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: 

Create and maintain a situation picture using underwater sensors 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
262186  Create and maintain a situation picture using underwater sensors 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Maritime 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  6 
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 is intended for learners within the Sovereignty of the State sub-field who wish to work in the maritime environment as a warfare operations officer on a warship. The learner successfully completing this Unit Standard will gain essential knowledge and practical skills in using underwater sensors to form a clear situational pictures, which is needed to operate with confidence onboard a warship.

The competencies achieved by the learner in this Unit Standard will contribute to the preservation of human life and the defence of South African warships, territorial waters and/or area of responsibility, thus providing a safer and secure society for South African citizens.

Learners credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Manage an underwater sensor operation.
  • Manage a situation picture using underwater sensors.
  • Resolve information conflicts in underwater sensor operations on a vessel.
  • Interpret data and provide underwater sensor intelligence to command. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner has the following knowledge and skills:
  • Communication at NQF Level 4.
  • Mathematics at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Manage an underwater sensor operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A description is given of underwater sensor equipment with reference to its purpose, capabilities and limitations and operation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Purpose includes picture compilation, target identification and recognition and intelligence gathering.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Sonar is applied in terms of its typical offensive and defensive applications in natural and electronically hostile environments. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Sonar includes hull-mounted sonar, the underwater telephone, the bathythermograph and self-noise reduction (management of noise).
  • Sonar applications include communications, search, detection and tracking (active and passive).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Sonar use is directed so as to optimise performance within the prevailing circumstances and the equipment's capabilities and limitations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Prevailing circumstances include weather, sea conditions and interference from other sensors.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The bathythermograph is managed in conjunction with sonar equipment to determine operating conditions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Passive detection equipment is managed so as to provide accurate and integrated information as required by intelligence requirements of the mission. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment includes Electronic Warfare, infrared and electro-optics.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Underwater sensor equipment is operated in a safe way and in accordance with equipment operating instructions and/or manufacturer's specifications. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Manage a situation picture using underwater sensors. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The action information organisation is confirmed to be functioning according to its component parts and their contribution to the production of a recognised maritime picture. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Combat symbology that represents the situation picture is captured on informational displays and the representations within the situation picture. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Requisite voice procedures and communication skills are applied within the action information organisation and contribution to the production of reliable and usable information for the situation picture. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Machine to machine interface is managed so that relevant data from different component parts is delivered to the required destination to build or update the information display, provide weapons solutions, and identify and/or track torpedoes, propellers and mines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    A recognised situation picture of the combat area is established using underwater sensors in accordance with the unfolding requirements, mission plan instructions and standard operating procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The situation picture includes weather, sea conditions, interference, solid/non-solid contacts; differentiation between torpedoes, propellers, floating mines, drums, whales, ocean noise, bearing and speed of contacts (intercept), estimated time of arrival and estimated time of departure.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Equipment is manipulated to provide the optimal picture within equipment limitations, sources and factors impacting the picture quality. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Sources include aural and equipment.
  • Factors include controllable forces and uncontrollable forces.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Resolve information conflicts in underwater sensor operations on a vessel. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Sensor equipment operators are supervised in order to improve their quality of equipment operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Situations negatively impacting on the quality of information received are resolved using communication and conflict management skills. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Problems with equipment are referred to appropriate maintenance personnel with a minimum of delay. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Issues with the quality and/or quantity of incoming information are addressed to ensure an appropriate balance between mission requirements and established procedures for the production of effective intelligence information. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Interpret data and provide underwater sensor intelligence to command. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Enemy underwater sensor capabilities and related weapon systems are identified and communicated to command to facilitate decisions on counter-measures and/or evasive actions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Contacts classifications are compared with information gathered during detection activities and existing intelligence gathered on friendly and hostile forces. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Information gathered is interpreted in order to provide details of the type, behaviour and possible intentions of contacts. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Type of contact includes surface, air, friend, foe and neutral.
  • Information includes solid/non-solid contacts, differentiation between torpedoes, propellers, floating mines, drums, whales, ocean noise.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Combat information is relayed to own vessel and the force at large in accordance with established procedures for communication. 


    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 decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when:
  • Managing an underwater sensor operation.
  • Managing a situation picture using underwater sensors.
  • Interpreting data and providing underwater sensor intelligence to command.
  • Resolving information conflicts in an underwater sensor operation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community during:
  • The management of an underwater sensor operation.
  • The management of a situation picture using underwater sensors.
  • The interpretation of data and provition of underwater sensor intelligence to command.
  • The resolving of information conflicts in an above water sensor operation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when:
  • Managing an underwater sensor operation.
  • Managing a situation picture using underwater sensors.
  • Interpreting data and providing underwater sensor intelligence to command.
  • Resolving information conflicts in an underwater sensor operation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information to better understand and explain:
  • The recognised maritime picture. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion when:
  • Managing an underwater sensor operation.
  • Managing a situation picture using underwater sensors.
  • Interpreting data and providing underwater sensor intelligence to command.
  • Resolving information conflicts in an underwater sensor operation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when:
  • Managing an underwater sensor operation.
  • Managing a situation picture using underwater sensors.
  • Interpreting data and providing underwater sensor intelligence to command. 
    		•

    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 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  64129   National Certificate: Warship Operations  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  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.