DEFCA105 - Operate and maintain armoured vehicle weapon systems

DEFCA105
Operate and maintain armoured vehicle weapon systems

This unit covers the competency required to operate armoured vehicle direct fire weapon systems to effectively produce fire.Direct fire weapon systems are integral to, and operated in conjunction with, armoured vehicles. People who undertake this work will be part of an armoured vehicle 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 security operations.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. In a Defence context, this means that there is no civilian need to hold this unit in order to meet licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements.

Application

This unit was developed for combat arms soldiers working within an operational zone in Defence. Typically these individuals must demonstrate the ability to work as individuals and as part of an armoured vehicle crew under direct and/or indirect supervision, use discretion and judgement, and take responsibility for the quality of their outputs.

All activities are carried out in accordance with relevant organisational policies and procedures.

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
1. Prepare weapon systems for operations	1.1 Armoured vehicle direct fire weapon systems are prepared for the conduct of operations in accordance with orders. 1.2 Inservice ammunition is identified. 1.3 Work health and safety (WHS) requirements and recognised safety precautions, including those contained in Australian Defence Force procedures, are applied throughout the operation appropriately to the operational environment and context.
2. Operate armoured vehicle weapon systems	2.1 Equipment is operated to support weapon functions. 2.2 Weapon drills are conducted. 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.
3. Maintain armoured vehicle weapon systems	3.1 Weapon systems are cleaned in accordance with operational requirements. 3.2 Weapon systems are maintained in accordance with operational requirements. 3.3 Documentation is completed.

Required Skills

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

Required Skills

apply operational safety

apply relevant WHS 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

WHS 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 Required

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to apply effective fire in an operational environment 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 in a range of operations or in simulated operational environments that must include at least one live fire activity.

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 operational environment. 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 vehicle may include:	all current inservice equipment: main battle tank family of light wheeled armoured family of vehicles light tracked armoured family of vehicles
Operations may include:	defensive offensive security
Orders may include:	warning orders quick orders deliberate orders fire orders and may be: formal or informal written, verbal or transmitted electronically
Ammunition is identified by:	colour hazard band labelling lot/batch numbers markings nomenclature packaging type e.g. high explosive antitank (HEAT), high explosive squash head (HESH), armour piercing discarding sabot (APDS)
Equipment may include:	ancillary equipment e.g. gun clinometer, 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 may 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

Sectors

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.

Licensing Information

Not applicable.