Hanwha Tests Composite Tracks with K9A2 Self-Propelled Guns

Hanwha Team Thunder UK said it tested Composite Rubber Tracks (CRT) with a К9А2 self-propelled gun mount.

The company performed successful integration tests on the CRT from the Canadian manufacturer Soucy.

“Another exciting milestone for Team Thunder with the successful integration of Composite Rubber Track onto K9A2. A game changer for operational and tactical mobility and UK Mobile Fires Platform (MFP) programme,” the company posted on its official Twitter account.

The United Kingdom is a potential customer of К9А2 self-propelled guns for replacement of the L131 Archer self-propelled guns.

If К9А2 wins the program to supply new self-propelled guns, Hanwha would localize its production in the United Kingdom.

The integration of the tracks is conducted at the request of the British Command. In 2020, Supacat and Soucy combined the CRT track production to equip the British Army’s fleet of tracked vehicles.

The 155mm/52-calibre K9A2 platform features a fully automatic ammunition handling system and is capable of firing nine to 10 rounds per minute.

Composite Rubber Track System

South Korea’s Hanwha tested CRT tracks on the Redback IFVs. British Command had completed testing the CRT System on the FV510 Warrior IFV back in 2017.

The British tests proved the prospects for their use on tracked equipment in the future. Composite tracks are 50% lighter than the steel version while driving on the ground and 79% lighter on water.

The use of CRT will reduce fuel consumption by 16% on the roads and by 24% off-road.

The vehicle’s nominal pressure on the soil is reduced by 10-15% compared to steel tracks.

The test board made the following conclusions for the CRT use on the FV510 Warrior IFV: weight reduction by 1500 kg; 28% increase in range; reduction of total noise by 57%; vibration reduction by 42%; the best mobility index is 24%.