Arctic drift: Learning how to drive a BV 206 tracked transporter on the snow and ice in Norway 12th March 2024 at 12:05pm

Military drivers have been hitting some BASS notes as they learn to operate the BV 206, a tracked, articulated utility vehicle, in the Arctic region of Norway.

BASS – Brake, Acceleration, Speed and Steering – are the fundamentals they need to learn when taking on the snow and ice in an all-terrain amphibious vehicle like this.

“Watch you don’t do too much of any of those things and you should be good,” Corporal Andy Flanagan, an instructor and logistics driver from the RAF’s Tactical Wing, told Forces News.

His role is to provide driver training for all ranks from all three services – teaching them how to handle the snow and ice, as well as operate the BV 206 tracked all-terrain amphibious vehicle in winter conditions.

• Gone fishing: See how military divers recover an armoured vehicle from a frozen lake
• Inside Camp Viking – the new Arctic operations base for UK commandos
• HMS Protector finishes latest Antarctic mission complete with whales, seals and penguins

Cpl  Flanagan explained how one particular challenge that comes with driving the BV 206 in an Artic setting is the fact that it has tracks rather than wheels.

“It makes a huge difference in how to handle it, the tracks make it much easier for the centrifuge force to throw the vehicle sideways,” he said.

“If you’re in a turn, if the vehicle wants to go sideways then it will do a lot easier, there’s a lot more to think about when operating a BV.”

Making full use of the Armed Forces’ safe training space in Norway, Cpl Flanagan said it was crucial to push the principles of BASS.

“They can feel what it feels like to get themselves in a situation they don’t want to be in, and also what to do if they do get in that situation,” he said of the trainee drivers.

“It means they are less likely to flap if they do get themselves in a situation.”

The Course

Run by Commando Helicopter Force on behalf of Joint Helicopter Command, the driver trainees  go through a five-day snow, ice and BV course.

Cpl Flanagan that they are fairly full days, but the trainees generally enjoy the opportunity.

He added: “We also go out on training area and do off-roading as well… and out and about on public roads and see a bit more of Norway.”

They also learn how to tackle ice crossing, and the driver course is available for support vehicles and Land Rovers as well.