DEFMIL114
Operate a sustained fire machine gun


Application

This unit describes the skills required to operate a sustained fire machine gun. It 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.

This unit applies to those working as combat arms personnel required to operate a sustained fire machine gun.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.

Those undertaking this unit would work under supervision, usually as part of a team and will operate under direct orders. They would use discretion and judgement, and take responsibility for the quality of their outputs while performing specific tasks in a range of contexts.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Handle a sustained fire machine gun

1.1 Identify, select and safely handle ammunition.

1.2 Secure, handle and carry sustained fire machine gun.

2. Maintain a sustained fire machine gun

2.1 Strip and assemble sustained fire machine gun.

2.2 Clean and service sustained fire machine gun and associated equipment.

2.3 Clean, inspect, carry and secure ammunition.

2.4 Identify and rectify defects within limits of authority or report to supervisor.

2.5 Complete documentation.

3. Operate a sustained fire machine gun

3.1 Conduct weapon drills.

3.2 Apply marksmanship principles.

3.3 Adopt fire positions as required by environment and threat.

3.4 Employ weapon equipment.

4. Fire a sustained fire machine gun

4.1 Identify and engage targets to fire sustained fire machine gun.

4.2 Comply with Range Safety Brief and Practice Brief when firing a sustained fire machine gun on a range.

Evidence of Performance

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

aiming the sustained fire machine gun

applying immediate action and stoppage drills

applying recognised safety precautions

conducting weapon drills including:

safety precautions

degrees of weapon readiness

immediate action and stoppage

firing the weapon using, as a minimum, ball ammunition

firing the weapon mounted on a tripod

recognising the limit of own authority


Evidence of Knowledge

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

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


Assessment Conditions

Competency should be assessed in an actual workplace or in a simulated environment, with access to equipment and infrastructure appropriate to the outcome. Competency should be demonstrated over time to ensure the candidate is assessed across a variety of situations.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.


Foundation Skills

The foundation skills demands of this unit have been mapped for alignment with the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). The following tables outline the performance levels indicated for successful attainment of the unit.

Further information on ACSF and the foundation skills underpinning this unit can be found in the Foundation Skills Guide on the GSA website.


Competency Field

Military Skills