RAF Regiment personnel have become the first British “drone aces” after shooting down multiple Iranian drones during operations in the Middle East, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Four gunners achieved what the force called ace status by destroying five or more drones each, marking the first time the term has been applied to ground-based personnel in the RAF. The designation is traditionally used for fighter pilots who shoot down five or more enemy aircraft.
The personnel are operating as part of counter-uncrewed aerial systems units tasked with defending UK and allied forces, infrastructure and equipment in the region. The MoD said they are using a combination of early warning sensors, electronic warfare and the Rapid Sentry air defence system armed with Lightweight Multirole Missiles.
“We are all RAF Gunners—some as young as 18, many of us with over five confirmed engagements. Under constant threat, we are responsible for detecting, tracking and engaging targets, often while coming under fire.”
Minister for the Armed Forces Alistair Carns said: “Several of these heroes have achieved ‘ace’ status neutralising Iranian drones. The first of its kind, it isn’t just impressive, it is exceptional.”
According to the MoD, RAF Regiment units, supported by engineers and surveillance personnel, have been central to countering these threats, including what was described as the most effective single night of defensive action on 23 and 24 March.
It’s been indicated in the press that this rapid sentry system is deployed at multiple RAF bases
Hi Jim.
Which sources?
Good article on Armyrecognition March 21st.
Made a lengthy post on a few other considerations on all this and it has been held for moderation, even though I changed the format and tried posting twice.
Ha! Just looked it up, that was an article I’d already studied, it did not give much new information apart from 11 Giraffe 1X radar.
The fielding of this system remains limited, by my understanding.
This is the radar in the SeaGirafe guise I believe all our non warships should have, i.e, the OPVs, Bay class etc. As unlike the Scanter radar they use, it can be used to direct the gun based weapon system. Plus if needed could be used for directing something like a podded CAMM.
Independent news paper
This one? From an Independent article.
“RAF Regiment gunners are specialist ground-based soldiers, specifically tasked with safeguarding British airbases from potential threats. Their recent operations have seen them defending UK installations throughout the Middle East from Iran’s Shahed drones, a vital mission undertaken since the onset of the US-Israeli war with Iran.”
“The Rapid Sentry system used to shoot down Iranian drones approaching British bases is also set to be deployed to Kuwait, defence secretary John Healey announced this week.”
I don’t think that this wording confirms multiple RAF bases are now protected with Rapid Sentry, one Squadron can only split itself so far!
They were at Irbil for some time, and now Akrotiri. I’d like to see greater expansion so that multiple RAF stations in the UK can get some protection if needed.
Mate the Daily Mail called them special forces in a recent article lol, I bet they all creamed in their pants as mostly they are called special needs…..;0) But in all seriousness they are getting back to the job they were introduced for, and a Field Sqn should be mixed between FP Platoon, LLAD Platoon and an AUAV platoon (sorry Flight).
Why not, that orbat concept you’ve suggested here many times.
Out of the Iran war a few good things have come, defence of RAF bases has been found wanting and addressed to a degree. The sorry state of our Navy has been made very public and our over all lack of GBAD has been shown. Although not every thing will get fixed and not fixed over night some good will come of this and some problems will be delt with.
Shame that it takes world wide embarresment to do it.
I’m not sure how it comes across as an embarrassment.
They’ve performed very admirably and better than a lot of comparative systems from other countries based on drones shot down vs those that got through.
Did I say the RAF regt was an embarrassment? No it’s the state of our clapped out armed forces that is the embarrassment.
It’s Britain, sadly been ever thus, it virtually always takes a level of widespread humiliation and set backs before we respond at our best, incompetence and complacency so often become superb innovation and professionalism in adversity. Wish the latter state could be instilled into the former more often so we are better prepared especially as we may not have time to learn how to fight a future conflict.
We are always the plucky undefer dog, who just manages to get the job done with out all Yank back slapping. Though do feel we are in he’ll ofmess with no real leadership or direction and lots empty words where orders should be. We will get there we always do, just in time
I work from home and earn a respectable $6k a week, which is amazing considering that a year ago I was unemployed in a terrible economy. I always give God praise for honoring me with these rules, and now it’s my duty to practice anticipatory compassion and share it with everyone. Likewise,
Here is I begun———————— http://www.giftpay7.vip
Let’s not start this nonsense of scores on the doors! Just let them get on with the job they are paid to do.
