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: 

Demonstrate an understanding of basic internal and external ballistics 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119778  Demonstrate an understanding of basic internal and external ballistics 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Combat Weapons Maintenance 
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 4  NQF Level 04  7 
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 has its core purpose, qualifying learners with the foundational knowledge of ballistics of firearms. It constitutes the basic knowledge that is required to understand and apply knowledge of ballistics in firearms maintenance. A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Explain ballistic definitions, terms and tables.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of internal ballistics.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of external ballistics.
  • Describe the effects of ammunition construction on internal and external ballistics. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner embarking on study towards this unit standard will have the following:
  • Communication skills at NQF level 3.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain ballistic definitions, terms and tables. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Ballistics terms are explained in accordance with the specifications of ammunition. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Ballistic definitions are explained in accordance with specifications of ammunition. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Ballistics tables are read and interpreted in accordance with the specifications of ammunition. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of internal ballistics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Primary and secondary ignitions of particular firearms are described according to ammunition specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Chamber and barrel pressure are described in accordance with different firearm specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Propellant types used in different ammunition are identified using the manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Burning rates of propellants used in different ammunition are described according to manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The effects on bullets in the barrel are described in accordance with firearm specifications. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of external ballistics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The flight path of projectiles is described in accordance with ballistic tables. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Identified effects of external forces on projectiles in flight are described in terms of external ballistics. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Describe the effects of ammunition construction on internal and external ballistics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Effects of over and under charging ammunition are described according to the specifications of the firearm. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Identified correct and incorrect seating of bullets are described as per the specifications of ammunition. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Effects of an incorrect powder charge to bullet weight are described in terms of the specifications of ammunition. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Effects of an incorrect primer are described in terms of the specifications of ammunition. 


    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 
    N/A 

    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 decision using critical and logical thinking when applying knowledge of internal and external ballistics to firearms. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation and community when applying knowledge of internal and external ballistics to firearms. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when applying knowledge of internal and external ballistics to firearms. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information with regards to any situation when applying knowledge of internal and external ballistics to firearms. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively using visual and language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion when applying knowledge of internal and external ballistics to firearms. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when applying knowledge of internal and external ballistics to firearms. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation when applying knowledge of internal and external ballistics to firearms. 

    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 
    Access to this unit standard:

    For safety requirements, learners embarking on study towards this unit standard must have completed the unit standard Apply safety precautions in the maintenance of firearms. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  49739   Further Education and Training Certificate: Firearms Maintenance  Level 4  NQF Level 04  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.