RAA Liaison Letter – 2025 / 2026 Edition 86 culture within the Battery has led to a low attrition rate of personnel. In addition there has been a tangible shift to a professional, high-end warfighting organisation that has demonstrated that we can engage air threats in austere conditions, anywhere in Australia. The Battery has contributed to key capability milestones and certification for LAND 19 P7B. It has done so led by an impressive group of Junior Officers and NCOs who have had the unique challenge of learning a new capability (SHORAD vs VSHORAD), at the same time as building effective, combat-oriented teams. Along with BSM 111 it has been a privilege to grow with these men and women, and I look forward to watching from afar the continued growth and successes of the Battery. AIM-9 Sidewinder Trial Lieutenant Dominic Maher In May 25 D Troop, 111 Battery deployed to Woomera Test Range in order to conduct a NASAMS Live Fire Trial using the AIM-9 Sidewinder missile. The trial represented the first use of the AIM-9 by Australian NASAMS, as well as the first live-fire employing the High Mobility Launcher (HML) anywhere in the world. Following the conclusion of Exercise Raptor’s Strike, D Troop redeployed from Cultana to Woomera Test Range and established the firing point for the Live Fire Trial under the control of activity OIC Major Brett Watson. Equipment deployed included an HML, a Canister Launcher, the Electro-Optical / Infra-red (EOIR) camera system, CEAOPs and CEATAC radars and the Fire Distribution Centre (FDC). A further HML and FDC were held in reserve. Gunner Thomas Hayes from 21B, D Troop loads an AIM-9 Sidewinder Missile After connectivity was established, the following days saw D Troop conduct extensive rehearsals in preparation for firing day. These included rehearsals of missile loading by the launcher detachments and the Missile Resupply Team (MRT), actions on missile emergency, CASEVAC/AME rehearsals and practice engagements by TCO / TCA teams using both simulated and live targets. As public affairs personnel and VIPs began to arrive on the morning of firing day on 28 May, the troop was confident in their drills and in the sequence of events for each live-fire serial. Serial 1 saw a single AIM-9 missile fired from the HML at an unmanned aerial target as it entered the intended impact area down-range. TCO LT Justin Waights and TCA SGT Cameron Baker watched the missile impact the target through the EOIR feed on the FDC console. D Troop High Mobility Launcher (21B) fires an AIM-9 Sidewinder Missile, Woomera, May 25 Serial 2 saw the HML conduct missile reloading before redeploying to a different location and establishing wireless connection with the FDC. Some complications with the missile meant that the launcher crew and safety supervisors to enact their rehearsed actions-on missile emergency. Serial 3 involved a ripple-fire engagement using two AIM-9s, one each from the HML and the Canister Launcher. The serial also employed the FDC system’s semi-automatic mode, another first for Australian NASAMS in a live-fire context. The engagement was a success – the EOIR feed showed with both missiles striking, and subsequently destroying, the target. The AIM-9 Live Fire Trial at Woomera represented a major success for D Troop. The soldiers and officers of the troop gained invaluable experience in employing NASAMS using live missiles. This opportunity reinforced the extensive training personnel delivered and received on the system during IIS tranches in the preceding months. The lessons learned from the AIM-9 trial will influence the training and operational employment of NASAMS into the future and being part of a number of firsts for Australian NASAMS during the trial has been a point of pride for D Troop and 111 Battery.
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