{"contentlets":[{"notes":"The AS9 Huntsman Australian 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) is derived from South Korea\u2019s K9 Thunder and tailored for the Australian Army\u2019s Protected Mobile Fires program. It replaces towed M777 guns with a highly mobile, armoured artillery system able to move, fire, and rapidly relocate while delivering long\u2011range, high\u2011volume indirect fire. The AS9 Huntsman is a \u201cprotected mobile fires\u201d platform: a 155\u202fmm/52\u2011calibre gun mounted on an armoured, tracked chassis with turret, fire\u2011control systems, and a crew of up to five. It forms part of a family with the AS10 Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicle, which together provide a complete self\u2011propelled artillery and automated resupply solution for the Australian Army. The AS9 is built around a 155\u202fmm, 52\u2011calibre gun compatible with standard NATO 155\u202fmm munitions, giving it significantly greater range and lethality than Australia\u2019s previous in\u2011service towed howitzers. The AS9 Huntsman is being introduced as the core of Australia\u2019s modern self\u2011propelled artillery capability under the LAND 8116 Phase 1 Protected Mobile Fires program. The Department of Defence has stated that the AS9 will replace the Army\u2019s BAE Systems M777 towed howitzers, providing mobile and protected indirect fire while reducing exposure to enemy counter\u2011battery fire. Initial deliveries included two AS9s and one AS10 built in South Korea, followed by domestic production of the remaining vehicles at Hanwha Defence Australia\u2019s Geelong facility.\n\nBy mid\u20112026, the Australian Army had conducted its first live\u2011fire of locally built AS9s at the School of Artillery in Puckapunyal, Victoria, with gunners firing up to 150 rounds from multiple platforms as part of introduction\u2011into\u2011service training. The first operational battery\u2014106 Battery of 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery in Townsville\u2014has begun fielding six AS9 Huntsman howitzers supported by three AS10 AARVs, marking the transition of protected mobile fires into front\u2011line brigade service. The system is intended to operate alongside Australia\u2019s growing fleet of armoured vehicles, providing long\u2011range, survivable fire support in high\u2011threat environments. Australia\u2019s move from the M777 towed howitzer to the AS9 Huntsman reflects a broader shift from light, towed artillery toward self\u2011propelled, armoured systems that can survive and fight in more contested environments. Key differences highlighted by Defence and soldiers include mobility, setup time, crew protection, and integration with modern digital fire\u2011control networks.","publishDate":"2026-08-18 15:15:32.802","inode":"815c4614-87d6-4550-bf67-cbc7e818a116","host":"8a7d5e23-da1e-420a-b4f0-471e7da8ea2d","locked":false,"stInode":"890e6820-9561-4d8d-8d8a-a4a0ad683d2b","contentType":"WegCard","identifier":"0eb6fc67c81b551f41c3395759f47a75","images":"[{\"name\":\"AS9%20Huntsman%20Australian%20155mm%20Self-Propelled%20Howitzer%20(SPH)%20(A)\",\"url\":\"/dA/30679cb1d7ca945093816a0e6e8a6d38/fileAsset/AS9%20Huntsman%20Australian%20155mm%20Self-Propelled%20Howitzer%20(SPH)%20(A)-e0f6\"},{\"name\":\"AS9%20Huntsman%20Australian%20155mm%20Self-Propelled%20Howitzer%20(SPH)%20(B)\",\"url\":\"/dA/7499e057131ca77f30befde460ebc78c/fileAsset/AS9%20Huntsman%20Australian%20155mm%20Self-Propelled%20Howitzer%20(SPH)%20(B)-39b3\"},{\"name\":\"AS9%20Huntsman%20Australian%20155mm%20Self-Propelled%20Howitzer%20(SPH)%20(C)\",\"url\":\"/dA/06c60cb819f274fa0bf51ac7830c8daf/fileAsset/AS9%20Huntsman%20Australian%20155mm%20Self-Propelled%20Howitzer%20(SPH)%20(C)-f54b\"}]","publishUserName":"Richard Garcia","publishUser":"51ba0e07-f5c4-4966-a8b7-c623e6c90166","creationDate":"2026-08-18 