ARCHER 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer gallery

2025-12-17 Javier

archer6x6proto7 — (Archer 6×6 prototype image). In 1995 the Swedish Army realized that it needed a new model of self-propelled howitzer to improve its artillery capabilities, which were mainly supported by aging 155mm FH-77 towed howitzers and 26 Bandkanon 1C self-propelled howitzers that, although modernized, dated from the mid-1960s. Of course, the design had to be entirely indigenous, primarily due to Sweden’s policy of neutrality, which had allowed for the excellent development of its defense industry, capable of manufacturing everything from missiles to fighter jets.

archer6x6proto3 — (Archer 6×6 prototypes image). In the preliminary studies, it was decided to base the design on the existing 155mm FH-77 towed howitzer, resulting in two different projects designated “FH-77BD” and “FH-77BW”. In 2003, Bofors was ordered to manufacture two prototypes armed with a lengthened variant of the 155mm FH-77B howitzer mounted on a 6×6 Volvo A30 articulated haul truck. Both prototypes underwent firing trials during 2005 and 2006, and in September 2006 the Swedish Army signed a contract with BAE Systems Bofors (formerly Bofors) for the final design of the “FH-77 BW L52” prototype, already known at this stage as “Archer”.

archer6x6proto4 — (Archer 6×6 prototype image). In 2007, a new development phase was signed, and the Swedish Army established a requirement for 24 Archer FH-77BW L52 6×6 self-propelled howitzers, also known as “Artillerisystem 08”. These 24 vehicles were intended to form two complete battalions, and finally, in September 2008, the Swedish Government approved their acquisition. In November 2008, Norway signed a cooperation agreement with Sweden for the development of the Archer and expressed interest in acquiring an additional 24 vehicles.

archer6x6proto1 — (Archer 6×6 prototype image). The final prototype was supposed to be ready in September 2009, with mass production starting immediately afterward, so that the Archer would enter service in 2011. Unfortunately, a series of technical problems delayed the delivery of the first 4 pre-production units until September 2013, which led to Norway’s decision to withdraw from the program in December of that year.

archer6x69 — The Archer FH-77BW L52 6×6 artillery system consists of a modified Volvo A30D 6×6 articulated chassis on which a large remote-controlled turret armed with a 155/52mm FH-77 BW howitzer has been mounted. The truck is equipped with an armored cab with bulletproof glass that can accommodate up to four crew members. The howitzer can be operated from inside the cab, and the typical crew consists of three or four operators, although thanks to the Archer’s high degree of automation, the vehicle can be operated by a single operator if necessary. In addition, the vehicle has a climate control system that allows it to be used in all types of weather with a high degree of crew confort.

archer6x68 — Archer 6×6 is equipped with a 343 hp Volvo D9B AC E3 inline 6-cylinder diesel engine. Its top speed on the road is 70 km/h, and thanks to its 400-liter fuel tank, it has a cruising range of 650 km. It can overcome vertical obstacles up to 45 cm high, ford water or snow up to 1 meter deep, and climb gradients of up to 58%. The vehicle boasts excellent off-road mobility thanks to its articulated chassis and also features an integrated run-flat system that allows it to be driven with a damaged tyre.

archer6x620 — Archer 6×6 is characterized by its excellent mobility, allowing it to enter and exit firing positions in just 20 seconds. Despite its large size, its low weight of 34 tons allows it to be transported by tactical transport aircraft such as the A-400M Atlas and via the European rail network without requiring any disassembly. At the rear, it features a large A-frame hydraulic stabilizer with two retractable legs that facilitate aiming and absorb recoil during firing.

archer6x628 — Archer‘s armor consists of steel plates and appliqué armour and is fully protected against 7.62mm armor-piercing ammunition, shell splinters and blast overpressure, according to STANAG 4569 Level 3 standard. In addition, the cabin floor is protected against landmine explosions up to 6 kg, in accordance with NATO STANAG 4569 Level 2b. It also features an NBC overpressure and air filters protection system in the cabin, and the vehicle can optionally be equipped with the Saab Barracuda Advanced Multispectral Camouflage System. This latter system consists of a type of net that fits the vehicle and significantly reduces the IR and radar signature. Radar-absorbing paint and radar and IR signal masking systems are also available.

