Team Fisher, the Capita-led consortium including Raytheon UK, Elbit Systems UK, Fujitsu, the University of Lincoln and several smaller British suppliers, which is modernising and transforming the Royal Navy and Royal Marines’ shore-based training has taken over the running of the Navy’s Maritime Composite Training System (MCTS) based at two Royal Navy locations - HMS Collingwood, Hampshire, and HMNB Devonport, Devon.
The MCTS is a software-based simulator which replicates the warfare operations rooms found on Royal Navy warships, such as Type 23 frigates and Type 45 destroyers. It enables trainees to develop and test their skills, individually and as part of their operational team, by participating in warfare stimulations while operating the same stations they would be occupying while at sea.
The training comprises a range of real-world scenarios, such as dealing with surface, sub-surface, air attacks or combination of all three, with representations of both friendly and enemy vessels and aircraft. Trainees can also participate in exercises focusing on their individual roles, such as a radar operator, as well as whole bridge exercises.
The environment is highly configurable, allowing the flexibility to develop multiple individual’s specific professional skills in one part of the facility, while achieving a crew’s joint training objectives at the same time within another area.
Interoperability training can be achieved by stimulating multiple ships operating together in the same simulated geographic location with multiple teams working on a wargame from the same building, from both facilities simultaneously, or even with the addition of “at sea” crews.
Assuming responsibility for MCTS is a key milestone in the consortium’s modernisation and transformation plans. As part of the milestone, 73 new colleagues have joined teams across Capita, Elbit Systems UK and Raytheon UK.
Team Fisher is now responsible for technical management, support and maintenance of MCTS, design and delivery of training using MCTS, facilities management, planning, course scheduling and training environment setup, data and management information, quality assurance, and user experience management. Over time Team Fisher, in collaboration with the Royal Navy, will be planning a technical refresh of the MCTS as part of the programme to provide the best fidelity and to future-proof the capability.
David Hook, Managing Director of Capita Defence Training, said: “Assuming responsibility for the Maritime Composite Training System is a key milestone in our work to modernise and transform the Royal Navy’s shore-based training. In these uncertain times, it is important that sailors are able to develop, test and advance their skills in a range of scenarios ahead of their deployments to sea. The MCTS plays a critical role in providing better trained, more confident sailors to the frontline, faster.”
Martin Fausset, CEO of Elbit Systems UK said: “Elbit Systems UK are proud to have reached this key milestone in delivering transformational training capabilities for the Royal Navy, as we formally take control of the systems crucial to the effective training of our Naval forces. As part of this, we are delighted to be welcoming over 60 new personnel into Elbit Systems UK, to support our ongoing work for the UK Armed Forces.”
Stephen Hart, Head of Training Transformation Services, Raytheon UK shared “Raytheon UK understands the critical importance of engaging and realistic training that prepares the men and women of the Royal Navy for their roles in the frontline. We are delighted to be assuming responsibility for the provision of all training course material, equipment maintenance and exercise preparation services within the MCTS.
“Our experience and expertise providing wrap around support to simulation training, together with the fantastic capabilities of our Team Fisher partners, will ensure that the MCTS provides the very best training to the current and future generations of sailors”
Colonel Aaron Fisher, Commandant Training Management Group, said: “This is an exciting milestone in the Royal Navy’s ambition to truly modernise our training. It will enable our sailors to conduct demanding training to develop confidence in their abilities, in a scalable synthetic environment, for the broad spectrum of missions and tasks they may encounter as an individual operator or as part of a command team on operations.”
Notes to editors:
Team Fisher is combining a range of sophisticated technologies, processes and training management systems to fulfil the 12-year Royal Navy shore-based training contract. It is:
- Reviewing and modernising all training courses and providing accompanying analytics to ensure training methods best meet the Royal Navy’s needs.
- Running live on-the-ground training, and developing and deploying new methods, including digital learning and training simulation technology.
- Managing all the associated Royal Navy training equipment including procurement and decommissioning.
- Providing data through performance dashboards for Royal Navy management and managing IT infrastructure.
- Improving accreditation and apprenticeship management and running Royal Navy learning and development hubs and career advice services.
- Marketing Royal Navy courses to the wider international defence market and identifying further revenue opportunities for the service.
- Delivering a truly collaborative approach with the Royal Navy.
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