HIMARS from ship to shore

10 Fires Bde’s high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS) was taken ashore at Cowley Beach Training Area recently with the help of HMAS Choules.

Having earlier exceeded expectations by firing various missiles ahead of schedule and at distances new to Army, attention turned to the deployability of HIMARS on aircraft and ships to extend the ADF’s ability to defend Australia’s northern approaches. The platform has been certified to deploy on RAAF C-130s, C-17s and on board Navy’s LHDs.

During Exercise Black Cutlass in early May, it was successfully transported from ship to shore using an LCM-8 and a Mexeflote, along with its resupply vehicle, munition pods and support trailers.

Australian HIMARS are now capable of being projected by all major inservice lift platforms and ship-to-shore connectors.

Future work will be undertaken for transport on Army’s future littoral manoeuvre vessels when they enter service.

For Cmdr 10 Fires Bde Brig Corey Shillabeer, it was a milestone that provided options for the joint force.

“When we receive a new platform it is important to test it thoroughly,” Brig Shillabeer said.

“It’s vital that we test our procedures to develop safe and efficient means to deploy Army’s long-range fires capability.

“Firing the HIMARS is one thing, but being able to deploy and manoeuvre across Australia and beyond is vital to contributing to the defence of Australia’s northern approaches.

“14th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, along with the project team, are progressing well into the introduction into service of the weapon system, offering a viable option today for the joint force.”

CO 14 Regt, RAA, Lt-Col Nicholas Barletta, said he was proud of what his team had been able to achieve.

“For such a young group of soldiers, they have been challenged daily when asked to rapidly introduce this new capability,” Lt-Col Barletta said.

“With support from the project team and our US counterparts, they have demonstrated their professionalism and dedication to Australia’s defence.

“From here, things will only get bigger and better as we receive more platforms from the United States, and the new littoral manoeuvre vessels are delivered.”