AM General presented a significantly upgraded version of the Hawkeye 105 mm Mobile Howitzer System (MHS) during the AUSA 2025 exhibition in Washington, the magazine European Security & Defense reported.
The main innovation of the new generation is the adoption of soft-recoil technology, capable of reducing recoil by up to 60%. According to the manufacturer, this advancement allows mounting a large-caliber gun on a light platform without sacrificing stability or accuracy, expanding tactical options for light artillery and mobile tactical vehicles.
+ Bell 222 helicopter crashes in Huntington Beach after tail rotor failure, leaving five injured
The displayed system was fitted with the well-known M119 105 mm gun, which AM General says can be quickly prepared, fire, and move again in under 90 seconds, reducing exposure to counter-fire and improving battery survivability in the modern battlefield.
History and combat use
The previous version of the Hawkeye had already been tested in Ukraine since April 2024, evaluating the system’s performance under real combat conditions. The first public disclosure about transfers of these systems to Kyiv occurred in June 2024, when AM General representatives reported that shipments had been made that month. Photos of units in Ukrainian service began circulating in September 2024.
Design and technical features
The Hawkeye MHS is the result of collaboration between AM General and the Mandus Group. It is essentially the M105 light howitzer mounted on the HMMWV M1152 SUV chassis — a solution that combines tactical mobility with artillery lethality.
Highlighted technical features provided by the manufacturer include:
- High mobility and compatibility with air transport (including sling loads and parachute airdrop).
- Four hydraulic stabilizers that ensure platform stability during firing.
- Horizontal traverse of 180° (option for 360° when required) and elevation from -5° to +72°.
- Standard crew of four soldiers, although the system can be operated by just two people in exceptional situations.
In 2021, AM General received a contract from the U.S. Army to supply two Hawkeye prototypes for performance testing, a stage that helped validate the system’s lightweight design and modularity.
Source and images: European Security & Defense | AM General. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
