There is a critical need for standard lower cost computer systems in Navy trainers. The proliferation of computer hardware and software has kept procurement, maintenance, update, and training costs high on most Navy systems. Microcomputer and computer graphics technology offers an exceptional opportunity to improve the capabilities and reduce the costs of trainers requiring computer systems. However, the benefits of this technology cannot be fully realized unless the proliferation problem is solved. This paper discusses an approach to microcomputer design and development that will take full advantage of microcomputer technology and reduce the computer proliferation problem. The basic premise is as follows: a standard general purpose microcomputer architecture combined with high level language application software can substantially reduce costs of all new trainers. The Navy is currently examining microcomputer architectures and development approaches that can be optimized for a wide range of trainer applications. Applications include flight simulators, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) trainers, and warfare operations trainers, etc. This paper reports on a research project at the Naval Training Equipment Center (NAVTRAEQUIPCEN) which is currently investigating the use of microcomputer technology in Navy training systems. The following topics will be discussed (1) microcomputer architecture; (2) control of multiple microcomputers; (3) software development facility and approach; (4) test and evaluation plan; and (5) conclusions.