I think it’s actually important to speak of the successes (where allowed under OPSEC) as otherwise you only hear of the failures, which then give the moaners more ammunition.
Right, we have developed a good anti-drone system.
Now lets get it procured en masse.
Apparently it’s already been done they just didn’t advertise the fact for obvious reason. Maybe as many as 11 already deployed at RAF bases.
That is a serious positive, it’s also generally speaking as it should be getting capability without every move being covered publicly, or a Committee to discuss it. Let’s hope there are other such developments to be proud of too. We seem on the quiet to have learned a lot from Ukraine especially how with drones you need at least 4 aspects to defeating them, the right and varied effectors, passive sensors, active radar and electronic suppression. At this level it seems industry has responded very well and nimbly, without all the drawn out palaver we experience far too often with defence projects. There are moves to make acquisition more effective and efficient, let’s hope that itself doesn’t get bogged down in endless bureaucracy.
It could be useful if Thales and SEA get together and produce a naval “RapidSentry” mount for the LMM/Starstreak. Could be 2+2, 4+4 or an adaption of the SEA Ancilia mount with EO added on. Cheap and cheerful UK version of RAM, “SeaSentry”. Fit on OPVs, RFAs, even the carriers and be mountable on a Paladin type rack or back of a truck.
*Ancilia 6+6
Sounds like a very sensible and low cost idea
Back when Starstreak was first made they actually showed a concept CIWS to the RN. 28 missiles in a system.
The Rocks do have to defend their hotel, while they wait for their 5 mile death run.
Those hotels don’t come cheap and there is a pile of tents packed up next door as a punishment for any drones getting through! Closely followed by the 5 miles of death once more…….
Need to stick a bunch of these on vehicles so they can roll on and roll off A400’s. It also sounds like we need to procure some more Giraffe radars.
The A400M has a cargo weight limit of 37t (81,600lbs). A Stormer is supposed weigh about 13t (26,000lbs). Therefore a A400M could carry at least two Stormers. The six Stormers we gave to Ukraine are being replaced with 12 VAMTAC Rapid Ranger 4×4 air defence vehicles. These are 4×4 vehicles made by Spain, that mount a turret fitted with a electro optic sensor turret and a pair missiles either side, which can be a combination of Martlets and Starstreaks. The VAMTAC has a gross vehicle weight of 5.3t (11,685lbs), so the A400M could carry at least 6 vehicles, if there’s space for them.
I read a while ago of “plans” to purchase, but no direct orders that I have seen. Then again I wasn’t aware we had actually ponied up for these so I will be happy to be wrong.
Rapid Ranger on Patria 6×6 seems more likely.
Following on, they don’t seem to be exorbitantly expensive either, a missile about the same price of one of those Iranian drones. We could buy mass cost effectively and they sound like a good possible export alternative for those who can’t afford Patriot missiles.
I read that the VAMTAC Rapid Ranger purchase stalled and was cancelled.
A previous CGS was filmed at the factory, with vehicles lined up behind.
Where are they?
Reminds me, same CGS was saying SHORAD is to triple, so still waiting to see any movement on that as well.
Would be good to make next purchase the higher standard / longer range version Giraffs rather than the short range entry level version. Integrate the medium range CAMM-ER ( can only dream of CAMM-MR) into the GBMD framework
In the end this is not just an anti drone system essentially it’s a bit of a direct rapier replacement able to engage low flying air targets out to 8km…
Its seems 11 radar sets were purchased in 2023 so it could be the RAF have 11 sets… that snuck under the radar a bit..
LMM is turning into one hell if a useful missile for the Drone age..
The question is how long will it take the army to put LMM on its wildcats and make them drone hunters..
Probably only when the cack hits the fan. Then I’m positive would be fitted under an urgent operational request (UOR).
Been on about Martlet in army wildcat for years. Integration already done by Navy. Apache can focus on heavy armour. Army Wildcat can focus on drones and in reconn role can target softer skin vehicles, APC, Logistics and other ‘opportunities’.
Seems in a moment of urgency we get something far more useful than years of ‘planning’ for that supposed perfect solution that we rarely ever have money for. The lesson here is that a relative cheap low end missile (that I suspect had some resistance in military circles beyond niche) has during a moment of crisis not just found a niche but a far wider available, flexible, affordable en masse effective role against a threat that few thought was itself more than niche when it was developed. And the whole platform can only get better and more flexible through experience and development.
Starstreak has certainly had a new lease of very effective life and Martlet compliments it perfectly.