Their role was to send real-time radio reports back to HQ and, should their scouting take them out of radio range, to utilise a second HQ Ferret to relay messages back. They provided military planners with information and, if detected, the Ferret would extricate the crew away from any combat situation at speed.
As long as they were only targeted by small arms fire, they would have adequate protection until their driver could get them out of harm’s way, speeding back towards more friendly territory.