Concept Smoke Systems Supports Naval Damage Control 2026 with Latest Smoke Training Technology

Concept Smoke Systems is attending and supporting Naval Damage Control 2026, taking place in Southampton from 29 September to 1 October.

Now in its 11th edition, Naval Damage Control brings together naval personnel, damage-control specialists, training organisations and industry from around the world, with a dedicated focus on naval firefighting, survivability and damage-control capability. The event programme combines operational experience with new technologies and advanced training methods designed to improve readiness for real-world incidents at sea. Navy Leaders

For Concept, one of the most relevant areas of this year’s programme is the strong emphasis on practical damage-control and firefighting training.

Day Two includes a dedicated training programme covering submarine damage-control training, naval and maritime training-centre design, fleet firefighting, CBRNDC training within a carrier strike group and the use of damage-control and firefighting simulators. Speakers include representatives from the Royal Navy, US Navy, Estonian Navy and specialist training-system providers, reflecting the increasing importance being placed on realistic and effective crew preparation.

Realistic smoke for shipboard and fixed training

Concept will be demonstrating a range of smoke-generation equipment suitable for both shipboard fire-training exercises and permanent naval damage-control training facilities.

Artificial smoke allows instructors to introduce realistic reductions in visibility without the hazards associated with genuine combustion. Depending on the application, systems can be used to simulate smoke migration through compartments, challenge personnel operating in breathing apparatus, test search and navigation procedures and add another level of realism to damage-control scenarios.

A major focus at this year’s event will be Concept’s latest development: a new high-output battery-powered prototype smoke generator.

The prototype has been designed to combine the portability associated with Concept’s existing battery-powered systems with substantially greater smoke output.

Current prototype performance includes:

• Smoke output: up to approximately 40 ml/min
• Heating power: approximately 1,400–1,500 W
• Maximum-output runtime: approximately 9 minutes
• Output: around four times that of the Concept B1
• At a reduced output comparable with the B1, anticipated battery runtime increases to approximately 27 minutes, operating at around 500 W
• Recharge time: approximately one hour

The considerably higher output opens up applications where battery operation has traditionally been attractive but where available smoke volume has been a limiting factor.

For shipboard training in particular, removing the requirement for a mains electrical supply can make it considerably easier to introduce smoke into different compartments and rapidly reposition the generator between exercises. The same technology could also provide additional flexibility within purpose-built training centres, where portable equipment can supplement larger fixed installations.

Supporting the development of naval training

Naval Damage Control 2026 describes its programme as being centred on operational case studies, emerging technologies and advanced training methods, with representatives from navies, shipbuilders, training organisations, engineers and firefighting specialists attending the Southampton event. Navy Leaders

Concept Smoke Systems will use the event both to demonstrate its existing equipment and to gather feedback on the new battery-powered prototype from the customers responsible for designing, delivering and participating in naval damage-control training.

If you’re attending Naval Damage Control 2026, come and speak to the Concept team to see the equipment in operation and discuss how controllable smoke can be incorporated into shipboard exercises or fixed training facilities.