data management system, tactical

The first stage of this development - a Tactical Data Management System intended for a modern diesel-electric submarine operating in littoral waters - was concerned largely with establishing the methodology required to provide essential functions (such as robust Target Motion Analysis and Data Fusion) as well as a demonstration test harness allowing system sea trials.

The second stage, funded under the Collins Combat System Augmentation (CSA) program, was the building of an open architecture, deployable system fitted to two Collins Class submarines in 2002. The system has also been trialled during RIMPAC, PCO OPS and Fleet Battle Experiment Juliet.

The development was largely concerned with utilising all currently available sensor data to reliably establish and maintain the submarine's tactical picture. Integration of operator driven and significantly automated TMA and Track Management functions was also addressed.

The next phase of development, currently in prototyping stage, contains integration of off board sensors and Netcentric Warfare extensions. The concept of ‘engaging the environment' to produce and display significant additional information and improve localisation based on propagation and sensor models in routine submarine operations is in the methodology development stage.

The development of an ASW variant featuring a 3D and GIS capable GUI was delivered in January 2005.