| Otterburn Training Area
 | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 55°22′10″N 2°18′20″W / 55.36944°N 2.30556°W |
| Type | Training Area |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Ministry of Defence |
| Controlled by | Defence Estates[1] |
The Otterburn Army Training Estate (ATE) was established in 1911[2] and covers about 242 square kilometres (93 square miles)[3] of the Southern Cheviots. It is owned by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), and used for training some 30,000 soldiers a year. Otterburn is the UK's largest firing range, and is in frequent use — artillery can be clearly heard from Lindisfarne to the north-east and Fontburn Reservoir in the south. The ranges are used by AS-90 Artillery and M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems and Otterburn is the only place in the UK where the MLRS can be fired, requiring a 11 mile long via 2 mile wide firing range.[2][4]
The training area accounts for 23% of the Northumberland National Park.[5]
Because of this, recreational use of the area is restricted, although it is possible for the public to use some parts of the estate subject to the relevant bylaws. The MoD publishes a booklet, Walks on Ministry of Defence Lands, which offers advice on this matter.[6]
Gallery[]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Otterburn Ranges. |
References[]
- ↑ Otterburn Ranges – About us[dead link] (Website accessed: 22/08/10)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Otterburn Public Information Leaflet pdf[dead link] (Website accessed: 26/08/10)
- ↑ Welcome to Otterburn Ranges[dead link] (Website accessed: 22/08/10)
- ↑ Tanks for the wildlife – The Independent, 26 April 1997[dead link] (website accessed: 26/08/10)
- ↑ Northumberland National Park – Otterburn Ranges[dead link] (Website accessed: 22/08/10)
- ↑ Walking guides on the Defence Estate, including Otterburn[dead link] – Ministry of Defence
External links[]
The original article can be found at Otterburn Training Area and the edit history here.