Sweden’s Archer Self-Propelled Artillery Project
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June 16/22: Letter Of Intent Sweden has committed to buying more Archer 155mm mobile howitzers from BAE Systems, having signed a letter of intent at the Paris-based defense exhibition Eurosatory this week. The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration and BAE Systems Bofors took the first step to establish an additional artillery battalion in line with Sweden’s defense strategy, which runs through 2025.
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BAE Systems Bofors’ Archer is a light, air-portable, and highly automated 155/52 light mobile artillery system. Archer began as a Swedish project, administered by their FMV procurement agency. Funding was provided for system development and some initial production, but the project’s future had been shadowed by anemic Swedish defense budgets.
In May 2007, however, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Norway’s FLO procurement agency, which evolved into a joint production venture. Just as initial production moved the Archer system from concept to imminent reality, however, Norway left the program. Why?
The Archer System
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Archer belongs in the same class as Nexter’s Caesar (France), Denel’s G6 (South Africa), and Soltam’s Atmos-2000 and Rascal (Israel).
The Archer system mounts BAE Systems’ FH77-B05 155mm/ 52 caliber cannon on a modified Volvo commercial A30E 6×6 all-terrain articulated truck, which has been militarized to add armor and NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection. Road speed is up to 70 km/h, with a cruising range of up to 500 km. The entire system weighs 33.1t / 36.5 tons.
Automation ensures that the crew can fire the gun within 20 seconds of arriving in position, and without leaving the cabin. The magazine holds 21 shells, which can all be fired in an intensive 3.5 minute volley that includes multiple simultaneous impact targeting for groupings of up to 6 shells. Continuous fire is only 54 rounds in 35 minutes, and is regulated by barrel temperatures and reloading speed. The system can hit targets with great accuracy at ranges up to 50 km/ 31 miles, using rocket-boosted Excalibur GPS-guided shells. Conventional 155mm fire can reach to 40 km/ 24.85 miles, and Bofors and Nexter’s BONUS anti-tank shells can reach to 35 km/ 21.75 miles.
Ammunition resupply involves an armored truck or other vehicle equipped with a modified standard container. Full reloading takes about 10 minutes using integrated lifting equipment, and it’s the only time the crew needs to be outside the system.
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Under the Swedish-Norwegian co-development agreement, Archer will use Kongsberg’s popular M151 Protector remote-controlled weapon/ surveillance turret for close-in self defense. This continues in force despite Norway’s withdrawal from the program.
System Design and Development was scheduled to continue until 2009-2010, at which point the Swedish and Norwegian governments had an option to buy up to 24 Archers each at a pre-set price. That option was exercised in March 2010, with delivery supposed to take place from October 2011 – 2013, but the 1st delivery didn’t arrive until September 2013. After Norway’s withdrawal, production deliveries won’t begin until 2016.
Even late as it was, that 2013 delivery was an important milestone for the Archer project. The big break will come at the end of testing and acceptance, whereupon the Archer will become a proven competitor in the light-to-medium mobile artillery market.
Contracts and Key Events
2011 – 2022
Norway withdraws; RWS contracts to Kongsberg; 1st delivery happens, but it’s late.
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June 16/22: Letter Of Intent Sweden has committed to buying more Archer 155mm mobile howitzers from BAE Systems, having signed a letter of intent at the Paris-based defense exhibition Eurosatory this week. The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration and BAE Systems Bofors took the first step to establish an additional artillery battalion in line with Sweden’s defense strategy, which runs through 2025.
September 29/15: BAE Systems delivered the first serial production Archer artillery systems to the Swedish Armed Forces on Monday, following delivery of pre-serial systems in September 2013 and an initial batch of 24 Archers in 2007.
June 17/14: Sweden’s FMV concluded an amended contract with BAE Bofors AB, following Norway’s withdrawal. Final deliveries will now begin in early 2016, and continue at approximately 2 systems a month. Financial terms weren’t addressed.
Meanwhile, Swedish reservists are beginning to train with the system. Sources: FMV, “Nytt leveransavtal for Archer” and “Ovning med Archer”.
Amended contract
June 3/14: Update. Sweden’s FMV explains what’s going on with Archer:
“The Archer development project, like many complex projects at the leading edge of technology, has suffered delays. However, FMV was still able to handover the first systems to the Swedish Armed Forces in the autumn of 2013. Shortly afterwards the Norwegian Ministry of Defence announced that they wished to withdraw from the project.
With the disappearance of the 24 Norwegian systems from the order, there is a risk that the long-term costs will increase for the Swedish Armed Forces. At present, during the spring of 2014, FMV is negotiating with representatives from Norway with the aim of finding a solution that is acceptable to all parties involved.”
The problem is that if the extra costs are high enough, Sweden’s FMV has more incentive to dispute Norwegian claims of breach of contract. They’re looking for a balance where Norway pays something, without having to turn this into a chancy, costly, and grudge-inducing legal dispute. Sources: Swedish FMV, “International Collaboration”.
