The Navy has a longstanding commitment to improving combat readiness by providing sensor operator training aboard surface combatants. The AN/SQQ-89(V)-T() On-Board Trainer (OBT) provides a high-fidelity, front-end stimulation of the AN/SQQ-28 Sonobuoy Signal Processor, the AN/SQR-19 Tactical Towed Array System (TACTAS), and the AN/SQS-53 hull-mounted sonar.

The history of combat system team training has been marked by increases in the fidelity of training, and in the size of the combat team being trained. The Perry Class Pierside Combat System Team Trainer (Device 20B5) uses shipboard stimulation of sensors, communication systems, and fire control systems to provide a highly realistic training environment for all members of the FFG-7 combat team in the Combat Information Center (CIC) and the sonar room.

Integration of existing shipboard sensor training capability into team training systems can be expected to be of growing importance in the next decade. Device 20B5 is currently being modified to use the UBT for training of sonar personnel on Flight III guided missile frigates (FFG-36 through FFG-61). Integration of these trainers, purchased half a decade apart from different vendors by different procuring activities, provides lessons for the specification and system design of embedded trainers and team trainers to provide an open architecture capable of cost-effective growth in an environment of trainers provided by multiple vendors for multiple procuring activities.

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Douglas Feiock