archer6x623 — The main armament is a 155/52mm howitzer derived from the FH-77B field howitzer, sharing its cradle and recoil system. The howitzer has an elevation sector of -1° to 70° and a traverse of 85° on either side of the vehicle’s axis. The range of the howitzer is 30 km with normal HE rounds, 40 km with extended range HE rounds, 35 km with Bofors/Nexter BONUS anti-armor guided rounds and +50 km with M982 Excalibur guided rounds and can fire any type of 155mm NATO ammunition including illumination, smoke and training rounds. Thanks to the installation of a target acquisition or designation sight, Archer can engage static or moving targets at a range of up to 2,000 meters, day or night.

archer6x627 — Among the range of munitions used, two guided projectiles stand out, making the Archer superior to other similar systems such as the Czech DANA or the Serbian B-52 Nora. These are the 155mm BONUS round and the 155mm M982 Excalibur round. The 155mm BONUS shell contains two sensor-fuzed submunitions capable of engaging two different targets. These submunitions are of the anti-armor top attack type and are equipped with an explosive-formed penetrator capable of destroying all types of armored vehicles, including main battle tanks. It has a range of 35 km, equipped with a dual-mode sensor and it is compatible with both L/39 and L/52 caliber howitzers.

archer6x622 — The other guided round is the 155mm M982 Excalibur, which can be programmed for airburst, point, and delay detonation. It is primarily used against targets in cover or near friendly troops, similar to how missiles are used. This round features jam-resistant GPS guidance and has a range of over 50 km. Its circular error probability (CEP) is less than 2 m regardless of range, and like the BONUS round, it is compatible with both L/39 and L/52 caliber howitzers.

archer6x610 — The Archer artillery system is reloaded using a support truck equipped with a modified standard ISO container that carries one hundred 155mm projectiles and supplies for the crew. This system allows the Archer to be reloaded in 5 minutes using the purpose-built lifting device. In addition, each howitzer has an attached support truck (on the image) with various equipment that allows complete operational autonomy.

archer6x631 — Archer system features an automatic loading system remotely operated from inside the cabin. It also has a 21-round projectile magazine and a propellant magazine with 126 NATO or Bofors Uniflex 2 modular propellant charges. These charges are arranged in 18 rows within the magazine, with each row containing six full charges (108 in total) and one half charge (18 in total). The propellant charges are made of insensitive guanylurea dinitramide, known as FOX-12 or GuDN, and are designed to withstand various types of damage and accidents, such as heat, shock, or nearby explosions, increasing the survivability of the vehicle and its crew in combat. In order to reduce training and maintenance costs, BAE Systems Bofors offers a realistic training simulator for the crew built into the gun system, enabling on-the-job training with different scenarios.

archer6x621 — The vehicle is equipped with a Weibel MVRS-700SC muzzle velocity radar, an advanced fire control system (FCS) with NABK software and a SAGEM Sigma 30 inertial navigation system (INS) supported by GPS. Archer features an integrated command, fire control, and communication system and an automated ballistic computer, enabling it to operate autonomously or within a multi-weapon unit. This system includes an automated ammunition management system and an automated electronic fuze setting (NATO standard) system that reduces response time and the potential for human error. It also includes open architecture interfaces for target data transmission within local battlefield management systems.

archer6x64 — Thanks to its advanced systems, the Archer self-propelled howitzer offers exceptional artillery capabilities. Its rate of fire is up to 8 rpm, but the advanced fire control system allows for different firing modes, such as: 3 rounds in 20 seconds (burst), 21 rounds in 3 minutes (intensive), or 54 rounds in 35 minutes (continuous). It also features MRSI (multiple round simultaneous impact) capability, which allows it to fire multiple rounds that impact the target simultaneously. In this firing mode, the Archer can fire between 4 and 6 rounds, depending on the target’s distance. Thanks to these shoot and scoot capabilities, it has a high degree of survivability on the battlefield, making it an extremely difficult target for counter-battery fire.

archer6x62 — The secondary armament consists of an M151 Protector (Vapenstation 01) remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS) mounted on the cabin roof. This station can be armed with a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher or a 12.7 mm machine gun and is operated from inside the cabin. Surprisingly, unlike most combat vehicles, the Archer lacks smoke grenade launchers or any other type of active protection system.

archer6x626 — The first Archer FH-77BW L52 6×6 self-propelled howitzers entered service on February 1, 2016, with the 9th Artillery Regiment of the Swedish Army, based in Boden. The initial order of September 2008 for 24 vehicles was completed in December 2016. The Swedish Government placed a second order for 24 additional vehicles in September 2016, and this order was completed in November 2022, bringing the total number of Archer 6×6 self-propelled howitzers delivered at the Swedish Army to 48 units. Currently (December 2025), the Swedish Army has 26 Archer 6×6 vehicles in service, assigned to the 9th Artillery Regiment.

