Australian Navy trains on virtual warship

The Royal Australian Navy has revealed an advanced virtual-reality training simulator to train junior officers in combat.

At a cost of AU$10m (£6.4m) to build, the simulator is designed to replicate missions and tasks for cadets to complete before taking the helm on a multi-million-dollar battleship.

The facility was officially opened on 25 March by commander Australian Fleet rear admiral Steve Gilmore, who said that the simulator can play out many complex scenarios for cadets.

"An example of a complex scenario is manoeuvring a 3,500-tonne warship within 2,000 yards of a number of other ships while under air attack, or bringing ships within 50m of each other conducting replenishment-at-sea approaches," he added.

The simulator sees virtual reality training missions played out on a 240-degree, two-dimensional screen.

See more photo galleries on ZDNet UK.

The training simulator runs out full missions and part-tasks to train junior seamen in varying conditions including rough seas, storms and clear skies.

See more photo galleries on ZDNet UK.

Navy officers-in-training take the virtual helm.

"This facility is at the cutting edge of simulator technology and provides junior seaman officers with very realistic training so they will be capable of carrying out the duties of the officer-of-the-watch before heading out to sea," Gilmore said.

See more photo galleries on ZDNet UK.

All of the tools present on the bridge represent those used on actual Navy warships to make training as realistic as possible.

See more photo galleries on ZDNet UK.

A Navy officer-in-training takes part in a training exercise. Imagine taking your driving test on a 3,500-tonne Australian Navy warship.

See more photo galleries on ZDNet UK.

A cadet steers through iconic Sydney Harbour.

For more on this ZDNet UK-selected story, see Navy opens $10m warship simulator: pics on ZDNet Australia.

See more photo galleries on ZDNet UK.