South Korea’s K9A2 emerges among top choices as US Army’s future self-propelled howitzer.

At the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2024 exhibition, Hanwha Defense USA, a subsidiary of South Korea's Hanwha Group, introduced the K9A2 155mm self-propelled howitzer, marking its debut in the U.S. defense market. The K9A2 is an improved version of the widely used K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer, which recently fired the U.S.-made M982A1 Excalibur precision-guided 155mm artillery projectile at ranges up to 50 kilometers. These features, along with increased crew efficiency and extended range, position the K9A2 as a potential option for the U.S. Army’s future self-propelled howitzer systems.
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All 48 rounds are located in the K9A2's turret and are accessible with the autoloader, increasing sustained fire capability from two to three rounds per minute to four to six rounds per minute. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

In August 2024, Hanwha Aerospace announced that the K9 Thunder had successfully demonstrated interoperability with Raytheon's M982A1 Excalibur precision-guided, extended-range 155mm artillery projectile. The live-firing test was conducted at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona.

The K9 Thunder achieved a circular error probable (CEP) of less than one meter in Point Detonating mode, effectively hitting a target nearly 50 kilometers away. Another projectile detonated five meters above the target in Height of Burst mode, demonstrating precision engagement capabilities. This successful integration establishes the K9 as one of the few artillery systems globally verified to operate with Excalibur guided munitions.

The M982 Excalibur is a 155mm GPS-guided, extended-range artillery shell designed to deliver accurate, first-round effects in various weather conditions, with a CEP of about four meters. Capable of engaging targets at ranges up to 40 kilometers, it is suitable for precision strikes on high-value targets while reducing collateral damage. An enhanced version, the M982A1 Excalibur Increment Ib, includes improved jamming-resistant GPS technology and updated software, allowing for user-defined projectile trajectories.

With American-made M982 Excalibur artillery shells, the K9 Thunder achieved a circular error probable (CEP) of less than one meter in Point Detonating mode, effectively hitting a target nearly 50 kilometers away. (Picture source: Yuma Proving Ground)

At AUSA 2024, Hanwha Aerospace also presented a concept model of a wheeled self-propelled howitzer for the U.S. Army. This vehicle mounts a K9A2 automatic turret on a Mack Truck body, aligning with the U.S. Army's consideration of introducing wheeled self-propelled howitzers and self-propelled mortars.

The U.S. Army is currently reviewing the introduction of new self-propelled howitzer systems, and the K9A2 is considered among the candidate equipment. Mike Smith, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace USA, stated, "The K9 is the world's most proven self-propelled howitzer solution. It not only delivers long-range firepower but also can be used in manned and unmanned combined operations, making it ideal for meeting the U.S. Army's performance requirements."

In addition to artillery systems, Hanwha Aerospace presented the new multipurpose unmanned vehicle, Grunt UGV, an upgraded version of the existing Arion-SMET. The Grunt has an increased range of 290 kilometers, approximately three times that of its predecessor, and a payload capacity expected to reach 900 kilograms, more than 1.5 times greater. These enhancements aim to improve performance aspects such as range and payload, contributing to its multipurpose capabilities. Another subsidiary of Hanwha, Hanwha Systems, is exhibiting the Integrated Warfare System (IVS) and real-time Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) platform to conduct various marketing activities aimed at entering the U.S. defense market.

As of early 2024, the K9 Thunder holds over 50% of the global market share for self-propelled howitzers, with approximately 2,000 K9 vehicles, including localized variants, in production or service across ten nations. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The K9 series is the most widely used self-propelled howitzer in the world due to its firepower, high mobility, and survivability. It can engage targets at a range of 40 kilometers with conventional ammunition and has demonstrated ranges exceeding 50 kilometers with various extended projectiles. Approximately 2,000 K9 vehicles, including localized variants, are in production or service with ten nations, including Poland, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Australia, Egypt, and Romania. As of early 2024, the K9 Thunder holds over 50% of the global market share for self-propelled howitzers, attributed to its technical specifications, including a high firing rate, long-range capabilities, and mobility in various terrains.

