Courtesy Photo | 170214-N-XX082-001 NEWPORT, R.I. (Feb. 14, 2017) Surface Warfare Officers School...... read more read more
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By Cmdr. James Stockman, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs
NEWPORT, R.I. — Since 2005, Surface Warfare Officers School (SWOS) has been using the Multi-Mission Tactical Trainer (MMTT) to “test” surface warriors in their tactical proficiency in various warfare areas.
This naval combat simulator guides surface warfare officers through a variety of realistic scenarios to prepare them to fight the ship.
“The MMTT provides our students the opportunity to test tactical concepts they learn in the classroom in a combat information center environment,” said Lt. Cmdr. Andrea Benvenuto, surface warfare module lead, SWOS’ maritime warfare directorate. “It allows students of all levels to learn ‘what right looks like’ and how to fight the ship as a TAO [tactical action officer], surface warfare coordinator, air warfare coordinator and anti-submarine warfare evaluator.”
One of the greatest advantages of the MMTT is its flexibility and simplicity. The trainer can be configured to simulate multiple platforms so that training is optimized.
“The MMTT allows us to pose various enemy capabilities by way of missiles, aircraft, submarines and surface vessels to the students and ensure they respond in accordance with standard tactics, techniques and procedures,” said Benvenuto. “We can also tailor the MMTT to have students fight the ship independently or as a member of a strike group.”
Instructors use the MMTT to mentor SWOS students through basic scenarios to highly complex multi-warfare scenarios.
“Students first learn how to control their own ship,” said Lt. Cmdr. Phil Galindo, expeditionary warfare cell lead, SWOS’ maritime warfare directorate. “Next, they learn to direct the actions of friendly aircraft, submarines and ships to solve problems of incrementally increasing complexity. This build-block approach builds officers with the competency to direct a joint force to defeat complex multi-threat enemies.”
SWOS primarily uses the MMTT to train department head students to become qualified TAOs – those responsible for controlling the ship's weapons, sensors and propulsion in defense or attack against enemy forces.
“The procedures and tactics employed in the MMTT are what we train to in the fleet, which makes for a realistic feel for the watch as TAO,” said Lt. Bryce Yost, prospective weapons officer for the guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) and recent graduate of the Department Head Course at SWOS. “I feel like I have a good baseline knowledge of communications flow and expectations of watchstanders, which will help me as I move forward in my pipeline.”
According to Benvenuto, one of the greatest benefits of the MMTT is the hands-on training it provides to solidify concepts taught in the classroom.
“The MMTT prepared me as a TAO by reinforcing the lessons that were taught to me at SWOS,” said Lt. James Beja, prospective weapons officer for the guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hunter (DDG 116) and recent graduate of the Department Head Course at SWOS. “The MMTT prepared me to identify potential breakdowns in communications and decision-making. It allowed me to look at the bigger picture, empower personnel, and constantly be looking two steps ahead.”
Headquartered in Newport, Rhode Island, and overseeing nine learning sites worldwide, SWOS readies sea-bound Sailors to serve on surface combatants as officers, enlisted engineers, and enlisted navigation professionals to fulfill the Navy’s mission to maintain global maritime superiority.
For more information about SWOS, visit http://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/swos/ or http://www.facebook.com/SWOSCOLCOM/.
| Date Taken: | 09.23.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 09.23.2019 11:35 |
| Story ID: | 343023 |
| Location: | NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 263 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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