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The Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle (CRV) variants, fitted with Lance turrets, are now at Gallipoli Barracks, enabling staff from Rheinmetall Defence Australia to conduct the first commander/gunner conversion course with 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) members.
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The Boxer will be able to undertake a range of missions from regional stability and peacekeeping through to high-threat operations, and will provide improved protection to Australian soldiers on deployment and on exercises around the world.
Members of 2/14 Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) are testing out the Boxer's full capability and according to Troop Commander Lieutenant Riley Brassil, the main 30mm armament was one of multiple impressive features on the CRV.
“The Lance turret is incredible. It’s a very complex system that is made very user friendly by a really good user friendly interface,” LT Brassil said.
“It allows you to pull multiple different sensors into play, scan multiple arcs at the same time and switch tasks between the gunner and the commander with ease.”
The Boxer CRV will replace the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) that has been in service since the early 1990s, LT Brassil said that straight comparisons between the turreted Boxer CRVs to ASLAVs isn't a fair comparison.
“It’s a completely different system,” LT Brassil said.
“The Boxer CRV has the exact same level of sensors for the gunner and commander.
"The gunners’ sight and the commanders’ sight are exactly the same in terms of their dimensions and their specifics of what they can see, yet they are able to operate independently.”
Gunner Trooper Harrison Dietrich, who comes from the ASLAV platform, added that the increased situational awareness offered by the Boxer CRV was its biggest selling point, as it is designed to enable the Commander to continue scanning for new targets more efficiently.
“The Troop Commander can hit the Laser Range Finder, ballistically range the target for me, press another button and then I am straight on it,” he said.
"The new set up this new setup will save seconds in finding a target.
“In a quick engagement, particularly an encounter battle, it make be the difference between us being alive or not.”
The commander/gunner conversion courses will end with live firing at Wide Bay Training Area.
