Hanwha Defense USA displays K9 155mm howitzer and K10 resupply vehicle at AUSA 2022.

Hanwha Defense USA displays the world’s most popular K9 155m tracked self-propelled howitzer, alongside the K10 tracked ammunition resupply vehicle at AUSA 2022, the Association of United States Army defense exhibition that takes place in Washington D.C.
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South Korean K9 155mm self-propelled howitzer at AUSA 2022.  (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The display of K9 family vehicles follows their successful demonstration of compatibility with various US munitions at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, in September. The latest live demonstration was conducted under the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) framework signed between Hanwha and the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC) in 2021, with the aim of assessing the feasibility, performance, and capabilities of carrying and firing the US munitions by Hanwha’s artillery platforms.

“The demonstration successfully met all of its CRADA objectives, having shown the full interoperability of K9 and K10 Armored Ressuply Vehicles (ARV) 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 US Army Test and Evaluation Command at Yuma has been excellent.”

The K9 Thunder is a best-proven tracked platform, allowing genuine, sustained 360-degree firing solutions, delivering consistent, accurate, rapid effects at +40 km range with high rates and volumes of fire. The K10 is a fully automated ammunition resupply vehicle designed to be used in conjunction with the K9. Based on the same chassis as the K9 SPH, the ARV carries a total of 104 rounds and possesses the same mobility as the K9.

At Yuma, Hanwha’s gun crew demonstrated the capabilities of K9A1 SPH and K10 ARV by loading and firing different types of US ammunition, such as 155mm M795 projectiles, XM1113 Rocket Assisted Projectiles (RAP), and Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS) charges.

Through the live capability test, the K9A1 successfully proved its “Shoot and Scoot” capability, firing multiple rounds and moving out of position immediately to negate the danger of counter-battery fire. In addition, the artillery showed high levels of burst fire and rate of fire with the firing of three rounds in 16 seconds, and six rounds in 45 seconds, respectively.

During AUSA 2022, Hanwha also presents the growth potential of K9 artillery system, which is being upgraded to the K9A2 version equipped with a fully automatic ammunition handling system. With the automated turret, the K9A2 can attain a fire rate of at least nine rounds per minute, only with three crewmembers. Further down the line, more futuristic K9 version, codenamed K9A3, will be developed to feature an extended firing range and remote-controlled/autonomous driving modes.