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The Navy's Guided Missile Destroyers require operating complicated systems in extremely diverse and challenging environments. To contend with these requirements, training must keep pace with rapid technological advances and evolving warfighting tactics. One of the roles of the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) in Port Hueneme, California is to improve the pace of technology insertion and related training.

Michael Prokosch, a NSWC Project Lead, explained, "The destroyers perform multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. The Navy is committed to investing in cutting edge technology to guarantee continued operation primacy. NSWC integrates the latest state-of-the-art technology to enhance crew safety, situational awareness and training with the Integrated Video Data Distribution System (IVDDS)."

"A key requirement in this new system was the implementation of recording technology that would be used for recording various video sources for after action review and archival purposes. We selected RGB Spectrum's advanced DGy recording systems for this project. The DGy™ system utilizes leading edge digital recording technology to preserve the image quality of the original source images and reproduce even the most complex detail. This was essential for the intricate symbologies used in these systems."

The destroyers are equipped with the Aegis Combat System which integrates the ship's sensors and weapons systems to engage anti-ship missile threats. Ships Force conducts several exercises that involve target acquisition, weapons control and firing, and tactical warfighting. During these exercises, three DGy units record feeds from Aegis close-in threat sensors, FLIR, and live video cameras at 30 frames per second and 1280 x 1024 pixel resolutions. These recordings are reviewed in post-exercise analysis with crew members, examined by command personnel, and archived for future review. The DGy systems also record visual sensors and surveillance when in port.

Operators can control the DGy using its embedded browser-based GUI interface and a pre-programmed button controller. Prokosch commented, "The DGy's playback flexibility is ideal. We can control the replay, move forward and backwards, and traverse from recording to recording at the push of a button. We can also access any point in the recording instantly."

Prokosch continued, "One of the added benefits of the DGy systems is the ample storage capacity. We can record multiple inputs simultaneously and have many hours of recording capacity. The DGy units integrate easily into the vessels' shipboard systems via IVDDS. Previously, we used VCRs for recording at video resolution. By comparison, the DGy delivers far superior quality, as good as the original. The command level response to these recording systems capabilities has been extremely positive."

The Port Hueneme California Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Division is part of a larger Navy organization called the Naval Sea Systems Command. NSWC Port Hueneme focuses on the successful operation of surface combat and weapons systems. For more information, visit www.phdnswc.navy.mil.