British Army Initiates Transition from AS90 Tracked Howitzers to Archer Wheeled Artillery Systems.

The British Army's 19th Regiment Royal Artillery, known as The Scottish Gunners, has initiated the technical conversion from the AS90 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer to the more advanced Archer 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer. The initial phase involves driver training conducted by the Royal School of Artillery, equipping personnel to operate the new platform and deploy it in operations.
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British Army instructors conduct the first driver training session for the 19th Regiment Royal Artillery on the ARCHER 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer in the UK, delivered to the Scottish Gunners. (Picture source 19th Regiment Royal Artillery Facebook)

The transition from AS90 tracked howitzers to Archer wheeled artillery systems marks a significant upgrade in the British Army’s artillery capabilities. The 19th Regiment, sometimes referred to as the "Highland Gunners," supports the 12 Mechanised Brigade in an armored field artillery role. The regiment is transitioning to the Archer 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer, enhancing its operational effectiveness with a state-of-the-art artillery system.

The move to Archer was expedited by a government-to-government deal between the UK and Sweden, facilitated by the British government and Sweden's Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). This rapid acquisition process began with a contract signed in March 2023 and saw the first of the 14 Archer systems delivered by October 2023. The acquisition was part of a broader effort to replenish the UK’s artillery stock after donating 32 AS90 howitzers to Ukraine.

Designed by BAE Systems Bofors in Sweden, the Archer system boasts significant improvements over the AS90. It offers double the maximum firing range—up to 50 km with extended-range ammunition—and possesses enhanced mobility and deployment capabilities. The Archer can be operated by a crew of three to four, compared to the AS90's requirement of five, and achieves a top speed of 70 kph, improving on the AS90's 53 kph.

The Archer howitzer, a 6x6 wheeled self-propelled artillery system, features a fully automated loading system that enhances its operational efficiency. This 155mm howitzer is designed for rapid deployment and boasts a remarkable firing range of 50 kilometers when using extended-range ammunition, effectively doubling the 25-kilometer range of its predecessor, the AS90. To put this into perspective, it's akin to upgrading from being able to fire from central London to the M25, to now reaching as far as Sandhurst in Berkshire.

The operation of the Archer howitzer is conducted entirely from within a protected armored cabin, which allows the crew to load and fire the weapon safely. Remarkably, the Archer can be deployed into action in just 20 seconds and is ready to relocate in the same amount of time after firing, minimizing its vulnerability to counterattacks.

Capable of utilizing various types of 155mm artillery ammunition, the Archer excels in flexibility. This includes extended range and precision anti-armor shells. It also features a high rate of fire, capable of discharging eight rounds per minute. Additionally, it has a simultaneous impact mode, where up to four rounds are fired in quick succession with different trajectories, allowing all projectiles to strike a single target simultaneously, enhancing its tactical effectiveness in battle.

The acquisition of Archer howitzers represents a strategic enhancement of the British Army's artillery capabilities, extending their operational reach and flexibility on the battlefield.

Defense News April 2024