AS-90
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 AS-90 "Braveheart"
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| AS-90 | |
|---|---|
| General characteristics | |
| Crew | 5 (Commander, Driver, 3 Gun crew) |
| Length | 9.7 m |
| Width | 3.3 m |
| Height | 3.0 m |
| Weight | 45 tons |
| Armour and armament | |
| Armour | max. 17 mm steel |
| Main armament | 155 mm 39 calibre gun |
| Secondary armament | 7.62 mm L7 GPMG |
| Mobility | |
| Power plant | Cummins VTA930T V8 diesel 660 hp |
| Suspension | hydropneumatic (Hydrogas) |
| Road speed | 53 km/h |
| Power/weight | hp/tonne |
| Range | 420km (on road) |
The AS-90 (Artillery System for the 1990s) is a lightly-armoured self-propelled artillery piece used by the British Army it was first delivered in 1993.
The AS90 is used by five field regiments of the Royal Regiment of Artillery and Royal Horse Artillery: 1st RHA, 3rd RHA, 4 Regt RA, 19 Regt RA and 26 Regt RA, replacing the 105 mm FV433 Abbot SPG, the M109 155 mm SPG or the FH-70 155 mm towed gun. It is built by the Armaments division of Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering (VSEL, owned by BAE Systems since 1999), who provided 179 vehicles from 1992-95 at a cost of £300 million.
The AS90 is fitted with a 155 mm gun (39 calibre) which fires the NATO L15 projectile out to a range of 24.7 km (30 km with Extended Range Ammunition). In 2002 BAE systems were contracted to upgrade 96 British Army AS90s to a 52 calibre gun to push the unassisted range to 30 km and with long-range ERA ammunition to 60 to 80km[1]. However, due to technical problems this program has been cancelled [2].
The vehicle is fitted with an autonomous navigation and gun laying system (AGLS) and all main turret functions are controlled by a Turret Control Computer (TCC).
[edit] Characteristics
- Crew: 5, driver plus 4 gun crew
- Length: 9.07 m
- Width: 3.3 m
- Height: 3.0 m
- Armour: 17 mm (maximum, steel)
- Weight: 45 tons
- Calibre: 155 mm
- Range: 24.7 km (39 cal), 30 km (52 cal) standard charges
- Rate of fire: 3 rounds in 10 seconds (burst), 6 rounds per minute (intense), 2 rounds per minute (sustained)
- Secondary armament: 7.62 mm L7 GPMG
- Ammunition carried: 48 projectiles and charges (31 turret and 17 hull), 1000 MG rounds
- Engine: Cummins VTA930T V8 diesel, 660 bhp
- Max Speed: 53 km/h (Road)
- Range: 420 km (Road)
- Ground clearance: 0.41 m; Gradient: 60°; Vertical obstacle: 0.75 m; Trench crossing: 2.8 m; Fording depth: 1.5 m
[edit] Other Variants
AS-90D - Modified for desert use. Thermal protection for crew and extra cooling for engine and machinery. Tracks adapted for reduced wear in sandy conditions
AS-90 "Braveheart" - Basically the AS-90D, but fitted with the 52 calibre length gun. This mod has been cancelled due to design problems.
Chrobry / Krab" - Licensed "Braveheart" ("Chrobry") turret on a Polish chassis, with modern "Azalia" BMS. Designed and integrated in Poland, by Huta Stalowa Wola and WB Electronics. At time of writing, two Krab ("Crab") prototypes are built, and successfully completed all required evaluations and state acceptance trails. Order for 48 of 80 projected units is expected next year.
[edit] See also
| Modern (post WW2) UK armoured fighting vehicles |
|---|
| Wheeled vehicles |
| Ferret Scout Car | Fox Reconnaissance Vehicle | Saladin Armoured Car | Saracen APC |
| FV1611 "Pig" | Saxon | Mastiff PPV |
| Armoured personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles |
| FV432 | Warrior | FV103 Spartan | Stormer | FV104 Samaritan | FV105 Sultan |
| Light tanks and anti-tank vehicles |
| FV101 Scorpion | FV107 Scimitar | Sabre | FV102 Striker | FV438 Swingfire |
| Self-propelled artillery |
| FV433 Abbot | AS-90 |
| Main battle tanks |
| Centurion | Conqueror | Chieftain | Challenger 1 | Challenger 2 |
| UK unarmoured or non-fighting vehicles |
