An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir July/August 2014 www.dfmagazine.ie 24 | tery is a totally new concept, in which surveillance and target acquisition assets are gathered into a sub-unit that can be deployed in its pri- mary artillery role or as a standalone unit feeding into the ISTAR matrix. "Also, only five gun- ners and one NCO transferred from 1 ADR, which effectively meant we had to train and up-skill person- nel into this role from scratch. It is a credit to 2 Bty that they stood up their air defence capability within six months." Rapidly deployable, versatile, multi-functional equipment such as 105mm field guns, 120mm heavy mortars, the RBS70, and their associated STA assets are valuable force multipliers for any commander, as no matter where in the world or whatever mission is being undertaken ISTAR is a proven key enabler. All corps feed into, and are fed information by, the multi- dimensional ISTAR matrix. The artillery STA capabil- ity is the central pillar of this vital combat support function. Lt Col yorke told us: "The gunners of today are value-added, multi-role soldiers, with multi-func- tional equipment, that are deployable across the full spectrum of operations, from crisis management, to aid to the civil power, to peacekeeping". HQ Bty takes care of administration, transport, CIS, logistics and regimental survey, which involves produc- ing highly accurate ground surveys for the co-ordina- tion and integration of the regiment's batteries when deployed. It is also responsible for setting up a me- teorological station, to help the detachments achieve greater accuracy by compensating for the prevailing atmospheric conditions. The three field batteries each deploy L118 105mm light guns and 120mm heavy mortars. Light, versatile and easily transportable, both weapons have very effective rates of fire and ranges that provide commanders with an all-weather, 24-hour fire support capability. The L118 can fire six to eight rounds a minute with a range of up to 20km, while the 120mm mortar also has the same rate of fire up to a range of >9,000m. The AD Battery deploys the RBS70 air defence sys- tem and the .5" HMG. The RBS70 fires a Bolde missile at speeds of Mach 2, with a range of 8km and a 5km ceiling. The missile detachments are guided onto their target by air surveillance teams operating the Giraffe air defence command and control radar. The Giraffe, which can track targets from up to 50km away, is mounted on the versatile Bandvagn 206 tracked, articulated, all-terrain vehicle. A major air defence equipment upgrade is currently underway that will see a longer range for the Bolde missile and a night- vision capability for the RBS70. Without guns, the STA Battery doesn't exactly look like your traditional artillery unit. Instead, its fire sup- port teams (FSTs) deploy surveillance and target acquisi- tion equipment to keep eyes on target. The lightweight Orbiter mini-aerial system (MAS), which can fly for 15km and remain airborne for four hours, provides over-the- hill recce, while the FSTs provide eyes on target from sub-surface OPs and the Outrider light tactical ar- moured vehicle (LTAV). The gunners with the STA Battery operate a full sur- veillance package, including laser range-finders, ground radar, night-vision, thermal imaging, and optics pack- ages to keep eyes on target and transmit vital ISTAR information back to regimental and brigade HQs. "The STA Bty is not just a regimental asset," Lt Col yorke said, "but, in line with our multi-functional phi- losophy, can deploy independently as a brigade asset. They are the only people who can deliver a 24/7, all- weather observation capability that can provide real- time information and footage directly to the brigade HQ: a massive asset." As well as having to form new batteries with new capabilities the unit had to retrain personnel who trans- ferred from other corps. "This was a huge challenge for us," RSM O'Callaghan said, "as they came from all back- grounds; drivers, medics, and weapons instructors, for example. However, 2 Arty Regt is now reaping the benefit of the skills they have brought with them." Throughout 2013 the unit ran conversion gun- ners courses for PDF and reserve NCOs and pri- vates. "It's not easy being a private in the artillery," laughed the RSM, "but they've all worked very hard to qualify and we're

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