The largest tactical synthetic exercise in Royal Australian Navy history has been conducted with the United States Navy recently.
Ships and simulators world-wide were linked for the virtual training exercise, known as Fleet Synthetic Training – Joint 15-72.
Two carrier strike groups, an expeditionary strike group, six composite task forces, thirteen United States and Australian surface combatants, three United States Maritime Patrol Aircraft simulators, one submarine simulator, and multiple Air Force/Army staffs and units were involved in the synthetic maritime warfare training exercise.
HMA Ships Melbourne, Arunta, Sydney, Stirling and Watson, with representatives from the Fleet Air Arm and Sea Combat Command took part with players in Hawaii, Okinawa, Washington State, California, New Mexico and Georgia.
Designed to test strike force-level warfare proficiency and develop interoperability between the participating nations, the exercise built on the success of Triton Simulation in 2014 and provided a realistic insight into Task Group Operations.
During the training, Arunta conducted a simulated Harpoon Block II firing against a time sensitive land target, and Melbourne executed duties as Surface Action Group Commander including Sector Air Defence Commander over United States Navy units.
Synthetic training with international forces will feature more heavily as the Navy moves to realise its future force.
Image: Australian Navy