BAE Systems has been awarded a $200 million contract to begin production of 48 Archer 155mm self-propelled artillery gun systems and their associated ammunition handling systems for the Swedish and Norwegian armed forces.
The first operational systems are expected to be delivered in October 2011 and production will continue over the following two years.
The production contract follows a $146 million development program that began in 2003.
Mike Smith, managing director of BAE, Global Combat Systems Weapons, said: “Archer is an important program for the armed forces of both countries and for BAE Systems’ land business, as it is in a core area for us and will provide a springboard for future exports. We appreciate the effort and cooperation that the FMV and FLO–the national procurement agencies–have invested in ensuring the procurement of the most advanced and capable artillery system for the Swedish and Norwegian armies.”
Archer is an advanced and automated artillery gun system in production, designed for rapid deployment and high mobility in the most demanding operational scenarios. The digital fire control system and automatic gun-laying capability allows a response to calls for fire within 30 seconds while the ordnance is securely stowed and ready for rapid redeployment within 30 seconds of the completion of a fire mission.
The Archer system combines the proven firepower of BAE’s FH77 B05 52 caliber cannon with a modified Volvo commercial A30E 6×6 rugged articulated vehicle.
The weapon provides improved operations, delivering concentrated firepower with conventional munitions to a range of more than 40km, and using advanced munitions, to ranges up to 50 km, while the crew of three remains fully protected in the armored cab command module.
The Archer system is based on well-proven sub-systems and can fire a full range of western standard munitions, many of which have been developed entirely by BAE or in conjunction with international partners, such as the BONUS projectile, dispensing precision targeting sub-munitions or the highly effective Excalibur precision guided round.
The crew is completely separated from the armament and ammunition, and don’t have to leave the protected cabin when operating the system, except for maintenance, BAE said.
The Archer production go-ahead follows another green light this week for a BAE bi-national collaboration on an advanced weapon system. On March 22 the U.K. Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Anglo-French CTA weapons system was mandated for the Future Rapid Effects System Specialist Vehicle and Warrior upgrade programs. CTA International is a 50-50 joint venture between BAE and France’s Nexter Systems.