Virtual environments for shipboard training

Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with the Behavioral Technologies Laboratory and the Information Sciences Institute at the University of Southern California, has developed a virtual environment training (VET) system known as the Training Studio. This instructional system integrates the development, delivery, and evaluation tasks for training within a virtual environment. One or more students can be placed inside a 3D (immersed) setting derived from engineering models, such as a ship's engine room, to train on maintenance and operation tasks using simulations associated with 3D objects. The VET system supports automated instructional development and intelligent tutoring for training within a virtual environment. The system applicability to shipboard training is evident in the initial training application - the High Pressure Air Compressor, a part of the larger shipboard Gas Turbine Propulsion domain. There are several benefits associated with an immersive ship-board training simulation. The software-based, reconfigurable simulator could replace most of what is accomplished in mockups. Maintenance training procedures could be done without bringing down systems, and allow training on other ship-variants before change in duty. Since the VET system uses Internet standards it could enable effective distribution of training revisions, bypassing delays in printing, training instructors, and distribution.