Manorbier.com
Notes on the Community Members and Council Meeting of 29th. June 2002.
Members of the Manorbier Community Council and invited guest met at 11 am on Saturday June 29th, 2002 at Manorbier RAR camp. On arrival they were greeted by major Warbouton, commandant of the range. The group were then taken to the lecture room and after coffee Major Warburton gave a slide presentation to the group starting with the brief history of the range from its conception in 1939 to its present day use as a training range for air defense duties, for British front line, and territorial troops.
The major gave the group informative introduction into the use of the starsteak a high velocity missile (HVM) manufactured by the French defence company Thales, the missile was originally designed and developed by Shorts missile systems in Belfast, as a successor to the Javelin system. Its role is as a ground based air defense weapon system optimized for the attack of low flying armoured helicopters and high performance aircraft. It is produced in three configurations for the British Army, all which employ a common missile, a shoulder launched system, in a tripod configuration, lightweight multiple launcher and as a self propelled system.
The major then went on to explain how the missile was constructed and how it was fired. The missile is boosted to maximum velocity by a two-stage propulsion system at which point, three darts each with an impact fuse, are released and laser guided on to the target by the operator. The missile offers a high probability against fixed-and rotary-winged targets including pop-up helicopters.
He also showed the visiting group a slide of the missile conditioning building where the missiles are subject to various test, and explained the design and construction of the building. He also explained how far the range extended and the role of the range safety boats patrolling the sea range perimeters. He also informed the group that the range were awaiting delivery of new range safety boats, which will be the same as the American coast guard currently use. He further explained the recovery procedure of downed target aircraft. At this point Mr. Wales asked if any of the components of the missile when fired, were recyclable - the reply was no, and all components were left in the sea and were of no risk to lobsters, etc. Various other questions were then asked by the group about cost of missiles, their range, distance, etc.
The major then went on to explain the use of the target aircraft currently in use on the range. This prompted a number questions from the group. One question in particular concerned a rouge target aircraft that crashed into a field near Freshwater East recently. The major explained that this incident was currently under investigation and it would appear from the preliminary investigation that the crash was a combined mechanical/ GPS malfunction. The major was able to assure the group that this was a isolated incident, and would not happen again.
He then went on to explain that recent visits by a number of different types of aircraft to the range, including a BA 146 of the Queens flight. These visits were for the testing of equipment fitted to the aircraft, because they are vulnerable to attack, from shoulder launched missiles, when commencing their landing and takeoff procedures. Typically when operating in Afghanistan and other parts of the world. These over flights were not related to the normal activities of the range.
The group moved onto the building where the target aircraft were serviced and prepared for flight. The major gave a detailed explanation on the construction and use of the target aircraft, the hot nose and parachute recovery systems. This prompted a number of questions from the group practically in respect of noise from the engines of the target aircraft and especially in light of the proposed night firing in 2003. He was asked if a quieter engine would be available for the aircraft in the future. He expressed his disappointment that no quieter version will be available to be fitted to the aircraft. There were a number of comments from the group concerning extra noise generated by proposed night firing in 2003. The major said that a planning application would have to be made to the planning authority in order to commence the night firing excises before they begin. Mr. Wales queried this by saying that at a recent public meeting in the Village Hall The National Park had said that the MOD did not need to obtain planning consents for the use of its facilities. The major said this was not the case, and asked if any one was aware of the Otterburn inquiry, Mr. Wales said yes, he was aware of the inquiry, which was to do with the use of a large artillery gun. (45 ton AS90 long range gun) he further said that if the Manorbier community were able to convince the National Park not to agree to consent, that could potentially stop the proposed night firing. To this the major agreed.
The group then moved onto another building and were then shown an missile simulator used for the troop training. Its purpose being for operators to practice his, or her, skills in the use of missile firing and to perfect there skill before they moved on to firing live rounds - this saves a considerable amount of moneys and prevented firing wasted rounds. The major invited volunteers to have a try on the simulator and destroying a number of enemy aircraft. Several members then took this opportunity to test there skills, however it would appear that plenty of practice was needed, perhaps the major would agree to weekly practice sessions for the community?
The group was then taken to the range control building where the group were then briefed by the range controller of the target aircraft launch procedure and loading of the missile tripod launcher . The group were then able to witness the launch of the target aircraft, which proceed to circle the range while the missile loading procedures were carried out. Shortly after the group were able to see the firing of live missiles at the target aircraft. The group were also able to see on the video replays of a target being destroyed on an earlier firing. Lastly the group were briefed on various video display unit (VDU) telemetry systems employed to track the missiles once fired.
The visit concluded at approximately. 1.30 p.m..