Australian Navy receives new simulator at HMAS Cerberus

Royal Australian Navy’s communications and information systems sailors will benefit from a new simulator at the Defence Force School of Signals Maritime Wing at HMAS Cerberus.

The learning system simulator was developed by Australian company Cirrus and was accepted by the School of Signals in December. It will be used for the first time during a pilot course due to be conducted in mid-2019.

Commodore Training, Commodore Justin Jones said the simulator would greatly enhance Navy’s capabilities across a range of dynamic maritime operations.

“Communicators are critical to the success of our fleet as we operate in an increasingly dynamic maritime domain, regularly in task groups with ships, aircraft and troops on the ground, conducting operations that protect the security and interests of our nation and its people.”

The simulator is based on a generic communication center in an enhanced frigate and is designed to mimic the operational environment at sea, using real-life scenarios that may be encountered by communicators embarked in Major Fleet Units.

Scenarios will require students to complete tasks within fleet standard timeframes, with the system able to assess the trainees’ performance and track their progress.

In the future, the simulator will be used to support training and assessment for basic communications operator courses through to advanced courses.