Protected Mobility Team (PMT)

Challenge

The Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) project was derived from a critical operational requirement identified in the Theatre Equipment and Capability Review. The requirement was to replace the Land Rover Snatch, Snatch 2 and Snatch Vixen range of LPPVs in operations in Afghanistan and within the UK training fleet.
Following the MOD’s decision that Foxhound will transition from being an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) capability into a ‘core’ equipment programme, the requirement existed to formalise its support solution. The provision of a TNA is mandatory to demonstrate compliance with this requirement. Edif ERA successfully bid for this work under an industry-wide completive MOD support framework.

MOD wanted a company that understood the TNA process, recognised the training shortfalls/gaps and could provide a comprehensive solution in a short timescale. Edif ERA rose to this challenge, in particular, recognising the importance of identification of training media that offers an appropriate degree of realism without impacting on the operational effectiveness of the individual, team or unit.

Approach

RINA utilised a small team of analysts whose combined skills (task analysis, media options and cost analysis) were ideal to meet the demands of the study.

• Operational performance statement for REME core vehicle maintenance personnel
• Conduct of a training gap analysis that identified the gaps between current and required maintenance capability
• Identification of knowledge, mental and physical skills and behavioural attributes required by maintenance personnel to bridge the training gap
• Development of training media options. Assessment of the risks associated with each option and their training effectiveness
• Conduct of a cost analysis that was compliant with HM Treasury guidelines
• Recommendation of a cost-efficient and training effective media option
• The team also had ‘reach-back’ to additional training and development expertise in order to develop the critical outputs of the study.

Conclusion

The work resulted in the recommendation of a media option that addressed not only initial training requirements, but focused on a solution for refresher and continuation training to reduce the effects of skill-fade. The recommended training solution focused on, and ensured, an appropriate level of fidelity that supports the reduction of both recurring and non-recurring costs of training whilst ensuring that the effectiveness of training is maintained.