An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 13 UNIFIL maintains a Platoon strength Javelin asset and the aim of the course was to qualify a new batch of officer instructors in the weapon system in order to ensure that this capability continues. Starting two weeks after the end of their Javelin Young Entry cours- es, 14 students were immediately put through their paces with the Javelin simulation equipment housed in the IWW. Concurrent to refresher Gunner Skills Training were lectures on the deployment of the Javelin, classroom lessons on Intelligence Preparation of the Battlespace (IPB) and qualification tests for Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) recognition. The first significant milestone of the course was the firing of the Javelin itself. The shoot was conducted in the Glen of Imaal, Co Wicklow, alongside the 114th Inf Bn with a competition being held on the Basic Skills Trainer simulation equipment to choose the firer. The runners up in the competition were to be the loader and detachment commander. 2/Lt Michael Murphy came out on top with 2/Lt Andrew Flynn and Lt Edward Campion coming second and third respectively. The shoot itself gave all involved a more hands on appreciation for the practicalities of transportation, deployment, target acquisition and engagement with the Javelin system. The students also had the added benefit of learning about the planning and running of a Javelin range while simultaneously being involved in one. For most of the students the instructor course was their first seri- ous introduction to IPB and the guidance of the staff of the IWW was invaluable in giving them an appreciation of the skill. The course emphasised not only the anti-armour capability of the Javelin system but also its employment as an Intelligence, Surveil- lance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) asset. The up- dated CLU has a X24 zoom thermal imaging capability and is a truly impressive piece of equipment. This was put to good use during the ground exercise run in the Kilbride area. An OP was set up on the side of Seefin Hill overlooking Kilbride Camp, and the exercise culmi- nated in a simulated anti-armour ambush and stalk of enemy posi- tions the following day. The variety of these manoeuvres and the inclemency of the weather were invaluable learning points for the students on the course as they drove home not only the capabilities of the CLU and Javelin, but also its limitations and vulnerabilities. These were particularly obvious when fog rolled in between the OP and Kilbride Camp and the thermal imaging was unable to pen- etrate it and, in the realisation, that the hedgerows and treelined winding roads of rural Ireland make it extremely difficult to find a position from which to fire a Javelin or take advantage of its full 2.5km range. Throughout the course both the staff of the IWW and the at- tached NCO instructors displayed and emphasised the importance of expert knowledge, reading around the subject and understand- ing the development of the weapon system. Undoubtedly, the De- fence Forces will reap the benefits of the positive working relation- ship developed between the staff and students in years to come. Manufacturer Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Weapon Type Portable Anti-Armour Weapon Country of Manufacture USA Entered Service 2003 Missile Diameter 126mm Ammunition Feed Preloaded Single Shot Weight 22.3kg Mode of Fire Single Shot Planning Range 2200m Rate of Fire Single Use (Missile Component) Length 1260mm Guidance Lock-on Automatic Self-Guidance Crew 3 Javelin Statistics

• Cover