Virtual Operator Trainer Prepares Warfighters for the High-End Fight

05 July 2022

From Kimberly M. Lansdale, Surface Combat Systems Training Command Public Affairs

EVERETT, Wash. - Surface Combat Systems Training Command (SCSTC) Detachment Pacific Northwest (PNW), onboard Naval Station Everett, hosted an open house to showcase the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Virtual Operator Trainer (VOT) to the local surface combat systems community July 5.

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Lt. David McKnight, SCSTC Det. PNW’s officer in charge, welcomed attendees and provided a tour of the ASW VOT.

“Our instructors can recreate a complex and dynamic simulated environment to build tactical proficiency for the newest Sailor to major commander preparing watchteams for deployment,” said Mcknight. “The ASW VOT allows us to train in realistic underwater environments against high-fidelity peer and near-peer threats. The combined effect is a lethal surface force manned by warfighters ready to fight and win.”

The trainer was funded by Director, Surface Warfare’s (OPNAV N96) program of record, Surface Training Advanced Virtual Environment-Combat Systems (STAVE-CS), which was introduced in 2015 as a means to provide better quality training resulting in more rapid qualifications of our Sailors.

The ASW VOT also aligns to the Navy’s Ready Relevant Learning (RRL), a program created to improve and modernize personnel management and training systems. This innovative technical solution increases the amount of “reps and sets” Sailors perform on tactical software, significantly improving the quality of training and maximizing knowledge retention.

McKnight also discussed how the ASW VOT became a reality due to a knowledgeable team committed to the training mission and its Sailors.

“SCSTC worked closely with Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems 5.0, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Training Systems Program Office PMS 339, and our industry partners to deliver a training system that represents the next evolution in combat systems training,” said McKnight. “The ASW VOT will improve combat readiness by providing better trained, better-qualified warfighters to the high-end fight.”

Surface Combat Systems Training Command (SCSTC)* falls under the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC). NETC, led by Rear Adm. Peter Garvin, is the U.S. Navy’s Force Development pillar and largest shore command. NETC’s mission is to recruit and hire talented civilians, deliver training and education to transform civilians into Sailors and distribute accession Sailors to the Fleet to maximize readiness and ensure mission success; to provide specialized training and educational tools to advance the personal and professional development of Sailors throughout their career; and serve as sole claimant for individual training and education and as the principal advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) and Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (COMUSFLTFORCOM) on training and education related matters.

* SCSTC is a training organization of over 6,500 staff and students across 12 global locations and implements culture of excellence and warrior toughness by building a surface warrior mindset to complement the technical and tactical skillsets of building the kill chain and closing the fire control loop. SCSTC delivers system and platform specific combat systems training to a growing surface Navy. SCSTC delivers training to over 35,000 U.S. Navy Sailors as well as 700 international Sailors from 22 partner nations annually. Our overall mission is to train the fleet so that our Navy can fight and win!

For information about the Surface Combat Systems Training Command, visit https://www.netc.navy.mil/SCSTC

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