| 47th Regiment Royal Artillery | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1947 – present |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom |
| Branch |
 British Army |
| Role | UAV |
| Size | 5 Batteries |
| Part of | Joint Helicopter Command[1] |
| Garrison/HQ | Horne Barracks, Larkhill, Wiltshire |
| Nickname(s) | The Hampshire & Sussex Gunners |
| Equipment | Thales Watchkeeper WK450 |
47th Regiment Royal Artillery is a regiment of the Royal Artillery in the British Army. It is equipped with the Thales Watchkeeper WK450. It is located at Horne Barracks, Larkhill in Wiltshire.[2]
History[]
The regiment was formed in 1947 when 4th Coast Training Regiment Royal Artillery was renamed 47th Coast Training Regiment Royal Artillery.[3] It was reformed as 47th Guided Weapons Regiment Royal Artillery and equipped with the Corporal missile in 1957.[3] In 1965 it was renamed 47th Light Regiment Royal Artillery and equipped with the 105mm Pack Howitzer and then deployed to Aden in 1967.[3] It saw service in Northern Ireland during the Troubles in 1973 and 1975.[3] In 1976 it became 47th Field Regiment Royal Artillery, initially equipped with the 105mm light gun, before moving on to the Abbott self-propelled gun in 1981.[3] 21 Battery and elements of 43 Battery deployed to the South Atlantic during the Falklands War in 1982.[3] 3 Battery, 31 Battery and elements of 21 Battery took part in the Gulf War in 1991.[3] 21 Battery saw action in Bosnia in 1995 and elements of 31 Battery were deployed to Macedonia and to Kosovo in 1999.[3] Between 2001 and 2014 elements of the Regiment were deployed on Operation Herrick in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.[4]
Current Role[]
The Regiment is the sole operator of the Thales Watchkeeper WK450 UAS.[5]
Dress Distinction[]
In September 2019 the regiment changed from their Royal Artillery headdress to that of the aviation light blue beret.[6][7]
Current Batteries[]
The Regiment currently comprises 4 equipment Batteries and 1 HQ Battery. The fourth equipment Battery (57 Battery) was added in 2019:[1]
- 10 (Assaye) Battery
- 43 Battery (Lloyd's Company)
- 57 (Bhurtpore) Battery
- 74 Battery (The Battle Axe Company)
- 31 (Headquarters) Battery
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The Hampshire & Sussex Gunners". Ministry of Defence. http://www.army.mod.uk/artillery/regiments/24676.aspx. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
- ↑ "Regular Basing Plan". Ministry of Defence (MoD). https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/136406/regular_army_basing_plan.pdf. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 "47th Regiment Royal Artillery". British Army Units 1945 on. http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/royal-artillery/47th-regiment-ra.html. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
- ↑ AirForces Monthly. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. November 2014. p. 8.
- ↑ Ripley, Tim (March 21, 2018). "UK Watchkeeper fails to achieve full operating capability milestone". Jane's Information Group. http://www.janes.com/article/78761/uk-watchkeeper-fails-to-achieve-full-operating-capability-milestone?from_rss=1. "British Army sources said its sole Watchkeeper unit, 47 Regiment Royal Artillery based at Larkhill on Salisbury Plain, “continues to train and carry out exercises with Watchkeeper”."
- ↑ https://twitter.com/47regtra?lang=en
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/47RegtRA/photos/pcb.2242219535889727/2242219099223104/?type=3&theater
External links[]
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