BATTLESPACE Editor Julian Nettlefold met up with John Kelly, President & CEO of Hanwha Defense USA, Simon Humphrey, Vice President Strategy and Business Development UK, Hanwha Aerospace – Land Systems Business Group at AUSA and Jeff Sungki of Hanwha Aerospace, to discuss developments in the USA and UK.
Hanwha Aerospace and its US subsidiary Hanwha Defense USA exhibited artillery and other defense products at AUSA.
“Can you give us an overview of the K9 Howitzer, its capabilities, customers and numbers supplied?”
“Certainly, The K9 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) 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 kilometers with currently available conventional ammunition and has demonstrated a range of 50+ kilometers with new rocket assisted projectiles. Over 1,800 K9 vehicles, including localized variants, are in service with eight nations, including Poland, Norway, Finland, and Estonia. Australia and Egypt are planning to produce and operate hundreds of additional K9s in the next several years. In addition, Estonia and Noway are looking to increase their numbers.”
“How are you positioning Hanwha for the upcoming US Requirements for M109A2 upgrades and ERCAS?” The Editor asked.
“In response to the increased demand for artillery driven by the Ukraine War, Hanwha will present adaptive and dependable ordnance and munitions intended to provide the United States Army and Canadian Army with critical cutting-edge capability in support of NATO’s effort to stabilize the global arms supply chain. We are preparing a response to the PQQ for the forthcoming M109A2 Upgrade Requirements for 600 systems and any Requirements emanating from ERCAS. However ERCAS is believed to be facing issues following trials of the 58 caliber canon which is causing barrel wear and weight issues. We currently have a K9 A1 howitzer at Yuma Training Ground for Trials. We expect the RFI at the end of 2023.” John Kelly said.
“We understand that the US Joint Fires Strategy has a Requirement for wheeled and tracked howitzers? The wheeled Requirement is for 100 systems?”
“Yes, to meet that Requirement we have developed a K9 A2 system to be fitted to any 8×8 wheeled truck system. We won’t be offering this system for the UK’s MFP Requirement.”
US Contested Logistics Strategy
In his ‘Anticipating Joint Force Requirements’ speech Lt. Gen. Duane A. Gamble, gave an outline regarding the requirements for contested logistics.
Here we give an extract from his speech.
“Most good Army logisticians have developed an “anticipatory sense” for Army requirements. They seem to know, intuitively, what is needed before it is needed. The great logisticians then act upon that intuition and solve problems before they limit operational reach, endurance, or freedom of action of Army forces. The joint force already leverages Army resources and capabilities. Within the evolving Joint Warfighting Concept (JWC), that reliance deepens. The JWC purposefully maximizes the complementary and reinforcing effects of each service through intentional interdependence. Under this future warfighting concept, the Army anticipates the assignment of lead service for logistics, requiring sufficient capacity and capability to execute globally integrated logistics in support of other military services, allies, and partners. To take on the expanded logistics requirements, we need to translate internal Army operations to better support the joint force. The Joint Concept of Contested Logistics (JCCL) is the instrument for that translation. The Army will use the JWC and the supporting JCCL to define logistics investment priorities across the Army planning horizons of force employment (near-term), force development (mid-term), and force design (far-term).”
“How have you developed your systems to meet the US Contested Logistics Strategy?”
“We have developed the robotic K56 Ammunition Resupply Vehicle to meet the requirements of Contested Logistics. We developed new capabilities developed from the K10 Resupply vehicle for the K56 robotic resupply vehicle to carry 104 rounds and unload cases and load rounds with the robot arm as you see on the Booth. In addition, the K9 A2 variant has a fully automated loading system which reduces the crew to 3 from 4. The K56 Ammunition Resupply Vehicle is a robotic unit designed for the swift and safe automated resupply of projectiles and propellant into the K9 and other systems such as the M109 Paladin in order to expedite ammunition transfer and reduce crew fatigue.We also have a Command Post variant which we have offered to customers. This and later variants of the K9 has a 1000 HP MTU engine which gives considerable growth potential of 4 tonnes of added weight.”
