The Naval Air Warfare Center completes new installs on the Shiphandling trainer, NSST

by Commander, Afloat Training Group Pacific Northwest (COMATG PACNORWEST)

10 May 2019
EVERETT, Wash. — The Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) recently completed new installs on the Shiphandling trainer (Navigation Seamanship Shiphandling Trainer - NSST). 

 The NSST accurately replicates the environment found on the bridge of a U.S. Navy Ship. On April 23-24, 2019, USS SAMPSON (DDG 102) Bridge and CIC watch teams were used as the NSST Phase III test ship and were instrumental in assisting NAWC software installers. The new software allows for a more realistic training to take place by updating the NSST the ship’s current navigation systems. One of the primary goals of the trainer is to prevent mishaps at sea from happening by allowing Sailors a safe environment for the Navigation team to train.

The new software allows for three SPS-73 radar stations (KVM switch allows bridge team to select from SPS-73 or ARPA), four VMS 8.3 and 9.4 nodes, an additional Emergency Navigation Laptop (ENL), five MSS reconfigurable stations (to include DAGR, fathometer repeater and AIS transponder) and an IOS sensor override control which allows the user to specify the casualty for loss of GPS, loss of GYRO, loss of VMS display, loss of steering and low visibility.

Naval Station Everett’s NSST was last of seven simulators in the United States Navy to be updated with the newest systems. According to Naval Sea Systems Command, the goal is to train U.S. Navy tactical shiphandling and NSS training to a level equivalent to International Maritime Organization standards for training, certification and watch keeping.