archer6x6gb9 — (British Archer 6×6 image). In February 2023, the British Army contacted the Swedish Government to acquire Archer 6×6 self-propelled howitzers to replace the 32 AS-90 howitzers that had been donated to Ukraine following the 2022 Russian invasion. At that time, the Swedish Army had 24 of its 48 Archer 6×6 howitzers in storage, so the Swedish government authorized the sale of 14 of them to the British Army. It was also decided to donate another 8 Archer 6×6 howitzers to the Ukrainian Army as part of a military aid program established after the Russian attack, and the remaining 2 Archer 6×6 were assigned to the Swedish Army’s 9th Artillery Regiment.

archer6x6gb14 — (British Archer 6×6 image). The first Archer 6×6 arrived in the UK in early October 2023 and was assigned to the 19th Regiment Royal Artillery (The Scottish Gunners). The last vehicle was delivered in July 2024, and in November of that year, they successfully completed their first live firing exercise in Finland as part of NATO’s Dynamic Front 25 exercise. The acquisition program also included reloading vehicles and other support vehicles, as well as logistical support containers, a training package and ammunition.

archer6x6ukr1 — (Ukrainian Archer 6×6 image). The third user of Archer 6×6 howitzer is the Ukrainian Army, which received eight vehicles in November 2023, donated by the Swedish Government. Of course, along with the Archer howitzers, ammunition haulers and support vehicles necessary for immediate operational readiness in Ukraine were also donated. Spare parts and a significant quantity of ammunition were also sent.

archer6x6ukr2 — (Ukrainian Archer 6×6 image). While it’s difficult to know for certain how the Archer 6×6 performs in combat with the Ukrainian Army, it seems to be highly valued by the troops due to its accuracy and excellent shot-and-scoot capability. In reports and videos shared in the media, the Archer 6×6 is seen operating with UAVs that provide real-time imagery of targets, which, combined with guided munitions, proves lethal against selected targets.

archer8x85 — Archer FH-77BW L52 6×6 doesn’t have any true variants, but in September 2019, BAE Systems Bofors presented a new modular Archer system mounted on a Rheinmetall (MAN) RMMV HX2 8×8 truck (on the image). What the manufacturer has actually done is install the turret on a new 8×8 platform, leaving the performance of the 155/52mm howitzer and its fire control system unchanged. The crew of the new Archer 8×8 has been reduced by one member, but the system’s operability is exactly the same as that of the Archer 6×6.

archer8x87 — (Archer 8×8 image). The Archer‘s new platform is the 8×8 HX44M truck, part of the HX2 range manufactured by Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV). This truck is equipped with a 440 hp MAN D2066 diesel engine, which offers more torque and a better power-to-weight ratio than the Volvo A30D 6×6 hauler. This new platform boasts a higher top speed, reaching 90 km/h compared to the Archer 6×6‘s 70 km/h, and with its 400-liter fuel tank, it achieves a cruising range of 800 km instead of the previous 650 km.

archer8x817 — (Archer 8×8 image). Currently, as of December 2025, there are no Archer 8×8s in service, although there is a backlog of orders awaiting delivery. In September 2023, the Swedish government placed an order for a total of 48 Archer 8×8s for the Swedish Army. The pre-series vehicles have begun to be delivered in November 2025, and the 8th Artillery Regiment is currently conducting qualification trials. It is expected to begin receiving serial vehicles in the spring of 2026.

archer8x814 — (Archer 8×8 image). In June 2025, Latvia placed an order for 18 Archer 8×8 self-propelled howitzers, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2026. Meanwhile, the Swedish Army has committed to leasing some Archer 6×6 howitzers to the Latvian Army to initiate training aimed at accelerating the operational readiness of the future Archer 8×8 howitzers and to provide a current defensive capability.

archer8x815 — (Archer 8×8 image). Recently, in March and September 2025, the Swedish government authorized the acquisition of 36 (18+18) Archer 8×8 howitzers to be donated to Ukraine as part of the 18th and 20th military aid packages. These military aid packages also include long-range drones and Arthur counter-battery radars, as well as additional ammunition. Delivery of this equipment is expected to begin in early 2026.

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