13:11:38.435","sections":"[{\"name\":\"System\",\"properties\":[{\"name\":\"Alternative Designation\",\"value\":\"AS9 Huntsman\",\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"Type\",\"value\":\"Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)\",\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"Caliber\",\"units\":\"\",\"value\":\"155 mm\",\"propertyNameInvalid\":false,\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"Manufacturer\",\"value\":\"Hanwha Defence Australia\",\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"Configuration\",\"value\":\"Track\",\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"Crew\",\"value\":\"5\",\"units\":\"ea\",\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"AS10 ammunition Resupply Vehicle\",\"units\":\"\",\"value\":\"The AS10 Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicle (AARV) is the dedicated support platform for the AS9, derived from South Korea\u2019s K10 ammunition resupply vehicle. It uses the same tracked chassis family and carries up to 104 projectiles, employing a conveyor\u2011type loading system that mechanically links the AS10 to the rear of the AS9. This setup allows a full resupply of an AS9 in around 20\u202fminutes under armour, eliminating the need for crews to manually handle shells in exposed positions.\\n\\nThe AS10 shares the protection and mobility characteristics of the Huntsman family, enabling ammunition resupply to be conducted closer to the front line and under hostile conditions while keeping soldiers inside protected vehicles. Its highly protected, manoeuvrable design and automated loading system are central to the \u201cprotected mobile fires\u201d concept, ensuring sustained high\u2011volume fire without degrading crew safety.\",\"propertyNameInvalid\":false,\"valueInvalid\":false}],\"sections\":[]},{\"name\":\"Dimensions\",\"properties\":[{\"name\":\"Length\",\"value\":\"12.4\u202fm (including turret)\",\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"Width\",\"value\":\"3.5 m\",\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"Height\",\"value\":\"3.7 m\",\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"Weight, Combat\",\"value\":\"52 tons\",\"valueInvalid\":false}],\"sections\":[]},{\"name\":\"Automotive\",\"properties\":[{\"name\":\"Engine Name\",\"value\":\"MTU MT 881 Ka-500\",\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"Engine Type\",\"value\":\"Diesel\",\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"Engine Power\",\"value\":\"1,000 hp\",\"units\":\"\",\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"Maximum Range\",\"value\":\"360\u202fkm road range on a full tank\",\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"Maximum Speed\",\"value\":\"67\u202fkm/h\",\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"Amphibious\",\"value\":\"No\",\"valueInvalid\":false}],\"sections\":[]},{\"name\":\"Main Weapon System \",\"properties\":[{\"name\":\"Main Armament\",\"units\":\"\",\"value\":\"155\u202fmm / 52\u2011calibre howitzer (NATO\u2011compatible)\",\"propertyNameInvalid\":false,\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"Fire Control\",\"units\":\"\",\"value\":\"The system is integrated with modern fire\u2011control equipment, including Cortex Fire Control compatible with the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS), enabling automated planning, coordination, and execution of fire missions.