Hanwha Aerospace unveiled the K9A2 self-propelled howitzer prototype at the British Defense and Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2023 exhibition. The K9A2, intended to replace the legacy K9 and K9A1 variants, includes several improvements aimed at enhancing its operational capabilities. In terms of firepower, the K9A2 features a fully automatic handling system and an automatic turret, increasing its rate of fire to up to 10 rounds per minute at the push of a button, compared to the K9A1's rate of six to eight rounds per minute. All 48 rounds are located in the turret and are accessible with the autoloader, increasing sustained fire capability from two to three rounds per minute to four to six rounds per minute.

The enhanced 155mm/52-caliber main gun, with new rifling and chrome plating, increases barrel life from 1,000 to 1,500 rounds, allowing for a longer range and faster firing rate. These enhancements are made possible by a high-response artillery automation system developed by the South Korean Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and Hanwha Defense, completed in August 2021. The automation reduces the crew requirement from five to three personnel through turret automation, and in emergencies, it can operate with just two crew members.

The K9A2 features a fully automatic handling system and an automatic turret, increasing its rate of fire to up to 10 rounds per minute at the push of a button, compared to the K9A1's rate of six to eight rounds per minute. (Picture source: Hanwha)

Additional features include a modular charge system providing crew protection from secondary explosions by adapting insensitive charges, required for the automatic loading process. Enhanced armor provides anti-tank mine protection, and the turret driving system has been updated from an electrohydraulic to an electric system. The K9A2 also incorporates an automatic fire suppression system for crew protection, a new air conditioning system, and a remote-controlled weapon station, enabling the use of secondary weapons without exposing crew members.

The Composite Rubber Track (CRT) system, created by the Canadian company Soucy Defense, replaces the existing iron tracks, significantly reducing vibration and noise. The use of composite rubber tracks also contributes to weight reduction, decreasing the vehicle's weight by more than two tons, which can be utilized for additional armor or subsystems. This change improves crew comfort by reducing vibration and noise and lowers maintenance requirements.

Development of the K9A2 is dynamic, with the Republic of Korea Armed Forces planning to confirm the Required Operational Capability (ROC) for the K9A2 Block-I upgrade. The K9A2 is expected to be operational by 2027, with plans to upgrade basic K9 units to the K9A2 standard and achieve full operational capability by 2034. This includes improving the performance of the K10 ammunition transport armored vehicle, which supplies ammunition to the K9. The K10 will be enhanced to automatically separate and transport ammunition from an external conveyor device when supplying ammunition to the K9A2. It will also be equipped with a cooling device to improve combat efficiency by preventing heatstroke damage to the crew in hot summers and thermal imaging cameras to improve night-time maneuverability.

Built to support Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) missions, the K9A3 includes a 58-caliber barrel and accommodates specialized munitions, broadening the platform’s capabilities for strategic artillery use. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Hanwha is already designing the K9A3, which was presented at the South Korean KADEX 2024. This is an unmanned variant of the K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzer, intended for long-range precision strikes with a firing range surpassing 80 kilometers. Built to support Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) missions, the K9A3 includes a 58-caliber barrel and accommodates specialized munitions, broadening the platform’s capabilities for strategic artillery use.

The system is also equipped for autonomous driving and remote operation, allowing control from a dedicated vehicle that can manage up to three howitzers simultaneously, reducing the need for direct troop involvement in hazardous environments. The K9A3 is expected to be of interest to countries currently operating earlier K9 versions.

The K11A1 Fire Direction Control Vehicle, also introduced by Hanwha Aerospace at KADEX 2024, is designed to remotely operate K9A3 howitzers for both movement and firing. Based on the K9A3 chassis, it incorporates features such as a Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) and reinforced armor for improved protection. With six control stations, the K11A1 can coordinate up to three K9A3s autonomously, supporting operational efficiency while minimizing risks to personnel. Built for network-centric warfare, the K11A1 is intended to provide enhanced control and coordination for modern artillery systems.