Exclusive: Hanwha Defense from South Korea Unveils New Wheeled Howitzer for US Army Program.

The South Korean defense company Hanwha Defense has introduced a new generation of wheeled self-propelled howitzers tailored for the U.S. Army, merging the K9A2 turret with an American Mack Defense military truck chassis. This proposal comes as part of the U.S. Army's Next Generation Howitzer (NGH) program, aimed at modernizing its artillery capabilities following the cancellation of the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) program.
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At AUSA 2024, Hanwha Defense showcased a scale model of its new wheeled self-propelled howitzer, featuring the K9A2 turret mounted on an American Mack Defense truck chassis. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The U.S. Army, which has been working on enhancing its artillery systems, is planning a competition to evaluate various mobile artillery platforms. The NGH (Next Generation Howitzer) program is the U.S. Army's fourth major attempt to develop an advanced self-propelled howitzer with extended range and greater mobility. The decision to initiate this new competition follows a 2023 study focused on artillery modernization, with a strong emphasis on more autonomous, longer-range, and highly mobile artillery solutions. The study was completed in March 2024 and recommended focusing on systems that improve mobility, survivability, and firepower for future battlefield conditions.

The U.S. Army needs a new self-propelled howitzer to modernize its artillery capabilities and address the limitations of its current systems. The M109 Paladin, which has been in service since the 1960s, is becoming outdated despite upgrades. Modern battlefield requirements demand longer-range, more precise, and highly mobile artillery to engage targets effectively while minimizing risk to troops. A new howitzer would extend the Army's reach and improve firepower, which is crucial in environments where precision strikes and strategic fire support are essential.

The interest in wheeled self-propelled howitzers stems from their superior mobility compared to tracked versions. Wheeled howitzers can move more quickly on roads and rough terrain, allowing for faster repositioning and response times, a critical factor in modern, fast-paced military operations. They are also easier and cheaper to maintain, providing logistical advantages. With automation reducing crew sizes and increasing efficiency, a wheeled self-propelled howitzer offers the U.S. Army the versatility and mobility needed for future combat scenarios, where speed, range, and survivability are key to success.

The design of the new Hanwha mobile artillery system will be based on an American Mack Defense military truck chassis, with a crew cab at the front and the K9A2 turret mounted at the rear.

The new Hanwha self-propelled howitzer will have a rate of fire of 9 rounds per minute and a burst fire rate of 3 rounds in 15 seconds. The truck artillery system can carry 30 rounds of 155mm ammunition and 192 charges. It will be able to be ready to fire in less than 30 seconds.

Hanwha's proposed system leverages the K9A2 turret, a next-generation version of South Korea's K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer, renowned for its 155mm/52-caliber gun capable of firing up to 10 rounds per minute. The system is designed for efficiency and automation, reducing the crew size from five to just two or three. Its combat weight of less than 39 tons allows easy transport by C-17 military aircraft, making it a highly mobile asset for rapid deployment.

The K9A2 turret offers significant firepower, with a range of 40 km using conventional ammunition and up to 50 km with extended-range projectiles such as the U.S.-made M982 Excalibur precision-guided rounds. Advanced automation, including a fully automatic turret and autoloading system, enhances the howitzer's sustained fire capability, while its upgraded design improves protection and efficiency on the battlefield.

The new wheeled howitzer from Hanwha is expected to compete against other systems as part of the U.S. Army's plan to replace its aging fleet of M109 Paladin tracked howitzers. These self-propelled artillery systems have been in service since the 1960s. As the U.S. Army seeks to upgrade its artillery, Hanwha's offering promises improved mobility, crew survivability, and firepower—key factors for future combat scenarios that will challenge artillery units through 2040 and beyond.