• Home
• GOVERNMENT CXO
• E-GOVERNMENT
• CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT
• TAX AND REVENUE MANAGEMENT
• GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT
• GREEN GOVERNMENT
• GOVERNMENT DATA MANAGEMENT
• GOVERNMENT SECURITY
• GOVERNMENT CLOUD
• GOVERNMENT ANALYTICS
• GOVERNMENT GIS
• CONNECTED GOVERNMENT
• DIGITAL INCLUSION
• EDUCATION IT
• HEALTHCARE IT

Government Security

Video games to train Australian navymen

By Johanna Morden | 24 June 2011

The Royal Australian Navy will be training its sailors using video games that imitate the most serious circumstances that can occur while ships are at sea.

In a simulation facility costing A$18 million, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) trainees will learn how to deal with toxic hazards, do fire fighting, perform emergency repairs and other real-life scenarios on board ships.

“Ships at sea cannot call on the Fire Department or Emergency Services in the unlikely event that things go wrong,” said Captain Jay Bannister, Head of Training for Maritime Warfare of RAN. “Sailors have to be prepared to deal with any number of rare but potentially hazardous situations and that’s precisely why we train our people so thoroughly and provide the best facilities that are available.”

RAN will utilise Real-time Engineering Fleet training Interactive Naval Environment (REFINE).

REFINE is a programme that translates 3D information about real-life ships into simulators that supply a realistic, detailed environment wherein sailors can be trained effectively.

With REFINE, the realism of video game simulators is enhanced. Its developers acknowledge the importance of realism in more effective teaching and learning of both survival and combat methods, making simulations better than lessons taught in classrooms.

The programme allows for more in-depth interactions with trainees. Even minor parts of a simulated ship can be inspected and fixed using complete technical read-outs, with results of sailors’ interactions recorded for future reference.

---