Record rainfall and knee-deep mud couldn’t dampen the morale of Townsville’s 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, gunners as they completed the first in-field validation and verification live-fire of Assegai ammunition during Exercise Shot Start.
The new suite of Assegai 155mm munitions, delivered under project Land 17 Unguided Artillery Ammunition, will increase the range and lethality of current lightweight howitzers and the incoming AS9 Huntsman.
Commanding Officer of the regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Frewin, said despite the challenging conditions, morale was high and the exercise provided great training.
“It’s a fantastic new capability that increases our range to over 30 kilometres and enhances our lethality, which provides a capability leap forward for the brigade,” Lieutenant Colonel Frewin said.
“The weather has been testing on our equipment and our soldiers but we’re learning all sorts of lessons, and just as calm seas don’t make great sailors, easy field doesn’t make great soldiers. We’ve learned a lot and are better for it.
“It also ensures that whatever the government needs us to do, wherever that may be around the world, we are prepared for that and the conditions we may face.”
Assegai ammunition achieves up to four rounds a minute with enhanced range and strike radius, as well as providing a modular approach with the ability to mix and match projectiles, propelling charges, fuses and primers.
107 Battery Troop Sergeant Brenton Hebbard said it was a great first hit-out for what will be a busy year for the regiment.
“It’s good to be out here live-firing the new ammunition. A lot of our young lands haven’t fired this high-explosive ammunition before, so it’s a good experience for them,” Sergeant Hebbard said.
“Regardless of the weather, we’ve managed to punch this out and finish on a high note. Everyone’s excited and we’re just out here living the dream.”
The ammunition is compatible with new AS9 Huntsman and AS10 self-propelled howitzer, due to be delivered to the regiment early next year.
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