KBR to Develop, Deliver Virtual Training Program for Royal Australian Navy’s LHD Ship

KBR  announced it has been contracted by BAE Systems to develop and deliver a virtual training program to train crew for the Royal Australian Navy’s Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ship, which is under construction.

The real-time, 3-D virtual training courseware will enable Royal Australian Navy personnel to get a head-start on training to operate and maintain this new capability. This project builds on the LHD 3D Ship Walkthrough Computer Model (SWCM) KBR developed using engineering data provided by BAE Systems. The SWCM is an exact-to-scale 3-D replica of the ship – inside and out – including every compartment on all 13 decks.

Using the Virtual Ship Training Information System (ViSTIS^®) capability developed through an alliance with KBR, Blohm+Voss Naval (BVN) and Crytek, this highly detailed virtual ship and immersive real-time 3-D virtual training courseware will be used to train the LHD’s permanent crew prior to, and after, completion of the ship’s construction. The courseware includes training for ship familiarization, high-voltage awareness, damage control familiarization and marine engineering systems familiarization. It will also include a marine engineering part task trainer for the training on the forward aircraft elevator system.

KBR will also develop more than 50 different virtual models of crew members, which will be used for individual and team training scenarios. Trainees will be able to network in a classroom environment, while working together inside the LHD to complete simulated exercises and emergency response scenarios they will be required to undertake once deployed on the real ship.

Key benefits of this computer-based training include a reduction in training and operating costs, increased trainee safety and on-board productivity, and enhanced training system availability, flexibility and portability.

“It is an honor to support BAE Systems and the Defence Materiel Organisation in the development of this training system for the Australian Defence Force,” said Andrew Pringle, President, International Government and Defence & Support Services. “Through this program KBR will lead the effort in providing extremely cost-effective training to defense forces globally and allow them to get a head-start on training to operate the ship. KBR’s role in this project will further position the company to expand its business into the resources sector.”

KBR is a global engineering, construction and services company supporting the energy, hydrocarbon, government services, minerals, civil infrastructure, power, industrial, and commercial markets.

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Naval Today Staff, November 23, 2011;