DEFCA407B - Operate a sustained fire machine gun

DEFCA407B
Operate a sustained fire machine gun

This unit covers the competency required to operate a sustained fire machine gun.Operating a sustained fire machine gun involves the ability to safely handle, safely maintain, safely operate and safely fire the sustained fire machine gun.A sustained fire machine gun is normally fired from a tripod utilising a sighting system enabling direct and indirect fire.The individual will be under supervision, usually as part of a team and will usually operate under direct orders. 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 competency was developed for combat arms personnel required to operate a sustained fire machine gun in a deployed operational environment but is applicable to any individual in this field of work.

Typically, operators usually work as part of a team 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. Safely handle a sustained fire machine gun	1.1 Work health and safety (WHS) requirements and recognised safety precautions are applied throughout the operation. 1.2 Sustained fire machine gun is handled and carried safely in accordance with standard procedures. 1.3 Ammunition is identified and selected, and safely handled in accordance with standard procedures. 1.4 Sustained fire machine gun is secured in accordance with standard procedures.
2. Safely maintain a sustained fire machine gun	2.1 Sustained fire machine gun is stripped and assembled in accordance with standard procedures. 2.2 Sustained fire machine gun and associated equipment are cleaned and serviced as required and in accordance with standard procedures. 2.3 Ammunition is cleaned, inspected, carried and secured in accordance with standard procedures. 2.4 Defects are identified and rectified within limits of authority or reported to supervisor. 2.5 Documentation is completed in accordance with standard procedures.
3. Safely operate a sustained fire machine gun	3.1 Weapon drills are conducted in accordance with standard procedures. 3.2 Marksmanship principles are applied in accordance with standard procedures. 3.3 Fire positions are adopted as required by environment and threat. 3.4 Weapon equipment is employed as required in accordance with standard procedures.
4. Safely fire a sustained fire machine gun	4.1 Sustained fire machine gun is safely fired in accordance with standard procedures. 4.2 Range Safety Brief and Practice Brief are complied with when firing a sustained fire machine gun on a range, in accordance with standard procedures. 4.3 Targets are identified and engaged in accordance with standard procedures.

Required Skills

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

Required Skills

aim the sustained fire machine gun

apply immediate action and stoppage drills

apply recognised safety precautions

Required Knowledge

characteristics, technical capabilities, effects, employment and limitations of the sustained fire machine gun and ammunition

degrees of weapon readiness

WHS requirements

marksmanship principles

range safety

safety precautions of the sustained fire machine gun

types of targets

Evidence Required

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to

conduct all weapon drills as listed in the Range Statement

fire the weapon using, as a minimum, ball ammunition

fire the weapon mounted on a tripod

recognise the limit of own authority

confirm that operators meet the specified minimum requirements as laid down by the relevant Service Chief

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time and across a range of simulated or actual workplace situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment using live ammunition on a live firing range. This would include ‘dry’ assessment to ensure that a safe environment is maintained.

Specific resources for assessment

Access to a sustained fire machine gun, ammunition and a live firing range.

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.
Sustained fire machine gun may include:	MAG 58 12.7 Quick Change Barrel (QCB)
Standard procedures may include:	Australian Standards defence instructions doctrine pamphlets job guides, other publications manufacturers’ handbooks, industry specifications and technical instructions WHS regulations organisational policies and procedures procedure manuals relevant local government bylaws relevant state/territory or federal legislation routine orders standing orders standing operating procedures written and verbal orders
Ammunition may include:	armour piercing blank ball dummy incendiary tracer
Defects may include:	cracks damaged feeding mechanism damaged sighting system faulty trigger mechanism incorrect serial numbers out of date or missing fully functional classification label
Weapon drills may include:	safety precautions (e.g. checking clearances) degrees of weapon readiness immediate action and stoppage
Marksmanship principles may include:	position and hold must be firm enough to support the weapon weapon must point naturally at the target without undue physical effort shot must be released and followed through without disturbance to the firer’s position aiming must be correct
Fire positions may include:	pintle mounted tripod mounted
Weapon equipment may include:	complete equipment schedule (ces) tripod weapon sighting systems; such as: C2 sight night sights thermal/infrared

Sectors

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.

Licensing Information

Not applicable.