Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers the competency required to operate armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) direct fire weapon systems to effectively produce fire.

Direct fire weapon systems are integral to and operated in conjunction with, the AFV. People who undertake this work will be part of an AFV crew.

Direct fire is primarily used during conventional operations to establish fire supremacy in order to destroy the enemy's will to operate. It can also be applied in accordance with the Rules of Engagement during operations other than conventional war such as security and peace support.

Application of the Unit 

The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

Prerequisite Unit /s 

DEFCA101B Operate and maintain an armoured fighting vehicle

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the Required Skills and Knowledge and/or the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare weapon systems for operations 

1.1 Armoured fighting vehicle direct fire weapon systems  are prepared for the conduct of operations in accordance with orders  and standard procedures 

1.2 In-service ammunition  is identified and handled in accordance with standard procedures

1.3 Occupational health and safety  (OH &S ) requirements and recognised safety precautions  including those contained in Australian Defence Force procedures, are applied throughout the operation in accordance with standard procedures

2. Operate armoured fighting vehicle weapon systems 

2.1 Equipment  is operated to support weapon functions in accordance with standard procedures

2.2 Weapon drills  are conducted in accordance with standard procedures

2.3 Targets are identified, acquired and engaged in accordance with fire control orders 

2.4 Effective fire is applied in accordance with operational requirements and standard procedures

3. Maintain armoured fighting vehicle weapon systems 

3.1 Weapon systems are cleaned in accordance with operational requirements and standard procedures

3.2 Weapon systems are maintained  in accordance with operational requirements and standard procedures

3.3 Documentation is completed and maintained in accordance with standard procedures

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills 

• apply operational safety
• apply relevant OH&S requirements
• carry out weapon drills
• conduct equipment maintenance
• identify regional armoured fighting vehicles and aircraft
• respond to fire control orders
• select and prepare ammunition
• use communication systems
• use equipment/instruments

Required Knowledge 

• armoured fighting vehicle weapons drills and procedures
• characteristics, technical capabilities, effects, employment and limitations of relevant ammunition
• equipment
• characteristics, technical capabilities, effects, employment and limitations of relevant armoured fighting vehicle weapon systems
• characteristics, technical capabilities, effects, employment and limitations of relevant equipment
• fire control orders and fire discipline
• OH&S requirements
• regional armoured fighting vehicles and aircraft recognition reporting requirements and procedures associated with the operation of equipment
• safety precautions associated with the equipment

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Assessment must confirm the ability to apply effective fire in all conditions through the application of fire discipline in a live fire environment; to react instinctively to fire orders; to work as an effective member of the crew; and to operate the system without a breach of safety procedures.

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated over a range of operations or in simulated operational environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency should be assessed in an operational or simulated operational environment. The simulation should replicate the live environment where stress and fatigue are key features. The individual must be assessed as part of a crew.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access to a simulated or actual operational environment, an armoured vehicle, its crew, weapons, equipment and ammunition.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised  wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Armoured fighting vehicle may include 

All current in-service equipment:

• main battle tank family of vehicles (MBT FOV)
• Australian light armoured vehicle family of vehicles (ASLAV FOV)
• armoured personnel carrier family of vehicles (APC FOV)

Armoured fighting vehicle direct fire weapons systems may include 

APC FOV weapons systems (e.g. 12.7 mm, 7.62 mm)

ASLAV FOV weapon systems (e.g. 25 mm)

MBT FOV weapon systems (e.g.105 mm, 120 mm)

Operations may include 

Defensive

Offensive

Operations other than war

Security

Orders may include 

Warning orders

Quick orders

Deliberate orders

Fire orders

And may be:

• formal or informal
• written, verbal or transmitted electronically

Standard procedures may include 

Australian Standards

Job guides, pamphlets and other publications

Manufacturers' handbooks, industry specifications and technical instructions

OH&S regulations

Organisational policies and procedures

Relevant local government by-laws

Relevant state/territory or federal legislation

Verbal or written orders and job instructions

Ammunition is identified by 

Colour

Hazard band

Labelling

Lot/batch numbers

Markings

Nomenclature

Packaging

Type e.g. high explosive anti-tank (HEAT), high explosive squash head (HESH), armour piercing discarding sabot (APDS)

Occupational health and safety  (OH &S ) requirements and recognised safety precautions are 

Applied appropriately to the operational environment and context

Equipment may include 

Ancillary equipment (e.g. gun clino, traverse indicator)

Firing controls

Gun controls

Sighting and laying equipment

Weapon drills may include 

Action

Boresight and sight alignment

Check guns

Clear gun

Engagement

Fire the gun

Fixed line firing

Handling

Jammed cartridge

Load and unload

Make safe

Misfire

Replenish

Stoppage

Fire control orders include 

Direct Fire Orders

Semi Indirect Fire Orders

Indirect Fire Orders

Maintaining weapons systems may include 

First and last parade procedures

Non technical inspection

Pre fire checks

Servicing

Co-requisite Unit /s 

Nil