Story perspectives

Army designates Hanwha’s XM1776 howitzer, 37-mile range

By Drooid · Oct 13, 2026, 4:08 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Army designates the XM1776 mobile howitzer prototype, built by Hanwha Defense USA.
The XM1776 can fire up to 37 miles, more than double the M777’s 20-mile range.
Automated loading lets a two-person crew fire nine rounds per minute.
Six prototypes were ordered with an option for twelve more under a $262.9 million contract.

History

Historical Context

First fielded in 1963, the U.S. Army’s M109 155 mm self-propelled howitzer gave the service a mobile artillery platform with a 14.6-km range. Successive upgrades—most recently the M109A7 program launched in 2013 and the aborted ERCA effort cancelled in 2024—have pursued greater range and automation. Hanwha Defense USA’s XM1776 prototype, with a 60-km reach and auto-loader, continues that century-long push.

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Story summary

The U.S. Army designates the XM1776 mobile howitzer prototype, built by Hanwha Defense USA.
The XM1776 can fire up to 37 miles, more than double the M777’s 20-mile range.
Automated loading lets a two-person crew fire nine rounds per minute.
Six prototypes were ordered with an option for twelve more under a $262.9 million contract.

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