Above: The new Sea DECKsim in place at the Defence Academy, Shrivenham.
 
The APT, the latest iteration of SEA’s proven DECKsim technology, provides an immersive, high fidelity, 3D virtual environment for training students in flight deck and land-based operations.
 
It is a demonstration system based upon SEA’s Flight Deck Officer (FDO)/Flight Deck Controller (FDC) training simulator used at the Royal Navy (RN) School of Flight Deck Operations (RNSFDO) at RNAS Culdrose. The latter delivers training to any military personnel who have the task of marshalling aircraft on RN ships or shore establishments.

 
The DECKsim system at Shrivenham provides emulated control panels for the various systems that students are required to operate on the flight deck. It enables them to train for standard operating procedures and emergency drills which otherwise would be difficult and expensive if live aircraft were used.  
 
A smaller number of serials are featured on the Shrivenham simulator compared to the system installed at the RNSFDO and rather than a large projection screen the system uses a large monitor for the student view. Platforms are based on two ship models, Type 45 and the Queen Elizabeth Class Carrier, and two aircraft types, Merlin and Wildcat.
 
The system will be used by a wide spectrum of students and visitors to the Defence Academy from around the world. It is the latest application of SEA DECKsim technology that started some ten years ago and has been continually refreshed to take account of new hardware and software, in addition to new types of platform and aircraft.
 
In addition, other similar SEA DECKsims have been delivered to Airbus Helicopters and the Royal Norwegian Navy.
 
SEA Business Development Executive Andy McGowan explained: “The DECKsim simulator demonstrates another way in which a virtual environment and emulations can be employed for training individuals. With the introduction of the QE Class carriers in particular, the latest simulators will be a valuable asset in delivering low-cost effective training for students.”
 
SEA will also support the system while it is in use at the Defence Academy.