Gunners maintain precision using GPS-guided shells in spite of winter conditions

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By Jules Xavier, Shilo Stag

Shilo, Manitoba — The latest exercise for members of 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (1 RCHA) has more than lived up to its name, thanks to Mother Nature delivering snowfall and chilling temperatures brought on by an Arctic vortex.

Exercise FROZEN GUNNER, which began February 12 and wrapped up February 17, 2019, saw temperatures ranging from -14 C to -54 C, creating challenges in the field for soldiers and equipment alike.

However, this did not prevent 1 RCHA members from successfully using the recently acquired Precision Guided Kit (PGK) for the first time, also marking the first time a unit used the PGK for their own training purposes instead of as part of a technical trial engagement

1 RCHA Captain Mia Garton explained that the PGK is an accessory to the shells fired by the unit's M777 Howitzers that greatly increases their precision. Attaching to the fuse at the tip of the shell, the PGK includes wing-like projections known as canards and uses GPS technology, allowing for course corrections as the shell approaches a target, greatly reducing collateral damage.

“The purpose of the PGK engagement was to establish and confirm technical procedures and standard operating procedures for this new capability,” said 1 RCHA's Captain Mike Crosier, the regimental command post officer. This knowledge will be adopted and used on future exercises.

With a loud…