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 understanding of the components of aerial warfare in mission control 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
120054  Demonstrate understanding of the components of aerial warfare in mission control 
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  8 
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 participate in the airward mission planning process.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Describe the concept and characteristics of an air force.
  • Demonstrate understanding of defensive counter air operations.
  • Compare airborne platforms.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of defensive weapon systems.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of mission control rules and regulations. 
    		•

    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.
  • Knowledge of weapon capabilities. 
    		•

    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. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe the concept and characteristics of an air force. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Own and foreign. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concept of an air force is described in terms of its roles and functions in operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes conventional warfare, low intensity conflict, peace support operations, humanitarian operations.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The characteristics of an air force are identified in terms of the elements required to perform its roles and functions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The South African Air Force is compared to generic air force elements in terms of capabilities and air power. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Learners from foreign countries may do this comparison from their own air force's perspective.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate understanding of defensive counter air operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Passive air defence is described in terms of its importance in defending own assets. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Passive air defence measures are described in terms of their influence on aerial war. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Active air defence is described in terms of its importance in defending own assets. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Active air defence measures are described in terms of their influence on aerial war. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The concept of air defence is described in terms of the role it plays in joint operations. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Compare airborne platforms. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Includes fighters, helicopters, transport aircraft. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Airborne platforms are recognised in terms of the type and use according to Jane's Defence manuals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Airborne platforms are compared in terms of operational capabilities and characteristics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The potential use of airborne platforms are described in terms of military tactics. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate knowledge of defensive weapon systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Weapon systems are recognised in terms of the type and use according to Jane's Defence manuals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Weapon systems are compared in terms of operational capabilities and characteristics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The potential use of weapon systems are described in terms of military tactics. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Demonstrate knowledge of mission control rules and regulations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Airspace control is explained in terms of structures, functions and legislation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The mission control structure is described in terms of policy, objectives and responsibilities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Warning and readiness states are explained in terms of SANDF operational doctrine. 


    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 
    1. Names, functions and locations of:
  • Roles and functions of an Air Force.
  • The characteristics of an Air Force.
  • 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.
  • SANDF operational doctrine.

    2. Purpose of processes and procedures of:
  • Rules and regulations of mission control.
  • Passive and active Air Defence.
  • Platform readiness.
  • Timeline stipulations.
  • LIDS and other displays.
  • Communication lines.
  • Airspace rules and regulations.
  • Sector control centre procedures.

    3. Attributes, properties, characteristics related to:
  • Ground Command and Control system.
  • Airborne platforms.
  • Platform readiness states.
  • Military/national security concepts.
  • Objectivity.
  • Punctuality.
  • Security culture of the military environment.
  • Stakeholders and their rights.

    4. Cause and effect, implications of:
  • Conventional warfare.
  • Low intensity conflict.
  • Peace support missions.
  • Humanitarian operations.
  • 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, ICT and physical and material).
  • Security breaches.
  • Restrictions and limitations (Air Force/operational restrictions, standing instructions, standard operating procedures, aircraft performance).
  • Security clearance.

    5. Categories of things, processes, concepts:
  • Warfare.
  • State of Alert.
  • Joint operations and the concept of Air Defence.
  • Domains of security (personnel, personal, document, ICT and physical and material).
  • Levels of security.
  • Contingency measures (personnel, personal, document, ICT and physical and material).
  • Security competence.
  • Classification of information.
  • Counter measures (personnel, personal, document, ICT and physical and material).
  • The need for a regulatory framework.
  • Secrecy.
  • Handling of classified information.
  • Reliability.
  • Timeousness.
  • Integrity.

    6. Procedures and techniques:
  • Air Forces in the world (comparisons).
  • Utilisation of airborne platforms.
  • Utilisation of weapon systems.
  • SAAF operational doctrine.
  • Code of conduct.
  • Reporting incidents.

    7. 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.

    8. Theory - rules, laws, principles:
  • War.
  • Aerodynamics.
  • Air Defence (passive and active).
  • Terminology.
  • Aircraft capabilities and limitations.
  • Aircraft weapon configurations.

    9. Relationships, systems between:
  • ICAO.
  • ATNS.
  • All levels of command.
  • The individual, organisation and the state impacting on Air Defence/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.

    Abbreviations:

    SAAF: South African Air Force
    SANDF: South African National Defence Force
    CURIS: Current Intelligence System
    APDS: Air Picture Display System
    GCCS: Ground Command and Control System
    LIDS: Local Information Distribution System
    ATNS: Air Traffic and Navigation Services
    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.
     
    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.