Army officers pose with a model of the XM1776 howitzer at the Association of the US Army (AUSA) convention in Washington in October 2026. The howitzer is expected to enter service in 2031. (Courtesy of Hanwha Defense USA)

Meet the ‘XM1776,’ the US Army’s New Howitzer

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In a sign of the US military’s deepening defense partnerships with its foreign allies, the XM1776 is based on a South Korean design—but will be manufactured in the United States. 

The United States Army is adopting the South Korean-made K9 Thunder mobile howitzer, which will be designated the XM1776 Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC).

The artillery platform, produced by Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA) in the United States, was officially unveiled at this week’s Association of the US Army’s 2026 Annual Meeting and Exposition (AUSA) in Washington.

The US Army is set to receive a total of nine prototypes of the wheeled MTC system, with an option to acquire an additional nine, HDUSA announced. This number is inclusive of a previous contract the company closed with the US Army in August for six of the prototype howitzers, valued at $100.3 million.

The K9 Thunder Mobile Howitzer’s Specifications

Year Introduced: 1999

Length: 39 ft 4 in (12 m) overall; 24 ft 5 in (7.44 m) hull

Armor: Bisalloy armor........

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