Navy's New Combat Simulator Trains First Ships

The Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) launched its first training event inside the Navy’s newest combat simulator, the On Demand Trainer (ODT), onboard Naval Base San Diego and Naval Station Norfolk.

Lt. Aaron Van Driessche, a warfare tactics instructor at the Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS), Detachment San Diego, pilots the U.S. Navy's virtual combat curriculum with Sailors aboard USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) inside the newly launched portable simulator, the On Demand Trainer. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph Millar.

The portable AEGIS trainer has been delivered to both coastsand doubles down efforts to increase combat lethality across the waterfront.

The combat watchstanders of USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) andUSS Gettysburg (CG 64) were the first to pilot the new virtual trainer. The40-foot mobile trainer is designed to provide sailors, like those aboard PaulHamilton and Gettysburg, high-end tactical training. The ODT succeeds inkeeping combat watchstanders proficient during extended maintenanceavailabilities when a ship’s AEGIS suite might be secured for upgrades. It alsoprovides the unique opportunity to train and qualify new watchstanders inpreparation for upcoming patrols.

“At CSCS, our primary mission is to train sailors how tofight and to win,” said Capt. Dave Stoner, CSCS commanding officer. “Tacticalproficiency requires year-round preparation, and the ODT is a portable trainingtool designed to keep those tactical skills sharp and in turn, improve combatreadiness by providing better trained, better qualified sailors to the fight.”

Paul Hamilton completed a two-day curriculum consisting ofrealistic air defense scenarios in the U.S. 5th and U.S. 7th Fleet areas ofoperation.

“I’m fresh out of radar school,” said Fire Controlman Aegis3rd Class Katie Simmons. “With the ODT, I picked up right where I left off.After just two days, I’m already more comfortable with the console.”

CSCS often hosts warships for Advance Warfare Training oneto two years after its deployment.

“While a ship is upgraded during that time, many of its mostexperienced watchstanders will transfer,” explained CSCS Det San Diego’sWarfare Tactics Instructor Lt. Aaron Van Driessche. “We are now looking toexploit those transition years. More upfront opportunities to train as a team likethis will deliver a better ship to the Navy and tougher fight to the enemy.”

With six mounted consoles and a pair of large screendisplays, the ODT is designed to virtualize the combat suite of today’scruisers and destroyers. Software applications also allow the ODT to bereconfigured between the various AEGIS baselines and builds of the currentsurface inventory. As follow-on builds are introduced to the Fleet in continuedAEGIS Speed to Capability (ASTOC) upgrades, those same tactical codes will be installedin the ODT for immediate use.

The ODT will be located onboard Naval Base San Diego andNaval Station Norfolk through the end of March before being transported tofollow-on fleet concentration areas.

CSCS is a global organization of professional military andcivilian educators and support personnel focused on training the Surface Navyto fight and win. CSCS trains over 36,000 U.S. and Allied sailors a year to operate,maintain and employ weapons, sensors, communications, combat systems and deckequipment of surface warships to build Combat Ready Ships with Battle MindedCrews.

Source: US Navy