US Sends Humvee-Mounted 105mm Cannon to Ukraine

By Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow

In a significant development in military aid, the United States has transferred an experimental 105mm howitzer mounted on a Humvee to Ukraine. This delivery, which took place in April, was disclosed by Mike Evans, Program Director at AM General according to a report by Stripes.

The Humvee 2-CT Hawkeye is an innovative mobile artillery system developed by AM General in collaboration with the Mandus Group. This system is part of a broader effort to enhance the mobility and responsiveness of artillery units on the modern battlefield. The Hawkeye features a 105mm howitzer mounted on a Humvee chassis, integrating advanced soft recoil technology (SRT) to mitigate the weapon’s recoil shock.

The 2-CT Hawkeye Howitzer is an innovative artillery system developed by Indiana-based AM General in collaboration with Mandus Group. This system features a 105 mm Howitzer mounted on a Humvee, making it the lightest and most maneuverable self-propelled Howitzer in the world. The system was officially announced at the U.S. Field Artillery Association’s Fires Symposium by Mike Evans, who oversees AM General’s artillery programs. Evans revealed that the system was shipped to Ukraine on April 26, 2024, and has since been in combat testing against Russian forces.

The Hawkeye Howitzer employs Soft Recoil Technology (SRT), a groundbreaking advancement that significantly reduces the recoil shock of the weapon. This technology allows the heavy artillery to be mounted on light, highly maneuverable vehicles such as Humvees without the risk of recoil-induced rollovers. The system includes hydraulically lowered external stabilizers that enhance firing stability and retract for stowage during movement. This design enables rapid mobility, allowing the Hawkeye to fire two rounds and relocate within three minutes, minimizing the risk of counter-battery fire.

The operational deployment of the Hawkeye in Ukraine represents its combat debut. The system consists of two Humvees: one equipped with the Howitzer and another serving as a support vehicle. The mobility and agility of the Hawkeye allow Ukrainian forces to execute shoot-and-scoot tactics effectively, thereby enhancing their artillery response capabilities against Russian positions.

Mr Young Bang, Principal Deputy, Assistant Secretary of the Army, Acquisition, Logistics & Technology