Page 50 - Australian Defence Magazine November 2019

C4I
EW
The benefits and future of
EW training simulation
IN Australia investment in EW has been a key area for the Government, with a $500 million investment in Australia’s Electronic Warfare Support Operations made in 2016, and more recently publishing tenders for a Force Level Electronic Warfare System un- der the Land 555-6 Tranche 2 program.
For soldiers entering the profession and those looking to continue their professional development, up to date training and in- struction is vital for enhancing the knowl- edge of military personnel, helping create situational awareness to enhance operation- al advantage, and providing vital protection from the latest EW threats.
Training challenges
Effective training for EW professionals has been a recognised challenge for many years. Traditionally, classroom training has been reliant upon or tied to the hardware and equipment that the soldiers would use in the field. While in some cases this provides the soldier with an understanding of EW equip- ment, it really only teaches the individual to use the equipment rather than training them how to operate it effectively. The sub- tle difference is in understanding why the equipment works in the way it does and the
effect it is having on the spectrum and how you can exploit your equipment, and knowl- edge, to gain advantage over the enemy.
When new equipment is introduced learn- ing how to use the equipment starts all over again. With a true understanding of the core principles, processes and procedures – which are translatable between all equipment – learning to operate is achieved quicker and creates effectiveness and efficiencies.
The answer to this challenge lays in the exploitation of software to achieve an adaptable and flexible approach to training rather than being reliant upon hardware.
A simulation solution
To meet the need for a simple, cost-effective EW training solution, software-based training simulation has been developed that can deliver EW training in a classroom environment.
The Networked Electronic Warfare Training Simulator (NEWTS), developed by UK- based company MASS and fo- cussed upon the intelligence lifecycle, con- sists of three core applications: Electronic Warfare Mission Support Tool (EWMST), Communications Exploitations Training Tool (COMETT) and the Signals of Inter- est (SOI) Repository.
The EWMST is designed specifically to support the deployment planning of EW, Communications Intelligence (COMINT) and Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) assets, while COMETT provides a unique and con- tained software-based RF environment. This is crucial for complying with signal transmis- sion regulations such as in the Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Plan. To aid the development of advanced skills and under- standing, the SOI repository allows personnel to carry out detailed analysis of signals traffic.
An innovative classroom-based solution, that has been designed by EW operators for EW operators, the system can be used in
Training in the EW space will be a blend of real world and simulated elements by necessity.
SHAUN VICKERS | UK
The importance of Electronic Warfare (EW) in the military operational environment has been re-ignited, driven by an arms race to achieve dominance over the electromagnetic spectrum.
50 | November 2019 | www.australiandefence.com.au
DEFENCE