Hanwha Aerospace will embark on performance improvements for the K9 self-propelled howitzer, a key export item for the South Korean defense industry. The K9 self-propelled howitzer has gained recognition from 10 countries, including the South Korean military, and has increased its market share in the global self-propelled howitzer market. Hanwha Aerospace plans to expedite the unveiling of the second and third performance upgrade models currently under development to respond to domestic and international demand.
According to the defense industry on the 16th, Hanwha Aerospace is conducting research with the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality to extend the barrel length of the third upgrade model, K9A3. The second upgrade model, K9A2, is expected to be equipped with a 52-caliber barrel, while the third upgrade model will feature a 58-caliber barrel.
Caliber refers to the unit that indicates the barrel length, with one unit corresponding to one caliber. The K9A2 is planned to be equipped with a 155mm 52-caliber gun, with a total barrel length of 8.06m (155mm × 52). Hanwha Aerospace plans to install a 155mm 58-caliber gun starting with the K9A3, increasing the barrel length to 8.99m (155mm × 58).
The barrel length is proportional to the maximum range of the self-propelled howitzer. The maximum range of the K9 equipped with a 58-caliber barrel will increase to 80km (up from 40km), classifying it as a long-range self-propelled howitzer. The development of long-range self-propelled howitzers has also been reported to have failed in the United States.
The extension of the barrel length is being led by the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality. The increased barrel length also results in an increased load on the K9, so Hanwha Aerospace is ensuring that the K9's suspension system (a component that minimizes shocks from ground vibrations, etc.) can withstand the change, and is overseeing system integration, including maintenance of the fire control system. The 58-caliber barrel is also expected to be used in wheeled self-propelled howitzers.
Another feature of the K9A3 is unmanned autonomous driving. Hanwha Aerospace is researching the K9A3 as an unmanned system or a combined system of manned and unmanned operations. If the K9 self-propelled howitzer operates with an unmanned convoy, one K11 command armored vehicle will command six K9s. Following the commands from the command vehicle, the K9s will maneuver to their positions or fire autonomously. In the case of a combined system of manned and unmanned operations, one or two crew members aboard the K9 will command six K9s.
Hanwha Aerospace is conducting research and development on unmanned autonomous driving. To find the optimal location for installing the autonomous driving device, they are designing while operating a vehicle equipped with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging, an autonomous driving assistance device), driving cameras, side driving assistance cameras, and remote communication devices on the turret. Hanwha Aerospace expects to complete the research and development as well as test evaluations for the K9A3 by early 2030.
The core of the ongoing research and development for the K9A2 is the automation of the firing process. In the current K9, the shell is loaded by a robot, but the propellant (the explosive that pushes the shell out) must be loaded by a human. Therefore, a total of five crew members are required.
Starting with the K9A2, an unmanned turret will be installed. If both the shell and propellant loading are done unmanned, the number of crew members can be reduced to three, enabling a maximum firing rate of up to nine rounds per minute. Currently, the K9 can fire five to six rounds per minute.
Hanwha Aerospace is aiming to complete the K9A2 by 2026. After developing the K9A2, Hanwha Aerospace plans to create variant models for export. Additionally, if development is completed on time, they propose the new K9 at the time of maintaining and servicing (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) existing exported self-propelled howitzers.