British Army drones have been flown for the first time in Japan, where they directed mortar fire during live firing training.
Exercise Vigilant Isles 23 (Ex VI23) was delivered by the Japanese 1st Airborne Brigade with British Army units from 1 Royal Gurkha Rifles (1RGR), 16 Air Assault Brigade and 3 SCOTS taking part.
16 Air Assault Brigade’s Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Group used the exercise to test and refine the capabilities of its Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) or drone.
According to a British Army news release:
“Under the umbrella of 16 Air Assault Brigade ISTAR, nine troops from 21 Air Assault Battery, 32 Regiment Royal Artillery launched a Puma UAS while working with a 1RGR mortar platoon. The Puma identified the mortars’ impact locations and sent corrections to enable accurate adjustments during the live firing tactical training phase of Ex VI23.”
Sergeant Scott Jackson, 21 Air Assault Battery, was quoted as saying:
“In this terrain we have provided normal camera footage as well as infra-red footage which means we have been able to fly during the day and night. There is software within the system that enables us to take a still of artillery rounds landing on the ground. We can then plot where a round has landed and where we are trying to hit, and the system will generate adjustments to ensure the accuracy of guns or mortars.”
Right… the future of Artillery Spotting I guess? No doubt a lot cheaper than an OP crew. An OP crew’s lifespan used to be measured in hours, maybe by using Drones, they can extend that ‘lifespan’.
Reasonably certain that evidence of increased cooperation between the British and Japanese will significantly annoy the ChiComs. Happy holidays! 😁
And thats a result in itself for you I should imagine 😃
Oh BTW quick tip …over here its “Happy Christmas” not that Happy Holidays crap ..go on say it …you know you want to…😉
Grizzler,
Your correct, should have made my intent more plainly w/a different emoji. 😉 (Allied cooperation is useful and beneficial, but simultaneously annoying the opposition is a bonus gift.)
On this side of the Pond, we often use the term “Merry Christmas.” Have heard both “Happy Christmas” and “Merry Christmas” used in BBC sponsored programs. A regional difference w/in the UK? 🤔
You’re ..🙄
You are correct it is usually Merry Christmas -(& Happy New Year) I shall self flagellate with Holly later tonight (in the spirit of the Winter Solstace) to atone for my gramatical error.
Thats the spikey bush not the name of my missus -just to provide further clarificatio.
🤣😂😁
Happy Christmas and New Year to you too.
I’m hoping that Santa will bring me a US Supreme Court decision that the 14th Amendment Section 3 does prevent all insurrectionists from all public offices, and that election activities are not the duties of a serving POTUS.
In other words, that the Constitution of the United States, as amended, is safe and there will be government For The People, not a dictatorship for one person.