Whose Name We Share

41 A Snapshot of the 1990s The 1990’s provided the battery with some memorable times as it was filled with community engagement activities, competitions involving regimental gun races, sporting events and the consistent development of sub unit SOPs through multiple field trips over the years. Many unique opportunities arose, including the practice of underslung operations using CH-47 Chinook helicopters, involvement in the testing of the US Paladin SP Guns and the testing of M792 Copperhead rounds. This time moulded some of the strongest members of the Battery’s history, who held a great interest in sporting events and participated in some of the most difficult exercises known in recent memory. The Copperhead trials, conducted in 1995, in part by the 103 rd Battery, sought to confirm the capability the M792 Copperhead could offer the Royal Australian Artillery as well as provide members hands on experience utilising the new ammunition type. The M792 Copperhead is a 155mm terminally laser guided projectile. For the round to function, the target must be painted with a laser designator, which once detected by the on board guidance system, sends a signal to the steering vanes, or fins, to guide the projectile onto the target. This round was the predecessor to the current SMART munitions. Figure 1 Bravo Detachment, 1997, courtesy Greg Northey