Hanwha says Army selected K9 Mobile Howitzer for Mobile Tactical Cannon program

Hanwha Defense USA says the U.S. Army selected its K9 Mobile Howitzer for the Mobile Tactical Cannon program, with six prototype systems planned and an option for 12 more.

Hanwha Defense USA said on Aug. 18 that the U.S. Army selected its K9 Mobile Howitzer for the service's Mobile Tactical Cannon program. The company said the agreement calls for six prototype systems, with an option for 12 more.

In its release, Hanwha said the award is its first major contract with the U.S. Army. The company said the deal supports Army modernization plans and its push for long-range precision fires, a term the Army uses for artillery and missile systems meant to strike targets at distance with greater accuracy.

Hanwha said the prototype system is a K9 Mobile Howitzer, or K9MH, and described it as a 155mm artillery system. The company said the system is compatible with the Army's full suite of munitions. The release also said more than 2,500 K9 Howitzers have already been fielded globally.

Hanwha said it plans to establish a phase I site in Opelika, Alabama, as the U.S. integration and test facility for the K9 Mobile Howitzer family. The company said it signed a three-year lease for the site and plans to use it as part of a phased localization strategy that includes U.S. production and support.

The company said it intends to expand its U.S. artillery footprint over time while evaluating future phases and locations. It also said it plans to work with suppliers and workforce development partners for long-term sustainment and technology insertion.

Hanwha quoted several executives in the release. Mike Smith, identified as Hanwha Defense USA's chief operating officer and president of land systems, said the Army selected Hanwha's K9 Mobile Howitzer to fulfill the Mobile Tactical Cannon requirement and called the system the "centerpiece of Army Fires' transformation."

Michael Coulter, identified as Hanwha Defense USA's chief executive officer, said the company has supply chain and local production experience in Australia, Egypt, Poland and Romania. Alex Wong, identified as Hanwha Group's chief strategy officer, said the company is "building an American manufacturing enterprise" and transferring technology. Jason Pak, identified as Hanwha Defense USA's head of land systems for artillery, said Opelika is the phase I launch point for a U.S.-anchored manufacturing network.

The release did not include a contract value. It also did not identify the Army office that issued the award or provide a schedule for when the prototype systems will be delivered.

The company said it will continue evaluating future phases and locations as it expands U.S. production capacity.

Sources

• PR Newswire: Hanwha wins U.S. Army Mobile Tactical Cannon contract

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