuladed Volvo chassis has a proven off road performance and can travers terrain many military trucks cannot. Due to the increase in length the off road capabilitys probably have been deminished somewhat, but will remain on par with other wheeled howitzers. The Archer can be carried in the A400M or any larger transport plane.

Users

Norway and Sweden have both ordered 24 Archers and it is likely export orders will follow in the future.

Variants

Archer

The Archer is a self-propelled howitzer that is unique in its articulated wheeled chassis and high level of automation. Unlike most wheeled howitzers the Archer is operated under full armor protection. No variants of the Archer have been announced, although the Swedish and Finnish version may differ in details. An ammunition resupply vehicle based on the same chassis has also been developed.

TypeSelf-propelled howitzer
Crew4 (driver, commander, 2 operators)
Length14.1 m
Width3.1 m
Height3.3 - 3.9 m
Ground clearance?
Weight33.5 t combat load
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseWheeled chassis, 6x6
Turn radius?
Engine340 hp diesel
Power ratio10.1 hp/t
Transmission?
Speed65 km/h
Fuel?
Range500 km
Wall?
Trench?
Gradient?
Fording?
ArmorYes
NBC equipment?
Night vision?
SmokeNo
Remarks-
Armament155mm L/52 howitzer
12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun
Weapon1155mm L/52 howitzer in remotely operated turret
24 rounds, all ready to fire
+0 - +70° elevation, powered
360° traverse, powered
non-stabilized
Weapon212.7mm M2HB in RWS
powered traverse and elevation
Weapon3-
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-

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