Inside the Navy's cutting edge warship simulators

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Naval officers in San Diego undergo rigorous training using advanced simulators at the Mariners Skills Training Facility to prepare for real-world ship navigation.

The training includes a comprehensive 15-week course that begins in the classroom, where officers learn the basics of navigating massive ships. This foundational knowledge is crucial before they advance to mid-level simulators, which simulate various global scenarios.

The training program utilizes high-tech simulators that resemble a video game, but with life-or-death stakes. These simulators have revolutionized naval training by allowing officers to practice navigation and ship handling in simulated environments before facing real-world challenges.

The Navy has invested significantly in the most advanced simulator ever created, likened to an I-Max movie theatre for naval warfare.

The shift to simulator-based training marks a significant change from past methods, where lessons were learned in real-time situations.

As the largest military town in the country, San Diego serves as the epicenter for this cutting-edge naval training, ensuring officers are well-prepared to maintain maritime dominance and avoid the risks of real-world navigation mishaps.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KSWB. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KSWB staff before being published.