The following article is taken from the latest issue of the Globe & Laurel magazine.
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Warfare is changing at a greater speed than ever before and the catalyst for this over the last ten years has been the use of Uncrewed Aerial Systems or UAS. The 2020 conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region in the South Caucasus proved how inexpensive commercially available UAS could be used to great effect against a traditional threat and deliver effects that have previously only been available from crewed aviation (with high risk to personnel/equipment) or expensive missile systems.
The Royal Marines have utilised various systems in previous conflicts but in reaction to the significant change in the way in which current conflicts are being fought, the advantages and freedoms that UAS offer have forced the generation of the RMs’ newest branch UAS. The branch has been generated under the stewardship of 700X Naval Air Squadron, RNAS Culdrose, who have the lead for UAS development in the RN and where RM ranks of the UAS branch learn their trade before employment with the Commando Force.
Two Mortar Teams of 40 Commando, deployed as part of Littoral Response Group South (LRGS) on Ex PREDATORS RUN conduct Live Fire interoperability training with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) using their 81MM Mortar system. Testing Advanced Force Operating Procedures, together they neutralised targets by day and night. They also p[practised intimate fire support for cover of surveillance reconnaissance teams. PUMA UAS, operated by LRGS Flight was used to identify targets and adjust firing sequences.
The UK Commando Force are operating in Australia. The Littoral Response Group (South), LRG(S), has been deployed to Darwin, Australia for Ex PREDATORS RUN. The LRG consists of a land element led by 40 Commando Group, with personnel from across the UK Commando Force, and a maritime element, with RFA Lyme Bay, and RFA Argus, and raiding craft from 47 Commando Raiding Group. The Commandos are in the Northern Terr
Royal Marine UAS Flights are already in service within the Commando Force, including deployment on a number of contingency activations and international exercises. In addition to these taskings, the specialisation has supported other agencies across wider defence, thereby generating significant experience in a short space of time
Ex Predators Run presented a fantastic opportunity to employ larger UAS in support of a Commando Group, in a complex multinational exercise. Sgt Morgan Ferris as Flight Cdr generated his team, who were employed by the tactical HQ under the guidance of the UAS advisor and TACP. Interoperability and deconfliction is sped up in the LRG model with the inclusion of SAVO, who works with international partners to generate the Air Control Plan. This establishes the rules by which we can fly (not a simple process as all three countries operate under different rules!) and how each airframe would be governed.
As UAS Advisor I assisted with key UAS planning, coordinating lower classification flying via the unit’s senior operators and advising LRG Cdrs, particularly with regard to which airframes could do what, crew limitations, meteorological impact and policy restrictions. For the first time, this was developed during a Staff Training exercise on Ex Silicon Predator and afloat as part of …………………
To find out more about 40 Cdo RM and further RM activities across the globe, catch up regularly with all the news in the Globe & Laurel Magazine, the Journal of the Royal Marines.
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