A new military development of the Swedes - the FH77 BW L52 Archer self-propelled artillery unit, is able to compete with such "stars" of modern artillery as the K9, PzH-2000, CAESAR, the Russian "Msta" and the British self-propelled gun M777 Portee. The British company BAE Systems, a licensed manufacturer of weapons for Sweden and Norway, will release 48 new self-propelled units for the armies of these states. The amount of the signed contract exceeds $ 200 million.
Creation of the FH77 BW L52 Archer
The Swedish company Bofors Defense, which is part of the SAAB group of companies, has created another SPG model - the FH77 BW L52 Archer. The new ACS competes with such well-known 152-155 mm caliber installations as the K9 from South Korea, the German PzH-2000, created in France by CAESAR and the Russian Msta. The closest SPG is the British self-propelled gun M777 Portee.
The FH77 BW L52 Archer was created as part of the NATO Armed Forces Reform Plan and is an armored artillery firing system capable of being transported by medium military transport aircraft and heavy helicopters. Bofors Defense recommends its development for arming the Swedish army and does not exclude supplies to other states.
The basis for the artillery complex was the towed gun Haubits 77B (FH77), which is reflected in the name of the complex. The new generation FH77 BW L52 self-propelled gun has become an ideal artillery firing system that can be used in the European theater of probable hostilities. Thanks to the system of camouflage cloaks, the installation becomes approximately three times less noticeable, which makes it possible to use it in combat operations in wooded areas and in open space.
Main features FH77 BW L52 Archer
The self-propelled artillery gun is placed on a mobile platform in such a way that the recoil becomes minimal and the impact is compensated. To improve the stability of the platform during firing, a hydraulic outrigger is lowered at the rear of the unit. A special container, in which the implement is located, is mounted on a 6x6 articulated platform. There is a special counterweight at the end of the gun, it is he who compensates for the force of the blow when fired. A 7, 2 mm machine gun can be installed on the roof of the cab. The off-road chassis Volvo 6x6 A30D, on which the implement is placed, allows the installation to be used on rough terrain in almost any weather conditions. The maximum speed of the self-propelled unit reaches 70 km / h. Transportation by air can be carried out by such transporters as the A400M.
The cradle and the rollback system the new self-propelled gun inherited from its predecessor - the 155-mm towed artillery system Haubits 77B, which made it possible to reduce the cost of production. Thanks to the automatic loading system, the installation crew includes only three people. The inertial navigation system, guidance and fire control system make it possible to quickly enter and exit the battle, which allows you not to wait for a retaliatory strike from enemy artillery. Not without a battle control system, which has already been tested on other Swedish complexes.
Places for the crew of a self-propelled artillery installation are located in the cockpit, which has armored protection, which is able to protect people from firearms, blast waves and shell fragments,as well as from the effects of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons. The cab can accommodate a maximum of four people. From it, remote control of all systems, which the self-propelled unit is equipped with, is carried out.
Almost any foreign-made projectiles of a suitable caliber can be used for firing, in addition, special artillery shells were developed for the FH77 BW L52 Archer. The artillery mount is supplied with 40 rounds, 20 of which are in the gun magazine. Both caps and modular projectiles with automatic ramming can be used. When using European shells, the firing range is 40 km, the American M982 Excalibur increase the range to 60 km. The self-propelled gun is equipped with a day / night sight, thanks to which direct fire is possible within 2 km. The long-range XM982 Excalibur rounds can also be used, as long as only the Swedish and US armies receive them in limited quantities.
The intensity of fire is up to 20 shots in 2.5 minutes. 75 rounds can be fired continuously within an hour.
FH77 BW L52 Archer production plans
Earlier, the Swedish government presented its parliament with a bill that involves the allocation of significant funds to improve the artillery system Haubits 77B, which is the basis of artillery artillery for the Swedish army. The delivery of 27 new FH77 BW L52 Archer systems was envisaged, starting in 2008-09, and it was planned to complete production by 2011.
In 2009, a contract was signed with the defense company Akers Krutburk in Sweden to finalize the protection of the FH77 BW L52 Archer self-propelled artillery unit. Particular attention was paid to improving the security of the tractor. Work on new security systems was completed in 2010.
The Ministries of Defense of Norway and Sweden have entered into agreements with the British company BAE Systems for the supply of 48 FH77 BW L52 Archer artillery systems worth 135 million pounds sterling or 200.6 million dollars, the first deliveries will take place in October 2011. Installations will be divided equally between the armies of both countries. BAE Systems is a licensed weapons manufacturer for these countries.
