Ukrainian troops test cutting-edge ultralight Hawkeye howitzer

The war in Ukraine has become a prime testing ground for new weaponry by various arms companies worldwide. An intriguing example is the ultralight 2-CT Hawkeye howitzer, produced by AM General. It is currently undergoing combat tests in Ukraine. Here’s what makes it unique.

Ukrainian soldiers have been testing the ultralight 2-CT Hawkeye howitzer from AM General since April 2024. This 105 mm caliber howitzer is designed to be fired from the bed of an HMMWV tactical vehicle after deploying hydraulic supports. Below is the first picture of Ukrainians with the tested ultralight 2-CT Hawkeye howitzer.

Previously, only mortars up to 120 mm caliber were available in such a format. Mortars, however, offer a lower rate of fire and effective range compared to howitzers. AM General's solution has a range of 7 miles with standard shells and 9 miles with rocket-assisted variants. In comparison, a 120 mm caliber mortar reaches a maximum range of 5 miles with conventional shells and slightly over 6 miles with rocket-assisted shells.

The 2-CT Hawkeye uses the M20 howitzer as its base, mounted on an innovative platform that reduces recoil by as much as 70 percent. This recoil reduction made placing it on the HMMWV chassis feasible, creating a system conceptually comparable to the French Caesar.

The war in Ukraine has shown that towed howitzers are easy targets to destroy, and the time spent at the firing position is crucial. This is especially true when the enemy uses artillery radars and drones. Swift movement using the HMMWV with the 2-CT Hawkeye howitzer significantly increases the chances of avoiding counter-battery fire, such as cluster munitions.

Simply put, the HMMWV with the 2-CT Hawkeye howitzer, operated by as few as two soldiers, should be gone from the area by the time enemy shells or rockets arrive.