Members of 110 Bty, 16 AD Regt, load a Rapier missile on to the upgraded system as part of testing at Woomera. Photo provided by 16 AD Regt

16 AD Regt test Rapier upgrade

By Capt Victoria Wayland
MEMBERS of 16 AD Regt, in conjunction with British Aerospace Systems Australia, recently held trials at Woomera Prohibitive Area for the upgrade of their ground-based air defence system, the Rapier Missile System.

The refurbished Rapier system provides improved supportability and opposability for the life of the equipment in Australian service.

The systems have also been upgraded from B1 to B1M standard, similar to systems in service in other countries such as Oman, Singapore, Switzerland and Turkey.

Operations Director BAE Systems Customer Solutions and Support Mike Brownhill said the refurbishment was a sensible upgrade for Australia.

“It brings the system to a standard equivalent to key user customers around the world,” he said.

While cosmetically the system looks the same, modified electronics and new generator and ancillary attachments give a greater fire capability.

Battery Command Post Operator Capt Steve Glatz, 110 AD Bty, says the upgrade has improved the efficiency of the ground-to-air missile system.

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