Hanwha Defense demonstrates compatibility between K9 Thunder SPH and US munitions.

On September 14th, South Korea’s defense company Hanwha Defense Co.— through its US subsidiary Hanwha Defense USA — and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC), successfully proved the compatibility of the K9 Thunder Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) and K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicle (ARV) with a variety of U.S. munitions.
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Hanwha K9 Thunder Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) and K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicle (ARV) (Picture source: U.S. Army, Yuma Proving Ground)

Witnessed by over 60 invitees across the U.S. Army and allied nations, the live-fire demonstration took place at Yuma Proving Ground, AZ, where Hanwha’s artillery solutions — K9A1 SPH and K10 ARV — loaded and fired different types of U.S. ammunition, including 155mm M795 projectiles, XM1113 Rocket Assisted Projectiles (RAP), and Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS) charges. The demonstration consisted of three major events—automated resupply of U.S. projectiles by the K10 ARV; firing of M795 projectiles to demonstrate K9A1’s capabilities of Shoot-and-Scoot, Burst Fire, and Rapid Rate of Fire capabilities; and lastly, firing of XM1113 RAP from the K9A1 SPH.

The demonstration started with the automated loading of U.S. ammunition into the K10 ARV, while the attendees witnessed the compatibility of both M795 and XM1113 with K10’s automated ammunition handling system, in addition to the efficient resupply of the self-propelled gun with no manual effort.

The K9A1 demonstrated its signature ‘Shoot-and-Scoot’ capability, where it fired multiple M795 projectiles and immediately moved to a different location, showcasing the vehicle’s agility to avoid potential counter-fire.

During the Burst Fire and Rate of Fire segments of the event, the 155mm/52-calibre artillery, operated by a Hanwha gun crew, fired three rounds in 16 seconds, and six rounds in 45 seconds, respectively, with minimal physical effort. In the final segment of the event, the K9A1 fired XM1113 RAP which achieved a range in excess of 50 km.

This was the first time that the US Army had tested the XM1113 with a foreign artillery solution. This live demonstration was conducted under the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) framework signed in 2021 with the aim of assessing the feasibility, performance, and capabilities of carrying and firing the US munitions by the Hanwha artillery platforms.

“The demonstration successfully met all of its CRADA objectives, having shown the full interoperability of K9 and K10 vehicles with US munitions and charges, in addition to the extended range, shoot and scoot and high rate of fire of the K9 system,” said John Kelly, President and CEO of Hanwha Defense USA. “The collaboration with DEVCOM AC and the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) at Yuma has been excellent.”

The vehicles used in the demonstration will be showcased at AUSA  2022 annual exhibition and conference, in Washington DC alongside further discussions with DEVCOM AC and the Army about future cooperation opportunities.

The 155mm/52-calibre K9 Thunder is the world’s most popular tracked self-propelled howitzer with over 1,700 units in service with nine countries around the globe. The howitzer can deliver rapid effects at a +40km range with high rates and volumes of fire. Following the modifications to the K9A1 version, the artillery system is being upgraded to the newer K9A2 variant equipped with a fully automatic ammunition handling system. The autoloading K9A2 can fire over nine rounds per minute, with just three crewmembers. 

The live-fire demonstration took place at Yuma Proving Ground, AZ, where Hanwha’s artillery solutions — K9A1 SPH and K10 ARV — loaded and fired different types of U.S. ammunition, including 155mm M795 projectiles, XM1113 Rocket Assisted Projectiles (RAP), and Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS) charges (Picture source: U.S. Army, Yuma Proving Ground)