Vice-Lieutenant Stefan Noisternig is commander of the Grenade Launcher Platoon of Jäger Battalion 26 (-> Troop visit to Jäger Battalion 26). We spoke to the non-commissioned officer about the challenges of using the weapon system in the mountains and the corresponding ammunition stockpiling.
Mr. Vice Lieutenant, the grenade launcher is extremely heavy. How do you use it in the high mountains?
Positioning the grenade launcher alone is by no means everything. The heavy grenade launcher alone weighs 280 kilos, almost 700 kilos with trailer. In addition, there are up to 920 tons of ammunition (!) as initial equipment for the platoon in the event of a mission. In the high mountains, it is not always possible to transport these heavy weights on narrow roads. That’s why we still have the medium grenade launcher in the platoon, which weighs just twelve kilos plus 13 tons of ammunition. That’s the equivalent of around eight trucks.
“the heavy grenade launcher alone weighs 280 kilos, almost 700 kilos with trailer. In addition, there are up to 920 tons of ammunition (!) as initial equipment for the platoon in the event of a mission.”
What makes grenade launcher shooting in the mountains so special?
Fire corrections have a greater effect on steep terrain than on flat terrain. Our observers need a special feel for this. In addition, targets near ridges are more difficult to engage. They need proximity or ground proximity fuses so that the grenade detonates in the air, shortly before impact. We also benefit from the secondary fragmentation effect caused by debris and stones, and in some cases the triggering of avalanches.
How do you manage your train in the mountains?
Radio communication is important in the mountains, because sometimes we have to build relay stations. Nothing works without a connection between the control center, firing position and observer teams! Our observers are also on foot a lot and have to think carefully about what equipment they take with them, such as batteries for radios and food. https://militaeraktuell.at/wir-schreiben-gerade-geschichte/
What is the appeal of the grenade launcher for you?
I have six pipes in the train, three in each position. Each pipe is in turn operated by six people. Then there’s the interaction between the observers and the control center. This makes the grenade launcher probably the most complex weapon system in our battalion. And that’s what makes the job interesting for me, even after 30 years.
Here for more army news and here to our troop visit to Jäger Battalion 26.
