Defence Trials

Rapier Missile Trials

Numerous instrumented and operational trials of the Rapier ground-to-air missile have been conducted at the Lake Hart Air Weapons Range at the WTF. The Rapier is used in low level air defence (up to 10,000 feet) and was in service until 2005 with the 16th Air Defence Regiment of the Royal Australian Artillery. The Rapier system comprises a missile launcher unit and optical tracker. A radar in the launcher unit detects and identifies targets, and a transmitter on the launcher sends guidance commands to the missile in flight.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (165 Squadron) has also conducted instrumented and operational test firings of Rapier and RBS-70 missiles at Lake Hart under Project Brightfire. The ground-to-air missile trials typically involve a target towed behind a Learjet.