The Archer is a wheeled self-propelled howitzer 155mm designed and manufactured jointly by the Companies Bofors and BAE Systems. The first technical studies of the Archer were launched in 1995. BAE Systems Global Combat Systems fitted a 155 mm FH-77 artillery system on the rear of a modified VME A25C (6 × 6) all-terrain Volvo truck chassis. The deployment time of Archer has been shortened reduced from 10 minutes to only 30 seconds compared to a standard self-propelled howitzer. The first operational systems are expected to be delivered in October 2011 and production will continue over the following two years. The Archer each gun system will be staffed by 3-4 operators, which is a major improvement from its forerunner which was manned by a crew consisting of 10-12 operators.