U.S. Army receives first XM1776 mobile tactical cannon from Hanwha

The U.S. Army has received its first XM1776 mobile tactical cannon, manufactured by Hanwha Defense USA. The system, which is the American version of the South Korean K9 howitzer, was presented during the Army Modernization Day event at the Capitol.

Under a prototyping contract valued at nearly $263 million, the Army has ordered nine prototypes with the option to acquire nine additional systems, bringing the potential total to 18 units. This initiative is designed to replace the M777 howitzers that have been in service since 2005. The XM1776 features a 155 mm, 52-caliber gun and a fully automated turret mounted on a wheeled chassis.

Technical specifications indicate the system can deploy in less than 30 seconds, reaches road speeds of 100 km/h, and has a road range of up to 700 km. To support production and implementation, Hanwha is establishing an integration and testing facility in Opelika, Alabama.