Air Defence Range Manorbier (Danger Area)

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ADRM is the only range in mainland UK from where the High Velocity Missile (HVM), employed in the anti aircraft role, can be fired. This weapon system is the latest in a design progression from the Blowpipe system, deployed during the Falkland campaign of 1982, through to the S15 Javelin, deployed during the first Gulf conflict 1990 - 91. It is currently one of the most effective and technologically advanced air defence systems in the world.



The aim of each missile firing is to assess the effectiveness of the whole system and the ability of the missile operator to engage a hostile aircraft, simulated by an aerial target known as the Banshee. Banshee, which looks like a very large model aircraft, is powered by a two cylinder petrol engine and carries sophisticated instrumentation. Used in conjunction with ground monitoring equipment, these aircraft test the performance of the launcher and operator. Banshee is launched out to sea and recovered through conventional skid landing procedure; for night time operations, the aircraft is recovered by parachute at Castlemartin Range, some 10 miles due west of Manorbier.



The aim of the recent night firings has been to assess the performance of a new night sight. Clearly, as with the majority of other weapon systems currently deployed in the British Army, a requirement exists for HVM to have an effective 24 hour capability to counter any hostile air threat.



In addition to HVM firings, which constitute the core business of the range, ADRM also plays host to the Air Warfare Centre who conduct a variety of aircraft related trials. Every effort is made to ensure that the inevitable low flying activity associated with these trials is kept to a minimum over the mainland.



During firing, surveillance radars and range safety craft ensure that no unauthorised ships or aircraft enter the range danger area. This exclusion zone covers an area of 570 square kilometres to the south of the rangehead out to 21 kilometres and up to a ceiling of 40000 ft
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