A new state of the art training facility to be run by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) with support from Luerssen Australia has been officially opened at HMAS Stirling.
Over the past five years, Luerssen Australia, in conjunction with the Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group and the RAN, has analysed and designed a specific training package to prepare incoming Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) crews.
Luerssen Australia’s 19 bespoke training courses will now be delivered from the purpose-built training facility at HMAS Stirling – called Navy Training Systems Centre (West).
The facility forms part of the ‘Ship Zero’ Training Concept Plan.
Ship Zero refers to the training and capability hubs located at HMAS Stirling and Henderson and includes a headquarters and a through-life test centre, alongside a ship and capability specific training school.
OPV crew training kicked off in 2022 in an existing facility on HMAS Stirling.
The training is a consolidation of instructor-led and student self-paced learning and provides a realistic environment via 3D simulation to prepare sailors and officers to operate and maintain the OPVs.
All crew posted to an OPV will undertake the familiarisation course, as well as a variety of operator and maintainer courses depending on their role.
Luerssen Australia’s dedicated Training Team will deliver the courses, many of whom are Navy veterans who bring years of experience to help next generation get ready for their roles.
Training for NUSHIP Arafura’s crew has been completed, and training for NUSHIP Eyre’s crew is set to commence later this year.
Luerssen Australia Managing Director, Malcolm Taylor, said the new facility will provide a strong foundation to foster further innovation in the training space.
“This important and innovative facility will help prepare OPV crews for deployment. It is an immersive approach which uses virtual reality and augmented reality to provide crews a unique training experience,” said Mr Taylor.
“This type of training is more cost effective and safer than training at sea. Studies have also shown interactive technology that engages multiple senses contributes to better retention and recall. We are extremely excited to be able to deliver this capability to the customer.”
Luerssen Australia is drawing on 150 years of shipbuilding and sustainment knowledge through its German parent NVL Group to support the delivery of a sovereign naval shipbuilding capability in Australia.
For media enquiries, please contact Krystle Thein on 0477 959 409 or krystle.thein@luerssen.com.au