The primary objective of the test was to demonstrate the K9’s compatibility with Excalibur I b projectiles, aiming at a target nearly 50 kilometers away using various fuze function modes. The results were outstanding: a projectile fired from the K9, specifically the VIDAR variant used by the Norwegian Army, struck its target with less than one-meter circular error probability (CEP) in Point Detonating mode. In another instance, the projectile detonated five meters above the target in Height of Burst mode, ensuring effective destruction.
This successful test places the K9 among the elite group of artillery systems worldwide capable of operating with sophisticated guided munitions like the Excalibur, which have been in use since 2014. The achievement not only highlights the precision and reliability of the K9 but also underscores Hanwha Aerospace’s commitment to advancing artillery technology.
The integration of the K9 with the Excalibur projectile promises enhanced accuracy and operational flexibility for military forces, reaffirming the K9’s position as a leading self-propelled howitzer in global defence arsenals.