NAWCTSD
Encyclopedia
The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD) of the US Navy is located in Orlando, Florida
in the Central Florida Research Park
at University of Central Florida
. The land and main buildings on which the main NAWCTSD facility is located inside the Research Park is a U.S. Government installation known as Naval Support Activity Orlando. The Commanding Officer of NAWCTSD is also dual-hatted as the Commanding Officer of NSA Orlando. Command of NAWCTSD and NSA Orlando is held by a Naval Aviator
or Naval Flight Officer
in the rank of Captain, either an unrestricted line officer dual-designated as an acquisition professional, or a restricted line aeronautical engineering duty officer.
Additional nearby buildings and facilities are shared in partnership with the Central Florida Research Park and the University of Central Florida and house other DoD and DHS activities, to include the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEOSTRI), the U.S. Marine Corps Program Manager for Training Systems (PMTRASYS), the Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation (AFAMS) and the U.S. Coast Guard Liaison Office.
The roots of the NAWCTSD reach back to April 1941 when then-Commander Luis de Florez
became head of the new Special Devices Desk in the Engineering Division of the Navy’s Bureau of Aeronautics. De Florez championed the use of "synthetic training devices" and urged the Navy to undertake development of such devices to increase readiness. In June, the desk became the Special Devices Section.
Throughout World War II
, the Section developed numerous innovative training devices including ones that used motion pictures to train aircraft gunners, a device to train precision bombing
, and a kit with which to build model terrains to facilitate operational planning in the field.
The Special Devices Section grew and became the Special Devices Division. In August 1946, the Division, at its newest home at Port Washington
, Long Island, NY, was commissioned the Special Devices Center.
As NAWCTSD evolved and grew, it was aligned at various times under several different parent organizations within the Navy. In 1956, it became the Naval Training Device Center. Over a three-year period in the mid-1960s, the Center moved from its Long Island
location to Orlando, Florida, taking residence as a tenant activity at the then-Orlando Air Force Base
, that installation subsequently becoming Naval Training Center Orlando in 1968 until its closure by a 1993 Base Realignment and Closure
(BRAC) decision in 1999.
In 1985, the then-Naval Training Equipment Center became the Naval Training Systems Center. In 1988, the Center moved to its present headquarters, the main building complex named for its founding father, de Florez. On October 1, 1993, the Naval Training Systems Center became today’s NAWCTSD. In 2003, the command was briefly renamed Naval Air Systems Command Training Systems Division (NAVAIR-TSD), but has since reverted back to its original name. In 2005, the physical facility and property was also designated as Naval Support Activity Orlando, making it the sole remaining active duty U.S. Navy installation in Orlando. NAWCTSD remains a significant component of the Naval Air Systems Command
.
Their mission:
Their vision:
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
in the Central Florida Research Park
Central Florida Research Park
The Central Florida Research Park, is a research park abutting the main campus of the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, United States...
at University of Central Florida
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
. The land and main buildings on which the main NAWCTSD facility is located inside the Research Park is a U.S. Government installation known as Naval Support Activity Orlando. The Commanding Officer of NAWCTSD is also dual-hatted as the Commanding Officer of NSA Orlando. Command of NAWCTSD and NSA Orlando is held by a Naval Aviator
Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
or Naval Flight Officer
Naval Flight Officer
A Naval Flight Officer is an aeronautically designated commissioned officer in the United States Navy or United States Marine Corps that specializes in airborne weapons and sensor systems. NFOs are not pilots per se, but they may perform many "co-pilot" functions, depending on the type of aircraft...
in the rank of Captain, either an unrestricted line officer dual-designated as an acquisition professional, or a restricted line aeronautical engineering duty officer.
Additional nearby buildings and facilities are shared in partnership with the Central Florida Research Park and the University of Central Florida and house other DoD and DHS activities, to include the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEOSTRI), the U.S. Marine Corps Program Manager for Training Systems (PMTRASYS), the Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation (AFAMS) and the U.S. Coast Guard Liaison Office.
The roots of the NAWCTSD reach back to April 1941 when then-Commander Luis de Florez
Luis de Florez
Luis de Florez was a naval aviator and a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy that was actively involved in experimental aerospace development projects for the United States Government. As both an active duty and a retired U.S...
became head of the new Special Devices Desk in the Engineering Division of the Navy’s Bureau of Aeronautics. De Florez championed the use of "synthetic training devices" and urged the Navy to undertake development of such devices to increase readiness. In June, the desk became the Special Devices Section.
Throughout World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Section developed numerous innovative training devices including ones that used motion pictures to train aircraft gunners, a device to train precision bombing
Precision bombing
Precision bombing is bombing of a small target with extreme accuracy, to limit side-effect damage. An example would be destroying a single building in a built up area causing minimal damage to the surroundings...
, and a kit with which to build model terrains to facilitate operational planning in the field.
The Special Devices Section grew and became the Special Devices Division. In August 1946, the Division, at its newest home at Port Washington
Port Washington, New York
Port Washington is a hamlet and census-designated place in Nassau County, New York on the North Shore of Long Island. As of the United States 2010 Census, the community population was 15,846....
, Long Island, NY, was commissioned the Special Devices Center.
As NAWCTSD evolved and grew, it was aligned at various times under several different parent organizations within the Navy. In 1956, it became the Naval Training Device Center. Over a three-year period in the mid-1960s, the Center moved from its Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
location to Orlando, Florida, taking residence as a tenant activity at the then-Orlando Air Force Base
Orlando Air Force Base
Orlando Air Force Base is a closed United States Air Force facility, located in Orlando, Florida. It was established in 1940 as a World War II training base and was also used for coastal patrols during World War II....
, that installation subsequently becoming Naval Training Center Orlando in 1968 until its closure by a 1993 Base Realignment and Closure
Base Realignment and Closure
Base Realignment and Closure is a process of the United States federal government directed at the administration and operation of the Armed Forces, used by the United States Department of Defense and Congress to close excess military installations and realign the total asset inventory to reduce...
(BRAC) decision in 1999.
In 1985, the then-Naval Training Equipment Center became the Naval Training Systems Center. In 1988, the Center moved to its present headquarters, the main building complex named for its founding father, de Florez. On October 1, 1993, the Naval Training Systems Center became today’s NAWCTSD. In 2003, the command was briefly renamed Naval Air Systems Command Training Systems Division (NAVAIR-TSD), but has since reverted back to its original name. In 2005, the physical facility and property was also designated as Naval Support Activity Orlando, making it the sole remaining active duty U.S. Navy installation in Orlando. NAWCTSD remains a significant component of the Naval Air Systems Command
Naval Air Systems Command
The Naval Air Systems Command provides material support for aircraft and airborne weapon systems for the United States Navy. NAVAIR was established in 1966 as the successor to the Navy's Bureau of Naval Weapons . Current Commander, Naval Air Systems Command, is Vice Adm. David Architzel since May...
.
Their mission:
- "To be the principal Navy center for research, development, test and evaluation, acquisition and product support of training systems, to provide Interservice coordination and training systems support for the Army and Air Force, and to perform such other functions and tasks as directed by higher authority."
Their vision:
- "To be the supplier of choice for training and human performance solutions to enhance the capability of the Nation's Warfighters."