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About SCSC

Known as the “Battle Group in the Sand,” SCSC has the unique capability to provide high fidelity interoperability testing representative of U.S. Navy surface combatants, amphibious assault, and aircraft carrier platforms.

We also accommodate Joint and Allied forces to address interoperability challenges in many forms including: System to System, Platform to Platform (Strike Group), and within the joint theater.

SCSC's live combat systems and accessibility to Fleet units, combined with NASA's ability to launch live missile test targets provide an operationally realistic environment for conducting live tests and training exercises with ships at sea. In addition to the high-fidelity live environment, SCSC’s flexible external connectivity infrastructure allows critical testing between multiple labs and DON/DOD entities.

Locally, a certified Protected Distribution System (PDS) interconnects the facilities at SCSC, enabling the sharing of systems and emulating strike group operations in a distributed simulation. Large-scale hardware-in-the-loop events with external sites is accomplished via the Secure Defense Research and Engineering Network (SDREN), Navy Continuous Training Environment (NCTE), and the Missile Defense Agency Classified Network (MDA C-Net).

This proven capability facilitates complex testing with simultaneous transport of Data Extraction to connected analysis centers. With these tools and our location, SCSC provides ongoing support to major Fleet Events and Research and Development (R&D) initiatives. Highlights include providing PEO IWST&E with Command and Control along with a SCSC qualified Range Safety Officer for Live Fire Combat System Ship Qualification Tests (CSSQT) conducted in the local Operational Area (OPAREA).

SCSC recently supported PEO IWS-2 with the successful installation of the High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-Dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) system and integration with the Aegis Weapon System. Testing culminated with successful tracking and laser engagement of multiple Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and a High Speed Towed Target. Recent SCSC Fleet initiatives include providing command and control and range safety during ship live-fire engagement of supersonic GQM-163 targets launched from Wallops Island.

SCSC strives to provide excellence in continued technical support to ensure the highest quality combat systems are delivered to the Fleet. Future Vision includes: Virtualized Combat Systems, Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Cloud Computing Infrastructure (CCI), Common Data Repository (CDR), Distributed Testing Architecture, Directed Energy, UAS, Supersonic and Hypersonic missiles, Constellation Class FFG (X), DDG (X), and Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV).

Our Facilities

AEGIS FacilityThe Aegis facility supports Lifetime Support Engineering (LSE), In-Service Engineering (ISE), combat systems development and certification, warfare experiments, engineering initiatives, multi-system interoperability testing, a Contractor/Sailor Test Team in operational and early developmental testing, and ongoing Ship Team training. The facility also houses the Data Analysis Center (DAC). Technical capabilities include supporting major computer program baselines and associated shipboard equipment, live and simulated operations, Aegis Combat System (ACS) suites or Combat Information Centers (CIC) for baselines 7.2A through baseline 9A/B/C in both CG and DDG configurations. This support includes the majority of the different Aegis and Aegis BMD baseline version currently in the fleet in up to 27 variants supported within nine core suites and which can support seven ships simultaneously, and all current and near-future tactical links, as well as connectivity to support Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) and Force Interoperability Testing. The Aegis facility has the SPY-1B/D Mod (LNA), SPY-1B/D (Mod), and SPY-1D (V) radars and shares the SPQ-9B radar located at the Ship Self Defense Facility (SSDF).

The Ship Self Defense Facility (SSDF) supports combat system development and certification ISE, Software Support Agent (SSA), warfare experiments, engineering initiatives, and interoperability testing for amphibious ships and aircraft carriers (CVN) with the Ships Self Defense System (SSDS). In 2007, SCSC began supporting Combat System Testing for SSDS Open Architecture (OA), and ACB12 combat systems. 2019 saw the installation of TI-12H and TI-16. The technical capabilities of the facility include all SSDS MK1 and MK2 systems (21 possible variants supported with five core suites), live and simulated operations, two simultaneous ship operations, all current and near-future tactical links as well as connectivity to support Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) and Force Interoperability Testing (FIT).

In addition, SSDF missions have expanded beyond developmental testing to support numerous Combat Direction Center Team Trainers, live tracking exercises, SSDS Maintenance Course of Instruction Classes, and multisite interoperability testing.

The Wallops Island Engineering Test Center (WIETC) supports the Dual Band Radar (DBR) Radar Equipment Simulation (RES) capability. The RES connects fiber optic cable via Protected Distribution System (PDS) conduits to existing SCSC Ships Self Defense Facility, providing simulated DBR tracks to Ships Self Defense System MK 2 Mod 6C for CVN 78 Combat System Integration and Development Testing (CSIT). The WIETC also hosts GOV and CTR Engineering offices, Test Department office, and warehouse space for Aegis and SSDS combat system equipment under activation for new baselines.

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