The Navy has approved a Training System Plan for the Common Network Interface (CNI) software package, a situational awareness enhancement system developed by General Dynamics [GD] Advanced Information Systems., the company reports.
This plan will help identify the personnel, training and logistics support requirements for CNI as the Navy integrates the software package into its fleet, according to General Dynamics.
The Common Network Interface delivers a Link 16 tactical picture, modern displays and human-machine interface enhancements that allow watch officers to easily view and evaluate tactical data and reduce manual data collection. It is in use on six amphibious assault ships including USS Essex (LHD-2), USS Nassau (LHA-4), USS Peleliu (LHA-5), USS Boxer (LHD-4), USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) and USS Bataan (LHD-5), according to General Dynamics.
Comprising a Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) processor and software suite, CNI integrates and displays multiple-source data into a real-time tactical picture. Watch officers can view and manipulate tactical data and access a variety of tools and software applications from one source as opposed to multiple stove-piped displays. Common Network Interface employs the Navy’s rapid capability insertion process, ensuring increased capability is incorporated at a faster rate through frequent software upgrade cycles, the company added.
Developed in a series of flights, each deployment of CNI inserts additional tactical capability and improves the user interface without incurring high costs associated with dismantling and reinstalling entire systems, the company said.
General Dynamics incorporates feedback from fleet users with each flight ensuring warfighter-driven improvements are included. In the future, this system will also provide a single integrated display of correlated radar and link picture. The Navy Training System Plan will be updated concurrent with development of subsequent CNI flights.