Thales Australia has upgraded Collins’ submarine platform training simulator (PTS), improving its reliability and availability.
The project, which was delivered on time, involved enhancements to the computing and input / output system, instructor facilities, integrated ship control management and monitoring system (ISCMMS), as well as audio systems.
Thales Australia Maritime and Aerospace vice-president Chris Lloyd said: "This cost-effective, low-risk upgrade will ensure that Australian submarine crews continue to receive the highest standards of training."
Upgrade work on the dual simulator, deployed at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia, follows similar upgrades executed by Thales for the UK’s Vanguard-class and Norway’s Ula-class submarine simulators.
The project also involved the integration of the latest-generation Thales C2000-X simulation technology, in addition to the latest interfaces with ship components.
A recording system has also been added to deliver an instantaneous replay capability on the trainee consoles, with minimal instructor input.
With the advanced software development capabilities currently installed, Thales is working on further upgrades to improve training realism and track future modifications to the Collins submarines.
Thales has collaborated with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation to build and integrate the most practical submarine controls and performance models.
Royal Australian Navy primary base HMAS Stirling engineering training manager lieutenant commander Ian Dawson said: "The simulator plays a vital role in training our submarine crews.
"The upgrade should substantially improve reliability and allow us to optimise the training throughput of our future submariners."
