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Virtual Strike Group Verifies New U.S. Navy Combat Capability in Complex Test

PHILIPPINE SEA - The Nimitz-class Aircraft carriers USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) conduct dual aircraft carrier strike group operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Navy personnel evaluated virtual and hardware representations of the Stennis strike group's gun weapon systems, combat systems, and unmanned vehicles integrated with surface and air assets at the 2016 USS Dahlgren demonstration, Aug. 30. The test - made possible by a cybernetic laboratory called USS Dahlgren - proved engagement coordination across the battlegroup and live fire destruction of multiple targets from two combatants utilizing two different gun based systems. "This has been five to six years in the making and couldn't come at a better time as we see real-world events such as the recent small boat incursions in the Middle East, highlighting the need for the Fleet," said Capt. Brian Durant, NSWCDD commanding officer.