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The Yorkshire Gunners

The Army's Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) regiment, and a singleton regiment - the only unit which provides the capabilities we have. We have a constant commitment to deploy one sub-unit every six months as the Theatre STA Battery. On operations, the Theatre STA Battery acts as the eyes of the troops on the ground.

5 Regiment Capabilities

We provide three main capabilities -

Counter Indirect Fire (C-IDF)

This is a process of identifying where a projectile such as an artillery shell, mortar or rocket is fired from. We do this using several weapon locating radar and acoustic systems. This information can then be passed on to other units to observe or strike.

Base ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance)

Surveillance equipment that provides protection to our Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) and Patrol Bases (PBs). This is done with several cameras and sensors that relay information to a command and control centre where information and images are gathered. This information is used to protect troops on the ground, spot insurgent activity, and build up a picture of the local normal activity and then warn if something unusual occurs or pass the information on to other units who can take the process further either by collecting intelligence or striking the enemy.

Surveillance and Target Acquisition Patrols

4/73 (Sphinx) Special Observation Post Battery provide the Army’s STA Patrol capability. STA Patrols perform a high risk FIND and FINISH function which complements the activities conducted by other Ground Manned Reconnaissance assets. They work as independent 4-6 man teams and are uniquely trained and configured to operate in isolation, at range and in close proximity to the enemy. They are capable of deploying advanced technical surveillance equipment to develop deep understanding of a target area. STA Patrols are also trained to control the full spectrum of Joint Fires.

5 Regiment Equipment

MAMBA (Mobile Artillery Monitoring Battlefield Radar)

It can process 100 rockets, mortars or artillery shells and provide the operator with 8 Point Of Origin (POO) grids all within one minute. MAMBA has a detection range of up to 30km. The MAMBA requires a crew of 7, a commander plus two shifts of 3. It is an all weather 24 hour system. MAMBAs are currently deployed in Afghanistan, providing constant 24-hour C-IDF cover.

Mamba

LCMR

Detects mortars to a range of 9.3km, this active radar provides 360 degree coverage of the battlefield. It can provide a hostile indirect firing point location accurate to within 50m and give early warning of incoming enemy indirect fire, all whilst the mortar is in the air.

Manned by a crew of 2-3 soldiers, it is usually deployed into remote locations, small and versatile enough to fit into the smaller bases.
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5 Regiment Batteries

53 (Louisburg) Battery

Formed in 1740 it saw service in the Caribbean protecting and expanding British interests.

The honour title 'Louisburg' commemorates the first stage of the campaign in Canada against the French in the Siege of Louisburg.
In recognition of the tremendous achievement of the company it was awarded the honour title, Louisburg.

53 Battery

93 (Le Cateau) Battery

The most recent of 5 Weapon Locating batteries to exist in 5th Regiment Royal Artillery and is based at Marne Barracks, Catterick, North Yorkshire.The battery currently operates in a Surveillance and Target Acquisition role.
93 Battery

K (Hondeghem) Battery

K Battery was formed by the East India Company in Acra, India. Unusually during this period the majority of the other ranks were British, and mounted to ensure greater manoeuvrability.

The honorary title of Hondeghem was granted on 24 January 1951 as a result of a battle that took place in the town of Hondeghem on the 27 May 1940.

K Battery

P Battery (The Dragon Troop)

In 1840, the troop was sent to China to fight in the Opium Wars, during which the British forces captured the Island of Hong Kong.
In 1841, it provided artillery support for a combined land and sea force assault on the formidable line of forts guarding the mouth of the Siakiang River.

For its contribution, the Honour title 'Dragon' was conferred, and China Dragon and the years '1840–1842' were included in its insignia.

P Battery

Q Headquarters (Sanna's Post) Battery

In 1899 Q Battery set sail to fight in the Boer War.

The battery received orders to capture Bloemfontein. The Boers had laid an ambush at Korn Spruit (Sanna’s Post). Q Battery wheeled the guns about and laid down counter fire. Taking heavy losses the battery carried on and fired non-stop through heavy contact for four hours until the order came to retire. Due to the batteries actions hundreds of lives were saved.

Q Battery

Z Battery

Raised in Poona in March 1824.

In 1857 the troop was in Persia with a force operating against Muhumra when the Indian mutiny broke out and the troop was recalled to Karachi for onward movement to Bombay by sea. The transport was wrecked outside Karachi and the troop lost 5 men and 40 horses.

Z Battery

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