Babcock Joins BAE Systems Team for UK's Future Artillery Programme

Babcock, in collaboration with BAE Systems and Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL), is set to develop the ARCHER wheeled mobile artillery system as the UK Ministry of Defence's replacement for the British Army's legacy AS90.

Babcock's production facilities in Devonport and Walsall will play a crucial role in consolidating the Archer superstructure and ammunition resupply system.

Currently in operational use with the Swedish Army, ARCHER has been proposed to the UK MoD as the replacement for the legacy AS90 self-propelled artillery gun. BAE Systems emphasizes ARCHER's proven, advanced technology system as a low-risk solution for the UK's Mobile Fires Platform (MFP) program.

ARCHER is shortlisted by Switzerland as one of two remaining competitors and is available on the international market integrated onto an 8x8 RMMV HX2 truck.

ARCHER, a fully automated artillery system designed for rapid deployment and response to threats, represents the next generation of wheeled artillery systems.

The ARCHER design emphasizes soldier and platform survivability. Operators command the entire gun system from ARCHER's armored cabin, enabling control and safety. ARCHER requires less than 30 seconds from receiving a call for fire to stopping, positioning, and firing the first round. Post-mission completion, ARCHER resumes movement within the same timeframe.

ARCHER's capabilities include firing six rounds, displacing, and moving 500 m in less than 2 minutes, all while the crew remains in the armored cabin. It accommodates both conventional artillery ammunition and advanced munitions like BONUS Anti-armor and Excalibur Precision Guided Munition. Operational since 2016, ARCHER was deployed to the Swedish Army on a 6x6 VOLVO articulated hauler chassis.