DEFCA413B - Operate a direct fire support weapon

DEFCA413B
Operate a direct fire support weapon

This unit covers the competency required to operate a direct fire support weapon, including any in service 66 mm or 84 mm direct fire support weapon.Operating a direct fire support weapon involves the ability to safely handle, safely maintain, safely operate and safely fire the direct fire support weapon.The weapon is designed to be carried by a person. 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 direct fire support weapons 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 direct fire support weapon	1.1 Work health and safety (WHS) requirements and recognised safety precautions are applied throughout the operation. 1.2 Direct fire support weaponis 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 Direct fire support weapon is secured in accordance with standard procedures.
2. Safely maintain a direct fire support weapon	2.1 Direct fire support weapon is stripped and assembled in accordance with standard procedures. 2.2 Direct fire support weapon 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 direct fire support weapon	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 direct fire support weapon	4.1 Direct fire support weapon is safely fired in accordance with standard procedures. 4.2 Range Safety Brief and Practice Brief are complied with when firing a direct fire support weapon 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 direct fire support weapon

apply immediate action and stoppage drills

apply recognised safety precautions

Required Knowledge

characteristics, technical capabilities, effects, employment and limitations of the direct fire support weapon and ammunition

degrees of weapon readiness

WHS requirements

marksmanship principles

range safety

safety precautions of the direct fire support weapon

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

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 direct fire support weapon, 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.
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 anti tank high explosive dual purpose illumination smoke practice sub calibre
Defects may include:	broken firing pin broken cocking rod burrs bulging corrosion cracks damaged sighting system faulty extension system faulty firing mechanism incorrect serial numbers out of date or missing fully functional classification label
Weapon drills must 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 firers 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), such as: cleaning equipment slings weapon sighting systems

Sectors

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.

Licensing Information

Not applicable.