BAE Systems Bofors Wins Artillery Order From Sweden (Source: BAE Systems; issued Sept. 5, 2006) BAE Systems Bofors says the Archer truck-mounted 155mm artillery gun it is designing for the Swedish army will do the same job as 4 to 6 traditional guns. (BAE Systems Bofors photo)KARLSKOGA, Sweden --- BAE Systems Bofors has received a contract worth SEK 40 million from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration for detailed design work on the Archer program. The contract includes an additional option worth up to SEK 50 million. Archer is a self-propelled 155 mm artillery gun based on a commercial off-the-shelf chassis, originally made for construction equipment, allowing for a system that is both simple and inexpensive to maintain. The three-man crew – as opposed to the normal six to 10 – operates all activities through computers in the splinter-proof cab. Each gun carries shells required to perform its mission. An Archer gun provides the same operational capability as four to six traditional guns. “Archer is part of the new precision artillery concept,” said BAE Systems Bofors marketing director Lars Röckert. “The new-generation artillery, together with our intelligent ammunition, can strike targets with very high accuracy at a range of up to 60 kilometers.” BAE Systems Bofors previously delivered two demonstrator guns that are now undergoing testing by the Swedish Armed Forces. Order of the final development of a series of 24 guns (two artillery battalions) is planned for 2007-2008 with the first delivery in 2009. Final delivery is scheduled for two years later. According to Röckert, the Archer system "will be well-adapted for deployment with peace-keeping operations of international United Nations or European Union missions because of its accuracy." BAE Systems is the premier transatlantic defense and aerospace company, delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. BAE Systems, with more than 100,000 employees worldwide, had 2005 sales that exceeded $28 billion.
