CAE’s Naval Combat Systems Simulator (NCSS) is a flexible, reconfigurable simulation system that creates a realistic synthetic mission environment for tactical training of naval ships or maritime patrol aircraft. Combining a variety of leading-edge synthetic environment software tools and a common database, the realistic training environment used by learners and instructors is ideal to build crew proficiency and support mission readiness.
CAE’s Naval Combat System Simulator (NCSS) is based on commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software and CAE’s sensor simulation components. It has been designed for complete flexibility and supports multiple roles and platforms, including: basic crew training (undergraduate level); advanced crew conversion/ continuation training (graduate level); part-task training for mission subsystems (electronic warfare, electronic support measures (ESM), radar, electro-optical/infra-red (EO/IR) communications, acoustics, and data link); and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for sensor operator and mission commander ground training.
The Naval Combat System Simulator (NCSS) can be configured to simulate generic, or ship class specific operator stations for sonar, radar and electronic warfare (EW). The NCSS can be used both to develop basic skills such as identifying and accessing operator functionality on the console, and for advanced training to prepare sensor operators for operating as an effective member of a combat system team within a ship in task group exercises. All aspects of the sensor operator’s role and the associated console functionality can be taught, monitored and assessed by the instructor. Instructors can intervene to correct or guide an operator’s performance within a scenario, and increase complexity to further develop an operator’s skills. Operator performance is recorded for use by the instructor to identify areas requiring further training, to provide effective feedback on case studies and to contribute to lessons learned.
The Naval Combat System Simulator (NCSS) provides functionality for training communications operators beyond the traditional sensor operator training. As with the sensor operators, the functionality enables instructors to train operators across basic to advanced levels of proficiency. Operators are trained in the remote tuning of transmitters and receivers, circuit allocation, communications planning and emission control (EMCON). Operator performance is recorded for use by the instructor to identify areas requiring further training, to provide effective feedback on case studies and to contribute to lessons learned.
Combat command and control functionality is incorporated within the Naval Combat System Simulator (NCSS) roles and scenarios. This ranges from coordination of the anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare and anti-air warfare ‘pictures’, including track identification, correlation and allocation to sensors and combat systems, to the implementation of command orders to investigate, prosecute and assign electronic countermeasures against particular tracks. This functionality also incorporates training in the use of tactical data links between different units. Operator performance is recorded for use by the instructor to identify areas requiring further training, to provide effective feedback on case studies and to contribute to lessons learned.