Virtual training for live fire naval gunfire support

The large-caliber gun has long been a mainstay of naval warfare. Although high-tech weapon systems such as advanced antisubmarine torpedoes, "smart" missiles, and sophisticated electronics grab all the headlines, the gun remains a potent means of influencing events both at sea and ashore. One of the most important functions of the large caliber gun is in support of Naval Surface Fire Support-those strike operations that enable amphibious assaults. Typical missions include shore-based spotter calls for fire against enemy soldiers, mechanized convoys, and threat weapon bunkers during the critical initial period when the Marines are first ashore. Termed Naval Gunfire Support (NGFS), training for such missions has traditionally been conducted on a limited number of land-based gunnery ranges in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Recently, however, this situation has changed and become a critical training deficiency: the range at Kahoalawe, HI was closed in 1993 for Hawaiian religious and environmental reasons, the range on San Clemente Island, CA, is being re-examined from an environmental perspective, and the range on Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, has been severely restricted because of an unfortunate accident. To meet this need, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport has developed a virtual training capability for live fire Naval Gunfire Support that is in place in Hawaii and being considered for the Middle Atlantic Region. It is based on firing at a virtual target located on the surface of the sea and detecting hit points acoustically. Above-surface and illumination rounds are scored optically. This paper examines the system performance requirements, technical approach, and operational considerations involved with the proposed Middle Atlantic Region virtual gunnery range.