CFB Shilo continues to improve its capabilities as a leading Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) training facility with the recent opening of a state-of-the-art range for C16 – Close Area Suppression Weapon (CASW) or Automatic Grenade Launching System (AGLS) range. 

The new combined AGLS and anti-tank range will support training with all natures of C16 ammunition, Medium Anti-Armor Weapon (MAW) and Light Anti-Armour Weapon (LAW/M72 66mm rocket launcher) ammunition.

The Base lacked a range suited to training with AGLS and our existing anti-tank range had very limited arcs of fire.  

The new range has more targets, including targets placed at a wider range from the firing position — from 100 metres to 1,500 metres — and wider arcs of fire than the existing range. 

As the use of MAW, LAW and C16 will produce unexploded ordnance, any land used for training will see an increased level of UXO contamination. As a result, the range boundary must be fenced off to limit access due to this increased risk. 

According to acting RTA manager Rob Shearer, by creating a combined range for the two weapons systems we [Shilo] limited the amount of land which would be restricted from manoeuver.

The “old” rocket range will have a change to its license to permit training rounds only. This will actually result in the arcs of fire being widened to include all three available targets allowing weapons’ traces to stay within the RTA boundary.