AUSA 2025: AM General Redefines Light Artillery with Next-Gen Hawkeye 105mm Mobile Howitzer.

AM General revealed its next-generation Hawkeye 105mm Mobile Howitzer System at the 2025 AUSA Expo in Washington, D.C. The upgraded system combines a new digital fire-control suite, lighter chassis, and improved mobility to meet U.S. Army demands for rapid-deployment artillery.

Washington, D.C., United States, October 13, 2025 - AM General introduced a major redesign of its Hawkeye 105mm Mobile Howitzer System during the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting, showcasing a blend of precision firepower and tactical flexibility. The updated platform features a reengineered chassis and powertrain, plus an advanced digital fire-control system aimed at boosting accuracy, reducing crew workload, and enabling faster repositioning in high-tempo combat environments. Company officials described the new variant as a decisive step in adapting light artillery to multi-domain operations and evolving U.S. Army mobility standards.
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AM General presents its next-generation Hawkeye 105mm Mobile Howitzer System during AUSA 2025 in Washington, D.C., showcasing a redesigned chassis, upgraded powertrain, and advanced fire-control system for enhanced mobility and precision.  (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

Designed for expeditionary operations, the new Hawkeye reflects a deliberate shift away from heavy self-propelled guns toward a fast, light, and easily deployable platform. The system can move into position, fire, and relocate in under 90 seconds, allowing crews to evade counterbattery fire while maintaining a high rate of responsive support. Engineers involved in the redesign describe the system as a balance between mobility and lethality, supported by a reinforced suspension and optimized weight distribution that enhance off-road performance across demanding terrain.

At the center of this innovation lies AM General’s patented soft recoil technology, a proven engineering solution that reduces recoil forces by up to 60 percent. This capability makes it possible to mount a 105mm howitzer on a lightweight tactical vehicle without sacrificing stability or crew safety. The concept merges the firepower of conventional artillery with the maneuverability of a light tactical truck, creating a new operational category tailored for rapid deployment and airborne forces.

The Hawkeye mounts an M20 105mm cannon and incorporates AM General’s proprietary soft recoil mechanism, reducing peak recoil by approximately 60 percent. The system achieves an effective firing range of 15 to 19.5 km depending on ammunition type, maintains a practical rate of fire of three rounds per minute, and operates with a crew of three. With a combat weight of roughly 4.5 tons, the Hawkeye combines a digital fire-control system, GPS-enabled ballistic computer, and encrypted datalink to integrate with modern tactical networks.

During discussions at AUSA 2025, AM General officials confirmed that prototype Hawkeye units were sent to Ukraine in early 2024 for operational evaluation. Ukrainian artillery crews reportedly conducted limited testing under combat conditions, providing performance feedback that influenced refinements in recoil management and digital fire control for the new model. The company emphasized that this effort formed part of an ongoing evaluation process rather than a formal fielding program.

The upgraded Hawkeye features an enhanced targeting suite integrating GPS-linked ballistic computation, automated gun laying, and encrypted communication systems compatible with the U.S. Army’s emerging sensor-to-shooter architecture. These improvements aim to ensure accuracy, faster reaction time, and interoperability with NATO and allied command networks.

Defense analysts attending the exhibition noted that AM General’s redesign aligns closely with the U.S. Army’s modernization trend toward dispersed, mobile artillery capable of striking quickly and unpredictably. “This represents the next phase of artillery evolution—speed, flexibility, and digital precision,” commented one senior defense analyst at the event.

More than just a technological refresh, the new Hawkeye marks a strategic repositioning for AM General within the global artillery market. By pairing a large-caliber weapon with its proven light tactical vehicle platform, the company offers a precision-capable system that complements heavier artillery such as the M777 and M109A7 Paladin, giving commanders the ability to deliver rapid indirect fire from unexpected positions.

AM General has not publicly released a timeline for expanded field trials or live-fire demonstrations of the upgraded system, though company representatives indicated that several allied nations have expressed interest in potential evaluations following its AUSA 2025 debut.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.