\",\"propertyNameInvalid\":false,\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"Rate of Fire\",\"units\":\"\",\"value\":\"3\u2011round burst in 15\u202fseconds; 6\u20138 rounds per minute sustained \",\"propertyNameInvalid\":false,\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"Max Range (HE)\",\"units\":\"\",\"value\":\"30\u202fkm with standard HE projectile\",\"propertyNameInvalid\":false,\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"Max Range (RAP)\",\"units\":\"\",\"value\":\"40\u202fkm with rocket\u2011assisted projectile\",\"propertyNameInvalid\":false,\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"Quoted Extended Range\",\"units\":\"\",\"value\":\"60\u202fkm with Excalibur precision rounds (munition\u2011dependent)\",\"propertyNameInvalid\":false,\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"Onboard Ammunition\\t\",\"units\":\"\",\"value\":\"48 projectiles carried in the vehicle\",\"propertyNameInvalid\":false,\"valueInvalid\":false}],\"sections\":[]},{\"name\":\"Auxiliary Weapon System\",\"properties\":[{\"name\":\"Note\",\"units\":\"\",\"value\":\"Secondary armament options include pintle\u2011mounted or remote weapon stations for machine guns (5.56\u202fmm, 7.62\u202fmm, 12.7\u202fmm) and a 40\u202fmm automatic grenade launcher, which provide close\u2011in defence when the gun is moving or operating near contested areas. This combination allows the AS9 to defend itself and its crew against infantry and light threats during redeployment or resupply.\",\"propertyNameInvalid\":false,\"valueInvalid\":false}],\"sections\":[]},{\"name\":\"Protection\",\"properties\":[{\"name\":\"Armor\",\"value\":\"The AS9\u2019s armoured hull provides substantial protection against battlefield threats, reducing crew exposure compared with towed systems that require soldiers to work outside armour during setup and firing. The Australian variant incorporates enhanced armour, increased internal height, updated fire\u2011control systems, additional storage space, and air conditioning suitable for local climatic conditions. These features are aimed at keeping crews protected and able to operate effectively under armour, including during ammunition resupply from the AS10 vehicle.\",\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"Applique Armor\",\"value\":\"INA\",\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"NBC Protection\",\"value\":\"Yes\",\"valueInvalid\":false},{\"name\":\"Smoke Equipment\",\"value\":\"INA\",\"valueInvalid\":false}],\"sections\":[]},{\"name\":\"Image Sources\",\"properties\":[{\"name\":\"Notes\",\"units\":\"\",\"value\":\"https://www.australiandefence.com.au/defence/land/hanwha-as9-huntsman-achieves-milestone; https://www.australiandefence.com.au/defence/land/hanwha-welcomes-australian-made-as9-huntsmans; https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/land/17872-australian-made-as9-huntsman-makes-public-appearance-during-australian-army-open-day\",\"propertyNameInvalid\":false,\"valueInvalid\":false}],\"sections\":[]}]","folder":"SYSTEM_FOLDER","hasTitleImage":false,"sortOrder":0,"domain":[{"artillery-1988a1":"Artillery"},{"gun-howitzer-artillery-systems-6e9d53":"Gun/Howitzer Artillery Systems"},{"land-eff5cc":"Land"},{"self-propelled-gun-howitzer-artillery-systems-2e8a7b":"Self-Propelled Gun/Howitzer Artillery Systems"}],"name":"AS9 Huntsman Australian 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)","disname":"Unknown","hostName":"default","modDate":"2026-08-18 15:15:32.535","disstring":"00.00.000.000.000.000.000","origin":[{"australia-21ac3f":"Australia"}],"title":"AS9 Huntsman Australian 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)","authorModDate":"2026-08-18 15:15:32.0","baseType":"CONTENT","archived":false,"originSort":"Australia","domainSort":"landartillerygun/howitzerartillerysystemsself-propelledgun/howitzerartillerysystems","ownerUserName":"Richard Garcia","working":true,"live":true,"filterlabel":"A","owner":"51ba0e07-f5c4-4966-a8b7-c623e6c90166","proliferation":[{"australia-9aeac9":"Australia"}],"dateOfIntroduction":"2026-06-01 12:00:00.0","languageId":1,"shortyId":"0eb6fc67c8","url":"/content.60172757-6a0b-4c1c-a708-c48ccd37b542","titleImage":"TITLE_IMAGE_NOT_FOUND","modUserName":"Richard Garcia","hasLiveVersion":true,"modUser":"51ba0e07-f5c4-4966-a8b7-c623e6c90166","__icon__":"contentIcon","contentTypeIcon":"event_note","variant":"DEFAULT"}]}