Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane, a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command, recently trained a group of Australian coalition forces to operate and maintain a U.S. Force protection system that protects the warfighter from radio controlled improvised explosive devices (RCIEDs).
NSWC Crane's RCIED training represents one of the many ways the United States Navy is strengthening existing alliances and partnerships with allied nations in support of the nation's maritime strategy.
The system is a reliable, field-proven countermeasures unit that mounts on military vehicles to protect the warfighter from RCIEDs, which some consider the single greatest threat the warfighter faces in the U.S. Central Command theater of operations. Australian armed forces needed equipment training after purchasing a quantity of the systems.
Australian armed forces members learned techniques and technical skills required to operate and maintain the system for use in combat operations. NSWC Crane electronic warfare experts facilitated the week of training, which took place in April at NSWC Crane.
Australian armed forces will complete follow-on training to operate the systems in a theater environment at Fort Irwin. The trainers at Fort Irwin previously completed similar instructor training at NSWC Crane.
"It's our job as the powerhouse for electronic warfare (EW) to ensure our coalition forces can utilize this technology," said NSWC Crane In-service Engineering Agent Training Lead Danny Johnson
Training consisted of a technical overview of the system, operational characteristics, operational limitations, bench testing requirements, procedures, familiarization and procedural training.
U.S. warfighters benefit from developing and expanding foreign coalition forces' capabilities because the two groups interface regularly with each other in the field. By working together to expand Australian armed forces' technological abilities, both coalition allies and U.S. warfighters can complete safe and effective missions.
NSWC Crane's role in the training stems from its technical and operational expertise in RCIED countermeasures systems. The command is currently the assigned in-service engineering agent and technical design agent for this capability and is responsible for the overall engineering, testing, fielding, maintenance and logistics for the system.
As an EW center of excellence within the Department of Defense, NSWC Crane was assigned these roles to ensure these systems remain fully operational. The warfare center specializes in air, ground and maritime domains to provide innovative technical solutions for the warfighter.
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