Dec 6/13: Norway out. Norway pulls out of the Archer project, claiming non-performance to contract terms. They haven’t received any guns yet, despite a contract that was supposed to have delivered all 24 by the end of 2013. Norway also claims unspecified failures to meet operational requirements, per the contract. This is important, because Norway will be responsible for significant cancellation fees if they can’t show a major breach of contract.
Sweden’s FMV responds that Archer offers equal or better performance vs. competitors at a lower price, and has found the balance it needs between protection and weight. Which may be true, but won’t change the legal issues.
Sweden’s FMV also announces it will pursue the acquisition on its own. Norway and Sweden will still cooperate on other elements of the program, including the ARTHUR artillery locating radar, ODIN fire control system, ammunition, education and training. Sources: Norway Forsvarsdepartementet, “Norge avslutter kontrakten om artillerisystemet Archer” | Swedish FMV, “Norge bryter samarbetet kring Archer”.
Norway out
Sept 23/13: Delivery. BAE Bofors delivers the 1st Archer artillery systems to Sweden’s FMV procurement agency. Source: FMV, “FMV tar emot leverans av de första Archerpjäserna”.
1st delivery
Dec 21/11: RWS. Norwegian and Swedish sign an NOK 960 million (about $162 million) umbrella contract for Protector “Nordic” Remote Weapon Stations, as an extension of the Jan 31/11 agreement. The initial order is NOK 380 million (about $64.2 million), and includes systems for both the Norwegian and Swedish Defence Forces. They will equip Archer vehicles, as well as other vehicle types chosen by each military.
Because the RWS systems have uses beyond the Archer program, DID will not be covering individual orders as they arise. Kongsberg | UPI.
RWS umbrella contract
Jan 31/11: Sweden RWS. Kongsberg announces an NOK 80 million Swedish order for Protector remote weapon stations. It’s part of the PROTECTOR Nordic program, where Sweden and Norway in cooperation will procure the same RWS configuration for use throughout their platforms.
208 – 2010
Swedish-Norwegian agreement, followed by final development funding and the purchase of 48 systems.
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March 26/10: +48. BAE Systems announces a GBP 135 million ($200 million) contract to commence series production of 48 Archer systems and their associated ammunition handling systems for the Swedish and Norwegian armed forces. This contract represents the initial production option at the end of the System Design & Development phase.
The first operational systems are expected to be delivered in October 2011, and production will continue over the following 2 years. FMV [in Swedish] | BAE Systems.
Archer production
Aug 24/09: Sweden OK. The Swedish government gives the green light to an initial order for 24 Archer artillery pieces. They will join Norway’s planned purchase of 24 Archer systems, which was approved by the Norwegian Stortinget shortly before mid-summer 2009. This is not yet a contract. defpro.
June 7-15/09: Prototypes. Sweden’s FMV procurement agency confirms that the first Archer prototype rolled out from Bofors this week, adding:
“Project Archer has previously had two experimental pieces which, for an untrained eye, might look like prototypes. The experimental pieces aim was to test and develop the idea of a wheeled autonomous artillery system and test the new technology in different environments and contexts and in particular to develop methods for the use of artillery. The result of testing and development is now in a final phase… Then there are still some developments, there will be some differences on the prototype one and two. The cab of the prototype which has not, for example, the same protection as the cab at the prototype two and on the next series of products.”
Archer P1 has the Swedish configuration and Archer P2 will be the Norwegian configuration. The 2 prototypes will be verified and completed in spring 2010, with the first production delivery to Sweden and Norway scheduled to begin in 2011.
Jan 15/09: BAE Systems announces a $70 million contract to finalize the development of the Archer artillery system for the Swedish and Norwegian armed forces. This order consists of final development of the self propelled gun, development of ammunition handling system and modular charges.
Construction of a final prototype gun is expected to be complete by September 2009. As part of the contract, both governments hold an option to purchase 24 Archer systems each (total: 48), that can be exercised by September 2009.
Final Archer development
Nov 4/08: The Swedish FMV defense procurement agency announces that intensified cooperation agreements were signed at the end of October 2008 by FMV’s Hakan Espmark and the FLO’s Asle Kjelsberg. Additional joint agreements are in the pipeline for 2009: one for Archer procurement, one regarding a joint control and management system for indirect fire, one for joint maintenance approaches, and one in the field of artillery ammunition.
FMV and FLO will begin joint negotiations with BAE Systems Bofors on the assignment to complete development and delivery.
Swedish – Norwegian agreement
Additional Readings
- Swedish FMV – This is Archer.
- Swedish Forsvarsmakten – Archer [in Swedish].
- BAE Systems – Archer datasheet [PDF].
- Army Guide – Archer.
- DID – GPS-guided shells: The New Excaliburs.
- Nexter – BONUS target detection anti-tank shell.
