RAN to receive simulation training upgrade

The Royal Australian Navy is set to receive simulation training upgrades at its HMAS Stirling base in Western Australia and HMAS Watson base in Sydney, the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) announced on 31 August.

HMAS Stirling will receive a new a new bridge simulation trainer, while a new command team trainer and upgrades to other simulators will be installed at HMAS Watson.

Bridge simulator trainers replicate a real-life ship’s bridge with highly realistic scenarios. They are used to train bridge teams, and in particular bridge officers, in ship navigation and handling techniques.

The command team trainer is a virtual ship operations room and uses simulated scenarios to teach personnel in operating the ship’s combat and communications systems.

The Australian DoD will spend more than AUD$80 million on this project, which aims to reduce the time spent on completing qualifications, moving personnel across the county and the training load on ships. The companies involved in the project include BAE Systems Australia, DXC Technology Australia, L3 Oceania Australia and SAAB Australia.

Christopher Pyne, Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry, said: ‘By expanding the fleet of onshore simulation trainers, navy will not be limited by factors that can impact training at sea and can deliver more reliable and increasingly sophisticated training packages.

‘Simulation training also provides an environment where individuals and teams can safely rehearse complex and high-risk missions. The new and upgraded simulators will assure Australia’s ability to develop and maintain potent, operational-ready platforms with highly trained personnel prepared for all contingencies at sea.’