Hanwha Defense's K9 howitzer wins U.S. Army Mobile Tactical Cannon contract

Published Aug 19, 01:12 AM UTC

The U.S. Army has selected Hanwha Defense USA to advance to the next phase of its Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) program, awarding a firm-fixed-price agreement worth up to $262.9 million for up to 18 wheeled 155mm self-propelled howitzer prototypes. The K9 Mobile Howitzer (K9MH), derived from Hanwha's tracked K9 design, will replace the Army's towed M777 howitzers. The K9MH offers a maximum range of over 37 miles (60 km), compared to the M777's under 20 miles, and features rapid emplacement/displacement times under 30 seconds for shoot-and-scoot tactics. The contract includes six initial prototypes with an option for 12 more, to be tested over four years. Hanwha plans to establish U.S. manufacturing in Opelika, Alabama, leveraging its global supply chain experience in Australia, Egypt, Poland, and Romania.