Introduction
This gun is the first self-propelled howitzer for the Australian Army, made by Hanwha Defence. Gregory Knowles shared this on X, with a photo of the equipment. The AS9 Huntsman serves as an effective mobile artillery platform. Its tracked body allows it to move easily across different terrains, which is important for field operations.
The long barrel helps increase shell speed, improving range and accuracy. The armour protects the crew from small weapons and debris. The enclosed turret keeps the crew safe and allows for automated fire control, which helps with quick targeting and firing. The recoil system lessens the kickback from firing, helping maintain accuracy.
Its mobility allows for rapid deployment and retreat, which is vital for avoiding enemy attacks. The AS9 Huntsman was built to meet today’s need for quick, flexible mobile artillery on the battlefield. It suits the Australian Army’s demand for gear that can adapt quickly in modern combat situations.
Australia placed the order in December 2021 for 30 howitzers and 15 armoured support vehicles. This $1.7-billion deal is part of the Land 8116 program to modernise Australia’s artillery forces. The AS9 Hunter comes from Hanwha Defence, a South Korean company known for advanced defence technology. It’s designed to offer long-range firepower and support troops during intense combat operations.
It incorporates advanced technology and solid mobility, making it adaptable in modern artillery units. The AS9 Huntsman is based on the K9 Thunder chassis, a South Korean howitzer notable for its mobility and survivability in tough battlefield settings. The AS9 Huntsman is huge for self-propelled artillery, measuring about 12.3 metres long, 3.5 metres wide, and 2.8 metres high.
Huntsman Remains Stable
At around 47 tonnes, the AS9 Huntsman remains stable even while firing powerful artillery rounds. However, thanks to its smart design, it still moves easily across all kinds of terrain—from city roads to rough ground.
Powered by a diesel MTU 883 Ka-500 engine, it produces around 1,000 horsepower for solid performance. Thanks to its fully automatic transmission, the Huntsman can hit speeds of up to 67 km/h on roads. Furthermore, it performs reliably across all types of terrain, including challenging off-road conditions.
It can operate for up to 480 kilometres on a full tank, depending on the terrain and conditions, allowing for prolonged deployments without needing to refuel frequently. The chassis features a tracked design that provides stability and mobility in combat. The suspension system maintains high mobility even with the heavy weight of the artillery system.
This chassis can handle the demands of firing and movement over tough terrain, forming a solid base for its firepower and durability. In terms of its systems, the AS9 Huntsman has advanced fire control systems, which include automated loading and firing systems.
This feature helps quickly find and hit targets, ensuring that artillery can be launched efficiently and effectively in changing battlefield conditions. The fire control system in the AS9 Huntsman combines GPS and inertial navigation systems to help with positioning and targeting accurately.
The system can work in network setups, sharing information with other military units to improve coordination and target management. Regarding sensors, the AS9 Huntsman has several advanced features, including a radar system for fire control, laser rangefinders, and GPS receivers.
Australian AS9 Huntsman GPS Supports
The fire control radar helps detect targets and offers feedback for making adjustments in artillery fire. Laser rangefinders measure distances accurately, and the GPS supports accurate targeting of positions. These sensors together improve the AS9 Huntsman’s effectiveness in attacks and defence, enabling it to hit targets accurately, even in tough conditions.
The main weapon of the AS9 Huntsman is a 155 mm/L52 gun, which can shoot various types of ammunition, including high-explosive shells, precision-guided munitions, and long-range rounds
The 155 mm size ensures it can use NATO standard artillery ammo, allowing it to work alongside allied forces. The gun can fire standard shells that reach up to 40 kilometres and extended-range projectiles that can go beyond 50 kilometres. Typically, the secondary weapon is a 7.62 mm machine gun, which adds close-range defence against infantry or light vehicles. The crew positions this gun atop the vehicle to defend themselves in hostile areas.
The AS9 Huntsman can fire a wide range of ammunition, starting with standard high-explosive (HE) shells. These rounds deliver powerful blasts, making them ideal against infantry and lightly armoured vehicles. In addition, it can launch extended-range guided projectiles like the SMArt 155, built for accurate strikes at long distances.
Moreover, the AS9 uses precision-guided ammunition, such as the BONUS round, which hunts armoured targets using advanced onboard sensors. These munitions let the AS9 Huntsman strike accurately at long ranges, boosting its effectiveness in combat.
Australian AS9 Huntsman ERFB-BB
The warheads for the AS9 Huntsman change based on the ammo type. High-explosive shells have warheads made for fragmentation and blast effects, useful against infantry and lightly armoured vehicles. For precision-guided ammunition, the warheads aim to pierce armour or use shaped charges, allowing them to tackle highly protected targets, like tanks.
Furthermore, sensor-fused weapons, like the SMArt-155, deploy multiple submunitions, targeting and destroying several armoured vehicles with one shot. The range of the ammunition from the AS9 Huntsman differs considerably by projectile type. Standard high-explosive shells from the 155mm/L52 gun can travel up to 40 kilometres.
Using extended-range projectiles, like the ERFB-BB [Extended Range, Base Bleed], can push the range beyond 50 kilometres. In addition, precision-guided munitions like the BONUS and SMArt 155 can travel over 40 kilometres, depending on their design. The AS9 Huntsman’s fire control and munitions systems work together to ensure each shot hits its target accurately and effectively.
Conclusion
The AS9 Huntsman moves well, responds fast, and uses smart fire control, making it a top battlefield tool. It can shoot different kinds of shells, which makes it more useful in various combat situations. Its long-range firepower and modern sensors boost its precision and power in today’s fast-moving battles. Overall, the AS9 is well-suited for today’s challenging battles, whether it’s supporting ground troops or striking high-value targets.
Its heavy firepower, great mobility, and easy tech upgrades make it a valuable part of any army. The Australian Army has used older systems like the M198 and towed howitzers for many years. Those ageing howitzers are now reaching the end of their service and need replacing. Switching to the AS9 helps Australia build a modern force with better range, speed, and accuracy.
References
- Hanwha Defence—Official Website. (https://www.hanwha-defense.co.kr)
- Australian Army’s Land 8116 Program Details (https://www.army.gov.au)
- Defence News Today – AS9 Huntsman Coverage (https://www.defensenewstoday.info)
