The Navy has a new way to virtually train its captains, with a multimillion dollar training facility in our backyard.
Bangor at Naval Base Kitsap is one of the Navy's largest submarine facilities in the country.
The new submarine bridge trainer at Bangor's Trident Training Facility is a centerpiece for next-generation submarine training.
Sailors are surrounded by a 360-degree view, with 3D sound so they can try any maneuver they could make with a submarine, but without even going into the water.
The trainees can also virtually pilot a sub to and from many of the world's ports.
The $7 million trainer is an important part of the Navy's strategic efforts.
The commander of the fleet of subs at Bangor says the system will get new sailors ready for increasingly unstable global conditions, such as threats from Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, and the building threat of terrorist groups.
Virtual reality trainers or simulators have been used by submariners before now, but they could usually only train one at a time.
With the next system at Bangor, an entire bridge crew can train together at the same time.
Cox Media Group
