DEFCA101B
Operate and maintain an armoured fighting vehicle

This unit covers the competency required to operate and perform operational level maintenance on an armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) to effectively provide a stable gun platform.This unit does not cover weapon systems, which is covered in DEFCA102B Operate and maintain armoured fighting vehicle weapon systems.People who undertake this work will be part of an armoured fighting vehicle crew.

Application

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.


Prerequisites

Prerequisite Unit/s

Nil


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare armoured fighting vehicle for operations

1.1 Armoured fighting vehicle is checked for operation, documentation is completed and equipment is stowed in accordance with standard procedures

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

1.3 Armoured fighting vehicle is prepared for battle

1.4 Armoured fighting vehicle faults are identified, reported and/or rectified in accordance with standard procedures

1.5 Occupational health and safety (OH&S) requirements and recognised safety precautions are applied throughout the operation in accordance with standard procedures

2. Operate armoured fighting vehicle

2.1 Road laws and other legislative requirements are applied throughout the operation in accordance with operational requirements and standard procedures

2.2 Armoured fighting vehicle is driven in accordance with operational requirements and standard procedures

2.3 Tactical operating techniques are applied in accordance with operational requirements and standard procedures

2.4 Driving techniques to negotiate complex terrain are applied in accordance with operational requirements and standard procedures

2.5 Faults are reacted to in accordance with operational requirements and standard procedures

2.6 Armoured fighting vehicle is manoeuvred to allow the direct fire weapon systems to be employed in accordance with operational requirements and standard procedures

2.7 Vehicle communications systems are operated in accordance with standard procedures

2.8 Navigational techniques are applied in accordance with orders and standard procedures

3. Conduct operator maintenance

3.1 Inspections and checks are conducted to maintain armoured fighting vehicle performance in accordance with operational requirements and standard procedures

3.2 Armoured fighting vehicle sub-systems and ancillary equipment are tested, adjusted or replaced in accordance with operational requirements and standard procedures

3.3 Relevant documentation is completed and stored in accordance with standard procedures

Required Skills

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

Required Skills

apply operational safety

communication skills

drive a vehicle

employ relevant vehicle equipment

fieldcraft skills

maintenance skills

navigation techniques

work in a team

Required Knowledge

characteristics and employment of vehicle weapon systems

characteristics, technical capabilities, maintenance requirements and employment of vehicle communication systems

characteristics, technical capabilities, maintenance requirements, effects, employment and limitations of vehicle

current operational environment

fieldcraft

navigation techniques

operational safety

orders

specific civil and military regulations relevant to the operation of the vehicle

team work

vehicle documentation

Evidence Required

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to receive and apply orders; to react instinctively to orders; to operate the vehicle without a breach of safety procedures; to apply tactical operating techniques over cross country, roads and water crossings and to apply defensive driving techniques work as an effective member of the crew.

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over a range of actual or simulated operator contexts that could be expected in an operation.

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 an armoured fighting vehicle, crew and suitable area for driving.


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)

Checking an armoured fighting vehicle include

Preparation for recovery and water operations

Testing, adjusting and/or replacing:

air intake and exhaust system

braking systems

cooling system

engine lubrication system

firefighting equipment

fuel system

hydraulic system

lighting, electrical and charging system

pivot steering system

steering mechanical and hydraulic systems

suspension and running gear

transmission system

transfer case, differentials and marine drives

universal joints, drive shafts and planetary gears

vehicles batteries

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 and/or written orders and job instructions

Ammunition may include

120 mm

105 mm

25 mm

12.7 mm

.50 calibre

.30 calibre

7.62 mm

9 mm

5.56 mm

And can be identified by:

colour

hazard band labelling

lot/batch numbers

markings

nomenclature packaging

type eg high explosive anti-tank (HEAT), high explosive squash head (HESH), armour piercing discarding sabot (APDS)

Preparing an armoured fighting vehicle for battle may include loading

Ammunition

Camouflage gear

Fuel

Water

Driving an armoured fighting vehicle include

Starting

Steering

Manoeuvring

Positioning

Stopping

Tactical operating techniques must include

Specific patrol formations

Methods of movement

Adoption of fire positions

Concealment procedures

Turret down

Hull down

All around defence

Jockeying

Counter surveillance techniques

Use of ground to provide cover and concealment

Physical concealment of vehicle

Driving techniques must include

Approach (entry/exit)

Gear selection

Speed

Steering

Use of brakes

Complex terrain may include

Ascents and descents

Bogs and marshlands

Close country

Dirt tracks

Ditches

Knife edges

Open country

Ridges

Roads and highways

Slopes

Trenches

Urban and rural areas

Vertical steps

Water courses

Direct fire weapon 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)

Vehicle communication systems may include

Associated communication accessories

Battlefield command support system

Cipher equipment

HF installation

Remote and line equipment

UHF installation

VHF installation

Vehicle intercommunication system

Navigational techniques may include

Map marking

Map reading

Operating global positioning systems

Route cards

Inspections and checks may include

First parade

Halt parade

Final parade

Ancillary equipment

Basic maintenance and fault finding

Communication checks

Functionality of key operating components

Service engine

Weapon systems operation

Sub-systems may include

Air intake and exhaust system

AFV ramp system

Compressed air and braking systems

Cooling system

Engine lubrication system

Firefighting equipment

Fuel system

Heater

Hydraulic system

Lighting, electrical and charging system

Nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) system

Pivot steering system

Steering mechanical and hydraulic systems

Suspension and running gear

Transfer case, differentials and marine drives

Transmission system

Universal joints, drive shafts and planetary gears

Vehicles batteries

Water operations system

Wheels and suspension

Ancillary equipment may include

Block and tackle

Chainsaw

De-humidifiers

Emergency breathing apparatus

Firefighting equipment

Fuel pumps

Generators

Global positioning systems

Night fighting equipment

Specialist medical equipment

Specialist tools and equipment


Sectors

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.