14 March 2024
2nd Cavalry Regiment Australian light armoured vehicles (ASLAVs) fired 25mm rounds to neutralise targets spotted by the unit’s Wasp uncrewed aerial system (UAS) during Exercise Eagle Walk in Townsville.
Troopers watching UAS video feeds relayed target locations to gunners who massed firepower on threats appearing at different distances until they were destroyed, neutralised or withdrawn.
As part of the activity, vehicles first adopt ‘turret down’ positions with only the sighting system exposed above terrain, and only moved to ‘hull down’ positions, which reveal the turret, immediately before firing.
Officer Commanding B Squadron Major Guy Wagner said the serials helped confirm that drivers, gunners and crew commanders understood the correct techniques before progressing to more advanced unit training.
This includes each crew member safely engaging a number of static and mobile targets by day and night.
“We are enforcing combat behaviours. Just like dismounted soldiers employ combat behaviours when engaging with the EF88, we employ it when engaging with vehicle weapon systems,” Major Wagner said.
In addition to the ASLAV’s 25mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun and machine guns, selected vehicles were also fitted with remote weapon stations and surveillance suites.
Crew commander Corporal Matthew Miles said individual vehicle control was a lifeline for crew safety.
“We’re picking safe routes for our drivers to get through, making sure our guns are in arc,” he said.
“It's our responsibility to keep the crew safe.
“Before going out field we do a lot of crew battle training in barracks, running through all the basic drills.”
