Hanwha Aerospace participates in AUSA 2026

Live K9MH, PBA ammunition production diorama among exhibits

Hanwha Aerospace unveils the XM1776 at the Association of the United States Army's annual exhibition, AUSA 2026, in Washington, D.C. [Hanwha Aerospace]
Hanwha Aerospace unveils the XM1776 at the Association of the United States Army's annual exhibition, AUSA 2026, in Washington, D.C. [Hanwha Aerospace]

Hanwha Aerospace's K9 wheeled self-propelled howitzer, known as the K9MH, has received the US Army designation XM1776.

Hanwha Aerospace announced Tuesday that the designation was unveiled at the Association of the United States Army's annual exhibition, AUSA 2026, held in Washington, D.C., with Lt. Gen. Frank Lozano, the US Army's director of fires acquisition, in attendance.

Hanwha Aerospace signed a contract in August to supply a prototype of the K9MH for the US Army's Mobile Tactical Cannon program and delivered the first prototype unit this month.

The US Army assigns designations beginning with "X" to equipment in the development and testing phase, removing the prefix upon official adoption. The number 1776 refers to the year of American independence, reflecting the aspiration that the K9 become a defender of American freedom.

Hanwha Aerospace set up an approximately 300-square-meter exhibition space at the show, where it displayed a full-scale K9 wheeled self-propelled howitzer.

The prototype, manufactured in Changwon, was airlifted from South Korea on Sept. 24. The exhibition space also featured the tracked K9 self-propelled howitzer and the K10 ammunition resupply vehicle.

A guided-missile and launcher zone showcased the Chunmoo multiple-launch rocket system launcher, three types of guided-missile pods, and a full-scale model of the Chunmoo guided missile.

An air defense zone displayed the medium-range surface-to-air missile launcher and multifunction radar, along with the long-range surface-to-air missile and its launcher.

In the ammunition section, Hanwha Aerospace presented a diorama of the production process at its Hanwha Ammunition Manufacturing Center, currently under construction at Pine Bluff Arsenal in Arkansas.

Hanwha Systems made its North American debut with a compact, ultralight short-range active electronically scanned array radar designed specifically for drone and small unmanned aerial vehicle defense.

"Through the timely delivery of the XM1776 prototype and the establishment of local production capabilities in Alabama and Arkansas, we will position ourselves as a trusted partner for the US Army," a Hanwha Aerospace official said.


keg@heraldcorp.com