Application
This unit describes the skills 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 handle, maintain, operate and fire the direct fire support weapon. The weapon is designed to be carried by a person.
This unit applies to those working as combat arms personnel required to operate direct fire support weapons.
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 or certification requirements apply to 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 direct fire support weapon | 1.1 Identify, select and safely handle ammunition. 1.2 Secure, handle and carry direct fire support weapon. |
2. Maintain a direct fire support weapon | 2.1 Strip and assemble direct fire support weapon. 2.2 Clean and service direct fire support weapon and associated equipment. 2.3 Clean, inspect, carry and secure ammunition. 2.4 Identify and rectify defects within limits of authority or report them to supervisor. 2.5 Complete documentation. |
3. Operate a direct fire support weapon | 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 direct fire support weapon | 4.1 Identify and engage target to fire direct fire support weapon. 4.2 Comply with Range Safety Brief and Practice Brief when firing a direct fire support weapon 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.
adopting appropriate firing position
aiming the direct fire support weapon
applying immediate action and stoppage drills
applying recognised safety precautions
conducting weapon drills
firing the weapon
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 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
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