“Can you give details of Hanwha’s US Facilities?”
“As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the US-ROK alliance, Hanwha Group has established itself as a reliable partner to the US through significant investments and the employment of nearly 5,000 Americans thus far in multiple industries, including energy and defense. We intend to perform all major design, prototyping, and manufacturing work locally, in the United States, as demonstrated by Hanwha in numerous NATO, EU, FVEY, and other allied nations, we have two design facilities in the US in Detroit and DC. In addition, we will establish a full production unit, as we have done with other customers, should we win a contract; we intend to bid the M109A upgrade requirement.”
“Does this strategy mirror what will be offered to the UK for MFP?”
“Yes, Hanwha has established a record of cooperation with European nations such as Poland, Finland, and Norway. In particular, the company has proven a dependable partner with Poland, providing a total of 48 K9PL SPHs to the Polish Armed Forces as part of three tranches to fill the gap arising from the transfer of artillery systems to Ukraine. The UK will become a Centre of Excellence with our Team Thunder partners to deliver upgrades and developments of the K9 to other customers. Our UK presence will not be limited to just K9 but include other systems such as the Redback to meet any perceived future Warrior Replacement Requirement.” Simon Humphrey said.
“The bulk of the manufacturing being done in Korea today are the initial units urgently needed by our client countries while we are standing up in-country manufacturing capabilities as most recently demonstrated in the case of Poland where 48 units were delivered within the span of a few months. This will apply as much to the USA as the UK.” John Kelly said.
“Advanced and long-range ammunition forms a key Requirement to both the UK and US Requirements?”
“Yes, Hanwha’s 155mm Artillery Modular Charge System (MCS) is designed for use in NATO standard 39 and 52 caliber gun configurations with associated projectiles that comply with the Joint Ballistic Memorandum of Understanding (JBMoU). The system has an operational temperature range of -46°C to +54°C. Hanwha has the world’s greatest MCS production capacity, which can be supplied directly from Korea. The MCS burns very cleanly upon ignition leaving little or no reside, thereby eliminating the need for swabbing the barrel between fires, increasing the system’s high rate of fire. The MCS will suit both the UK and US Requirements. We recently fired the XM 113 and Excalibur rounds at Yuma.”
Other products exhibited by Hanwa at AUSA included:
TAipers: A guided air-to-ground missile designed for the Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) of the Korean Army, TAipers has been converted for use as a vehicle-launched surface-to-surface missile. It features offensive anti-vehicle capabilities as well as qualities that increase stand-off and improve combatant survivability in high-risk areas.
120mm Self-Propelled Mortar Carrier: The carrier places an automated 120mm mortar on a tracked armored vehicle, improving the shell’s performance and range beyond those of traditional mortars. It has an automated fire control system for speedier and more accurate fire support.
BIHO Air Defense System: BIHO is a hybrid short range (SHORAD) anti-aircraft weapon that combines an automatic cannon and a missile system to intercept low-altitude targets that have penetrated outer air defenses. The system combines a 30mm cannon with surface-to-air guided missiles, allowing for superior tracking and targeting capabilities combined with rapid 8×8 wheeled mobility.
ARION-SMET UGV: The Arion-SMET (Autonomous and Robotic systems for Intelligence Off-road Navigation – Small Multi-purpose Equipment Transport) is a 6×6 fully electric vehicle designed to support infantry operations, such as ammunition transport, medical evacuation, reconnaissance, and fire support. The vehicle can drive up to 100km when fully charged and has a maximum payload of 550kg, offering a significant improvement in combat support and maneuvering capabilities. Hanwha Arion SMET is highly flexible and offers easy integration of future payloads and technology insertions such as Hybrid, RWS, and Surveillance Kit. Arion-SMET will undergo field tests with USMC/Army at the U.S. Marine Corps training center later this year.