This drone footage, provided by a unit known as the Escadrille, shows a Swedish-donated Archer artillery system being used for counter-battery fire, taking out multiple Russian towed howitzers.

As a howitzer fires, it is spotted by the drone overhead, which allows the Archer crew to destroy the Russian artillery. One of these counter-battery shots has been geolocated at 48.6133670, 38.0183980, in Northern Bakhmut.

While a lot of the weaponry sent to Ukraine tend to come from countries' dated stockpiles, the Archer is relatively new, having debuted in 2016. As of late 2023, there were eight Archer platforms operating in Ukraine, to reportedly very great effect. The Archer system has been glowingly described by Ukrainian personnel as "sniper artillery"- that is, one shot, one kill. That moniker seems doubly appropriate here as the crew take out Russian artillery pieces and crews as they give themselves away. However, in addition to its accuracy, the Archer has speed on its side, able to operate in multiple round, simultaenous impact (MRSI) mode. It can fire three-round bursts of 155-milimeter shells in twenty seconds, and boasts a range of 19 to 31 miles, depending on the round used.

About the Author

Cole Simms

Cole Simms is an Air Guardsman, NASA enthusiast, police officer, and security contractor with particular experience in austere environments. Outside of work, he volunteers as a Stop The Bleed instructor for area schools. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and blends his knowledge and experience to write analysis for Funker530.

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