Full-time national serviceman dies after accident with Bionix during training
03 Nov 2018 05:21PM (Updated: 03 Nov 2018 06:20PM)

Ricky Lim

More information needed, how come when the driver reverse the Bionix - vehicle commander should be on the ground with hand signals or if in operation should be in the capula with radio comm or guiding stick to guide the driver (as a pair of eyes for the driver) when reversing to see if there is any obstacles or anyone around.

This is the safety regulation.

Driver should not operate the Bionix alone without a vehicle commander as he can't see a few blind spots - especially the back.

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Alfie Chan

All SAF vehicles must have reverse cameras installed ..don't scrimp on safety!

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Ricky Lim

Terrex has 11 cameras mounted on front, side and back - and also have thermal imaging camera for night driving. Terrex everything is automated and no vehicle commander is needed as it is all close hatch.

Bionix don't use cameras, they used :-
"The driver when driving closed-down, observation is via three day periscopes, while the center periscope can be rapidly replaced by an image-intensification periscope for driving at night."

Not sure whether the 3 day periscopes or night periscope can see the back properly or not.

If not vehicle commander must also be around to guide the Bionix - acting as eyes and ears for the driver.

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Ravi Shankar

I was a SAF regular for 14 years. I want to ensure all safety measures are in place. Most of the time it is the commanders on the ground and men breach safety. Any vehicle that is being reversed has to be guided. A CLEAR BREACH. And the driver of the bionix did not get out of the vehicle to check if the rear is clear if there is no one to guide him.

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Gordon Chua

you shouldn't even move the AFV if there is no VC or ground guide , still say so loud you are a regular for goodness sake..

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Ng Kim Leong

Gordon Chua For goodness sake, you don't know how to read?

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Samuel Chua

In an extrication(reverse) drill during exercise outfield for armour, there is no ground guide. It's about the land rover drivers behind keeping their safety distance during training..

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Ricky Lim

Samuel Chua - You mean the doctrine has changed?

Eg. when armour vehicle lugger, there are many other vehicles around and even troops on the ground. A lugger area is usually packed with vehicles and troops.

Drivers have to check all clear and vehicle commanders need to be on the ground to guide or in the capula to guide the drivers.

Thought even in extrication or under any circumstances, a trained AI personnel need to be the vehicle commander to guide the driver - if the actual vehicle commander is out on foot for mission.

Also notice that vehicle commander don't leave his vehicle for foot mission, same as the gunner who man his gun - when the AI troopers dismount for assault.

No driver can drive an armour vehicle without a vehicle commander - because he got a few blind spots.

I only notice Terrex is different as there are all round cameras and everything is automated - then vehicle commander is not required.

But Bionix need vehicle commander when the vehicle need to move -- thought this is the safety regulation that need to be observed all the time - whether in admin or in training or in operation.

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Alvin Koh

Would be nice to install cameras for all bionix.

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Ricky Lim

A new AFV similar to Terrex but is a track-vehicle will be out in production in 2019.
There vehicle commander and the driver drive without exposing themselves - and there are cameras all round - no need to be guided by vehicle commanders.

But it will be operating alongside Bionix - not replacing Bionix.

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