British Army, seeking new artillery, to observe mobile howitzer trials in US 

Among the systems that will be tested by the U.S. Army is the ATMOS made by Israel's Elbit Systems 

British Army, seeking new artillery, to observe mobile howitzer trials in US 

The ATMOS. Photo: Elbit Systems of America

Is the Israeli mobile howitzer ATMOS made by Elbit Systems on its way to the British Army? The Army Technology website reported that the UK Ministry of Defence will observe the U.S. Army’s 155mm mobile howitzer trials and shoot-off as part of the process for selecting a system to enhance the British Army’s artillery capabilities. The systems participating in the trials are Elbit’s ATMOS 2000, BAE Systems’ Archer, Nexter’s Caesar and Yugoimport’s Nora. The trials are set to include a complete analysis of platforms and ordnance.

The UK is currently working towards approval of an outline for its Mobile Fires Platform (MFP) program in the first quarter of 2022. The plans call for initial operating capability of 18 systems in early 2029, and full operating capability of 116 systems worth £800 million by 2032. As the results of the U.S. Army trials are likely to be a significant consideration in the British selection, it is possible that the ATMOS will be acquired by British Army if it performs well in the tests.