In November 2007, the UK MoD awarded a contract to Gesellschaft fur Intelligente Wirksysteme GmbH (GIWS) of Germany for the ballistic sensor fused munition (BSFM) to equip the AS90. AS90 has also test fired the new Denel Assegai family of 155mm ammunition which has completed development, and includes a velocity-enhanced long-range artillery projectile (VLAP). Somchem division of Denel was responsible for the modular charge system. The Royal Ordnance division of BAE Systems manufactures the 52-calibre barrel, which gives an increased range of 40km. Were expected to enter service in 2003, but the programme was halted while a system study was being conducted. AS90 Braveheart upgrade programme detailsīAE Systems was awarded a contract to upgrade 96 of the British Army AS90s with a 155mm / 52-calibre extended-range ordnance / modular charge system (ERO/MCS). The howitzer is expected to be operational until 2032. The AS90 equips the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Artillery with three field regiments.
The crew consists of the driver plus four or three operators in the cupola, a commander, a gun layer and an ammunition loader. Two AS90 turrets were fitted to vehicles built by OBRUM of Poland. This version, with the 52-calibre barrel, is called the AS90 Braveheart.īAE Systems signed a license manufacturing agreement with HSW (Huta Stalowa Wola) of Poland for the production of the AS90 Braveheart. The Desert AS90 underwent successful trials in the Arizona Desert in 1994 and in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in 1996. An enhanced version of the Howitzer, the Desert AS90, has been built to provide high capability in arduous desert conditions. The changes were brought into effect in 2007.
Three batteries were drawn down and one AS90 regiment of three batteries was re-configured to a light gun regiment, to support a new light brigade. In July 2004, the UK Ministry of Defence announced plans to reduce the number of AS90 artillery batteries by six. The AS90 was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003. 179 have been built for the British Army. It was manufactured by BAE Systems Land Systems (RO Defence and formerly the Armaments Division of Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd) at Barrow-in-Furness, in Cumbria.
AS90 Braveheart is a 155mm self-propelled howitzer which entered service with the British Army in 1992.