K9A1 now fires US munitions – three rounds in 16 sec and 50km range
The Korean company Hanwha Defense Co. expands the portfolio of munitions used with its K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer [SPH]. The K9A1 was tested with 155mm M795 projectiles, XM1113 Rocket Assisted Projectiles [RAP], and Modular Artillery Charge System [MACS] charges. The tests took place in Arizona at the US military facility Yuma Proving Ground.
16 seconds – that’s how long it took the K9A1 to fire three 155 mm/52 rounds. It took 45 seconds for the howitzer to double fire [six rounds]. This firing was achieved with 155mm M795 projectiles. 50 km range achieved K9A1 with the use of another American ammunition – XM1113 RAP. The firing of the XM1113 RAP was historic for the US Army, as it was the first time a foreign self-propelled howitzer had fired this type of ammunition.
On the ground in Arizona, the K9A1 demonstrated another remarkable ability – ‘Shoot-and-Scoot’. I.e. the howitzer quickly changed position to escape the enemy fire. Before that, however, he hastily fired a few rounds with the M795 ammunition.
The tests took place in mid-September, and all the weapons systems involved were shown a week ago at the traditional US defense and security exhibition – AUSA 2022.
