Hanwha Defense USA
Hanwha Defense USA is the U.S. subsidiary of Hanwha Aerospace, supplying land combat systems (K9 howitzers, Redback IFV, Chunmoo MLRS), maritime platforms (frigates, submarines, MUSVs), and munitions to the U.S. Department of Defense and allied governments.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersArlington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Hanwha Defense USA does
Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA) is the U.S. defense subsidiary of Hanwha Aerospace, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, delivering advanced defense platforms across land, sea, and air domains to the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. military services, and allied governments. The company's core products include the K9 family of 155mm/52-caliber self-propelled howitzers (with 2,500+ units deployed or in production across 10 countries), the Redback infantry fighting vehicle, the Tigon 6x6 armored vehicle, the K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher system, the GRUNT unmanned ground vehicle, the Ocean-74F frigate, KSS-III submarines, National Security Multi-Mission Vessels, and a portfolio of munitions including modular charge systems and anti-ship missiles. Autonomy and command-and-control capabilities are integrated through partnerships with HavocAI (collaborative maritime autonomy), BlueSpace.ai (off-road ground autonomy), Magnet Defense (38-meter MUSVs with 17,000 nm demonstrated range), and Ultra I&C (ADSI C2 gateway integration with Chunmoo).
Hanwha Defense USA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hanwha Defense USA
- Legal name
- Hanwha Defense USA, Inc.
- Website
- https://hanwhadefenseusa.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Hanwha Defense USA is the U.S. subsidiary of Hanwha Aerospace, supplying land combat systems (K9 howitzers, Redback IFV, Chunmoo MLRS), maritime platforms (frigates, submarines, MUSVs), and munitions to the U.S. Department of Defense and allied governments.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hanwha Defense USA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Defense Systems Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Military Armored Vehicle, Tank, and Tank Component Manufacturing (336992), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Naval Weapons & Launch Systems (Guns, VLS, Torpedoes) (IMABAKAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Unmanned Naval Vessels (USV/UUV) (IMAJABAH), Surface Combatants (Destroyers, Frigates, Corvettes) (IMAJABAA), Military Submarine Manufacturing (Attack, Ballistic Missile, Special Mission) (IMAJAOAA), Naval Weapons & Launch Systems (Guns, VLS, Torpedoes Interfaces) (IMAJABAK), Maritime Unmanned Systems (USV/UUV) & Control Stations (IMABAKAJ)
Keywords
Where Hanwha Defense USA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Arlington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Hanwha Defense USA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Defense Platform Sales: Direct sales of military platforms including K9 howitzers, Redback IFVs, Chunmoo rocket systems, and maritime vessels to U.S. and allied governments through defense procurement contracts.
- Shipbuilding and Repair Services: Construction and maintenance of naval vessels including NSMVs, NGLS replenishment oilers, commercial Jones Act ships, and MRO services through Hanwha Philly Shipyard.
- Technology Licensing and Transfer: Localization and co-production agreements with allied nations for defense technology transfer, manufacturing capacity building, and sovereign defense production capabilities.
- Munitions Production: Manufacturing of energetic materials, 155mm artillery parts, modular charge systems, and munitions components for U.S. Army and allied forces.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Hanwha Defense USA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hanwha Defense USA develops, manufactures, and supplies advanced defense platforms across land, sea, and air domains for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied governments. Its portfolio includes self-propelled howitzers (K9 family), tracked and wheeled armored vehicles, multiple rocket launcher systems, naval platforms (frigates, submarines, landing ships, NSMVs), medium unmanned surface vessels, and modular munitions and charge systems. The company emphasizes U.S. localization, technology transfer, co-production, and shipbuilding revitalization through facilities including Hanwha Philly Shipyard.
Product overview
Hanwha Defense USA offers a comprehensive defense portfolio spanning land systems (self-propelled howitzers, infantry fighting vehicles, armored vehicles, rocket launchers, unmanned ground vehicles), maritime platforms (frigates, submarines, multi-mission vessels, landing ships, and autonomous surface vessels), and advanced munitions (modular charge systems, anti-ship missiles). The product architecture is organized as a platform-plus-mission-systems approach, where core vehicle and vessel platforms integrate modular weapon systems and autonomous capabilities. Key products include the K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer family, Redback infantry fighting vehicle, K239 Chunmoo rocket launcher, KSS-III submarines, and the Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) featuring collaborative autonomy software.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Hanwha Philly Shipyard: U.S. shipbuilding subsidiary acquired by Hanwha Group, specializing in commercial and defense vessel construction
- HPSI
Products and services
- K9 Thunder Self-Propelled Howitzer A 155mm/52-caliber self-propelled howitzer with advanced automation, network-centric warfare capability, and rapid deployment; available in Thunder, A1, and A2 variants. Offered to U.S. Army and allied militaries for artillery modernization.
