Navy lab adapts WW II simulator for high-tech research

NRL refurbishes 1940s training equipment for current radar and communications research opportunities.

January 16, 2014

NRL currently is upgrading the SMS with state-of-the-art control and monitoring systems, Newwork World . It will then continue to be used to simulate ship motions in sea conditions, allowing for potential research opportunities in remote sensing, optical sciences, communications, tactical electronic warfare and radar

The Office of Naval Research and the Naval Research Laboratory have refurbished a 96,000-pound piece of World War II training equipment for use in its Integrated Topside Program (INTOP). The equipment will be used to test next-generation communications and radar systems.

The Ship Motion System (SMS), currently located at NRL’s Chesapeake Bay Detachment in Calvert County, Md., was originally installed in the 1940s. The platform was designed to be used as a three-axis tilting mechanical platform with yaw, pitch and roll capabilities.

Originally equipped with a heavy machine gun director and machine gun mount, it was used to train gun crews and director operators under simulated sea vessel movements. According to NRL, the SMS can hold up to 22,500 pounds and is able to hold a 20-foot conex box.

reported

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