BMT Defence Services and BAE Systems have joined the Babcock International Group as major sponsors of the 7thEngine As A Weapon International Symposium (EAAW VII) being held in Bristol, UK on Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 June 2017, and will be featuring the power of virtual reality (VR) in both the conference and exhibition.
Organised by FIGS Events Limited on behalf of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) the two-day event being held at No.1 Brunel Square in Bristol, explores the reality of fully integrated engineering systems and equipment, and will discuss the merits and challenges of delivering combat power at sea.
“BMT will be displaying its virtual reality (VR) demonstrator at EAAW VII, and a paper entitled ‘Testing the boundaries of virtual reality within ship support’ is being presented by John Newell MBE, Head of Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) Support, BAE Systems Maritime Services and Simon Luck, Head of Information Systems and Information Assurance at BMT Defence Services. Together they will offer our delegates all essential dimensions of understanding how VR works.” explains Cdr Ian Hassall RN, EAAW VII Symposium Chairman.
As Simon Luck explains: “Of course, the virtual reality experience is of relevance to more than the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers. The EngageTM platform forms the basis of a 3D environment and allows ship’s staff, visitors and BAE Systems’ employees to move freely around the warship. It delivers a full end-to-end training solution, using the latest technology to deliver a truly immersive experience. Familiarity with a ship’s layout, escape and evacuation routes, and the ability to identify key pieces of safety equipment are invaluable and cost-effective training tools for new classes of ship. I know that delegates will enjoy putting the virtual reality system to the test at EAAW VII.”
He adds: “We’ve been working on serious gaming and immersive virtual reality technologies for a number of years and as one of the original designers of the QEC, EAAW VII provides a great opportunity to demonstrate our support to industry partners in the development of a safe, efficient and effective training solution not only for these iconic ships, but other warships as well.”
John Newell underlines the additional benefits: “As delegates to EAAW VII will see, this innovative 3D solution will also have wider utility as these two ships come into service as a key part of the ongoing induction process for new joiners, a useful tool that, when operational, can be forwarded in advance to embarking forces both from the UK and other nations and become a necessary precursor to any international industrial workforce working on these ships, and other warships, worldwide.”
The full programme, details of networking opportunities, which include a welcome BBQ and the Symposium reception on the Promenade Deck of ss Great Britain, and online registration is at www.eaaw.org.uk. There are preferential rates for IMarEST Members and students, Marine Partners, supporting organisations, sponsors, academics and Navy personnel from home and overseas. EAAW VII is CPD approved by IMarEST.
The EAAW VII Technical Advisory Committee
Chairman:
Cdr Ian Hassall RN, Ministry of Defence, UK
Vice Chairman:
Mr Oliver Simmonds, GE Power Conversion
Dr Sal Ahmed, Office of Naval Research Global
Mr Rob Andrews, BAE Systems Maritime – Naval Ships
Mr Roger Bartlett, MBDA
Prof Fred Eastham FREng FRSE, University of Bath
Lt Marcel Den Hartog RNLN, Ministry of Defence, UK
Mr Keith Howard, Babcock International Group
Mr Steve Mason, Ultra Electronics PMES Ltd
Lt Tom McKenna RN, Ministry of Defence, UK
Eur Ing Andrew Michael, QinetiQ
Mr Christopher Pollard, BMT Defence Services Ltd
Dr Zareh Soghomonian, USA
Mr Andrew Tate, Dstl
Dr Ian Whitelegg, Rolls-Royce
EAAW VII Patrons
Rear Admiral Nigel Guild CB FREng
Cdre Peter Knipping MBE RNLN, Director, Directorate of Materiel Support, Royal Netherlands Navy
Mr Henry Parker CB, Director Ship Acquisition, Ministry of Defence, UK
EAAW Background
The first EAAW Symposium in 2004 was established by IMarEST to bring together and inform the marine and combat systems communities to ensure opportunities would be exploited and challenges overcome. It is held biennially.
What is IMarEST?
IMarEST is the international professional body and learned society for all marine professionals. With over 20,000 members in 128 countries, the IMarEST is the first Institute to bring together marine engineers, marine scientists and marine technologists into one international multi-disciplinary professional body.
In addition to a wide range of services, including publishing The Marine Professional, the Institute organises Learned Society events for its members and the wider industry, these include: the Engine As A Weapon International Symposia (EAAW); Marine Electrical and Control Systems Safety Conference (MECSS) and the International Naval Engineering Conference and Exhibition (INEC); the Learned Society events are organised by FIGS Events Limited on behalf of IMarEST
