26th Regiment Royal Artillery
https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corp ... artillery/26th Regiment Royal Artillery is the Army’s Divisional Fires Regiment. Equipped with the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and EXACTOR 2, the new Regiment delivers precision strike munitions out to 84 km in support of the Iron Division.
https://www.facebook.com/19RAScottishGu ... 705796583/
End of an Era. 39 Regt RA Wksp, in: The Craftsman. Magazine of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (July 2015)
http://www.rememuseum.org.uk/wp-content ... Y-2015.pdfOp HERRICK 20
Scribe: Cpl Stokes
With 132 Bty due to deploy on Op HERRICK 20 in May 2014 and after having completed all of the pre-deployment training, including a further six weeks special to role eqpt training for the Tech Elect’s, the Bty Ftr Sect commanded by SSgt Aiden Carbutt, was ready for the task in hand. On arrival in Camp Bastion, the battery quickly established themselves to the ‘gun positions;’ one based in the North of the airfield and the other to the South, which were also co-located with the USMC. The role of the Ftr Sect was to provide equipment support to the new UOR Exactor 2 platform, a precision strike capability. Much to the frustration of everyone, the missile system was not tasked for use on a live target, however was made ready on a number of occasions for countless close calls. After a few months, the main effort quickly switched to the drawdown of Camp Bastion and the backloading of equipment and stores, majority of which was legacy from previous tours. As the tour drew to a close the ‘gun positions’ were slowly scaled back and personal sustainment was reduced to a bergan and a camp cot. Finally, the battery re-located back to the main base in Camp Bastion, where we attended the closing ceremony of the memorial wall, which was a fitting and moving tribute to all that had made the ultimate sacrifice during the 12 year campaign.
The final few days in Camp Bastion came to a dramatic end, with a fire mission for Exactor 2 being executed, which was the first successful firing of the Precision Strike capability. After a brief-stop over in Cyprus, the Bty and Ftr Sect finally arrived back in Newcastle to conduct some well-deserved Geordie decompression and to confirm that everything was the same as we had left it in May. With everybody normalised, POTL began and the final and very last Op HERRICK for 39 Regt RA was completed.
Operation Herrick. A Look Back with Pride, in: desider. The Magazine for Defence Equipment and Support, H 84 (June 2015)
Weapons Operating Centre made a significant contribution to Operation Herrick by delivering substantial quantities of safe, battle winning weapons throughout the campaign
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... ne2015.pdfInternational Guns, Missiles and Rockets delivered a staggering quantity of new handheld missiles/rockets, improved the reliability of the M134 mini-gun on Chinook and delivered the Exactor precision attack weapon
39 Regiment, The Welsh Gunners - Disbandment
http://www.theraa.co.uk/gallery/39-regi ... dment/show
In pursuit of excellence, in: desider. The Magazine for Defence Equipment and Support, H 82 (March 2015)
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... ch2015.pdfExactor project team (team leader Richard Uren):
The team completed the major upgrade of the Exactor missile capability – a new and complex launcher system called Exactor 2 – in Operation Herrick to cost and time, exceeding the user’s performance requirements while sustaining operational capability throughout the transition. Exactor was an urgent operational requirement to replace an existing capability already in theatre.
Monday 17 November 2014
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/l ... 7w0001.htmAsked by Baroness Tonge
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what weapons the United Kingdom has purchased from Israel in the last five years.[HL2635]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever) (Con): In the last five years the Ministry of Defence has purchased the Exactor weapons system, comprising Exactor 2 palletised launchers and Exactor Mk5 missiles, from a contractor based in Israel.
In Search of Exactor (7. April 2014)
https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2014/04/search-exactor/Last year, another Jane’s article confirmed that the system was being bought into core and older missiles replaced with NLOS Mk5’s with dual mode EO/IR seekers after the UK had provided development funds, it also mentioned an Exactor 2. There were even hints of mounting them on the Wildcat for South Korea and as a hedge against the FASGW(H) not proceeding to contract.
It also confirmed that over 600 missiles had been purchased.
The most surprising revelation in the article was that Exactor was obtained in 2007 for use in Basra, with the UK leasing two launch vehicles and purchasing another twelve direct from Israeli war stocks. First users were 1 Royal Horse Artillery with 7 Royal Horse Artillery picking up the role soon after.
PENGELLEY Robert: Special Report: Exactor, the 'missile that never was', comes in from the cold, in: Jane's International Defence Review (24. September 2013)
https://www.janes.com/images/assets/640 ... XACTOR.pdfAs intimated in previous reports in IHS Jane's International Defence Review, the Exactor urgent operational requirement (UOR) was originally endorsed in April 2007 to provide the British Army with a rapid counter for hostile mortars and other indirect-fire systems that were then being used against it from within built-up areas of Basra, Iraq. The chosen expedient was to acquire the Spike-NLOS (Non Line of Sight) system, originally developed by Rafael for the Israel Defence Forces. However, the production line for the system, known as Tamuz in Israeli service, had already closed and the UK MoD accordingly leased two M113 tracked launch vehicles, and purchased another dozen, direct from Israel Defence Forces warstocks.
