Feature 4
Destroyer, the FDO will be located student will be in a separate room and The FDC/FDO Training System
in a compartment next to the hangar the visualisation will be presented either architecture will comprise the following
with a view of the flight deck provided on the projector screens, viewed via a major elements:
by a window, projecting out from the window, or via display screens local to
•
An Instructor Operating Station (IOS).
bulkhead. the FDC student, with a design decision This is where the instructor will be
This has resulted in some changes to on which method to be taken later on in located during simulator sessions. The
normal FDO procedures and also made the project. The FDC student will also be IOS PC will run software associated with
available additional instrumentation presented with simulated CCTV images the generation and control of scenarios,
and controls (foam monitors and of the deck area, one controllable via simulation of helicopter and platform
pilot information lights). In order to joystick, as for the Type 45. dynamics, environment control, and
distinguish between the roles on different The instructor will control the provision of audio. It will also permit the
ship types, the Type 45 FDO is now scenario in response to the student’s creation and update of library data
referred to as the Flight Deck Controller actions including the selection of non-
•
An FDC Student Station (FDCSS). This
(FDC). standard operating procedures, deck is where the student will be located
FDOs are trained at the Royal Navy crew behaviour, and flying the helicopter. for FDC training. The FDCSS PC will
School of Flight Deck Operations Both automated and manual flight provide emulations of Type 45-specific
(RNSFDO), at RNAS Culdrose, where modes will be provided for the simulated peripherals with which the student will
the training course includes a mixture helicopter: need to interact
of classroom work, drills with live
•
In manual mode, the instructor will
•
A Visualisation and Projection System
helicopters, and use of a simulator. The fly the helicopter using a wireless (VPS). This will provide an animation
simulator provides procedural training, gamepad, with helicopter control of the scenarios, distributing the
to supplement live aircraft training. simplified by the system so that real visualisation to a number of displays and
The simulator also allows training in helicopter piloting skills are not projectors as required
emergency procedures, which cannot be required
provided by live aircraft. The high cost
•
In automated mode the helicopter The VPS is also responsible for the
of live aircraft hours has identified the will fly via a set of waypoints, with detailed animation and behaviour of the
increasing importance of the simulator, the instructor able to choose from a flight deck crew and aircrew members in
which allows procedures to be taught library of standard approach patterns response to the high level instructions from
and perfected before being implemented or customised ones. It will be possible the scenario control software at the IOS.
during live flying serials. for the instructor to switch between Scenario data will be exchanged between
The introduction of the Type 45 automated and manual control as the Trainer’s software applications using
destroyer and obsolescence problems with necessary the High Level Architecture (HLA), which
the current simulator has resulted in the is an industry standard for simulation
need for a replacement, which includes The system will provide an emulation interoperability.
the Type 45 training requirement, and of the controls and displays with which In addition to the capabilities described
in October, SEA Group Ltd, along with the Type 45 FDC will interact, as well above, the system also provides audio
sub-contractor XPI Simulation Ltd, were as a display of the wind speed/direction facilities, including: communications
awarded the contract to provide the new and Stop Go lights for FDO students. between students and instructor; the
Royal Navy FDC and FDO Training The FDC’s Graphical User Interface ability to play pre-recorded voice messages,
Simulator by the Maritime Training (GUI) will be presented on two screens which can be triggered by scenario events
Systems IPT. as follows: (helicopter crew reporting when they reach
The new simulator will provide a
•
The left hand screen will provide a a certain range for the ship) – thus reducing
simulation and visualisation of: display of instruments that the FDC instructor workload; and provision of
•
Helicopter approach, landing, departure needs to monitor on a continuous helicopter noise, with volume and stereo
and circuits basis image depending on the helicopter position
•
Deck operations on the flight deck,
•
The right hand screen will provide an relative to the ship.
including animations of the deck crew emulation of FDC controls, which he The system will be able to represent
and associated deck equipment, such will operate via a touch screen. The a comprehensive set of helicopters
as the telebrief cable and refuelling required control will be selected from including the Merlin; Lynx Mk3/8; Lynx
hose a menu along the bottom of the screen Mk7; Sea King Mk 4/6/7; Chinook;
•
Airfield operations – allowing training Apache; Dauphin; and platforms
of ground marshalling skills It should be noted that all including the Type 22; LPH; LPD; CVS;
representations of instruments and AOR; and Type 45. An interim version
The visualisation will be presented to controls are derived from photographs, of the system has been installed at RNAS
the FDO student and instructor via three with animation and user control facilities Culdrose with delivery expected in July
projector screens. For FDC training the being added by the system software. of this year. WT
Warship Technology March 2008 25
WT Mar - p24+25.indd 25 10/03/2008 12:28:06
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