DSEI: Thales to provide Royal Navy submarine sonar training
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This new innovative technology can simulate any platform and allows operators to train on the same software as used on the submarine. Operators can then run mission based training and rehearsals in high fidelity scenarios using raw real-time data.
The introduction of the ‘Rapidly Reconfigurable Training Technology’ package is a significant step forward in customer training that can be used in the classroom or deployed directly to the customer’s environment, allowing operators to train on the individual sensor fit of submarines at various upgrade stages.
Based around the training needs of the Thales Sonar 2076 system, which effectively provides the submarine with its operational ‘ears’, the new system recognises that traditional remote classroom-based methods are not as effective as hands-on learning.
‘Rapidly Reconfigurable Training Technology’ delivers a professional portable learning environment, utilising the latest screen and software technologies which provides students with the best learning opportunities.
The package can be re-configured to reflect the various sonar upgrades to individual submarines, providing highly efficient and cost effective training to submariners.
Cdr Irvine Lindsay OBE MA RN Officer Commanding Royal Navy Submarine School said: “The Royal Navy Submarine School is particularly excited to see this project come to fruition.
The fidelity of training offered by this Thales service is world class, and having operated with S2076 at sea in Command of HMS Trenchant I know how quickly the software is updated. This trainer will allow the submarine school to train our sonar operators on the kit they will see on-board, a facility which gives the RN submariner a war fighting edge over any potential adversaries’”
Sonar operators can now train on the exact sonar system they will be using once deployed. This removes, what is commonly referred to, as ‘training lag’ as they have to familiarise themselves with individual upgrades on different boats.
The Sonar 2076 Thales Training Service has now been integrated into the Royal Naval Submarine School at HMS Raleigh in a joint initiative by the Royal Navy, Defence Equipment and Support, and Thales.
The Royal Navy’s tactical expertise is delivered by the RN Instructors and Thales’ up-to-date system operational software provides a seamless transition from a training environment to the operational environment, keeping pace with new software variants as they are deployed.
The service has the potential to support other systems such as antisubmarine warfare and mine warfare sensors, as well as non-Sonar based sensors and civilian applications.
