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During 2012, The Royal Navy unveiled its new state-of-the-art warfare
training facility. MCTS (the Maritime Composite Training Facility).
Representing the most radical change to Royal Naval training for over 40
years, MCTS provides shore-based training for Warfare teams. The system
allows crews of Type 45 Destroyers, Type 23 Frigates, Assault ships and
Carriers to prepare for service.
Based across two sites at Fareham and Plymouth , the MCTS features banks
of flat panel LCD screens faithfully replicating equipment used at sea.
The system that has cost around £108 million will be used by around
1,000 new trainees a year and will allow existing personnel to maintain
their warfare skills.
The two major MCTS sites are about 200 miles apart but are connected by
a fibre optic link. At HMS Collingwood in Fareham, Hampshire there are
three reconfigurable Warfare Team Trainers (WTT) and eight Electronic
Classroom Trainers (ECT) with a similar facility at Devonport in
Plymouth consisting of two WTTs and one ECT.
Preparations are underway to consider training for sailors who will join
the Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers later in the decade and the Type 26
Global Combat Ship after 2020.
BAE Systems Mission Systems is the prime contractor, systems integrator
and supplier of major elements of the MCTS. The following companies are
also involved in the programme: Aerosystems International, Hewlett
Packard, Flagship Training, MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates, Serco
and Pennant.
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