DEFCA411B - Operate a grenade launcher

DEFCA411B
Operate a grenade launcher

This unit covers the competency required to operate a grenade launcher.Operating a grenade launcher involves the ability to safely handle, safely maintain, safely operate and safely fire the grenade launcher.The grenade launcher fires a grenade designed to be used against area and point targets. The weapon is carried by one person and can be fired from normal small arms firing positions. 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 grenade launcher in a deployed operational environment but is applicable to any individual in this field of work.

The individual will be under supervision, usually as part of a team and will usually operate under direct orders.

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 grenade launcher	1.1 Work health and safety (WHS) requirements and recognised safety precautions are applied throughout the operation. 1.2 Grenade launcher 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 Grenade launcher is secured in accordance with standard procedures.
2. Safely maintain a grenade launcher	2.1 Grenade launcher is stripped and assembled in accordance with standard procedures. 2.2 Grenade launcher and associated equipment are cleaned and serviced as required, 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 grenade launcher	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 grenade launcher	4.1 Grenade launcher is safely fired in accordance with standard procedures. 4.2 Range Safety Brief and Practice Brief are complied with when firing a grenade launcher 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

adopt appropriate firing position

aim the grenade launcher

apply immediate action and stoppage drills

apply recognised safety precautions

Required Knowledge

characteristics, technical capabilities, effects, employment and limitations of the grenade launcher and ammunition

WHS requirements

marksmanship principles

range safety

safety precautions of the grenade launcher

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

act as part of a team

recognise the limit of own authority

Assessment must also 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 using live ammunition on a live firing range.

Specific resources for assessment

Access to a grenade launcher, 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.
Grenade launcher may include	M79 (40 mm) GLA (40 mm) M203 (40 mm)
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 by-laws relevant state/territory or federal legislation routine orders standing orders standing operating procedures written and verbal orders
Ammunition may include:	dummy high explosive high explosive dual purpose illumination practice
Defects may include:	broken firing pin burrs bulging corrosion cracks damaged sighting system incorrect serial numbers out of date or missing fully functional classification label
Weapon drills must 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:	kneeling prone sitting squatting standing supported or unsupported
Weapon equipment may include:	complete equipment schedule (CES) weapon sighting systems

Sectors

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.

Licensing Information

Not applicable.