Revolutionizing Firepower: Hanwha Unveils the K9A2 Wheeled Howitzer for the US Army’s Next-Gen Arsenal

• At AUSA 2025, Hanwha presents an extensive array of innovative defense technologies — ranging from artillery systems and armored vehicles to modular charge solutions and counter-UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) functionalities.

• Hanwha emphasizes the upcoming developmental pathway of the K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer, introducing the K9A2 auto-loading wheeled howitzer prototype customized for U.S. Army specifications.

• Hanwha is actively pursuing the domestication of the 155 mm Modular Charge System (MCS) to enhance the U.S. ammunition supply and manufacturing capacity.

OCTOBER 12, 2025 – Hanwha’s defense subsidiaries are revealing cutting-edge defense systems designed specifically to meet the U.S. Army’s modernization objectives — including a new wheeled self-propelled howitzer and the localization of the 155 mm modular charges — at the AUSA 2025 exhibition in Washington, D.C., from October 13-15.

Team Hanwha – encompassing Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA) – is participating in the annual exhibition organized by the Association of the U.S. Army. The event anticipates around 44,000 attendees from 92 nations and serves as the leading platform for global defense enterprises to showcase land-based military advancements.

During this year’s exhibition, Hanwha Aerospace is featuring a full-scale K9A1 Self-Propelled Howitzer, illustrating the future plan for the K9 artillery system, which has been commissioned by over ten nations worldwide. Notably, the company will present the wheeled K9A2 model for the first time, designed to fulfill the U.S. Army’s demands for long-range and high-mobility artillery.

The K9A2 incorporates an automated ammunition management and loading mechanism that elevates its firing rate from six to more than nine rounds per minute. As the U.S. Army seeks advanced artillery solutions with improved range, accuracy, mobility, and sustained firepower, Hanwha Aerospace proposes the 8×8 wheeled K9A2, combining the K9A2’s sophisticated auto-loading turret with a wheeled platform to ensure greater agility and versatility on future battlefields.

Maro Kim, Head of Strategy at Hanwha Defense USA, stated: “The K9 howitzer is currently actively utilized by more than ten countries and is recognized as the most dependable tracked artillery system globally. By equipping the K9A2’s automated turret onto an 8×8 wheeled platform, we aim to fulfill the U.S. Army’s needs for long-range precision fire support, rapid deployment, and ongoing resupply operations.”

Hanwha Aerospace is also concentrating on initiatives to localize manufacturing of the 155 mm Modular Charge System (MCS) in the United States. Produced in a world-class smart factory setup, the MCS guarantees high levels of consistency, precision, and safety through automated production techniques. It offers exceptional compatibility with NATO-standard 155 mm artillery and delivers accurate regulation of chamber pressure and range, ensuring outstanding performance and reliability.

In light of the conflict in Ukraine, the global scarcity of 155 mm artillery munitions has escalated into a significant concern. Hanwha is working to fortify the supply chain resilience of the U.S. Army and its allies by establishing local MCS production capabilities and forming industrial alliances within the United States.

Simultaneously, Hanwha Systems is showcasing its short-range AESA radar and multi-tiered Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) defense technology, presenting integrated electronic solutions tailored for homeland security operations in the U.S. The short-range AESA radar is designed to identify and monitor low-altitude aerial threats, acting as a crucial sensor to amplify the operational efficiency of Short-Range Air Defense (SHORAD) systems. It is adaptable for installation on various platforms including wheeled armored vehicles, ground surveillance units, and small maritime vessels.

The multi-layered C-UAS system is specifically crafted to address the escalating threat posed by drones and unmanned aerial systems in contemporary combat scenarios. By merging detection, recognition, and neutralization features, it offers a comprehensive defense framework to safeguard vital infrastructure — including possible applications in U.S. border surveillance and facility protection.

Jaeil Son, President and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems, remarked: “Through AUSA 2025, Hanwha endeavors to solidify its standing as a global defense corporation by presenting a cohesive suite of next-generation solutions encompassing artillery, munitions, and defense electronics. We are committed to broadening customer-oriented solutions and global collaborations to address the modernization needs of the U.S. Army and enhance the defense capabilities of allied nations.”