Vehicles and Equipment

During my life as a civilian and as a member of the ADF, I have been in and or used a variety of military equipment from tanks to light armored vehicles and from launchers to rifles. Also I have learnt about many other internal and external operating systems. It has been great learning how to use the equipment and I’m going to explain some of the equipment I have used of the years.

Bushmaster PMV

The main armored vehicles I have been in and learnt about are the Bushmaster PMV (Protected Mobility Vehicle) and the ASLAV (Australian Light Armored Vehicle). These both are used heavily in the Australian Defence Force in Australia and overseas. I’ve been both multiple times at ADFA, Duntroon and at Singleton military training area. The Bushmaster PMV, designed be Thales Australia, has advanced operating systems in electronics as well as weaponry. For example it has advance GPS and combat intelligence heads-up-display, for battle awareness and safety, another is the hydraulic systems used to turn the Mag 58 that is located to the front of the Bushmaster. This vehicle even has push start ignition. The Bushmaster is equipped with armor that exceeds the STANAG 4569 level 1 Monocoque Hull, meaning that the vehicle is safe from Kinetic Energy, artillery, and Improvised Explosive Devices. I've been in this vehicle and have operated its systems and think it’s the best vehicle ever made.

ASLAV

The other vehicle I have been in and around is the ASVAV. I haven’t had as much of experience with this vehicle compared to the Bushmaster but is still pretty cool. This vehicle was designed by MOWAG General Motors Diesel Division in 1992. One unit costs $2.2million. This vehicle is heavily armoured and can with stand heavy artillery and is also designed to deflect Improvised Explosive Devices. It has multiple Defence systems and offence systems. For example, in the passenger’s seat the person has multiple screens showing information on enemy positions, GPS, SAT-NAV, and other up-link visors. This vehicle also has forward attack systems. For example it has a manual or automatic 25mm M242 Chain gun, with a MAG 58 attached to the top of the chain gun. This vehicle also has flares for disrupting guided artillery for example guided missiles. This vehicle definitely makes you feel like the most dangerous vehicle on the road and that’s why I like it.

Australian soldier holding an F88 Steyr

I have had hands on experience with a variety of weapons as a ADF personnel. I have held, starting from small arms, Browning Hi-power, MP5, M4A2, F88, F88T, H&K 417, Remington 870, FN SAW, FN MAG 58, FN Minimi, FN Maxim, M60E4 and many more. The weapon I have most experience with is the F88 Steyr, on the firing range and at the WTSS. The Weapons Training Simulation System provides a great opportunity to get lots of weapons training without having to actually shoot. In the WTSS every weapon has been outfitted with a very high powered laser that if you look down the barrel of the weapon you are at risk of sever eye damage or permanent blindness. There is a pressure system inside the weapon to simulate the weapon recoil. The WTSS can simulate many scenarios for the shooter for the best possible training. There is a load more to the WTSS, though too much for me to explain. I’ve used the WTSS at ADFA/RMC Duntroon and Singleton School of Infantry. The WTSS is considered the best arcade game in the world.

Being a ADF personnel is pretty sweet gig, you get to use a lot of equipment and it’s a ton of fun in the process. Civilians can also have a look at the equipment at the ADFA and RMC Duntroon open days though it’s not quite the same. Overall having hands on experience with the equipment is the best way to learn about it, and I have so much fun while using the equipment.