Damen Naval Unveils Immersive VR Experience for Cutting-Edge Combat Support Vessel
The Karel Doorman is a service vessel with the Royal Netherlands Navy and is outfitted with a crane and lift mechanism to raise heavy materials. This ship has the capacity to carry approximately 5,000 tonnes of substantial rolling (armoured) equipment and boasts a medical facility with two surgical theatres. The JSS is also equipped with landing pads for helicopters, including Chinooks, Cougars, and the NH90.
The state-of-the-art Combat Support Ship (CSS) Den Helder has yet to be delivered, but the crew is already familiarizing themselves with the vessel through an extensive Virtual Reality package. Shipbuilder Damen Naval has provided a virtual replica of the ship to the Materieel & IT Command (COMMIT). This marks the first instance where the company has developed a VR version of an entire vessel for and in collaboration with the Royal Netherlands Navy.
“The adage for new crew members on vessels was ‘Understand your ship within 24 hours’. Now we can elevate that saying to: ‘Familiarize yourself with your ship 24 hours before you step on board’,” states Damen Naval Project Director Arjan Risseeuw. “The virtual vessel is an accurate replica of the design created in our 3D design software Cadmatic. Everything is included: the steel, the piping, the wiring, the equipment, and all compartments. Thus, you can navigate through a virtual interpretation of the ship while the actual vessel is still under construction.”
The VR rendition of the vessel was developed in partnership with the Ministry of Defence’s maritime simulation centre (SCM). After the VR package was handed over to COMMIT, they subsequently forwarded it to the Royal Netherlands Navy. The expectation is that the naval training institute will utilize the virtual ship for training purposes for the incoming crew. This innovation will enable them to navigate on board the CSS even prior to seeing or touring the ship in actual settings. Additionally, the technology can be leveraged to train maintenance technicians or security personnel.
“The VR model already permits us as crew to contemplate remotely about aspects in the ship’s operations that are typically executed on board,” shares Captain Lieutenant at Sea Stefjan Veenstra, Commander of CSS Den Helder.
Damen Naval’s Technical Specialist for VR, Björn Mes, and his team often had to push the boundaries of hardware and software to develop the virtual version. “We have never integrated such a large and intricate vessel into VR before, and the collaborative team from Damen Naval and the SCM committed numerous hours ‘on board’. VR projects of this magnitude are rare, even at Damen Naval. It was a demanding venture, but the final outcome is impressive,” he adds.
This is the inaugural occasion Damen Naval has employed their in-house developed toolchain for such a VR initiative. The toolchain was established to automate segments of the VR construction process and expedite it. “By smartly utilizing models and metadata from our 3D software, we can conserve substantial time,” elaborates Björn Mes. “A prime example is the piping in the engine room. Previously, a colleague would spend weeks positioning all the pipes and valves correctly in the VR model. With the new toolchain, most of the CSS engine room piping is generated within minutes, allowing us to merely verify and modify when necessary.”
The Combat Support Ship Den Helder is progressively coming to fruition. Last month, the diesel generators were put to the test. The vessel is anticipated to undergo sea trials in early 2024 and is scheduled for delivery to COMMIT later that year. The Royal Netherlands Navy will then undertake a portion of the work before the ship can be commissioned in 2025.
