A simulation for combat systems development and acceptance testing

The Combat Direction System (CDS) subsystem performs command and control of the combat system aboard ship. To perform this function, sensor information from radars, sonars and communication data links is required. A coordinated picture, based on these sensor inputs, is presented for proper decision making on what ordnance should be placed on each threat. Development of CDS programs necessitates actual or reasonable simulation of the various sensor, data link, and weapon system interfaces, for proper stimulus during the latter stages of development and subsequent testing. The author describes the US Navy´s Integrated Combat Systems Test Facility involvement in the development of a real-time simulation program used by program developers and testers. The Combat System Simulation (CSS) provides a coordinated environment of vehicular targets and ownship motion. CSS also provides control linkages between itself and the SATSIMs (satellite simulations) to allow for specific operator or scenario control of the different SATSIMs. Events such as missile launch are fed back to the CSS for vehicular track generation