Hanwha Defense has received a US Army order for nine K9 Mobile Howitzer prototypes through the Mobile Tactical Cannon-Wheeled programme. The wheeled 155mm artillery system, known as the XM-1776 Mobile Tactical Cannon, is derived from Hanwha’s tracked K9 Thunder. The Army wants the programme to deliver artillery with improved mobility, automation and survivability. Stryker brigades are expected to be the first users, followed by mobile and infantry formations.
According to Hanwha Defense USA Land Systems COO Mike Smith, six units were ordered in August and another three in September. The first six systems are funded by a $100 million other transaction authority award announced in August. An option for 12 more howitzers could raise the potential contract value to $263 million.
**US Industrial Expansion:** Most work on the initial 18 vehicles is planned in South Korea, while the Army has encouraged participating vendors to shift supply-chain operations to the US within two years of the initial award. Hanwha’s preliminary full-rate production plan calls for annual output of 24 howitzers and 24 resupply vehicles. To strengthen its American industrial footprint, the company is setting up an integration and testing centre in Opelika, Alabama. More than 70 current and prospective US suppliers may be engaged to help localise the supply chain and support production of the XM-1776 and other K9-family systems.
