US Army school installs simulation training system

GMDSS, Radar, ECDIS and AIS training

Buffalo Computer Graphics (BCG) reports that it has completed the first phase of a delivery to provide the US Army Transportation School in Virginia with a multi-function classroom capable of running simulations for GMDSS, Radar, ECDIS and AIS training.

The classroom set-up has been designed utilising standard Windows desktop computers running multiple BCG virtual simulation packages.

The initial classroom installation consists of two instructor positions (one connected to a Smart Board / projector) and 15 student workstations all running BCG’s Virtual GMDSS training software.

Four tabletop GMDSS simulator consoles have also been delivered, each supporting two students, bringing the total classroom capacity to 23 student training positions.

The GMDSS simulator supports Area 1- Area 4 communication using all virtualised equipment, with voice communication taking place via a VoIP network. Both instructor stations and all student stations are networked together to allow fully interactive operation.

The next phase of this project will involve an upgrade of the classroom to facilitate ship navigation training. BCG will install PCRadar (the company’s ARPA radar simulator), an IMO approved ECDIS, and a virtual AIS receiver at the 15 student positions.

Each of these programs will interact, as they do onboard a vessel, allowing students access to a full complement of navigation sub-systems, though still under the control of the instructor.

Source: The Digital Ship