This paper describes the Component Level Intelligent Distributed Control System (CLIDCS) architecture for the next generation shipboard Machinery Control System (MCS), and how this design readily provides an environment conducive to embedded training. This architecture, combined with automated control applications, aspects of condition based maintenance (CBM), and integrated automated logistics systems, will reduce the manpower required to operate the plant or shipboard equipment, which is an important design parameter in future MCS designs. The CLIDCS, combined with built-in subsystem redundancy, increases system readiness, maintainability, reliability, and survivability while decreasing the operating and support (O&S) costs. CLIDCS utilizes a true object oriented design (OOD) philosophy for not only the component level embedded software, but also for the hardware and system design.

The shipboard environment must support training scenarios for the crew both at and away from port, while not compromising any normal or damage/hazard operations. The CLIDCS architecture with the intelligence distributed to the device level, promotes subsystem training without sacrificing safety of the ship and crew. The embedded training system is immersed within the CLIDCS architecture, allowing the crew to run applications that simulate the subsystem responses to operator inputs. In the training mode, the subsystem control applications operate in the background, and will interrupt the training application to report any adverse condition requiring an immediate operator response. The embedded training system supports both tactical and damage/hazard control scenarios to increase operator effectiveness and awareness of the operator interface and control system responses. The crew can be trained on the actual hardware, and the opportunities for training at sea promote the versatility of the crew. In manpower reduced environments, these factors are critical not only to normal operations, but also to war fighting readiness.