Hanwha Defense USA

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).

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

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

• Self-propelled howitzers
• Infantry fighting vehicles
• Naval shipbuilding
• Multiple rocket launchers
• Autonomous surface vessels

Headquarters

HQ city

Arlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Technology Licensing and Transfer: Localization and co-production agreements with allied nations for defense technology transfer, manufacturing capacity building, and sovereign defense production capabilities.
4. 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

Core 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

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability6 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.

• Northrop GrummancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2026Memorandum 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 or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2026Strategic 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 UScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 March 2026Subcontract 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 or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2026Strategic 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 OceansupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 January 2026Affiliate providing warship construction expertise and Geoje shipyard facilities for joint autonomous navigation demonstrations. Also performs U.S. Navy vessel maintenance, repair, and overhaul services.
• HavocAIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 January 2026Joint 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 SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 January 2026Affiliate 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025Cooperative 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 ShipyardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2025Hanwha 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 & CommunicationskeyTechnology or Integration · 15 October 2024Memorandum 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.aisupportingTechnology or Integration · 14 October 2024Collaboration 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

Direct 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hanwha-defense-usa-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hanwha Defense USA