The Spike-NLOS missile, which weighs 71 kg in its launch canister, has a range of some 26 km and is guided by an operator who views the target in the terminal phase by means of a camera in the nose of the missile, connected to the operator's console by a radio frequency (RF) link. Warheads developed for Spike-NLOS include shaped-charge and small-footprint penetration/blast/fragmentation types.
Exactor first went into operation with a British close support artillery regiment (1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery - 1 RHA) in Basra in August 2007, only three months after contract exchange (a period that had included six weeks of crew training). At the end of its tour, 1 RHA was succeeded in its newly acquired role by another close support regiment, 7 RHA.
Written Answers to Questions
Friday 21 October 2011
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/c ... 1w0001.htmAfghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what vehicle is capable of firing the Exactor missile; [75244]
(2) whether his Department has acquired M133 armoured personnel carriers under urgent operational requirements for operations in Afghanistan. [75246]
Peter Luff: The UK has a range of systems deployed in Afghanistan to support coalition forces and protect civilians. However, I am withholding further details on individual capabilities as their disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
House of Commons Written Answers 19 October 2011
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/c ... 1019-x.htmGuided Weapons
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Exactor missiles have been used in (a) Afghanistan and (b) Iraq in the last three years. [75245]
Nick Harvey: The UK has deployed a range of systems in Iraq and Afghanistan to support coalition forces and to protect civilians. However, it would not be appropriate to make specific comment on individual capabilities as such disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
RHAA Newsletter, Edition 7 (March 2011)
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/s ... clnk&gl=atL (Nery) Battery RHA
Towards the end of September 2009, L (Nèry) Bty RHA deployed to MUSA QAL’AH in Afghanistan in support of the Household Calvary Regiment Battle Group. B Battery provided three Light Guns operating from Forward Operating Base EDINGBURGH along with a pair of EXACTOR launchers. The Joint Fires Cell and Battle Group HQ were based in Forward Operating Base MUSA QAL’AH and the Fire Support Teams were dispersed in a protective ring of Patrol Bases providing security to the local population. Due to the number of Patrol Bases and temporary Observation Posts in the Area of Operations, most of the Fire Support Teams were split into Fire Support Elements which maximised patrolling tempo and the support available to the ground holding companies.
From a Joint Fires perspective the Battery’s Fire Support Teams experienced all that Helmand has to offer. The expansion of the MUSA QALAH Protected Area further proved the Fire Support Element concept. An excellent example of this was LBdr Sides who was in an isolated Platoon Patrol Base. In a Fire Support Element of two people (a level 3 and a level 2) he engaged multiple firing points with Light Gun and EXACTOR whilst coordinating air assets remotely via the TACP. The ability of LBdr Sides and others to perform well beyond their rank and experience was one of the outstanding achievements of the tour for L (Nèry) Bty RHA. Perhaps most notable of all was LBdr Froggett who was awarded a Mention in Dispaches for selfless bravery and determination when, during an extraordinary week in January 2010 he risked his own life on three separate occasions, under fire, to save the lives of comrades who required urgent medical attention.
Throughout Op HERRICK 11 the Joint Fires Cell, led by Maj Johnny Longbottom HAC and Sgt Jones, successfully co-ordinated multiple fire missions with different assets on a daily basis and ensured that minimal collateral damage was inflicted on local nationals and their compounds. In little over six months the Battery engaged enemy forces with Attack Helicopters, Close Air Support, Armed Unmanned Areial Vehicles, 105 mm Light Gun (including the DRAGON GUN), 81mm Mors, GMLRS and EXACTOR. Despite the incredibly demanding and arduous nature of operations there were some lighter moments that kept up the Battery’s morale. These included Bdr Sweeney, the smaller version, catching some shrapnel with his backside from a Rocket Propelled Grenade whilst on patrol and needing a rubber ring to sit on during his recovery, which was of course incredibly funny to everyone else except him.
A special mention must go out to everyone within the wider Battery family who helped sustain us whilst we were on Operations in Aghanistan. All the support the Battery received from their families and the Regimental echelon enabled the tour to be such a success. Having returned from Operations and enjoyed some hard earned Post Operational Tour Leave, the majority of the Battery managed at least one week away on the Battery’s Adventure Training Expedition to the Channel Islands and France. Back in camp we were got back into routine duties, basic soldiering and lots of sports and physical training. Working within short timescales the Battery was issued and fitted with Future Army Dress, whose description defies a form of uniform that would not have looked out of place in the 1st World War (less the quality of the tailoring). We rehearsed and executed a splendid Medals Parade, during which former Battery Commander (L/N Battery) Brigadier Neil Marshall presented the Battery with their campaign medals.
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