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| AS90 Braveheart | |
|---|---|
| Name | AS90 Braveheart |
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Type | Self-propelled artillery |
| Manufacturer | BAE Systems Land Systems |
| Service | 1992–present |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Armament | 155 mm L/39 gun |
| Engine | Perkins CV12 diesel |
| Power | 950 hp |
| Suspension | Hydropneumatic |
| Range | 370 km |
| Speed | 53 km/h |
AS90 Braveheart AS90 Braveheart is a British 155 mm self-propelled gun system developed for the British Army and modernised in the 2000s. Originating from Cold War requirements and United Kingdom procurement programmes, it has served in multiple theatres and undergone upgrades to ammunition handling, fire-control and digital integration.
The AS90 programme traces to United Kingdom requirements set after the Falklands Campaign and during NATO planning, involving design work by Royal Ordnance, Vickers Defence Systems, and later BAE Systems Land Systems alongside suppliers such as Perkins Engines and Ferranti Defence Systems. Early concepts were influenced by lessons from the Gulf War (1990–1991), the Bosnian War, and analysis by institutions like the Royal United Services Institute and the Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom). Contracts awarded in the late 1980s and early 1990s formalised production, with manufacture at facilities linked to Chertsey and Arsenal Hill and integration testing at ranges used by British Army Training Unit Suffield and Castlemartin Range. The design reflected interoperability goals with NATO artillery doctrines and compatibility with ammunition standards promoted by NATO Standardization Office and the Armaments Cooperation initiatives.
The system mounts a 155 mm L/39 gun on a tracked chassis derived from tracked platforms such as those used on the Challenger 1 and influenced by engine choices like the Perkins CV12 series. The turret houses an automatic ammunition handling system and hydraulic ramming developed with contractors including RDM Technology and BAE Systems Global Combat Systems. Fire-control systems integrate navigation and targeting inputs from GPS satellites, inertial units tied to Honeywell, and battlefield management systems interoperable with AFATDS, SCOUT, and British command networks such as Bowman (communications system). Protection features reference experience from designs including the FV433 Abbot and M109 Paladin, while mobility components reflect technology from Chieftain and Vickers MBT programmes. Specifications include a 4-man crew, combat weight similar to contemporary self-propelled artillery like the PzH 2000, maximum road speed around 53 km/h, operational range near 370 km, and primary armament compatible with NATO 155×39mm ammunition, including Extended Range Full Bore (ERFB) and base bleed rounds developed by manufacturers such as BAE Systems and Denel.
AS90 systems entered British Army service in the 1990s with units from regiments like the Royal Artillery and were present in force structures drawn for operations in the Balkans, Iraq War (2003–2011), and War in Afghanistan (2001–2021). Deployments were coordinated through higher formations including Joint Rapid Reaction Force elements and corps-level headquarters such as I Corps (United Kingdom). Training and doctrine evolution involved schools like the Royal School of Artillery at Larkhill and international exercises with partners including United States Army Europe, French Army, German Army, and NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps. Operational evaluations informed upgrade decisions during programmes overseen by the Defence Equipment and Support organisation and oversight by the National Audit Office.
Upgrade paths included digital fire-control enhancements, integration with battlefield management systems, and improvements to ammunition handling derived from collaboration with firms such as QinetiQ and EDO Corporation. Proposals and trials explored compatibility with counter-battery radars like AN/TPQ-36 and ARTHUR systems, and with precision munitions developed by Raytheon and BAE Systems including Excalibur-type projectile concepts. Modernisation efforts were overseen in programmes linked to the Future Artillery Concept and considered interoperability with systems such as the NLAW logistic chains and resupply via platforms including the Hägglunds BV. Export and retrofit options referenced modernisation programmes performed on comparable systems such as the M109A6 Paladin and the PzH 2000.
In Iraq and Afghanistan, AS90-equipped batteries provided indirect fire support, counter-battery missions, and suppression fires coordinated with reconnaissance assets such as the MQ-1 Predator, RQ-11 Raven, and ground surveillance radars deployed by units of the Royal Artillery and coalition partners. Performance assessments compared rate of fire, accuracy, and mobility against systems like the M777 howitzer and CAESAR (vehicle) during joint operations and NATO exercises. Lessons influenced tactics, techniques and procedures promulgated in manuals from the British Army Training Publication series and doctrinal guidance from Allied Joint Doctrine.
Primary operator remains the British Army, specifically regiments within the Royal Artillery; additional interest and evaluation have involved partner nations and defence agencies including procurement staff from Australia, Canada, Poland, and Turkey during export marketing and interoperability trials. Military cooperation agreements and equipment exchanges occurred in the context of NATO partnerships and bilateral discussions with defence ministries such as the Ministry of Defence (New Zealand) and the United States Department of Defense.
Survivability measures included passive armour, smoke dischargers sourced from suppliers like Allied Industries, and signature management derived from research carried out by DSTL and QinetiQ. Maintenance cycles were structured around depot-level repair facilities administered by DE&S contractors and private sector partners including BAE Systems and independent logistics providers. Sustainment used NATO-compatible supply chains, ammunition stocks managed through mechanisms such as the NATO Support and Procurement Agency and training conducted at facilities like Larkhill and BATUS. Logistic lessons drew on historic practices from campaigns such as the Falklands War and the Gulf War (1990–1991), influencing spares provisioning, crew retraining, and forward repair capabilities embedded with formations in theatre.
Category:Self-propelled artillery