British Arty

Cpl_Blakeman · Post by **Cpl_Blakeman** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 8:38 pm

What was the most prevalent artillery vehicle before the adoption of the 155mm AS90? Also do the brits still use the FV432 APC with the BATES as an artillery command vehicle?

Many thanks for answering all these questions.

BattlerBritain · Post by **BattlerBritain** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 1:57 pm

As far as I can recall the Brits used M-109s for the 155mm role before AS-90. We're talking mid-to-late 80's here.

They also used the Abbot 105mm SP Gun as well upto the late 80's.

As for FV432 and BATES I think most 432's have been retired now but there are probably still a few around. I would think that they've been using Warriors in the BATES role from probably mid-90's.

Sorry this is a bit vague but I will try and find out some more details.

If not go over to the Army's 'unofficial' discussion network called ARRSE and ask there. You might get a civil response, but don't count on it

Cheers,

Battler

BattlerBritain · Post by **BattlerBritain** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 4:00 pm

This proved to be a good source of current info:
http://www.armedforces.co.uk/armyindex.htm

with a snippet about the current use Warrior FCLV as an arty support vehicle:
http://www.armedforces.co.uk/army/listings/l0045.html

Hope this helps.

Cpl_Blakeman · Post by **Cpl_Blakeman** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 6:49 pm

Thanks, you brits go about things a bit different than us yanks, thats for sure.

redleg · Post by **redleg** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 2:41 am

You can also try e-mailing the British Army liaison officer to the US Army Field Artillery School at Fort Sill. http://sill-www.army.mil/USAFAS/index.htm I've hit the French liaison officer up for information before and he was most helpful with equipment and TO&Es.

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 6:55 pm

Hi,

from my knowledge the FV-432 BATES is still in service.
It is not too old...
This webpage claims that they entered service in the 90s:

http://www.fv432.com/fv43xfamily.htm

But I have to say that I am not happy with the designation of the Cymbeline Carrier on this webpage. It is referred to as FV-436. From my sources FV-436 was originally used for the FV-432 with Green Archer - which never entered service as far as I know (the towed version did). FV-436 is now used for Command Vehicles (also named ASV = Armoured Staff Vehicle) and the BATES version is very similar in appearance. GHQ also uses wrong designations in its catalog.
N141 FV436 Cymbeline should be just FV-432 Cymbeline
N142 FV439 Signals is not a FV-439 but a FV-436 ASV / Command Vehicle
The FV-439 (at last there are two versions) looks totally different!
Photos of the FV-439 SAS/MC are added to the modern British Army topic.

Warrior is used as FV-515 BCV (Battery Command Vehicle) and FV-514 MAOV (Mechanised Artillery Observation Vehicle).

As said before the British Army had M-109s (different versions, ranging from original M-109 to M-109 A2/A3) and FV-433 Abbot in their inventory before the AS-90 entered service. Nevertheless there has been other Self Propelled Stuff as well...
The Royal Artillery operated the M-40 and M-44 SPHs, they had M-110 SPH (and later M-110 A2) and M-107 in service as well.
Lets not forget the towed FH-70 (L-121 in British service if I remember right).

May this be of help - if you have further questions do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards from Germany,
Ben

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:11 pm

Hi all,

did some research during the last few weeks.
I have to correct myself. From what I learnt during the recent days, the FV-436 Green Archer was in service with SP Artillery units of the British Army.

Kind regards,
Ben