Air Weapons System Technician (AWS TECH)

[PointZero]

Ive searched but found very little info about this trade
Does it offer specialist pay?
Do they just install the weapons on the aircraft or are they the complete weapons team for the airforce and install and test the weapons.
Is it a trade that is in demand or should i just become a AVN Tech or AVS Tech

 

[Occam]

Ive searched but found very little info about this trade

That's because it doesn't exist.

I stand corrected.  When did they sneak that one in?

http://www.forces.ca/en/job/airweaponssystemstechnician-166#info-1

I thought Air Weapons went the way of the dodo...

 

[PMedMoe]

Pretty much what you asked here. 

Be patient when waiting for replies to your question(s).  Posting (basically) the same thing again, isn't going to get more people to reply.

 

[aesop081]

Do they just install the weapons on the aircraft

No. They not only load the weapons on the aircrafts but also maintain those weapons and assemble them for use. Thye also take care of disposing on time expired and defective  munitions and other air weapons related equipment.

I'm not sure what you are asking by "test the weapons".

 

[Occam]

According to TABLE A TO CBI 204.30 - ALLOCATION OF MOSID TO SPECIALIST TRADE GROUPS, it is not in the specialist trade groups.

 

[aesop081]

According to TABLE A TO CBI 204.30 - ALLOCATION OF MOSID TO SPECIALIST TRADE GROUPS, it is not in the specialist trade groups.

Looks like that CBI table is from 2004......before the standup of AWS tech.

 

[PointZero]

A recuiter just told me they are offerd spec 1 pay    Also do AWS techs just work on CF-18s

 

[Griffon]

AWS Tech is a spec trade, and is being brough back from the dead because it is quite specialized.  AVN Techs on the CF-18 (the primary kill-store fleet in the CF) are split up into three streams - AVN "A" (Propulsion Systems), AVN "B" (Airframe), and AVN "C" (AWS/Life Support/Safety Systems).

AVN "A" and AVN "B" cross-train with each other to some extent at the flying squadrons, but the AVN "C" technicians do not due to the specialized nature of their work.  It was decided in the Air Occupation Enhancement that Air Weapons and Life Support/Safety systems will split off from the AVN trade, with the latter portions being absorbed by the ACS trade.

That leaves AWS Technicians on their own, which actually makes some sense.  The nature of the work the "Armourers" do is not very similar to the work the AVN "A" and "B"s do, the only real similarity is that they work on the aircraft.

 

[Griffon]

  Also do AWS techs just work on CF-18s

No.  They also work on the CP-140 and other aircraft that carry stores, and they also man all the Air Force munitions depots (bomb dumps).  There are also a few Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) units in the AF that are manned by these personnel.

 

[PointZero]

So all they basically do is load unload maintain and test the aircrafts weapons    AVN or AESop seems alot more fun if thats all they do

 

[aesop081]

So all they basically do is load unload maintain and test the aircrafts weapons    AVN or AESop seems alot more fun if thats all they do

What is it that you expected AWS techs to be doing then ??

 

[PointZero]

I thoughted they would also install the weapons electrical systems and things like that

 

[aesop081]

I thoughted they would also install the weapons electrical systems and things like that

What ?

 

[PointZero]

Sorry just had my wisdom teeth taken out and the painkillers screw me over.  I meant i thought that AWS techs also do electrical weapon systems within the aircraft.

 

[aesop081]

Sorry just had my wisdom teeth taken out and the painkillers screw me over.  I meant i thought that AWS techs also do electrical weapon systems within the aircraft.

Sorry about the teeth and my endless questions but what do you mean by "electrical weapons systems" ?

 

[PointZero]

I mean like they would work on all the electrical systems on the aircraft that have something to do with weapons

 

[Griffon]

I mean like they would work on all the electrical systems on the aircraft that have something to do with weapons

They do.  From the Recruiting Website: "The AWS TECH is responsible for the maintenance of aircraft air weapons systems from storage to target including all mechanical and electronic components.".  That means the systems on the aircraft in addition to the weapons themselves.

Mods - could we move this thread to the Maintainer's Bench, AWST isn't an Aircrew Occ...

Thanks.

 

[aesop081]

To add to what Griffon said above, aircraft are maintaned as a team and there are almost always areas of overlap between the different maintenance specialities. Nothing works in isolation in complex aircraft.

 

[PointZero]

So even though AWS techs do aircraft weapons they also along with AVNs AVCs and AVSs preform simple duties like towing and refueling aircraft?

 

[aesop081]

So even though AWS techs do aircraft weapons they also along with AVNs AVCs and AVSs preform simple duties like towing and refueling aircraft?

I cant speak to that, not being a technician myself and i imagine that it would depend on the aircraft fleet being worked on. What i meant is that, for example, theres an electrical snag with part of the weapon system, sometimes it will take a weapons guy and an avionics guy to sort it out.