Australia has decommissioned the 76mm medium caliber gun (MCG) installed at West Head gunnery range in Flinders, Victoria after 30 years of service.
The Royal Australian Army plans to transition to 5-inch MCGs. Future arms training will utilize both onboard and virtual-reality simulation drills.
An 80-round maximum rate burst from the gun marked the retirement ceremony.
The 76mm MCG was utilized as an integral part of Australian and Philippine Navy exercises, focusing on drills for warfare and skill development in medium caliber gunnery.
The range continues to operate with a Mini Typhoon system and five 12.7mm machine guns.
West Head Transitions
“West Head gunnery range has a long and distinguished history of providing world-class, shore-based live-fire training,” said West Head gunnery range Officer-in-command Lieutenant Commander Peter Arnold.
“The 76mm gun installation was fitted at West Head in November 1992, and in the years since has provided thousands of sailors and officers with training in medium calibre naval gunnery.”
Arnold ensured that the range will continue to provide MCG training and hands-on experience in various naval weapons systems, utilizing updated training systems amid Australia’s shift towards a more technologically modern army.
The 5-inch MCGs that the range will transition to are designed to be used for gunfire support and against surface targets, capable of being mounted on to an automatic loader that can fire 20 rounds in less than a minute.
