SAQA

All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Execute optimum weapons employment

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244637	Execute optimum weapons employment
ORIGINATOR
SGB Maritime Defence
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-
FIELD			SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security			Safety in Society
ABET BAND	UNIT STANDARD TYPE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Undefined	Regular	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	4
REGISTRATION STATUS		REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE	SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		2018-07-01	2023-06-30	SAQA 06120/18
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30		2027-06-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard.

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD

This unit standard will be useful for people who have completed the introductory courses to warship safety management and bridge watch keeping within a naval context. These two qualifications are foundational for further progression as an officer into warship operations management, and ultimately to command and control in a maritime surface warfare environment.

This unit standard will give them the opportunity to develop and balance their practical skills in weapons deployment with the essential knowledge needed to select weapons for specific applications in Submarine Operations Management.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:

Demonstrate knowledge of weapons safety, capability and limitations.

Monitor and maintain weapon and weapon system compatibility.

Evaluate threats and assign weapons to a selected target.

Direct the delivery of weapons to maximum effect under battle conditions.

Evaluate weapons deployment.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

It is assumed that learners are competent in Communications at NQF Level 4 and that they have successfully completed the, "Orientation to submarine services in the SAN." programme.

UNIT STANDARD RANGE

Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria.

The following scope and context applies to the whole unit standard:

Weapons include: Over-the-horizon, anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, standoff land attack missiles, mines, jammers and active decoys.

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1

Demonstrate knowledge of weapons safety, capability and limitations.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Safety procedures and rules for weapons and associated systems are accurately described and explained with reference to their purpose and the consequences of non-compliance.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Weapons include:

Over-the-horizon, anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, standoff land attack missiles, mines, jammers and active decoys.

Procedures include:

Range clearance procedures, procedures for poor visibility, navigational warnings, warnings to aircraft.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Onboard weapons safety is monitored to ensure that handling, loading, and automated direction of weapons complies with specific weapon system safety procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Settings on automated systems are ensured to be correctly programmed.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Procedures include:

Settings on rotating weapons, missile cables, missile firing safety precautions, procedures for disabling or destroying weapons.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Scope of responsibility with respect to weapons safety beyond the vessel is accurately described with reference to the impact of weapons on land in close proximity, fishing areas, other vessels, and the environment.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

The weapons delivery process is described with clear reference to critical stages and personnel involved as well as identifing particular threats to safety of personnel, equipment and vessel at each stage, as well as required precautions.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Delivery includes:

Oversight of the selection of weapon, locking and tracking, target discrimination.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Monitor and maintain weapon and weapon system compatibility.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Specific frequencies allocated to own sensor systems in the planning phase are set to prevent mutual interference of guided weapons on the same frequency.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Changes to sonar, radar and tracker frequencies comply with designated frequencies as established during the planning phase.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Compatibility of systems is verified after changes have been made.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Timing in the use of own weapons systems is consistent with the allocation of weapons during mission planning, and prevents interference or ineffective deployment.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

Asset management across the force ensures that weapon platforms are grouped together in terms of type. Grouping facilitates the coordination of assets by the assigned commander for a specified purpose within the command aim.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

Evaluate threats and assign weapons to a selected target.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Scope of authority for defensive and offensive actions are clearly articulated with reference to designated role, the chain of command and the rules of engagement.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Defensive responses are made appropriate to the level of threat and degree of urgency, and which represent optimum defensive weapons employment for sub-surface warfare and executed in a manner designed to protect the vessel and personnel.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Offensive options provided to Command are consistent with the intelligence gathered during the detection phase, and subsequent update and validation processes and ted represent optimum offensive weapons employment.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Preparation of the selected offensive option ensures that rules of engagement are satisfied, communication with Command maintained, the vessel positioned and target acquired, prior to the optimum point for weapons delivery.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

In the event of conflicts in command aims, threats are evaluated and prioritised. Target selection and weapons assignment is consistent with threat evaluation.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4

Direct the delivery of weapons to maximum effect under battle conditions.

