- Yes
- No
Introduction
The AS9 Huntsman is Australia’s version of the Korean K9 Thunder, based on Norway’s VIDAR variant. The primary changes for Australian requirement include an increase in armour protection with beefed up suspension to carry the additional weight, and computer integration with the Australian army’s C4 Force Structure including their Battlefield Management System.
The AS9 Huntsman is not Australia’s first attempt at acquiring the K9, back in 2012 a program known as the K9 Aussie Thunder was cancelled as part of government cost cutting. In 2019 as part of Land 8116 Phase 1, it was announced that Australia would acquire new self propelled howitzers to be built in Geelong Australia by Hanwha Defense Australia based on the 155mm, 52 caliber K9 Thunder. The AS9 gives Australia a Protected Mobile Fires artillery capability that can operate in concert with their other armoured fighting vehicles. Up until now they only had M777A2 towed field howitzers which lacked the protection, range and mobility to operate in more intense conflict zones.
One other distinction of the AS9 will be the use of different ammunition including the new Rheinmetall Assegai series, as well as the traditional M-series.
To summarize once again, the AS9 is based on the VIDAR, with improved armour protection and different ammunition being the main differences we’d see in game. From what I can gather, the final production armour package is still being finalized, and as with all current military equipment already in game, most specifics would not be made publicly available.
Specifications
Spoiler
Length: 12m
Width: 3.4m
Height: 2.8m
Weight: ~50 tons
Main Armament: 155mm/L52
Secondary Armament: 12.7mm roof mounted machine gun
Crew: 5
Engine: MTU MT 881 Ka500 diesel, 1000hp
Top Speed: 66km/hr forward, 38km/hr reverse (estimated based on VIDAR vs slight weight increase)
Gun Traverse: Can be assumed to be same as VIDAR as unmodified, in War Thunder this is -4/+70 degrees
Armour Protection: Still being developed with Plasan of Israel, additional mine protection is confirmed part of it
Additional Photos
Sources
Spoiler
https://www.australiandefence.com.au/defence/land/huntsman-australia-s-lethal-arachnid
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2023-07-04/self-propelled-howitzer-game-changer
https://www.rheinmetall.com/Rheinmetall%20Group/brochure-download/Weapon-Ammmunition/B171e0721-Assegai-Projectile-Suite_RDM.pdf
https://www.militarytoday.com/artillery/as9_huntsman.htm
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2023-12-05/new-howitzer-game-changer-artillery-units
https://militaryleak.com/2022/12/19/plasan-to-provide-armor-solutions-for-australian-army-huntsman-as9-self-propelled-howitzer/