U.S. Army receives first Hanwha mobile cannon prototype for testing

The U.S. Army has received its first Hanwha Defense USA Mobile Tactical Cannon prototype, Defense News reported on October 12, citing service officials. The delivery moves a proposed mobile artillery system toward testing. The Army says the cannon could replace M777 towed howitzers in select formations if approved for fielding.

Brig. Gen. Robert J. ‘RJ’ Mikesh Jr., the Army executive overseeing its offensive fires portfolio, told reporters, ‘We’re excited to have that and get ready to test it,’ according to Defense News. He said the service values feedback from soldiers, who will help assess how the cannon performs. The system was displayed at an Army Modernization Day on Capitol Hill earlier in October, the publication reported.

What the Hanwha prototype agreement covers

On August 18, the Army announced a competitively awarded agreement with Hanwha Defense USA for up to 18 wheeled self-propelled howitzer systems. It described the work as rapid prototyping, testing and soldier experimentation over an estimated four years. The agreement provides for accelerated delivery of six prototype systems and includes an option for 12 more. The Army has not said in the cited announcement that it has exercised that option.

The Army put the initial action at $100,302,961 and the agreement’s cumulative face value at $262,903,274. Those figures describe the scope of the prototype agreement, including its potential additional systems. The Army said it used an Other Transaction Authority agreement after market research and vendor demonstrations in the United States and overseas. Multiple vendors had offered mature mobile cannon platforms, it said.

How Army soldiers will test the Mobile Tactical Cannon

The Army says soldiers will use the prototypes in operational experiments under realistic combat conditions. The assessments will examine performance, reliability and supportability. Data from those experiments are intended to inform decisions by senior leaders about future fielding. The first delivery gives the service a prototype for that process; the Army’s stated plan makes testing and evaluation steps toward any decision to equip units.

Defense News reported that the Army had not released full details of the testing regimen. Officials told the publication that operational experiments would assess reliability in realistic combat conditions. The published accounts do not set out a complete schedule or evaluation criteria, leaving the timing and results of those experiments open. They also do not establish when an operational unit might receive a Mobile Tactical Cannon.

What delivery means for M777 howitzers

The Army says the Mobile Tactical Cannon could replace M777 towed artillery in select formations if it is approved for fielding. Defense News reported that the M777 has been in service since 2005 and that the Army’s initial fielding focus is Stryker Brigade Combat Teams, followed by Mobile and Infantry Brigade Combat Teams. Those priorities identify formations the service is considering; the prototype delivery does not itself establish that any of them have received an operational replacement.

Defense News also reported that the Army issued a separate solicitation in late August for a tracked Mobile Tactical Cannon variant. That is a distinct effort alongside the agreement for wheeled Hanwha prototypes. The reported fielding priorities and tracked solicitation show the range of formations and configurations under consideration, while the delivered system belongs to the wheeled prototype program announced in August.

Army leaders have said they want a ready version of the Mobile Tactical Cannon in the field by 2031, according to Defense News. That is a stated target rather than a confirmed delivery date for units. The Army has not reported results from the planned soldier experiments or announced a decision to approve the system for operational fielding. Its August agreement also leaves the additional 12 prototype systems subject to an option.