Hanwha to showcase K9A2 howitzer at AUSA defense exhibition

Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems announced on the 15th that they will exhibit at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2024 defense exhibition, held in Washington, D.C., from October 14 to 16 (local time). Hosted annually by the Association of the United States Army since 1950, the exhibition brings together more than 800 defense companies from around the world to showcase advanced ground weapons systems.

Hanwha Aerospace will present a full-scale K9 A2 self-propelled howitzer fitted with an automatic turret, along with an upgraded multipurpose unmanned vehicle, as it targets the world’s largest defense market.

The K9 A2 can automatically load both ammunition and propellant charges. It can fire up to nine or more rounds per minute in rapid, concentrated bursts, while turret automation reduces the crew from five to three. It also replaces conventional steel tracks with composite materials, significantly reducing vibration and noise.

The U.S. Army is currently considering the adoption of previously developed self-propelled howitzer systems, and Hanwha Aerospace’s K9 is among the candidates.

Hanwha Aerospace demonstrated the K9’s compatibility with ammunition used by the U.S. Army through live-fire and mobility demonstrations at the Yuma Proving Ground in September 2022 and April this year. In April, it also successfully demonstrated the launch of the U.S.-developed Excalibur extended-range projectile.

Mike Smith, head of Hanwha Aerospace’s U.S. defense subsidiary, Hanwha Defense USA, said, “The K9 is the world’s most proven self-propelled howitzer solution. With its long-range firepower and potential to incorporate manned-unmanned teaming technology, it is ideally suited to meet the U.S. Army’s requirements.”

A concept model of a wheeled self-propelled howitzer for the U.S. Army will also be unveiled for the first time. Built on a truck chassis from U.S. company Mack Trucks and fitted with the K9 A2’s automatic turret, the vehicle is designed to meet the U.S. Army’s plans to procure wheeled self-propelled howitzers.

The exhibition will also feature the first full-scale unveiling of GRUNT (Ground Uncrewed Transport), a new multipurpose unmanned vehicle under development by Hanwha Aerospace. An upgraded version of the existing Arion-SMET, GRUNT is being designed with a range of 290 kilometers—about three times that of its predecessor—and a payload capacity of 900 kilograms, more than 1.5 times higher.

Hanwha Systems will also exhibit its Integrated Vetronics System (IVS) and real-time maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) platform, and conduct a range of marketing activities to enter the U.S. defense market.