Quantifiable outcome
- Production capacity expansion from 1 to 20 vessels annually at Hanwha Philly Shipyard
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Hanwha Defense USA
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Hanwha Defense USA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability6 records
Feature7 records
Hanwha Defense USA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.
- Northrop GrummancoreMemorandum of Agreement to collaborate on developing a first stage solid rocket booster for Northrop Grumman's Advanced Reactive Strike (AReS) capability. AReS is a deployable, surface-launched, extended-range weapon system for stand-off strike capability in contested environments. Collaboration leverages Hanwha's Korean industrial base and advanced manufacturing with Northrop Grumman's strike systems expertise.
- Magnet DefensecoreStrategic partnership to jointly develop and produce 38-meter Medium Unmanned Surface Vessels (MUSVs) for the U.S. Department of War. Combines Hanwha's manufacturing capacity and advanced robotics with Magnet Defense's proven M48 MUSV technology, which has demonstrated a 17,000 nautical mile range. Partnership also includes development of AI-driven robotic shipyards and advanced autonomy software.
- Vard Marine UScoreSubcontract partnership on the Next Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) Program for U.S. Navy. Hanwha Defense USA and Hanwha Philly Shipyard partnered with Vard Marine US to conduct market surveys, develop concept designs, and support production cost evaluations for approximately 13 NGLS vessels priced at roughly $450 million each.
- UNION TechnologieskeyStrategic partnership to expand 155mm munitions manufacturing capacity in the United States. Initial focus on metal parts and components with exploration of energetics collaboration. Combines UNION's automated manufacturing systems with Hanwha Defense USA's defense industry experience to support quality, scalability, and resilient production pathways.
- Hanwha OceansupportingAffiliate providing warship construction expertise and Geoje shipyard facilities for joint autonomous navigation demonstrations. Also performs U.S. Navy vessel maintenance, repair, and overhaul services.
- HavocAIcoreJoint development of 200-foot autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) under the U.S. Government's Modular Attack Surface Craft solicitation program. Hanwha Philly Shipyard under consideration for production. Partnership combines Hanwha's shipbuilding scale with HavocAI's collaborative autonomy technology, which has demonstrated GPS-denied navigation capabilities and confirmed sales of vessels to U.S. Department of War.
- Hanwha SystemscoreAffiliate partner contributing combat management system (CMS) and platform/system integration capabilities for autonomous vessel development with HavocAI. Also provides Integrated Vetronics System (IVS) for ground combat systems.
- U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM-AC)coreCooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to study integrating a U.S. government-designed 58-caliber cannon into Hanwha's K9 family of self-propelled howitzers. Part of Hanwha's Long-Range Precision Fires portfolio, supporting potential future supply to U.S. Department of War.
- Hanwha Philly ShipyardcoreHanwha Defense USA's subsidiary shipyard in Philadelphia, acquired in December 2024 for approximately $100 million. Target expansion from 1 to 20 vessels annually through $5 billion investment plan. Key site for U.S. Navy NGLS program, NSMV construction, and autonomous vessel production.
- Ultra Intelligence & CommunicationskeyMemorandum of Understanding to integrate Ultra I&C's ADSI command and control gateway with Hanwha's K239 Chunmoo rocket launcher. Creates an integrated, interoperable networked C2 architecture for Five Eyes alliance and supporting Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) concept.
- BlueSpace.aisupportingCollaboration to integrate BlueSpace's advanced autonomous software solutions into current and future Hanwha Defense USA offerings. BlueSpace provides next-gen off-road autonomy including BlueSpace Positioning System (BPS), universal predictive perception, and real-time mapping for defense and commercial partners.
Scale indicators16 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Hanwha Defense USA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Raytheon Technologies (RTX): Peer in guided munitions, air defense, and naval weapons. Raytheon's portfolio (Tomahawk, Standard Missile, Excalibur, StormBreaker) overlaps with HDUSA's Chunmoo rocket system and Anti-Ship Missile System.
