Army praises new SMArt 155mm round after test

The Australian Army’s Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery (RAA) successfully tested the new Sensor-fused Munition for Artillery (SMArt) 155mm round during Exercise Chimera recently at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area.

CAPTION: A SMArt 155 munition is fired from an Australian Army M777 howitzer, from 107 Battery, 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, during Exercise Chimera at Shoalwater Bay. Photo by Corporal Kyle Genner.

Commanding Officer of 4 Regiment, RAA, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Duncan said that, until now, Australian Army artillery had lacked a capability to efficiently and effectively engage and destroy heavy armoured fighting vehicles, such as main battle tanks.

“The introduction of the SMArt155 projectile gives us that capability to create a dilemma for enemy commanders by disrupting armoured approaches at operationally significant ranges, in all weather and terrain,” Lieutenant Colonel Duncan said.

“The round is specifically designed for long-range, top attack.

“Each round contains two submunitions that descend over the battlefield on parachutes, identify armoured vehicles using advanced sensors, and then fire an explosively formed penetrator warhead into the target.”

Director Combat Support Program Colonel Andrew Langford said Exercise Chimera indicated the Australian Army was a capable and ready land force.

“This exercise showcased the professionalism of our gunners, demonstrating their ability to work together as an effective team,” Colonel Langford said.

“We are now prepared and ready for warfare on the contemporary battlefield, but we are continually looking for ways to be ready for future challenges in an ever-changing environment.

“We are achieving this challenge by working closely with our partners in Defence industry.”

Exercise Chimera was conducted on 24 and 25 March by three regiments of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery – Townsville-based 4th Regiment, Darwin-based 8th/12th Regiment and Brisbane-based 1st Regiment.

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Posted by Brian Hartigan

Managing Editor Contact Publishing Pty Ltd PO Box 3091 Minnamurra NSW 2533 AUSTRALIA

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