Page 17 - Bugle Spring 2025

2 RIFLES
New tech rollout for 2 RIFLES – innovation and recce strike
First rolled out in 2015 for US military, the
Android Tactical Assault Kit or ‘ATAK’ was
eventually implemented by the occasional
unit in the British Army but with few SME’s.
Now, knowledge and awareness has grown,
and the two biggest setbacks are mainly
user error and battery management.
To solve both issues, 2 RIFLES began with
training all users prior to our deployment to
Kenya so that we could hit the ground running
and really nail down the correct usage of it as
a battlefield management system instead of
just its basic functions.
To fix the issue with battery management,
we trialled different ways to charge it from
solar to disposable battery chargers (a CQ’s
nightmare). By far the most effective solution
was using an adapter to charge off HF
batteries, luckily, we have the infrastructure to
support this already.
To really set 2 RIFLES up for success, all
the devices were filled and loaded with all the
OS mapping and offline satellite imagery. This
allowed for an even more seamless interface
for the user. For our Support Weapons Coy
it proved pivotal. Mortars and MG Platoon
could use it for planning data to speed up
the time it took to have rounds on target. For
Recce it proved invaluable for plotting timely
and accurate fire missions or sending back
vital information to speed up the planning
cycle. This, in turn, meant that the Rifle Coy
Commanders would be on the receiving end of
this information and have complete situational
awareness.
Communication was possible through the
ATAK as a chat function which came in handy
when callsigns are restricted on usage of
green comms. ‘Go-antenna’, in unison with
ATAK, was also put to good use - a way of
achieving off grid mega secure 4G. Due to cost
it wasn’t possible to use it to its full potential.
Other areas invested in included our
Counter Thermal Imaging (TI) ability, an area
often overlooked. TI is a real game changer
in the battlespace, to deny the enemy its
capability, special sheets were purchased in
small quantities. This sheet could instantly
be deployed by members of the screen and
moulded to look like rocks to instantly conceal
a couple of Rfn from drones or the enemy
observing their arcs through TI.
A final thought: back in the 1800’s the
Riflemen were at the tip of the spear of
innovation. It is in the DNA of every member
of this regiment. We are the very product
of innovation itself. Why stop now? If you
have innovation push for it, overcome every
obstacle by all means necessary.
Sjt John Plenty, Recce Platoon,
Support Weapons Company
back in the 1800’s
the Riflemen were at
the tip of the spear
of innovation
2 RIFLES
Mount Kenya Expedition
In late November, 12 Riflemen from 2 RIFLES embarked on
the ascent to Mount Kenya’s third highest peak Point Lenana
(4985m) supported by two expert instructors Sgt Adam
Pinnington (RM), Cpl Rebecca Hinchley (REME), 2 Kenyan
guides and a team of hardworking Kenyan porters.
The climb started in the lush green foothills of the mountain
and moved up to more rugged and Afro-Alpine terrain. Climbing
through the mornings, the team would then stop for lunch and
set up camp. Afternoon walks higher up the mountain aided
acclimatisation aiming to ‘walk high and sleep low’. Adam and
Rebecca were always on hand to give advice and we steadily
worked through the Summer Mountain Foundation Course.
Simultaneously, the Kenyan guides were on hand to give advice
and information on the terrain and the natural surroundings.
As the terrain became more rugged and the air thinned,
morale remained high. The final day of the climb began in the
early hours, with the team setting out before dawn to make
their summit attempt. The ascent was steep and demanding
with the air thinning as the group approached the summit. After
several hours all members of the group climbed the highest ‘via
ferrata’ in the world to reach the summit. Everyone felt a great
sense of achievement and took the time to pose for
photos. All in all, a great expedition!
Sjt Dan Hayes,
3 Platoon, A Company
The team on Mount Kenya having completed
Summer Mountain Foundation Course
RIFLES The Bugle 17