An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : Article View
NEWS | July 6, 2017

Surface Combat Systems Center establishes Sailor Test Team

By Surface Combat Systems Center Public Affairs

WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. - Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems established a new Sailor Test Team at Surface Combat Systems Center (SCSC) Wallops Island to empower operators to pursue unique Aegis Combat System solutions, the Navy announced.

The Sailor Test Team evaluates Aegis Combat System computer programs in the development phase from an end user perspective to identify areas for improvement. Lessons learned from the team are immediately shared with program developers to implement design improvements expeditiously. 

As a Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) field activity, this initiative supports NAVSEA Commander Vice Adm. Tom Moore and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson's shared focus on High Velocity Learning.

"Whenever you incorporate the end user's perspective in early testing, risk is reduced and efficiency is gained," said Rick Derr, SCSC test department head.

This testing differs from traditional Aegis Developmental Testing in that the Sailor Test Team is charged with executing testing from a tactical, operational perspective utilizing established tactics, techniques and procedures, while the end users (active-duty Sailors) are operating the combat system.

The Sailor Test Team members utilize their fleet experience in the operation and maintenance of the Aegis Combat System to help them assess new and upgraded computer programs while they are still in development to effect change, if necessary, prior to fleet introduction.

Additionally, the Sailor Test Team conducts a comprehensive checkout of both new or modified hardware and the supporting computer programs as they come online for use in the testing laboratory.  This process ensures that the user community at SCSC receives a thoroughly reviewed Aegis Combat System configuration, which increases their test execution efficiency.

"The Sailor Test Team is an expansion of the ever-growing mission of SCSC, putting tacticians and technicians in the seat to test what our shipmates in the fleet would need to 'Fight the Fight,'" said Petty Officer First Class Julius Adams, Sailor Test Team member.

Surface Combat Systems Center Wallops Island's mission is to provide live and simulated integrated warfare capabilities in a net-centric, maritime environment to develop, test, evaluate, and conduct Fleet operations and training for the warfighter.