Washington:Hanwha Defense USA and the U.S. Army have officially named the American version of Hanwha's K9 self-propelled howitzer as the XM1776 Mobile Tactical Cannon. This announcement was made at the Association of the U.S. Army's 2026 Annual Meeting and Exposition.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Hanwha Defense USA, a subsidiary of South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace Co., hosted a naming ceremony for the XM1776 at the event. The U.S. Army has ordered nine prototype XM1776 systems, with an option for an additional nine units. These units are part of the MTC program, which aims to replace the Army's aging M777 towed howitzers with a highly mobile 155-millimeter artillery system.
The XM1776 is designed to enhance the U.S. Army's modernization efforts by improving mobility and long-range precision fires capabilities. Mike Smith, the chief operating officer of Hanwha Defense USA, highlighted the importance of the XM1776 in the Army's long-range precision fires modernization initiative.
Hanwha is setting up an integration and testing facility in Opelika, Alabama, for the new artillery system and its family of K9 howitzers. The company plans to collaborate with over 70 U.S. suppliers to localize its supply chain and expand the U.S. artillery industrial base. With more than 2,500 K9 howitzers already deployed globally, Hanwha intends to leverage its production experience to boost U.S. artillery manufacturing capabilities.