How can allied navies accurately model one of maritime operations’ most demanding tasks? A multinational team built and validated a distributed HLA-based simulation capturing seaway conditions, ship interactions and payload transfer dynamics. Proven against experimental data, the platform delivers valuable insights for system integration, operational planning and future naval capability development.

Air-cavity drag reduction is moving closer to practical deployment through research linking cavity performance to controllable hydrodynamic actuators and wedge-shaped cavitators. Using potential-flow modelling, new insights into optimal operating conditions reveal how flow speed and hull trim influence efficiency gains, supporting more energy-efficient ship designs.

How can simulator design influence engineering competence? By applying ergonomic principles to a full-mission engine room simulator, a redesigned mimic panel improved realism, usability and training effectiveness. The experience highlights how human-centred design can enhance operational learning environments and strengthen the quality of marine engineering education and professional preparedness.