The British Army’s Mobile Fires Platform (MFP) programme is advancing following the award by the Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR) to ARTEC GmbH for the RCH155 self-propelled howitzer. Under the £53 million contract, ARTEC will produce and deliver 37 of the Boxer-based artillery systems.
The contract covers the production of the artillery weapon system module’s barrel, muzzle brake, recoil system, and turret trunnion mounts. A significant investment is designated for developing Rheinmetall’s Gun Hall large-calibre gun barrel manufacturing facility in Telford. This will establish a sovereign UK capability to produce large gun barrels for future artillery systems. An estimated one hundred highly skilled jobs will be created, according to the MoD, with further positive impacts expected across the wider defence supply chain.
The RCH155 provides the United Kingdom’s artillery with a modern, advanced self-propelled howitzer optimised for the conditions of the current and future battlefield. It utilises the Boxer 8×8 chassis, which is being deployed for the British Army’s armoured vehicle requirements. This will simply support logistics.
The RCH155 Artillery Gun Module (AGM) was developed by KMW. It is unmanned and fully automated with a crew of two. It can fire up to eight rounds per minute. It can also fire from a short halt or even while on the move, including burst salvos and Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI). The 53-calibre howitzer offers a maximum range of seventy kilometres. These features enhance survivability against counter-battery fire, provide maximum response, and improve lethality.
The RCH155 is also being deployed by the German Army and Ukraine, while the Royal Netherlands Army has expressed interest. Reportedly, the British total requirement may be for as many as seventy systems.
by Stephen W. Miller
