FH 77BW

The FH 77BW is a major upgrade intended for existing FH 77B 39-caliber self-propelled howitzers owned by the Swedish Army. The BW model introduces a new 155mm 52-caliber gun with an automated ammunition handling system. The new gun is also fully compatible with Bonus and Excalibur 155mm projectiles. In addition to the new main gun, the FH 77BW will feature an improved anti-ballistic armor with under-armor crew cockpit to control and fire the 155mm gun. The number of projectiles and propellant charges will be cut to 21 while the howitzer maximum range will increase dramatically reaching 40-mile (65 km). Two FH 77BW prototypes will be delivered to the Swedish Army in 2005 for technical evaluation. The data collected during these test will lead the Swedish government to take a decision about upgrading FH 77B howitzers to the BW configuration. The Swedish government is also considering the production of 24 Archer to equip two artillery battalions with deliveries due between 2009 and 2011. The Archer will feature a three-man crew versus six to ten on the previous FH 77 gun systems. Archer development is expected to be complete in the 2007-2008 timeframe. In June 2005, Bofors Defence AB made public that it was teaming up with Tenix Defence of Australia to compete for the replacement of 105mm Hamel and 155mm M198 howitzers in use with the Australian Defence Force in the 2008-10 timeframe. The team proposal comprises the FH-77 BW L52 Archer truck-mounted howitzer along with a towed howitzer based on the FH77B05 platform. The vehicle selected for the Archer was the commercial 6x6 articulated Volvo A30D truck chassis.

deagel.com: https://www.deagel.com/x/x/a000592