Participation in the US AUSA Exhibition
Exhibition of Turret Automation K9A2
The 'K9A2', an upgraded version of the 'K9' self-propelled howitzer with enhanced automation capabilities, will make its debut in the U.S. defense market.
Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems announced on the 15th that they will participate in the 'AUSA 2024 Annual Meeting & Exposition' held in Washington D.C., USA, from the 14th to the 16th (local time). Hosted annually by the Association of the United States Army since 1950, the exhibition features over 800 defense companies worldwide showcasing cutting-edge ground weapon systems.
Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems announced on the 15th that they will participate in the "AUSA 2024 Annual Meeting & Exposition" held in Washington DC, USA, from the 14th to the 16th (local time). The photo shows the Hanwha Aerospace exhibition booth (Photo by Hanwha Aerospace).
Hanwha Aerospace will showcase the actual K9A2 self-propelled howitzer equipped with an automated turret, as well as an improved multipurpose unmanned vehicle.
The K9A2 is characterized by its ability to fully automate the loading of ammunition and propellant charges. It can rapidly and intensively fire more than 9 rounds per minute, and through turret automation, the operating crew is reduced from five to three. Additionally, it replaces the traditional steel tracks with composite materials, significantly reducing vibration and noise.
The U.S. Army is currently reviewing self-propelled howitzer systems, with Hanwha Aerospace’s K9 howitzer considered one of the candidate systems.
Hanwha Aerospace demonstrated compatibility with the ammunition used by the U.S. Army through live-fire and mobility demonstrations of the K9 howitzer at the Yuma Proving Ground in September 2022 and April this year, and successfully conducted firing demonstrations of the U.S.-developed 'Excalibur' extended-range projectile.
Mike Smith, head of Hanwha Defense USA, Hanwha Aerospace’s U.S. defense subsidiary, emphasized, "The K9 is the most proven self-propelled howitzer solution worldwide, offering long-range firepower performance and the capability to apply manned-unmanned combined operation technology, making it the best fit for the U.S. Army’s requirements."
A concept model of a wheeled self-propelled howitzer for the U.S. Army will also be unveiled for the first time. This vehicle features a Mack truck chassis from the U.S. Mack Truck company with the K9A2’s automated turret mounted on top, targeting the U.S. Army’s initiative to introduce wheeled self-propelled howitzers.
Additionally, the actual new multipurpose unmanned vehicle (GRUNT) under development by Hanwha Aerospace will be displayed for the first time. It is an upgraded version of the existing Arion-SMET, with an operational range of 290 km?about three times that of the previous Arion-SMET?and a payload capacity expected to increase by more than 1.5 times to 900 kg.
Hanwha Systems will exhibit its Integrated Vision System (IVS) and real-time maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) platform, conducting various marketing activities aimed at entering the U.S. defense market.
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