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: 

Prepare a Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) and Electronic Support Measures (ESM) operation 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
123533  Prepare a Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) and Electronic Support Measures (ESM) 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  12 
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 prepare a Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) and Electronic Support Measures (ESM) operation in the context of the sovereignty of the state and government law enforcement through a structured scenario. SIGINT refers to collection of radar and communications data for purposes of strategic intelligence and ESM refers to providing support for tactical operations. This unit standard considers the skills and knowledge required to prepare for a SIGINT and ESM operation taking all planning and tactical considerations into account.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Plan a SIGINT and ESM operation in a structured scenario.
  • Deploy a SIGINT and ESM system in a structured scenario. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF level 4.
  • Mathematics at NQF level 4. 
    		•

    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 at least one of the following types of operations:
  • Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) either Communication Intelligence (COMINT) and or Electronic Intelligence (ELINT).
  • Electronic Support Measures (ESM) either Communication Intelligence (COMINT) and or Electronic Intelligence (ELINT). 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Plan a SIGINT and ESM operation in a structured scenario. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Operational requirements are analysed in order to determine the targets and tasks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Variables are analysed in order to perform the required SIGINT and ESM calculations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • SIGINT and ESM Calculations may include but are not limited to radio and radar horizon.
  • Variables include but are not limited to emitter type, geographical position, scientific principles, atmospheric anomalies.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Geographical positions for SIGINT and ESM systems are determined for the specific application. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Factors taken into account in order to determine the position must include but is not limited to: foliage, accessibility, safety, relevance to SIGINT and ESM calculations.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The SIGINT and ESM system is selected in accordance with the operational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    An operational plan is drafted for the execution of the operation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The operational plan must include but is not limited to operational, communications, logistical, administrative arrangements and a contingency plan.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Operational orders are drafted in accordance with the requirements of the operation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Operational orders include but are not limited to: taskings, plans and orders.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Reporting channels are identified in order to disseminate information. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    An operational briefing is conducted according to the operation and tasks to be performed. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Deploy a SIGINT and ESM system in a structured scenario. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Work is conducted under stressful situations.
  • SIGINT and ESM Systems may be deployed through airborne, ground-based or sea borne platforms. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Multiple SIGINT and ESM 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.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Systems are prepared for operation as per standard operating procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Preparation includes but is not limited to preparing, loading and testing software.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Systems are assessed in order to identify and rectify faults. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Status of the SIGINT and ESM deployment is reported to relevant personnel in accordance with the communications plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The system is shut down according to the standard operating procedures. 


    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 
  • Logistical and administrative requirements in SIGINT and ESM operations.
  • How to perform SIGINT and ESM Calculations.
  • How to interpret and adhere to operational requirements.
  • Positioning requirements for SIGINT and ESM Systems.
  • System criteria for SIGINT and ESM operations.
  • How to draft orders.
  • Organisational legislative requirements.
  • Reporting channels.
  • Geographical layout of an area.
  • Map reading.
  • Scientific principles relating to electronic emissions. 
    		•

    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 selecting correct applications for operational requirements. 

    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 reporting and briefing personnel regarding operational requirements. 

    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 selecting correct applications for 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 reporting and briefing personnel regarding operational requirements. 

    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 preparation of SIGINT and ESM systems for operations. 

    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 selection of correct applications for operational requirements. 

    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
  • System means the platform, equipment, personnel and logistics.
  • Data includes COMINT and/or ELINT Data.
  • COMINT means communications intelligence.
  • ELINT means electronic intelligence. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  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.