- HII (Huntington Ingalls Industries): Direct peer in U.S. naval shipbuilding — Ingalls Shipbuilding and Newport News Shipbuilding build destroyers, amphibs, and submarines. Competes with Hanwha Philly Shipyard for NGLS and future Navy contracts.
- BAE Systems: Direct peer in land combat vehicles (CV90, ARCHER artillery), naval ship repair (BAE Systems Norfolk, Jacksonville), and munitions. Competes with HDUSA's K9, Redback, and Tigon offerings across NATO and U.S. Army pursuits.
- General Dynamics: Direct peer across land systems (Stryker, M1 Abrams), shipbuilding (NASSCO, Electric Boat for Virginia/Columbia submarines), and combat vehicles. Competes with HDUSA's Redback IFV, K9 howitzer, and naval vessel portfolios.
- Kongsberg Gruppen: Direct peer in naval strike missiles (Naval Strike Missile), anti-ship weapons, and air defense (NASAMS). Competes with HDUSA's Anti-Ship Missile System and is increasingly active in U.S. defense market.
- Northrop Grumman: Partner and competitor in missiles/strike systems (AReS solid rocket booster collaboration; GMLRS, PrSM competitors to Chunmoo) and unmanned systems (MQ-8, MQ-4). Competes for Army long-range precision fires dollars.
- Rheinmetall: Direct competitor in 155mm self-propelled howitzers (PzH 2000) and armored vehicles (Lynx, Leopard 2). Head-to-head rival for K9 in NATO artillery competitions including Australia, Germany, and Eastern Europe.
- General Atomics: Peer in unmanned systems (MQ-9 Reaper, SeaGuardian) and electromagnetic launch systems. Competes for autonomy-driven DoW programs and shares talent/leadership pipeline with HDUSA (Roger Camp joined from General Atomics).
- Textron: Direct competitor in tactical wheeled and armored vehicles (M-ATV, TAPV, Commando family) and uncrewed systems (Aerosonde). Competes with HDUSA's Tigon 6x6 and Redback IFV for U.S. Army and allied armored vehicle contracts.
Broad incumbents
- Lockheed Martin: Broad incumbent defense prime with overlapping portfolios in missiles (JASSM, LRASM, GMLRS), naval systems (Aegis), and integrated air defense. Competes across multiple HDUSA target segments though more diversified.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hanwha Defense USA social profiles
Digital presenceHanwha Defense USA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hanwha Defense USA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Hanwha Defense USA subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Hanwha Defense USA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hanwha Defense USA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hanwha Defense USA
What does Hanwha Defense USA do?
Hanwha Defense USA develops, manufactures, and supplies advanced defense platforms across land, sea, and air domains for the U.S. Department of Defense and allied governments. Its portfolio includes self-propelled howitzers (K9 family), tracked and wheeled armored vehicles, multiple rocket launcher systems, naval platforms (frigates, submarines, landing ships, NSMVs), medium unmanned surface vessels, and modular munitions and charge systems. The company emphasizes U.S. localization, technology transfer, co-production, and shipbuilding revitalization through facilities including Hanwha Philly Shipyard.
Is Hanwha Defense USA a public or private company?
Hanwha Defense USA is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Hanwha Defense USA founded?
Hanwha Defense USA was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Hanwha Defense USA based?
Hanwha Defense USA is headquartered in Arlington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Hanwha Defense USA make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Defense Platform Sales are the primary driver. The others are shipbuilding and Repair Services, technology Licensing and Transfer and munitions Production.
Who are Hanwha Defense USA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Raytheon Technologies (RTX), HII (Huntington Ingalls Industries), BAE Systems, General Dynamics, Kongsberg Gruppen, Northrop Grumman, Rheinmetall, General Atomics and Textron. Lockheed Martin is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Hanwha Defense USA have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hanwha Defense USA.
What industry is Hanwha Defense USA in?
Hanwha Defense USA's product category is Defense Systems Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAKAC, Naval Weapons & Launch Systems (Guns, VLS, Torpedoes), with a secondary code of IMAJABAH, Unmanned Naval Vessels (USV/UUV). Its NAICS code is 336611 and its SIC code is 3730.