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:

Scramble aircraft for air defence missions

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
120053	Scramble aircraft for air defence missions
ORIGINATOR
SGB Air Defence
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-
FIELD			SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security			Sovereignty of the State
ABET BAND	UNIT STANDARD TYPE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Undefined	Regular	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	5
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 to people who are required to scramble aircraft for air defence missions.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:

Prepare to scramble aircraft.

Demonstrate understanding of scrambling aircraft.

Scramble air defence aircraft.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

The credit calculation for this unit standard is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:

Induction into the South African military

Communication at NQF level 4

Communicating on a radio

Conducting mission control for combat profiles and practice patterns

UNIT STANDARD RANGE

This unit standard is limited to air defence operations.

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

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1

Prepare to scramble aircraft.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

The reasons and procedures for obtaining the Air Defence Executive's directives are explained in terms of the readiness of the air defence aircraft at the respective bases.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

The aircraft's state of alert is upgraded in compliance with the Air Defence Executive's directives.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Mission controllers are informed of the current readiness state of allocated aircraft in accordance with the timelines stipulated in the standard operating procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Includes operating air base, squadron, formation strength and type, configuration, mission call sign, operational readiness platform number.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Any changes pertaining to the mission are updated on the Local Information Distribution System (LIDS) in accordance with standard operating procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

The Air Defence Executive's requirements for additional aircraft are coordinated with the relevant squadrons in terms of aircraft availability.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

Potential problems relating to scrambling aircraft are identified in terms of actions required and potential results of the actions.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Demonstrate understanding of scrambling aircraft.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Information required for conducting scrambling officer duties is identified in terms of relevance and importance to the task.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Type of information includes: own forces, broad air defence plan, Air Force plans, offensive plan, capability of the sector control centre, allocated control and reporting posts, communications plan and weather forecast.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

The process of scrambling an aircraft is explained in terms of the sequence of events.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

The lines of communication are identified in terms of command and control structure and their role in air defence operations.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

Scramble air defence aircraft.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Aircraft are prepared to scramble.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

The command to scramble aircraft is given in accordance with the scrambling order.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Includes telebrief system, tower controller, radio.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Scrambling information is communicated to relevant roleplayers in terms of their required parameters.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Includes communications, initial heading, initial altitude, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) codes.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Squadron command posts are informed of scramble orders according to the air defence plan.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

Totes and readiness states are updated in accordance with current mission information.

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 ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.

Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.

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 ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.

Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion.

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE

Names, functions and locations of:

> Operational environment and area of operational responsibility
> Location of all military assets and readiness states
> Integrated systems (APDS, CURIS, GCCS, LIDS)
> Command and control authorities (Air Defence Executive directives)

Purpose of processes and procedures of:

> Air defence plan
> Platform readiness
> Timeline stipulations
> LIDS and other displays
> Communication lines
> Scramble command
> Sector control centre procedures

Attributes, properties, characteristics related to:

> Land battle situation
> Ground Command and Control system
> LIDS
> Platform readiness
> Weather conditions
> Military/national security concepts
> Objectivity
> Punctuality
> Security culture of the military environment
> Stakeholders and their rights

Cause and effect, implications of:

> The advantages of correct scramble commands
> The disadvantages of incorrect scramble commands
> Integrated system relationships
> Effect of non-compliance with specific set operating procedures
> The responsibility and accountability for security (personnel, personal, document, Information Computer Technology and physical and material)
> Security breaches
> Restrictions and limitations (Air Force/operational restrictions, standing instructions, standard operating procedures, aircraft performance)
> Security clearance

Categories of things, processes, concepts:

> Air Defence Executive's directives
> State of Alert
> Scrambling sequence of events
> Domains of security (personnel, personal, document, Information Computer Technology and physical and material)
> Levels of security
> Contingency measures (personnel, personal, document, Information Computer Technology and physical and material)
> Security competence
> Classification of information
> Counter measures (personnel, personal, document, Information Computer Technology and physical and material)
> The need for a regulatory framework
> Secrecy
> Handling of classified information
> Reliability
> Punctuality
> Integrity

Procedures and techniques:

> Mission control procedures, methods and techniques for scrambling
> Procedures of Military flying activities (personnel, personal, document, Information Computer Technology and physical and material)
> Code of conduct
> Reporting incidents

Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies:

> The constitution of South Africa
> The relevant legislation relating to military environment
> Departmental policies and directives
> The Code of Conduct
> Agreements with clients
> Memoranda of understanding
> Law of Armed Conflict

Theory - rules, laws, principles:

> War
> Gravity
> Aerodynamics
> Meteorology
> Terminology
> Radio theory
> Aircraft capabilities and limitations
> Aircraft weapon configurations

Relationships, systems between:

> Telebrief system
> ICAO
> ATNS
> AFCP and Sector Control Centre
> The individual, organisation and the state impacting on Mission Control capabilities

Flying squadrons, mission controllers, air traffic controllers and other parties involved with the execution of the scramble command.

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 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

Terminology

Terms used in this unit standard are generic to the military and aviation industries.

Totes are visual references, electronic or manual, utilised to display specified information to specified role-players.

Abbreviations:

ADE: Air Defence Executive
LIDS: Local Information Distribution System
IFF: Identification Friend or Foe
CURIS: Current Intelligence System
APDS: Air Picture Display System
GCCS: Ground Command and Control System
ATNS: Air Traffic Navigation System
AFCP: Air Force Command Post
ICAO: International Civil Aviation Organization

Notes to assessors:

Assessors should keep the following 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 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.

QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD:

	ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	STATUS	END DATE	PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
Core	63309	National Certificate: Defensive Mission Control	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	SAS SETA
Core	49853	National Diploma: Defensive Mission Control	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	Passed the End Date - Status was "Registered"	2008-09-17	Was SAS SETA until Last Date for Achievement

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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