Sweden: Siltanews – News Desk
The Swedish Armed Forces are set to receive an additional batch of advanced artillery munitions known as BONUS. The contract for the delivery was signed between the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) and BAE Systems Bofors.
The agreement, valued at approximately 600 million SEK, stipulates the delivery of the munitions over the next few years. The BONUS munitions will be fired from Sweden’s Archer 155 mm self-propelled howitzers.
BONUS is a guided artillery cluster round developed through collaboration between BAE Systems Bofors and KNDS France (formerly Nexter). It is designed to accurately target both stationary and moving armored vehicles through sub munitions released above the target.
Each BONUS round contains two sub munitions that autonomously locate targets using a multi-band infrared sensor combined with a laser radar (ladar). The targets are then struck using a warhead equipped with an explosively formed penetrator.
The munitions have an effective range of up to 35 kilometers when fired from a 52-calibre barrel. This capability enhances the operational reach and effectiveness of Swedish artillery units.
The latest contract between FMV and BAE Systems Bofors ensures Sweden will receive additional BONUS rounds for its Archer 155 mm self-propelled howitzers. Each round contains two sub munitions that scan the battlefield using multi-band infrared sensors and LiDAR, comparing detected vehicles to a programmable target database. The explosively formed penetrator warhead ensures effective destruction of armored threats.