- Yes
- No
Introduction
Development of what became the AS90 began in 1982, when Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Limited (VSEL) initiated work on the GBT 155 modular turret, originally intended for export and for retrofitting to existing tank chassis. By 1984, this effort evolved into a complete, purpose-built self-propelled howitzer concept designated V2C, later renamed Artillery System 90. From the outset, the design emphasised modularity, off-the-shelf components, and the ability to integrate future technologies. A new chassis purpose-built for the artillery piece was developed after earlier attempts to adapt tank hulls revealed limitations in crew space, mobility, and total system weight.
The first AS90 prototype was completed and displayed at the British Army Equipment Exhibition in June 1986, followed by a second prototype in 1987 built more specifically to British Army requirements. Early firing and mobility trials took place in 1988, and overall development testing concluded in September 1990. In June 1989, the British Ministry of Defence selected the AS90 under GSR 3399/1 to replace the cancelled SP-70 programme, ordering 179 production vehicles. Deliveries began when the first four systems were accepted in May 1993, and British Army production concluded in early 1995.
The AS90 was an overall success in British service and even secured some modest exports. However, one of the limitations of the vehicle was that the barrel, an L/39, was considerably shorter than most modern self-propelled howitzers, which fielded L/52 barrels. This suggestion is therefore for AS-90 ‘Braveheart’, the British programme to re-gun the venerable AS90 with a higher velocity and longer range Royal Ordnance L7A1 L/52 cannon. This programme was started in the 90s, and a completed retrofitted turret was demonstrated and trialed on the AS90 chassis, being capable enough for Poland to order a batch of the turrets only and place them on the hulls of the K9 howitzer, creating the ‘Krab’. However, due to various cost concerns and bureaucratic nonsense, the longer barrel was not to be widely adopted and did not advance beyond the prototype stage.
However, with the AS90 recently confirmed to be coming to the game, in the most basic possible configuration with the L/39 barrel and no laser rangefinder, the AS90 Braveheart upgrade represents a unique but simple addition that would get Britain a more modern howitzer system in line with vehicles like the PzH2000, with a higher velocity L/52 barrel and a LRF.
Specifications
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Specs for the un-upgraded AS90 systems. AS90 Braveheart will be the same, except with an L/52 cannon
Images
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Sources