Hanwha Aerospace to Boost K9 Accuracy Sixfold with Ballistic Correction Fuze Development

Investing 16.42 Billion Won by 2032
Reducing Impact Error to One-Sixth with GPS

Hanwha Aerospace is partnering with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration to develop advanced ammunition technology that will enhance the impact accuracy of the K9 self-propelled howitzer by approximately six times. The technology can be applied by simply replacing the fuze of existing 155mm ammunition, which is expected to improve the K9's precision strike capabilities and operational efficiency.

K9. Hanwha Aerospace

On August 14, Hanwha Aerospace announced that it has been selected as the preferred bidder for a system development project to create a "Ballistic Correction Fuze" for 155mm ammunition used in the K9 self-propelled howitzer. The company will invest 16.42 billion won in this effort through 2032.

The ballistic correction fuze is a core component mounted on the front of the ammunition; after firing, it adjusts the projectile’s trajectory based on the Global Positioning System (GPS) to increase hit accuracy. This helps address the declining accuracy of conventional ammunition as firing range increases.

A key feature is that there is no need to develop a new type of ammunition—existing 155mm ammunition can be used simply by replacing the standard fuze with a ballistic correction fuze.

By applying the ballistic correction fuze, it is expected that the K9’s impact error radius can be reduced to about one-sixth of the current level. This will allow for precise long-range strikes with fewer rounds, reduce the number of firings needed, and even extend barrel life, thereby lessening the logistical support burden.

Since the mid-to-late 2000s, South Korea has been pursuing technology development to improve ammunition accuracy in tandem with extending the range of self-propelled howitzers. Hanwha Aerospace has accumulated relevant expertise by participating as a prototype developer and prime contractor in government-led core technology projects.

A Hanwha Aerospace representative stated, “The ballistic correction fuze is a core technology for future artillery systems. Through the localization of advanced defense technology, we aim to contribute to self-reliant national defense and to the expansion of K-defense exports.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.