OUTCOME RANGE

Weapons include:

Over-the-horizon, anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, standoff land attack missiles, mines, jammers and active decoys.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Responses to defensive and offensive situations are appropriate to the context, and consistent with tactical planning, command aims and priorities, and established naval doctrine for sub-surface warfare.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

In the event of conflicting command aims, solutions chosen provide maximum protection to own vessel and force, within the overall mission objectives.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

The delivery of anti-ship and/or land attack missiles is directed in accordance with the tactical objective, and in accordance with naval doctrine and standard operating procedures for sub-surface warfare.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

The delivery of close, medium and long range weapons is directed in accordance with the tactical objective, and in accordance with naval doctrine and standard operating procedures for sub-surface warfare.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

The delivery of airborne or sea borne torpedoes is directed in accordance with the tactical objective, and in accordance with naval doctrine and standard operating procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

Delivery of all weapons is to optimal and/or desired effect under battle conditions.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5

Evaluate weapons deployment.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Debriefing sessions are conducted in a positive and constructive manner.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Information pertinent to the evaluation is gathered from all relevant sources and involved personnel.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Personnel involved in weapons deployment are debriefed in accordance with established naval debriefing procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

The evaluation report produced complies with format and content requirements and is forwarded to the appropriate authority via approved channels.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

Information relating to weapons deployment is disseminated via approved channels to assist with refinement of equipment, responses and procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

Debriefs are conducted to validate and/or contribute to the development of effective training evolutions.

UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS

Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredit as a provider with the relevant ETQA.

Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.

Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies are specified otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification.

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE

SOLAS Convention (specifically Chapter V).

STCW Convention (specifically Chapters II and VIII).

Merchant Shipping Notices.

Marine Radar Performance Specifications.

Automatic Radar Plotting Aids Performance Specifications.

Reports of Courts of Marine Enquiry relevant to safe navigation.

Marine Accident Investigation Bureau reports relevant to safe navigation.

UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME

N/A

UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES

N/A

Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO):

UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING

Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING

Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING

Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING

Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING

Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE

Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING

Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA

N/A

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015.

UNIT STANDARD NOTES

Notes to Assessors:

Assessors should keep the following general principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:

Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.

Make sure that evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.

Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.

The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.

The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.

All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent.

The following particular issues should be taken into consideration when assessing against this unit standard:

Every candidate for certification shall:

Be required to demonstrate the competence to undertake, at operational level, the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in the STCW Code (Table A-II/1).

At least hold an appropriate certificate for performing VHF radio-communications in accordance with the requirements of the Radio Regulations.

If designated to have primary responsibility for radio-communications during distress incidents, hold an appropriate certificate issued or recognised under the provisions of the Radio Regulations.

In addition, every candidate for certification shall:

Be required to provide evidence of having achieved the required standard of competence in accordance with the methods for demonstrating competence and the criteria for evaluating competence tabulated in STCW Code (Table A-II/1).

Definition of Terms:

Terms have been clarified as far as possible through the use of range statements. Further clarification of terms is provided as follows:

Officer means a member of the crew, other than the Captain (or Master), designated as such by international law or regulations or, in the absence of such designation, by collective agreement or custom.

Rating means a member of the ship's crew other than the Captain (or Master) or an officer.

STCW Code means the Seafarer's Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code as adopted by the 1995 Conference resolution 2, as it may be amended.

Seagoing service means service on board a ship relevant to the issue of a certificate or other qualification.

Standard of competence means the level of proficiency to be achieved for the proper performance of functions on board ship in accordance with the internationally agreed criteria.

Anagement level means the level of responsibility associated with:
> Serving as captain (or master) or first officer on board a submarine.
> Ensuring that all functions within the designated area of responsibility are properly performed.

Operational level means:
> Serving as officer in charge of a navigational watch on board a submarine.
> Maintaining direct control over the performance of all functions within the designated area of responsibility in accordance with proper procedures and under the direction of an individual serving in the management level for that area of responsibility.

Naval architecture means engineering discipline dealing with the design, construction and repair of marine vehicles.

QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD:

	ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	STATUS	END DATE	PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
Core	58840	National Certificate: Submarine Operations	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	SAS SETA
Core	64129	National Certificate: Warship Operations	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	SAS SETA

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

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