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Weapon Systems Operator
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- Posted By: RAF - Carlisle
-
Address:
- 94-96 English Street
- Carlisle
- CA3 8ND
- Date Posted: 26th Oct 2009
- Salary: Excellent Package Plus Great benefits
- Location: Carlisle
- Reference Code:
- Views Since Posting: 118
- Full Description:
Fly on board military aircraft and operate cutting-edge equipment.
Your work
Overview
Weapon Systems Operators play a vital role in protecting the security of the UK and other allied countries. Flying will be your life – whether you work on board reconnaissance aircraft or in an air transport role. There are four Weapon Systems Operator roles and, depending on your qualifications, you could move around them during your career:
• Weapon Systems Operators (Acoustic) use sonar technology to locate and track submarines and ships.
• Weapon Systems Operators (Crewman) are responsible for making sure that loads and passengers are carried safely on either fixed wing or rotary aircraft.
• Weapon Systems Operators (Electronic Warfare) operate radar systems to survey air and surface activity.
• Weapon Systems Operators (Linguist) analyse foreign language radio emissions, providing military commanders with combat support.
You could find yourself playing a central part in the command and control of air operations or managing the transport of troops to an operational zone. It could be your job to supervise parachute drops or to identify targets, using hi-tech electronic warfare equipment.
Like most people in the RAF, you’ll probably move jobs every few years, and each job is known as a tour. You’ll move around RAF bases in the UK and overseas to carry out your operational and training role. As your career develops, you could also take on mission planning and instructional duties, or become a part of the Search and Rescue team. You’ll spend a large proportion of your career overseas, for anything from a few days to a few months. You could fly on a training exercise in allied airspace or carry out your role on operations near hostile territory.
Your first tour
For your first tour, you’ll be posted to a flying station in the UK. During your tour, you’ll carry out an operational and training role with frequent overseas detachments. There will be other more experienced Weapon Systems Operators who will help to develop your skills and knowledge.
Your training
Length of training
Because of the technical complexity of the job, your training as a Weapon Systems Operator will probably last between one and two years – but it may take longer.
Recruit training
Your career will start with up to 11 weeks of recruit training at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. The course is designed to help you adjust to a military environment. As well as fitness and military training, you’ll also learn about life
in the RAF.
Leadership training
You’ll then go to RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire for a 10-week leadership package suitable for Sergeants – the rank at which Weapon Systems Operators start after their specialist training.
Aircrew training
The next step is a six-month course designed to give you an understanding of aircraft systems, electrical theory, basic survival skills and communications procedures. You’ll then be streamed into one of the four specializations (Electronic Warfare, Acoustic, Linguist or Crewman) and follow the relevant training. Your specialization will depend on the choices you make, your aptitudes, personal qualities and RAF requirements at the time.
Weapon Systems Operator (Acoustic)
As an Acoustic Specialist, you’ll undertake a seven-month course in oceanography, underwater propulsion systems and acoustic analysis. You’ll then go to an Operational Conversion Unit where you’ll train on the aircraft you’ll be flying.
Weapon Systems Operator (Crewman)
If streamed to operate on fixed wing aircraft, you’ll complete a four-month general crewman course at RAF Cranwell, followed by a five-month specialist training course with the Operational Conversion Unit at either RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire or RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. Rotary specialists have up to nine months specialist training at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire. Once the training is over, you’ll go to an Operational Conversion Unit where you’ll train on the rotary aircraft you’ll be flying.
Weapon Systems Operator (Electronic Warfare)
If you are streamed to Electronic Warfare, you’ll follow a seven-month course, where you’ll learn how to operate radar and electronic warfare systems. You’ll then go to an Operational Conversion Unit where you’ll train on the aircraft you’ll be flying.
Weapon Systems Operator (Linguist)
As a Weapon Systems Operator with the Linguist specialization, you’ll have up to
18 months intensive language training. You’ll study either a modern European or a Middle Eastern language at Chicksands in Bedfordshire or Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire. You’ll then go to RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire to train on the aircraft you’ll be flying.
Ongoing development
As your career progresses, we’ll continue to train you in new skills. There are opportunities to undertake management and leadership training and you can also complete A-levels, BA and Masters degrees as your career develops.
Your future
Career prospects
You’ll hold the rank of Acting Sergeant during your professional training, and be promoted to Sergeant once you start your front-line job and you’re assessed as being capable of operating independently. Further promotion to the rank of Flight Sergeant and beyond is by competitive selection. Normally you’ll be expected to serve for a minimum of 12 years.
Transferable skills
The skills and experience you gain throughout your career as a Weapon Systems Operator could equip you for a number of civilian jobs, including:
• sensor operator on police helicopters/fishery protection;
• crewman on a civilian helicopter;
• air cargo specialist; and
• translator or interpreter.
Entry qualifications
Age Limits
17½-36
Physical requirements
You must be able to complete the RAF swimming test.
Academic qualifications
You need at least five GCSEs/SCEs at Grade C/3 or equivalent, including English language and maths. Linguists also need a modern language instead of a physics-based science, although evidence of a facility for learning languages without a formal qualification may be acceptable.
Entry tests
You must pass selection tests at the Officers and Aircrew Selection Centre at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire. You’ll spend four days at the centre where we’ll assess your potential to develop qualities such as communication skills, self-motivation, maturity, physical fitness and leadership skills.
Nationality
For the Electronic Warfare, Acoustic and Crewman specializations, you must have been a British citizen or holder of dual British/other nationality since birth. For the Linguist specialization, you must have been a British citizen since birth.
