0
Hanwha Aerospace's K9 wheeled self-propelled howitzer 'XM1776.' / Hanwha Aerospace

Hanwha Aerospace's wheeled self-propelled howitzer, the K9MH, has received the official designation "XM1776" from the United States Army. Reflecting 1776, the year of American independence, the moniker adds symbolic weight to bilateral defense cooperation as the United States marks its 250th anniversary of independence.

Hanwha Aerospace unveiled the K9MH's formal designation "XM1776" on the 13th at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2026 Annual Meeting and Exposition held in Washington, D.C.

Military designations are official naming conventions assigned to distinguish weapons systems and hardware. The U.S. Army prefixes developmental and testing-phase equipment with an "X," dropping the letter once a platform is formally adopted.

Following a contract signed in August to supply K9MH prototypes for the U.S. Army's Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) program, Hanwha Aerospace delivered its first prototype unit earlier this month.

Hanwha Aerospace set up an exhibition pavilion spanning approximately 300 square meters at this year's show, showcasing both wheeled and tracked variants of the K9 self-propelled howitzer alongside the K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicle. The company also displayed key defense products, including the Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) launcher and guided missiles, as well as the medium-range surface-to-air missile (M-SAM) and long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM). Additionally, it highlighted its technological capabilities across ground, maritime, and unmanned domains with containerized Chunmoo launchers, containerized vertical launch systems (CVLS), medium unmanned surface vessels (MUSVs), and counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS).

The company also outlined plans to build out its local U.S. manufacturing footprint. Hanwha Aerospace presented a diorama modeling the production workflow of its munitions manufacturing facility under construction at the Pine Bluff Arsenal (PBA) in Arkansas. The plant will establish a vertically integrated manufacturing line running from raw materials to finished goods for 155 mm artillery shell components and propelling charges.

Hanwha Systems introduced its ultra-compact, ultra-lightweight short-range active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar to the North American market for the first time, tailored to counter drones and small unmanned aerial vehicles. Applying artificial intelligence-driven detection and classification technology, the radar precisely tracks low-altitude threats such as micro-drones and can be integrated into various platforms, including main battle tanks, armored fighting vehicles, and small naval craft.

"With the U.S. Army accelerating force modernization across artillery, fires, and all maritime domains, we brought together Hanwha's full suite of land defense capabilities in one venue," said an official from Hanwha Aerospace. "Through the on-time delivery of XM1776 prototypes and the buildout of local production bases in Alabama and Arkansas, we will establish ourselves as a trusted partner to the U.S. Army."

                                                                                                           Kim So-young