Gunners prove worth of new Huntsman

The AS9 Huntsman unleashed fury across Townsville Field Training Area on August 27 as 106 Bty executed rapid strikes and vanished into cover after simulated radars locked onto enemy targets.

Target coordinates were passed to the gunners from 16 Regt radar operators following initial HIMARS engagements, prompting them to relocate to avoid counter strikes.

They also executed the direct-fire missions, hitting targets out to six kilometres.

Meanwhile, AS10 resupply vehicles reloaded the AS9 under live-fire conditions.

Commanding Officer Lt-Col Simon Frewin said the AS9 could come out of its hide to a firing position fast.

“We are at action in about 30 seconds, fire our missions and move quickly, which improves our survivability on the battlefield,” he said.

“That means if an enemy does identify us, they are unable to respond in time before the AS9 has already moved to a new position.”

He said it was the first time the Huntsman was tested in a full tactical environment.

“Moving from traditional towed guns to the Huntsman delivers a major leap in artillery capability for the 4 Regt,” Lt-Col Frewin said.

“The battery with its new equipment far exceeded our baseline expectations during the activity.”

It was also the first time soldiers operated without instructors and processed their own fire missions.

“I couldn't be prouder of the men and women of 106 Bty, who have worked incredibly hard to introduce this capability,” Lt-Col Frewin said.

For 106 Bty Cmdr Maj Fergus Robertson, the exercise marked the practical culmination of months of intensive conversion training for his soldiers.

“The successful live-fire activity demonstrated how rapidly soldiers have mastered the system,” he said.

He said the transition to armoured platforms placed direct responsibility on gun crews to maintain their mobility and weapon systems.

“One of the biggest challenges for soldiers will be vehicle husbandry – this is your vehicle, this is your home and you're responsible for it,” Maj Robertson said.

The trial confirmed the platform's digital system seamlessly links sensor data to weapons, cutting the time it takes to go from spotting a target to striking it.

With the Townsville milestone complete, the unit will shift focus to complex combined arms training alongside armoured infantry and engineer assets.

“The AS9 marks the regiment's transition from towed artillery to self-propelled artillery, supporting the 3 Bde's modernisation pathway towards a heavy armoured formation,” Maj Robertson said.

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