Australian Navy Expands Simulation Training For Future Electronic Warfare Sailors

Australian Navy is extending its use of simulation in a collaborative project with Cirrus Real Time Processing Systems for training future electronic warfare sailors.

"A common electronic warfare sensor suite is planned across the future fleet. Moreover, the future electronic warfare sailors need to have the advanced skills to meet upcoming demand," the defense ministry announced Friday.

“A contract signed with the Australian Cirrus Real Time Processing Systems would result in advanced new maritime training systems designed and developed in Australia.” Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne said.

“The contract valued at around $4.4 million will see the development of a tactical electronic warfare training system to provide tuition, assessment and qualification of electronic warfare practitioners across the full range of Navy ships, from a single facility ashore,” Minister Pyne said.

The modernisation of training at the School of Maritime Warfare at HMAS Watson in Sydney would reduce the training burden on ships at sea and offers a consistent training continuum, Minister Pyne said.

“Navy’s current training facilities are based on the equipment and systems in the Adelaide and Anzac class frigates, but as these systems develop, so too must the training,” he said.

Tactical electronic warfare involves the effective employment of systems, tactics and operating procedures to exploit the electromagnetic spectrum to protect navy’s ships and people from all manner of threats.

“The enhanced training systems will be capable of generating scenarios that simulate physical and electronic attacks where control of the electromagnetic spectrum can neutralise those threats,” Minister Pyne said.

“The machines will be able to load relevant software to replicate different ship types and the layouts of electronic warfare systems at sea.” Pyne added.