Cookie Consent by Privacy Policies Generator

AS90



Overview


AS90

Left side view of AS90 in the field.
Source: Paul D. Handel - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
United Kingdom
Type
Self-propelled howitzer
Entered service
1993
Status
In service
Development
1986 - 1989
Developer
United Kingdom - Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering
Production
1992 - 1995
Producer
United Kingdom - Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering
Number produced
179
Unit cost
179 vehicles for GBP 300 million in 1992
Designations
AS 90 / Artillery System for the 1990's
Acronym, design project name
Gun Equipment 155 mm L131
UK military designation
Braveheart (L/52 project
Krab (Polish project with K9 chassis)
Notable users
United Kingdom

Description


Introduction

The AS90 is a modern tracked 155mm self-propelled howitzer of British origin. The AS90 was developed in the 1980's and was selected in 1989. The first units were in active service in 1993. AS90 stands for "Artillery System for the 1990's". The official UK military designation is L131.

Layout

The AS90 has a conventional layout. The crew of five consists of a commander, driver, gunner and two loaders. The driver is seated in the front hull with the drive train to his right. The turret is mounted at the rear and houses the rest of the crew.

Firepower

The AS90 is armed with a 155mm L/39 howitzer connected to a fully automatic loader. The maximum range is 24.7km and 30km with assisted ammunition. A burst rate of fire of 3 rounds in less than 10 seconds can be achieved. The maximum rate of fire is 6 rounds per minute and sustained fire is 2 rounds per minute. A total of 48 projectiles are carried. A MAG machine gun is mounted on the turret roof for self-protection.

Protection

The AS90 is operated under full armor protection. The thick steel armor provides protection from small arms fire, shell splinters and 14.5mm rounds over the frontal arc. An NBC and fire extinguishing system are standard and 10 smoke grenade dischargers are fitted to the turret.

Mobility

The tracked chassis provides the AS90 with a good cross country performance. A Cummins 660 hp diesel engine provides propulsion and an APU provides power when the engine is not running. Due to the weight of the system the speed is somewhat limited.

Users

The AS90 is only used by the United Kingdom. A total of 179 units have been produced of which a large quantity will be phased out to be replaced by a lightweight and highly mobile piece of artillery. In Poland the Krab, which is an AS90 turret mated with a local chassis, is undergoing trails.

Variants


AS90

Right side view of UK army AS90 self-propelled howitzer.
Source: Pierre @ www.armyrecognition.com - © copyright lies with original owner

The AS90 is a tracked self-propelled howitzer. The AS90 is armed with a 155mm L/39 howitzer connected to an automatic loader. The AS90 was adopted in only one version.

Many AS90's were planned for upgrade with a L/52 barrel under the Braveheart project, but this project has been canceled.

In Poland the Krab is under development which is an AS90 turret mated with a South Korean K9 chassis.

Factsheet


Facts AS90
General
Origin
United Kingdom
Type
Self-propelled howitzer
Crew
5 (commander, driver, gunner, 2 loaders)
Dimensions
Weight
45.0 t combat load
Length
7.20 m hull
9.90 m gun forward
Width
3.40 m
Height
3.00 m overall
2.49 m to turret roof
Main armament
Type
155mm L31 39-caliber howitzer
Mount
Main gun in turret
Ammunition
48 shells
Elevation
-5 to +70°, powered
Elevation rate
10°/s
Traverse
360°, powered
Traverse rate
10°/s
Stabilizer
No
Secondary armament
Type
7.62mm MAG machine gun
Mount
Pintle mount on turret roof
Ammunition
1.000 rounds, 100 ready to fire
Traverse
Manual traverse and elevation
Stabilizer
No
Chassis
Chassis type
Tracked chassis, 6 roadwheels
Layout
Drive sprocket front, idler rear
Track width
0.55 m
Track on ground
4.59 m
Ground pressure
0.87 kg/cm²
Suspension
Hydropneumatic
Automotive
Engine model
Cummins VTA-903T-660
Engine type
V8 four-stroke liquid-cooled turbocharged diesel
Power output
660 hp at 2.800 rpm
Transmission
Renk LSG 2000 automatic
4 forward, 2 reverse
Fuel
750 L
Mobility
Speed
55 km/h
Range
370 km at 45 km/h
Power to weight ratio
14.7 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.41 m
Wall
0.75 m
Trench
2.8 m
Gradient
60 %
Slope
25 %
Fording
1.5 m
Protection
Armor type
Steel
Armor thickness
Up to 17 mm
NBC system
Yes
Smoke system
2x5 smoke grenade dischargers
Equipment
Night vision
Yes
Radio
Yes

Media


Related articles


Abbot

The AS90 is the successor to the Abbot self-propelled howitzer in UK military service.