BAE Systems, Babcock, and RBSL Collaborate to Offer ARCHER System to UK Ministry of Defence

BAE Systems, Babcock, and RBSL Collaborate to Offer ARCHER System to UK Ministry of Defence

(IN BRIEF) BAE Systems, Babcock, and Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) have formed the ARCHER Artillery Alliance to offer the ARCHER wheeled mobile artillery system as a replacement for the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) legacy AS90. The ARCHER system, already in use with the British Army as an interim solution, is one of the world’s most advanced fielded artillery systems. The collaborative effort aims to expedite the UK’s Mobile Fires Platform (MFP) program, enhancing its 155mm capabilities, and create domestic production opportunities while safeguarding specialized British industrial capabilities. BAE Systems will provide and integrate the weapon system, Babcock will handle superstructure consolidation and ammunition resupply, and RBSL will lead the integration with the RMMV HX 8X8 truck chassis. The initiative is expected to create over 350 new high-skilled jobs in the UK and ensure a significant amount of UK industrial content. ARCHER is a fully automated system designed for rapid deployment and superior mobility, lethality, and survivability. It has already been selected by Sweden and Switzerland for their artillery needs.

(PRESS RELEASE) FARNBOROUGH, 11-Dec-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — In a strategic partnership, BAE Systems (LON: BA), a British multinational defence, security, and aerospace company, Babcock, and Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) have joined forces to present the ARCHER wheeled mobile artillery system as the ideal replacement for the legacy AS90 to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The ARCHER Artillery Alliance aims to provide the MoD with a proven, state-of-the-art solution for the Mobile Fires Platform (MFP) program, enhancing the UK’s 155mm capabilities. The collaborative effort, featuring three well-established UK supply chain companies, also seeks to engage with other UK businesses as the project advances.

The ARCHER, already in active service with the British Army as an interim solution, ranks among the world’s most advanced fielded artillery systems. Collaborating with our strategic partners in the UK, we believe that adopting an ARCHER-based solution could significantly expedite the delivery of the Mobile Fires Platform program. Our ultimate goal is to offer a sustainable, domestically produced artillery solution for the UK, preserving and enhancing a critical, specialized British industrial capability, and creating opportunities for exports.

John Borton, Managing Director of BAE Systems Weapon Systems UK, stated, “The ARCHER, already in service with the British Army as its interim solution, is one of the most advanced, fielded artillery systems in the world today. Working with our strategic partners in the UK, we believe that an ARCHER-based solution would allow the British Army to significantly accelerate the delivery of the Mobile Fires Platform programme. Our aim is to deliver a long-term homegrown artillery solution for the UK, which will safeguard, sustain and grow a critical, specialised British industrial capability and an opportunity for exports.”

Babcock International Group will assume responsibility for the superstructure consolidation and ammunition resupply system, leveraging its extensive manufacturing and maintenance capabilities.

In accordance with the MoD’s Land Industrial Strategy, Chris Spicer, Managing Director of Engineering & Systems Integration at Babcock, commented, In line with the MoD’s Land Industrial Strategy, Babcock is pleased to be working with BAE Systems to bring to the UK and the British Army this market-leading capability. Our skilled teams and facilities in the South-West and West Midlands will deliver important elements of the engineering expertise, system integration and innovative technology required for system assembly that will enable the ARCHER Artillery Alliance to provide the British Army with this exciting capability.

RBSL will take the lead in the UK for the RMMV HX 8X8 truck chassis and will prepare the cabin for integration with the ARCHER artillery system.

BAE Systems, having recently secured a contract for an additional 48 ARCHER systems for the Swedish Army, intends to transfer technology from its existing production line in Sweden to establish a UK-based MFP production line. This collaborative effort, involving the Alliance and its supply chain, is expected to generate more than 350 new high-skilled jobs in the UK.

The proposal put forth by the Alliance ensures a significant level of UK industrial content once the program enters full-rate production. As part of the bid, BAE Systems aims to leverage its expertise in Sweden and the UK to reintroduce sovereign barrel manufacturing in the UK. This initiative would enhance operational independence and security of supply through a sovereign artillery manufacturing solution.

ARCHER is a fully automated system, purpose-built to match the pace of fast-moving land forces. It offers rapid deployment capabilities to respond swiftly to threats while delivering superior mobility, lethality, and survivability. Operators can control the entire gun system from the safety of ARCHER’s armored cabin. The vehicle can stop and fire its first round within 20 seconds, and after completing a fire mission, it can relocate within the same timeframe. In under two minutes, ARCHER can fire six rounds, displace, and move 500 meters, making it the ultimate shoot-and-scoot system, ensuring soldier and platform survivability.

In addition to its selection by Sweden and adoption as the UK’s interim solution, Switzerland recently chose ARCHER for its artillery procurement program. Sweden has also generously donated several systems for use by the Ukrainian armed forces.

Learn more about ARCHER

BAE Systems’ ARCHER represents the next generation of wheeled artillery systems. The ARCHER is purpose-built to keep pace with fast moving land forces and deliver superior mobility, lethality, and survivability.

Visit the ARCHER product page

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SOURCE: BAE Systems