Archer FH77 BW L52 BAE Systems

155mm 6x6 wheeled self-propelled howitzer - Sweden

The Archer is a wheeled self-propelled howitzer 155mm designed and manufactured jointly by the Companies Bofors and BAE Systems. The first technical studies of the Archer were launched in 1995. Under contract to the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), the now BAE Systems Global Combat Systems (previously BAE Systems Bofors) fitted a 155 mm FH-77 artillery system on the rear of a modified VME A25C (6 × 6) all-terrain Volvo truck chassis. The deployment time of Archer has been shortened reduced from 10 minutes to only 30 seconds compared to a standard self-propelled howitzer. The first driving and firing rig was completed late in 1995 and, following company trials was delivered to the Swedish Army for six months of troop trials. The first operational systems are expected to be delivered in October 2011 and production will continue over the following two years. The Archer system offers a completely new dimension within precision engagement in large areas. All parts of the system are vital for the end product, especially the combination of and cooperation between systems, which is unique compared to existing artillery. Each gun system will be staffed by 3-4 operators, which is a major improvement from its forerunner which was manned by a crew consisting of 10-12 operators. The Archer self-propelled howitzer adds essential speed, mobility, and intense rates of fire to support ground troops. The 6x6 howitzer needs less than 30 seconds from the time the operators receive a call for fire to stop the vehicle, position for action, and fire the first round. And then less than 30 seconds after the mission is accomplished, ARCHER is on the move again. In October 2020, BAE Systems proposed its ARCHER 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer in response to the U.S. Army’s request for proposals for a 155 mm wheeled gun system. On August 29, 2022, Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister Ann Lind announced that Sweden was evaluating the possibility of providing Ukraine with Archer 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzers. On January 10, 2023, Sweden confirmed that the ARCHER, a truck-mounted 155mm self-propelled howitzer will be supplied to Ukraine. On January 19, 2023, the Swedish Prime Minister announced the supply of 12 Archer 155mm self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine. On March 16, 2023, the British Ministry of Defense announced the acquisition of Archer howitzers to replace the AS90 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers donated to Ukraine. On October 6, 203, the British Ministry of Defense announced the delivery of the first Archer howitzers to the British army. The 19th Regiment Royal Artillery (The Scottish Gunners) based in Larkhill, Wiltshire, will be the first to receive the howitzer. On February 15, 2024, the British army announced that British soldiers had conducted the first live firing exercise with ARCHER howitzers in Sweden. 

Archer 155mm howitzer variants:

No variants at this time.