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Under the terms of the recent Future Army Structure (FAS) programme the
following changes have taken place.
a. One AS90 Regiment (40 Regt RA) has re-roled as a Light Gun Regiment in
support of 19 Light Brigade.
b. The Gun Groups of three AS90 batteries will be cut.
c. An additional UAV battery, a rocket battery and a STA battery are being
established. Providing direct support for the activities of the Field Army
will be a new surveillance and target acquisition (STA) battery equipped
with the MAMBA (Ericsson ARTHUR) weapon locating radar to be formed by
redeploying personnel from a ground air defence regiment (22 Regiment RA –
now disbanded). Other personnel from 22 Regiment are to be used to form an
additional unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) battery, while the remaining
third will be re-allocated to allow the formation of a multiple rocket
launcher battery.
d. There will be an overall reduction in Ground Based Air Defence but the
UK Rapier capability will be owned and operated by the RA.
e. Tactical Groups for Formation Reconnaissance Regiments and the 4th
Light Role Battalion in 16 Air Assault Brigade will be established, and
there will be enhancements to the current Aviation Tactical Group to
provide better support for the Attack Helicopter Regiments.
f. The FAS documentation also noted the investment being made in Human
Intelligence (HUMINT) for fire-support purposes. For this role the
Honourable Artillery Company (HAC - a reserve regiment) is devoted to
surveillance and target (STA) acquisition patrolling. The HAC provides a
number of battery level patrol groupings.
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