The U.S. Army has begun the process to introduce a new tracked self-propelled howitzer. Hanwha Aerospace(012450), which signed a prototype contract for a wheeled self-propelled howitzer last month, is also expected to throw its hat in the ring this time. A wheeled self-propelled howitzer mounts a turret on a wheeled vehicle, while a tracked one mounts it on a tracked vehicle.
Although the two programs proceed separately, from Hanwha Aerospace's perspective they are in the same vein. That is because the turret is the same K9A2 regardless of the howitzer type. Since it already underwent one round of vetting in the wheeled program, some see that as an advantage.
According to U.S. military outlet Breaking Defense on the 4th, the U.S. Army's Fires Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate on Aug. 31 posted a request for information (RFI) for the introduction of a tracked self-propelled howitzer (MTC-T).
An RFI is a document that requests information from companies prior to introducing weapons systems. It effectively signals the start of a program. After companies provide information on their products, the U.S. Army narrows the field. Bidding then begins. The program aims to replace the M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzer.
The U.S. Army wrote that the purpose of this program is the "introduction of a 155 mm tracked self-propelled howitzer for armored unit operations." It said this is separate from the existing wheeled self-propelled howitzer program (MTC-W).
The U.S. Army included a range of requirements in the RFI. In addition to weapons systems performance—such as the gun system, the maturity of the howitzer and ammunition, commonality with other components, and future upgrade plans—it also asked companies to detail U.S. production plans and timelines if produced in the United States. It also specified the use of Army-certified safe and suitable ammunition.
The competitive landscape is expected to be similar to the wheeled self-propelled howitzer program. Global defense corporations expected to participate include Hanwha Aerospace's U.S. subsidiary Hanwha Defense USA; the United Kingdom's BAE Systems, which produces the M109-series howitzers operated by the U.S. Army; Germany's Rheinmetall; Israel's Elbit Systems; and the United States' General Dynamics.
A Hanwha Aerospace official said, "Since the RFI just came out, we are identifying the requirements the U.S. military is asking for," adding, "We are actively reviewing whether to participate in the program."
Hanwha Aerospace is expected to put forward the new K9A2 in the tracked self-propelled howitzer program. It is a bridge model toward the manned-unmanned teaming system K9A3, in which a manned howitzer operates in formation with multiple unmanned howitzers.
The K9A2 can reduce the crew from the current five to three. It also applies turret automation technology that enables automatic loading and firing and is being developed to allow remote fire control. The K9MH, which the U.S. Army introduced last month as a prototype, is a vehicle mounting the K9A2 turret.
From Hanwha Aerospace's standpoint, the fact that the K9A2 was vetted once in the wheeled howitzer program and that this RFI specifies an ammunition resupply vehicle are seen as strengths. Currently, among howitzers operated with an ammunition carrier, BAE Systems' Archer is one example. That system is not automatic loading; a person takes ammunition from the carrier and loads it into the turret.
By contrast, Korea's K10 ammunition resupply vehicle directly connects a conveyor to the ammunition loading rack at the rear of the K9 howitzer to resupply. Hanwha Aerospace is upgrading the K10's performance. The key is to separate the projectile supply device and the propellant separation device.
Currently, with the K9 howitzer, a person sorts propellant charges according to range. Starting with the K9A2, a computer will replace this. As a result, the K10 also needs to supply projectiles and propellant separately.
It has also laid the groundwork to set up local facilities. Hanwha Defense USA signed a three-year lease in April for an idle plant in Opelika, Alabama. This is part of a plan to localize production and the supply chain in the United States.
The K9MH prototype will also be assembled at this plant. It also released plans to build an ammunition factory in Arkansas. If mass production comes into view, plant construction is expected to speed up.
Breaking into the U.S. market matters because the U.S. military operates around the world. Beyond simple exports, it raises the likelihood of follow-on maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), performance upgrades, and subsequent weapons acquisitions.
The head of a mid-sized defense company said, "In the United States, the supply chain for MRO or parts is not well established," adding, "The gradually opening U.S. military market will become a new opportunity for Korea's defense industry."