The Royal Navy has installedVRsimulators at three military training sites in the UK.
The simulators, built by Portsmouth-based Metaverse VR, recreate the bridge of a warship.
A bridge, or wheelhouse, is like an aeroplane cockpit for ships.
The Navy hopes that the new simulators will make training sailors faster and more lifelike.
It is very easy to become immersed in the situation it makes everything feel much more real.
The Navy has installed five of the VR simulators at HMS Collingwood, a warfare school in southern England.
This includes two large full-mission units fitted with wraparound digital displays.
The other three simulators are smaller versions, more like a videogamingset-up.
A game-changer
When sailors put on the VR headsets, they become immersed in a 3D world.
Trainees can manoeuvre the ship and practice scenarios like resupply missions or mooring at harbour.
Sailors and their mentors can record all training scenarios and replay them afterwards.
The Lieutenant was among the first trainees to go use the first-generation simulators two decades ago.
The Royal Navy spent 27mn (31mn) on the new tech.
The simulators join an arsenal of state-of-the-art defence equipment deployed by the Navy.
These includeautonomous minehuntersandelectronic warfare systems.
The Navy might even installDragonFire laser weaponson its ships from 2027.
Story bySion Geschwindt
Sion is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy.
