The timely development, fielding and support of training systems, media, devices and courseware is critically dependent upon the quality and currency of the information (source-data) that describes the characteristics of the real-world environment for which training is required. Unfortunately, many military training programs for operators and maintainers have been, and continue to be, seriously compromised by the lack of awareness, commitment and resolve to ensure that the essential training source-data is provided as a product of the weapon system.

The solution to this problem is based on successful commercial practices and is rooted in the acquisition and systems engineering management of both weapon and training systems. The key to the solution is the implementation of structured processes that develop and maintain quality source-data products configured to both the weapon system and training system. This approach will substantially reduce the problems, risks and related costs of:

Acquiring quality source-data in the weapon systems,

Implementing source-data in the training systems, and

Maintaining concurrency of the training system components.

The concurrency of the training system will be significantly improved since the required training system source-data is an integrated product development embedded in the systems and logistics engineering of the weapon system. As the weapon system design evolves, the training system source-data products will reflect the changes.

This paper provides insight into the basic source-data acquisition and implementation processes and requirements to support concurrency. Also, the paper addresses the philosophy, practices, and cost-effective methods of achieving significant improvements in source-data applicable to a variety of training programs.