# Army Advances Howitzer Modernization

The U.S. Army is evaluating Hanwha Defense USA’s K9 Mobile Howitzer (K9MH) wheeled prototypes under the Mobile Tactical Cannon program and has received the first system; the Army has also ordered three more prototypes, with testing and crew feedback expected to inform any follow-on decision. Reports cite a $100.3 million initial award and a potential ceiling of $262.9 million, while another signal describes a $233 million award for six prototypes, so reported award values differ. Separately, the Army’s September 30, 2026 request for information seeks tracked howitzer and resupply-vehicle candidates, including details on production lead times, capacity, and plans for U.S. production. The Army is assessing whether the wheeled system could replace M777 howitzers in some units, while the broader requirement could affect more than 400 artillery systems.

- The wheeled prototype effort is planned to include six initial vehicles and an option for 12 more; testing and operational experimentation are expected to span about four years. Contractors can use the stated evaluation factors—near-combat-condition performance, crew feedback, and production readiness—to assess the likely demands of follow-on opportunities.
- The tracked-howitzer RFI creates a separate market-entry opportunity. Potential respondents should address the Army’s stated areas of interest: production lead times, maximum production capability, and U.S. production plans.
- Hanwha’s interest in the tracked program and plans to shift K9MH production from South Korea to the United States signal that domestic manufacturing capacity may be strategically relevant to competitors and suppliers. The signals provide no RFI response deadline.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Published:** October 12, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Army (Army)
- Program Acquisition Executive for Fires (PAE Fires)

### Vendors
- Hanwha Defense USA (Awardee for wheeled howitzer prototypes and prospective bidder for the tracked-howitzer competition)

### Sources
- [With a $100 million contract, Hanwha Defense USA presents the U.S. Army’s K9MH Mobile Tactical Cannon https://t.co/CWGEgXUMyK](https://x.com/Zonamilitar1/status/2109766393935585407) - twitter-defense
- [RT @velitesgear | Full Text Article: https://t.co/MGrwDbPmCV | Author: @militarnyi U.S. Army Receives First K9MH Wheeled Self-Propelled Artillery System to Replace M777 Howitzers 
The U.S. Army has received its first K9 Mobile Howitzer (K9MH) wheeled self-propelled artillery syst](https://x.com/velitesgear/status/2109637347625058784) - twitter-defense
- [Hanwha sets sights on Army’s tracked howitzer program after victory in wheeled competition  - Breaking Defense](https://breakingdefense.com/2026/10/hanwha-sets-sights-on-armys-tracked-howitzer-program-after-victory-in-wheeled-competition) - Breaking Defense