Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA) will exhibit artillery and other defence products at the upcoming AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition.
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Press Release, Washington, 10 October 2024: Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA) and its parent company Hanwha Aerospace will exhibit artillery and other defence products at the upcoming Association of the US Army’s (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition, taking place from October 14 to16, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.
HDUSA seeks to leverage Hanwha’s proven technologies and mature production processes to locally deliver defence solutions that meet the most urgent needs of the United States and Canadian armies. Hanwha will emphasise international interoperability and industrial agility by presenting adaptive and dependable ordnance, munitions, and vehicles during the three-day show. This is very much aligned with this year’s theme of “Transforming for a Complex World.”
“HDUSA has the benefit of Hanwha’s expansive range of proven and reliable systems. But it’s more than that. Hanwha has a rich legacy of predictable program performance through disciplined process execution,” said Mike Smith, President and CEO of Hanwha Defense USA. “This is what HDUSA is positioned to bring to the US customer cost-effective combat capability beyond the speed of need.”
“We are focused on providing low-risk, long-range artillery capability, enhanced human effectiveness through manned and unmanned teaming solutions, and finding ways to ‘innovate at the round’ to address deficits in range, capacity, and survivability of current systems,” Mike added. “We believe there is a window to help the Army meet its needs with the proven platforms and technology we offer.”
Highlights of Hanwha’s show display include:-
- K9A2 Self-Propelled Howitzer: The 155mm/52-calibre K9A2 Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) has a fully automatic handling system, an automatic turret, and an increased rate of fire of 10 rounds per minute at the push of a button, compared to the A1 with a rate of fire of 6 to 8. At this year’s show, HDUSA will be showcasing the A2 variant—a first for AUSA. The K9 is the most widely used SPH in the world due to its firepower, high mobility, and survivability. It can engage targets at a range of 40 kilometres with currently available conventional ammunition and has demonstrated a range of 50+ kilometres with various extended projectiles. About 2,000 K9 vehicles, including localised variants, are in production or in service with ten nations, including Poland, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Australia, and Egypt, with the most recent country being Romania.
- Modular Charge System: Hanwha’s 155mm Artillery Modular Charge System (MCS) is a Joint Ballistic Memorandum of Understanding (JBMoU)-compliant modular charge designed for use in 39 and 52 calibre gun configurations. The MCS features a clean burning charge that leaves little to no residue, eliminating the need for barrel swabbing between fires; the system is also equipped with high-strength combustible cases that can withstand the demands of rapid firing—both of which contribute to an increased rate of fire.
- GRUNT (GRound UNcrewed Transport): The GRound UNcrewed Transport (GRUNT) is a 6×6 hybrid electric vehicle designed to support infantry operations, such as ammunition transport, medical evacuation, reconnaissance, and fire support. The vehicle can drive up to 290 kilometres when fully charged and has a maximum payload of more than 900 kilograms, offering a significant improvement in combat support and manoeuvring capabilities. The GRUNT is an evolution from the legacy Arion-SMET, offering enhanced capability.
- Wheeled Howitzer: Hanwha Aerospace is developing a wheeled Mobile Howitzer (MH) utilising K9A2 turret technology, an adapter/mounting ring with stabilisers, and a heavy (8×8) truck platform. The MH is in the prototyping phase and will use a 52-calibre armament common with the K9A1/2, have a fully automated firing sequence, and be paired with a wheeled resupply vehicle utilising the same ammunition transfer technology found in the K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicle (ARV). With this new platform underway, Hanwha’s customers will have options of tracked and wheeled platforms that offer the same high performance.
- Integrated Vetronics System: Hanwha Systems, an affiliate of Hanwha Aerospace, will display its integrated Vetronics System (IVS), which functions as the ‘brain’ and ‘sensory network’ of various ground combat systems such as main battle tanks, armoured vehicles, self-propelled howitzers.
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