AM General unveiled a significantly improved version of its Hawkeye 105 mm Mobile Howitzer System (MHS) at the AUSA 2025 exhibition in Washington, reports European Security & Defense magazine.
The main innovation of the new generation is the adoption of soft-recoil technology, which can reduce recoil by up to 60%. According to the manufacturer, this advancement allows large-caliber guns to be mounted on lightweight platforms without compromising stability or accuracy, expanding tactical options for light artillery and mobile tactical vehicles.
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The system on display is equipped with the well-known M119 105mm cannon, and AM General touts its ability to “deploy, fire, and move repeatedly in a short period of time.” The manufacturer claims it can prepare, fire and reposition in less than 90 seconds, reducing exposure to counterattack and increasing battery survivability on the modern battlefield.
Background and combat operations
The previous model of Hawkeye has been tested in Ukraine since April 2024 to evaluate its performance under actual combat conditions. The transfer of these systems to Kiu was first announced in June 2024, with AM General officials reporting that the shipment took place in the same month. Photos of the aircraft operating in Ukraine began circulating around September 2024.
Design and technical features
The Hawkeye MHS is the result of a collaboration between AM General and Mandus Group, and is essentially an M105 light howitzer mounted on an HMMWV M1152 SUV chassis, a solution that combines mobility and firepower.
The main technical features highlighted by the manufacturer are:
- High maneuverability and air transport compatibility (including sling transport and parachute drop).
- 4 hydraulic stabilizers to ensure platform stability when shooting.
- 180° horizontal rotation (360° option available if required) and elevation and depression angles from -5° to +72°.
- The standard crew is four, but in special situations it can be operated with a minimum of two.
In 2021, AM General was awarded a contract to supply two Hawkeye prototypes to the U.S. Army for performance testing, a step that helped validate lightweight design and modularity.
Source/Image:European Security & Defense | AM General. This content is created with the help of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
