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

Conduct an Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) operation 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
123530  Conduct an Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) operation 
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  9 
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 have acquired proven competence and experience in operating Signal Intelligence (SIGINT), Communication Intelligence (COMINT) or Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) systems and are required to implement electronic counter measures in order to deny undesirable entities the use of the electro-magnetic spectrum. This unit standard considers the skills and knowledge required to prepare for and conduct an ECM operation taking all planning and tactical considerations into account.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Deploy an ECM system.
  • Evaluate emission parameters to be jammed.
  • Jam emission parameters. 
    		•

    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:
  • Communication at NQF Level 4.
  • Mathematics at NQF Level 4.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of electronic emission theory at NQF Level 5.
  • Computer skills at NQF Level 3.
  • Radio communication skills at NQF Level 4.
  • Prepare a SIGINT and ESM operation at NQF Level 5.
  • Conduct a SIGINT and ESM operation at NQF Level 5.
  • Analyse SIGINT and ESM data at NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Structured scenarios must be based on at least one of the following environments:
    > Ground.
    > Airborne.
    > Sea borne.
  • The structured scenario must also be based on Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) either Communications and or radars.
  • All activities must be conducted in accordance with agreed accuracy and time requirements.
  • For purposes of this unit standard, ECM refers to active ECM (jamming). 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Deploy an ECM system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Variables are analysed in order to perform the required ECM calculations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Variables include but are not limited to emitter coverage, geographical position, scientific principles, atmospheric anomalies.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Critical factors influencing jamming operations are explained in terms of their influence on the operational planning. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Critical factors include but are not limited to timing, threat, security, mission control considerations, emissions, positioning of platform, working with other force structure elements (FSE), element of surprise.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Multiple ECM systems are positioned simultaneously for optimal performance according to operational requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Positions could be 3-dimensional and include more than one system.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Evaluate emission parameters to be jammed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Emission parameters are analysed in order to determine the jam parameters required to achieve the task requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Jam parameters include but are not limited to frequency, modulation, counter modulation, jamming to signal ratio (J/S), power setting and look through.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Emissions are categorised and prioritised in terms of whether they constitute threats or targets. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The importance of continuously verifying earlier decisions made is explained with the use of examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Emission and jam parameters are confirmed prior to jamming. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Consequences of not evaluating emissions correctly are analysed in terms of the impact on the jamming operation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Jam emission parameters. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Jam parameters are validated and setup in accordance with mission requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Jam parameters include frequency, modulation, counter modulation, J-S, power setting and look through.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Jamming transmitters are positioned to achieve optimal mission performance according to system specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Jamming is executed in accordance with pre-mission planning. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Jamming equipment is used in accordance with manufacturer specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Consequences of not jamming transmissions correctly are analysed in terms of the impact on the operation and environment. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant SETA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider by the relevant SETA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Interpret and adhere to operational requirements.
  • Setup and operate ECM systems.
  • Interpret mission parameters.
  • Determine transmitter positions.
  • Record transmissions.
  • Evaluate data.
  • Report channels. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    The ability of the learner to identify and solve problems through identifying the correct transmissions to interpret. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    The ability of the learner to work effectively with others as a member of a team, group organisation, community is demonstrated through participating in and providing input for the EW operation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The ability of the learner to organise and manage him/her self responsibly and effectively is demonstrated through adhering to operational requirements. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    The ability of the learner to collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information is demonstrated through categorising data according to operational requirements. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    The ability of the learner to communicate effectively in the modes of oral and/or written presentation is demonstrated through disseminating data. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    The ability of the learner to use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and the health of others is demonstrated through operation of EW systems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The ability of the learner to demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems is demonstrated through describing the consequences of poor performance. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    The ability of the learner to contribute to own full personal development is demonstrated through working autonomously under stressful conditions. 

    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:
  • Systems means the platform, equipment, personnel and logistics.
  • Data includes COMINT and/or ELINT Data.
  • COMINT means communications intelligence.
  • ELINT means electronic intelligence.
  • Emissions refer to any emissions in the electro-magnetic spectrum.
  • Transmissions are limited to radio and radar frequencies.
  • Jamming relates to deliberate radiation of a signal. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  50500   National Diploma: Electronic Warfare  Level 5  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.