The ORTT consists of two (expandable to three) completely independent training areas (called cubicles) each consisting of bridge and operation room sections. Each cubicle consists of 33 communications panels comprised of 12 unique panel types, among 14 (stereo) operator stations.

Each of the 28 (stereo) instructors, located in a separate room, has full-duplex communications capability with any other instructor (via the instructor only nets) and with any of the pre-programmed internal nets (e.g. EW net, ASW net, AAS net, etc.) of either cubicle. Additionally, the instructor can monitor up to four cubicle internal nets, while simultaneously monitoring and communicating with other instructors on the instructor-only nets.

In addition to the simulation of a seventy-six UHF/VHF radio environment with full propagation characteristics, the training problem included various special radio and communications simulations such as underwater telephone, jamming, and SATCOM. The training traffic is recorded on a radio frequency basis, on thirty audio channels. Twenty-six full duplex intercom buses are also connected over the network to allow instructor monitoring of trainee intercom buses. This capability allows monitoring and recording of all non-radio internal communications.

In total, over 100 realistic communications panels were produced. (A more detailed listing of the equipment requirements is appended to this paper.)

In order to meet the 15 month schedule and maximize profit (the two are fairly synonymous), it was necessary to minimize all non-value added cost elements and to maximize the use of pre-tested subsystem elements across the board. Not just in hardware sub-assemblies and software modules, but in every area where labor is expended--such as writing procurement specifications, or conducting repetitive system testing.

Non value-added cost elements are any activities not directly involved in the creation of a quality end-product. They include time spent creating one-time use documentation such as viewgraphs designed exclusively for design reviews, time spent installing or testing the product, and even time spent responding to customer questions.

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