On page 165 of the sixth printing of Tactical Operations: Advanced Rules, it is stated that a vehicle crew disembarked from their vehicle "is treated as an infantry foot platoon (ballistic rifle)".
In other contexts, such as Anti-Personnel Weapon Mounts on battle armor (page 271, TechManual, sixth printing), auto-rifles may be replaced by other infantry weapons at player discretion. Does that also apply to vehicle crew? What about infantry armor?
As an example, could a tank crew be outfitted with M42Bs and Lyran armor kits (presumably substituting a tanker's smock for the jacket), and thus act like an infantry platoon equipped accordingly after abandoning a vehicle? Or given snowsuits to survive extreme cold?
If the answer is yes, could this apply to Technical/Medical Teams as well?
I'd assume the cost of such equipment needs to be added to the unit cost, and kept maintained by a mechanic if Technology Rating D or higher, as per page 191 of the fourth printing of Campaign Operations.
What about MechWarriors or aerospace pilots? While they aren't given weapons once ejected as far as I can tell, page 23 of the fourth printing of Strategic Operations: Advanced Aerospace Rules indicates that they can wear spacesuits, so armor at least is presumably on the table. I'd assume that's limited to equipment that has neurohelmet and cooling capability, however, as per page 294 of the third printing of A Time of War.
