Aim of the Course

To develop the the requisite skills and knowledge of selected officers in order that they may perform the tasks of a Fire Support Team Commander (Close Support).

Facilitated by IDT(A).

Entry Standards

• Captain (OF-2).
• IELTS Level 5.5.
• Qualified AFV Commander (armoured students only).

Duration

Eleven (11) weeks, with three (3) courses per year.

Location

Royal School of Artillery Larkhill.

Outline of Course

• Supervise/Operate Specialist OP Equipment:
  • Understand and brief the capability of equipment, including Precision Strike suite, STA equipment (including radar) and OPV where relevant.
• Apply the Principles of CS Technical Gunnery:
  • Encapsulating the Gunnery Problem and focussing on a variety of mission-sets enabling the student to become technically proficient and able to supervise subordinates.
  • Coordinate and Direct Joint Fires. Primarily concerned with Joint Fires Assets at Coy/Sqn level, students also learn and practice standard and nonstandard missions, Fire Planning, and ROE and CD factors.
• Liaise, Integrate with and Advise the Manoeuvre arm:
  • Learn capabilities in order to provide advice on OS, FST employability and Risk.
• Training Support.
  • The delivery and evaluation of training is conducted in accordance with the Defence Systems Approach to Training (DSAT).

Topics include:

• Recce and Selection of an Observation Post (OP).
• Supervise/Operate Specialist OP Equipment.
• Task Intelligence Surveillance
• Target Acquisition Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Assets.
• Acquire and transmit Tactical Information.
• Coordinate and Direct Joint Fires.
• Apply the Principles of CS Technical Gunnery.
• Apply the Principles of the Artillery Safe System.
• Liaise, Integrate with and Advise the Manoeuvre Arm.
• Management of Battlespace within a BG AO.
• Communicate as an FST.
• Operate within a CS Regt.
• Mentor/Conduct Tac Group training.

Qualifications Gained

On successful completion officers will be qualified as a FST Commander.