A Paveway II guided bomb is dropped from a Royal Air Force Typhoon of 6 Squadron, based at RAF Leuchars credit MOD.jpg — The new targets will comprise two barges that will be 30m in length by 6m in width and 5m in height orientated alongside the existing targets (Picture: MOD).

Weapons and Kit

Plans approved for new 'target barges' for RAF and Nato aircraft to practise shooting

Planning permission has been approved to site two 'target barges' at Holbeach Air Weapons Range, where Royal Air Force and Nato pilots practise their live shooting and bombing runs.

The new custom-built boats are to form the basis of a 60m-long target at sea, for pilots to shoot at.

Planning was approved after a recent marine survey at the site in Lincolnshire found that the current vessel which has been in place for almost 50 years, "has almost completely rotted away and is no longer providing an adequate target for training purposes".

The new target barges will be constructed off-site at a local yard, says the application, and then painted with a high-visibility orange paint, to aid the range operations.

Once the new vessels are in position, flooding ports that can be sealed for transport to the site will be opened and, as the tide rises, the barges will flood and remain in position on the seabed.

According to the RAF, Holbeach Air Weapons Range has a control tower, and the danger area extends over 3,875 hectares, which includes 3,100 hectares of intertidal mudflats and 775 hectares of salt marsh.

The range consists of multiple target sets and has been used for aircraft practice bombing since 1926.

The Government also notes that the area provides a haven for wildlife and "is a major consideration when planning operations" at the site.

UK Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) regularly train alongside the aircraft at the range, practising the skills required to identify targets and relay the information to fighter pilots.

A member of the Royal Air Force Regiment's Air Land Integration (ALI) Cell conducts vital training related to their role as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller at RAF Donna Nook credit MOD_0.jpg — JTACs are qualified military personnel who direct the actions of combat aircraft when engaged in Close Air Support and other offensive air operations from a forward position (Picture: MOD).

Visitors are regularly seen watching the aircraft or enjoying the surrounding countryside, but are warned: "Please ensure that you obey the range warning signs.

"Remember, it has been an active range for over 100 years so, if you find anything suspicious, don't take it home and put it on your mantelpiece."

The danger altitude for any passing aircraft is typically up to 23,000ft above mean sea level.

Last year, Forces News visited a 2,000-strong seal colony in the firing line on an MOD bombing lane.