# US Army Names Hanwha Artillery as XM1776 in $263M Deal

*Hanwha Defense USA expanded firm prototype orders to nine wheeled howitzers while building a domestic supplier coalition to satisfy federal Buy American procurement rules.*

**Published:** October 15, 2026  
**By:** Mina Okoro  
**Section:** Analysis & Comparison — Cross-border  
**Format:** Breaking  
**Confidence:** medium  
**Source:** https://eastasiabrief.com/analysis/us-army-names-hanwha-artillery-xm1776-263m-deal-725  
**Publisher:** East Asia Brief (https://eastasiabrief.com/)

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## What to know

- U.S. Army ordered nine firm XM1776 prototypes under a $262.9 million contract ceiling
- Hanwha engages 70 U.S. suppliers to meet the 50% Buy American domestic content requirement
- Army evaluates initial field testing through 2027 before deciding on nine optional vehicles

![A wheeled 155-millimeter self-propelled howitzer prototype fires its gun, producing a bright flash and heavy smoke. (AI-generated image)](https://eastasiabrief.com/media/2026-10-14-ef8ae96b8a3f.webp)
*A wheeled 155-millimeter self-propelled howitzer prototype fires its gun, producing a bright flash and heavy smoke. (AI-generated image)*

The U.S. Army and Hanwha Defense USA on Oct. 13 officially designated their wheeled 155-millimeter self-propelled howitzer prototype the XM1776, expanding firm test vehicle orders from six units to nine.

The contract modification carries a cumulative program ceiling of $262.9 million for up to 18 prototype artillery systems. It builds on an initial $100.3 million award signed under Other Transaction Authority in August.

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Cite as: East Asia Brief, "US Army Names Hanwha Artillery as XM1776 in $263M Deal," October 15, 2026. https://eastasiabrief.com/analysis/us-army-names-hanwha-artillery-xm1776-263m-deal-725