Residency
Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the five years immediately preceding your application – 10 years for Linguists.
Equal opportunities
The RAF values every individual’s unique contribution, irrespective of race, ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation or social background.
Your work
Overview
Weapon Systems Operators play a vital role in protecting the security of the UK and other allied countries. Flying will be your life – whether you work on board reconnaissance aircraft or in an air transport role. There are four Weapon Systems Operator roles and, depending on your qualifications, you could move around them during your career:
• Weapon Systems Operators (Acoustic) use sonar technology to locate and track submarines and ships.
• Weapon Systems Operators (Crewman) are responsible for making sure that loads and passengers are carried safely on either fixed wing or rotary aircraft.
• Weapon Systems Operators (Electronic Warfare) operate radar systems to survey air and surface activity.
• Weapon Systems Operators (Linguist) analyse foreign language radio emissions, providing military commanders with combat support.
You could find yourself playing a central part in the command and control of air operations or managing the transport of troops to an operational zone. It could be your job to supervise parachute drops or to identify targets, using hi-tech electronic warfare equipment.
Like most people in the RAF, you’ll probably move jobs every few years, and each job is known as a tour. You’ll move around RAF bases in the UK and overseas to carry out your operational and training role. As your career develops, you could also take on mission planning and instructional duties, or become a part of the Search and Rescue team. You’ll spend a large proportion of your career overseas, for anything from a few days to a few months. You could fly on a training exercise in allied airspace or carry out your role on operations near hostile territory.
Your first tour
For your first tour, you’ll be posted to a flying station in the UK. During your tour, you’ll carry out an operational and training role with frequent overseas detachments. There will be other more experienced Weapon Systems Operators who will help to develop your skills and knowledge.
Your training
Length of training
Because of the technical complexity of the job, your training as a Weapon Systems Operator will probably last between one and two years – but it may take longer.
Recruit training
Your career will start with up to 11 weeks of recruit training at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. The course is designed to help you adjust to a military environment. As well as fitness and military training, you’ll also learn about life
in the RAF.
Leadership training
You’ll then go to RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire for a 10-week leadership package suitable for Sergeants – the rank at which Weapon Systems Operators start after their specialist training.
Aircrew training
The next step is a six-month course designed to give you an understanding of aircraft systems, electrical theory, basic survival skills and communications procedures. You’ll then be streamed into one of the four specializations (Electronic Warfare, Acoustic, Linguist or Crewman) and follow the relevant training. Your specialization will depend on the choices you make, your aptitudes, personal qualities and RAF requirements at the time.
Weapon Systems Operator (Acoustic)
As an Acoustic Specialist, you’ll undertake a seven-month course in oceanography, underwater propulsion systems and acoustic analysis. You’ll then go to an Operational Conversion Unit where you’ll train on the aircraft you’ll be flying.
Weapon Systems Operator (Crewman)
If streamed to operate on fixed wing aircraft, you’ll complete a four-month general crewman course at RAF Cranwell, followed by a five-month specialist training course with the Operational Conversion Unit at either RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire or RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. Rotary specialists have up to nine months specialist training at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire. Once the training is over, you’ll go to an Operational Conversion Unit where you’ll train on the rotary aircraft you’ll be flying.
Weapon Systems Operator (Electronic Warfare)
If you are streamed to Electronic Warfare, you’ll follow a seven-month course, where you’ll learn how to operate radar and electronic warfare systems. You’ll then go to an Operational Conversion Unit where you’ll train on the aircraft you’ll be flying.
Weapon Systems Operator (Linguist)
As a Weapon Systems Operator with the Linguist specialization, you’ll have up to
18 months intensive language training. You’ll study either a modern European or a Middle Eastern language at Chicksands in Bedfordshire or Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire. You’ll then go to RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire to train on the aircraft you’ll be flying.
Ongoing development
As your career progresses, we’ll continue to train you in new skills. There are opportunities to undertake management and leadership training and you can also complete A-levels, BA and Masters degrees as your career develops.
Your future
Career prospects
You’ll hold the rank of Acting Sergeant during your professional training, and be promoted to Sergeant once you start your front-line job and you’re assessed as being capable of operating independently. Further promotion to the rank of Flight Sergeant and beyond is by competitive selection. Normally you’ll be expected to serve for a minimum of 12 years.
Transferable skills
The skills and experience you gain throughout your career as a Weapon Systems Operator could equip you for a number of civilian jobs, including:
• sensor operator on police helicopters/fishery protection;
• crewman on a civilian helicopter;
• air cargo specialist; and
• translator or interpreter.
Entry qualifications
Age Limits
17½-36
Physical requirements
You must be able to complete the RAF swimming test.
Academic qualifications
You need at least five GCSEs/SCEs at Grade C/3 or equivalent, including English language and maths. Linguists also need a modern language instead of a physics-based science, although evidence of a facility for learning languages without a formal qualification may be acceptable.
Entry tests
You must pass selection tests at the Officers and Aircrew Selection Centre at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire. You’ll spend four days at the centre where we’ll assess your potential to develop qualities such as communication skills, self-motivation, maturity, physical fitness and leadership skills.
Nationality
For the Electronic Warfare, Acoustic and Crewman specializations, you must have been a British citizen or holder of dual British/other nationality since birth. For the Linguist specialization, you must have been a British citizen since birth.
Residency
Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the five years immediately preceding your application – 10 years for Linguists.
Equal opportunities
The RAF values every individual’s unique contribution, irrespective of race, ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation or social background.
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