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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Explain the design and construction of ordnance 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
421836  Explain the design and construction of ordnance 
ORIGINATOR
QCTO Task Team - Explosive Ordnance 
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  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  20 
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 is intended for learners who are involved in the storage, transportation, maintenance and repair of ordnance (ammunition) and explosives. Learners credited with this unit standard will possess a fundamental knowledge of the design and construction of ammunition. This unit standard will contribute towards compliance with legal, safety and organisational requirements related to the storage, transportation, maintenance and repair of ammunition.

Persons credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Explain projectile design and its influence on ammunition.
  • Explain ballistics and its influence on ammunition.
  • Describe the functioning of ignition systems.
  • Describe the functioning of fuses.
  • Identify and explain the types of ordnance (ammunition). 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner is competent in:
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4 or equivalent.
  • Communication at NQF Level 4 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Ordnance may include but is not limited to ammunition or explosives.
  • Ammunition and explosives may include but are not limited to small arms, mortars, grenades, artillery shells, gun ammunition, pyrotechnics, aerial delivered ammunition and naval ammunition. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain projectile design and its influence on ammunition. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The types of projectiles and their unique characteristics are matched and described with an example of each. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The design requirements that must be complied with during projectile design are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The internal and external forces acting on a projectile are described using examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The requirements and functioning of a driving band are described using technical drawings or illustrations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The factors affecting the range of projectiles are explained with examples of these on the design. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Factors include the projectile's shape.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The shapes of subsonic and supersonic projectiles are described by means of illustrations. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain ballistics and its influence on ammunition. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The terms internal, intermediate and terminal ballistics are defined in accordance with accepted practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The events that take place when the propellant is ignited are described with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The effect of the propellant on the internal and external ballistics of the ammunition is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Variation in projectiles is described in terms of the influence of its effects on ballistics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Wear and tear on ballistics are identified and explained in terms of its effects on ballistics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The main influences acting on a projectile during the external ballistic phase of travel are explained using examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe the functioning of ignition systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The types of ignition systems are described with an example of each. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Ignition systems include Percussion Cap, Tubes, Electric Primers, Percussion Primers, Primary Cartridges, Launching Cartridges, and Ignition Cartridges.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The range of ignition systems is described in terms of the functioning of each system. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Describe the functioning of fuses. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The types of fuses are identified and described using an illustration or technical drawing. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Types of fuses include Nose Fuses: Super Quick, Point Detonation (PD), Mechanical and Electronic Time Delay, Combustible Time delay, Proximity, Graze and Base Fuses: Point Detonation, Graze, Time, Mechanical Time Delay, and Combustible Time Delay.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Fuses are described according to their functioning, using illustrations or technical drawings. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Identify and explain the types of ordnance (ammunition). 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Types of ammunition may include Breech-loading, Quick-Fire Separate, Quick-Fire Fixed, Recoilless, Small Arms and Mortar. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The range of ammunition is described by using unique design features and principles of operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The components of the range of ammunition are identified and described with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The advantages and disadvantages of the range of ammunition are listed and described to inform future decision making with regard to storage, maintenance and repair. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant QAP.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant QAP.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant QAP.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant QAP at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Reading and interpreting technical drawings.
  • The classification of ammunition and explosives.
  • An understanding of drag (sometimes called air or fluid resistance) as a force that opposes the relative motion of an object. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions, using critical and creative thinking have been made is demonstrated when learners are capable of analysing an ammunition piece and being able to identify it along with its characteristics and features. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively is demonstrated when using time efficiently to analyse the functioning and features of ammunition. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion is demonstrated through the interpretation of technical drawings and specifications in order to analyse ammunition. 

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  90652   National Certificate: Ammunition Fitting  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  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.
     
    NONE 


    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.