The Russo-Ukrainian war has demonstrated that the use of field artillery, both towed and self-propelled, is being redefined in terms of how this weapon, popularly known as the “God of War,” is employed. In addition to the increased accuracy and range of projectiles fired by howitzers, rapid deployment, firing support, and withdrawal must also be considered. Evidence shows that the proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles, counter-battery radars, and satellite imagery makes artillery batteries vulnerable in high-intensity conflicts. With this reality in mind, and considering the operational requirements of the U.S. Army, BAE Systems presented the 155mm self-propelled Archer howitzer at the AUSA 2024 Expo as a serious candidate for a program that has gained renewed momentum.
Days before the AUSA Expo, the U.S. Army, through the Michigan Arsenal, publicly announced the awarding of five contracts for presentations and demonstrations under the “Self-Propelled Howitzer Modernization (SPH-M) effort.” Among the selected companies were: American Rheinmetall Vehicles, BAE BOFORS, Hanwha Defense USA, General Dynamics Land Systems, and Elbit Systems USA.
The SPH-M is a shift in focus and an evolution of the previous Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) program of the U.S. Army, which aimed to develop a new artillery cannon to increase range, rate of fire, and lethality. Although its cancellation was reported earlier this year, the Army reconsidered its decision and shifted the program’s focus.
“In October 2023, the Army decided to close the ERCA Rapid Prototyping effort, as we determined that further development and redesign of the 58-caliber cannon was necessary before we could move to an acquisition pathway,” said Major General Glenn Dean, Program Executive Officer for Ground Combat Systems. “As part of the new strategy, we are exploring a variety of options within the U.S. and internationally to leverage mature and available industrial solutions to address critical capability gaps within the Army.”
In light of this, BAE Systems has confirmed that they will present and back their 155mm self-propelled ARCHER howitzer, which was recently incorporated into the British Army. It’s also noteworthy that Sweden has transferred several units to Ukraine, where they are currently being used in the operational theater, and has placed new orders for the Combat Artillery Vehicle.
In its original configuration, which can be adapted to the client’s operational requirements, the Archer is equipped with a 155mm/L52 FH-77 cannon and features an armored cabin that offers protection against artillery shrapnel, small arms fire, mines, and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) threats. Its crew consists of 3 or 4 members (commander, driver, and 1 or 2 operators) and it is equipped with a remotely operated CROWS weapon station, which can be armed with medium or heavy machine guns.
Finally, the U.S. Army has announced that demonstrations are expected to begin in November, with testing and evaluations continuing through the end of the year.
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