The future of warfare is looking increasingly electronic, with the emergence of drones and other automated vehicles.

And a new system from BAE Systems could allow submariners to monitor and control their vessel from virtual reality.

The software simulation collects information from sensors and relays data to the crew via a VR headset.

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Defence and aerospace firm BAE Systems has created software that could allow submariners to monitor and control their vessel from virtual reality. It uses an HTC Vive headset to allow wearers to move from virtual room to room and monitor instrument feedback (stock image)

HOW IT WORKS Sensors on the outside of the vessel send data to a graphics processing engine - called Unity. This data is combined with reading's from the vessels instruments, to create a number of digital environments. These allow wearers of an HTC Vive headset to move from virtual room to room. As well as viewing the exterior of the vessel, they can also monitor conditions aboard. Advertisement

It uses a software engine - designed to create video games and other digital entertainment - called Unity.

Information from sensors on the outside of the submarine - as well as reading's from the vessels internal instruments and cabins - are processed through the graphics program.

This creates virtual renderings of a whole host of digital environments, which can be viewed through an HTC Vive headset.

As well as seeing the exterior of the sub, the wearer can move from virtual room to room.

This would allow them to monitor conditions aboard the vessel, as well as exploring a number of its cabins, according to reports in The Sun.

A demonstration of the technology was unveiled at the Virtual Reality World Congress - held in Bristol yesterday.

Bristol engineer Paul Perera was in attendance and shared an image of the demo on Twitter.

Bristol engineer Paul Perera was in attendance and shared an image of the demo on Twitter. The software could one day be used to control BAE's submarines

The military already makes extensive use of simulators to train personnel.

And a new £2 million simulator was launched on March 29 by BAE systems that allows pilots to train in the F-35 Lightning II in virtual reality for the first time.

This is anticipation of flight trials on the UK’s new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier which launches next year.

BAE test pilot Peter Wilson said: 'The immersive experience is as near to the real thing as possible.

The military already makes extensive use of simulators to train personnel. And a new £2 million simulator was launched on March 29 by BAE that allows pilots to train on the F-35 Lightning II in virtual reality for the first time

'The data will show us exactly what will happen when F-35 pilots fly to and from the Queen Elizabeth carriers.

'The trials we can run through the simulator are far more extensive than what we will do in the actual flight trials because we can run and re-run each trial until we have all the data we need.

'The simulator provides greater cost efficiency for the overall programme and is extremely important to the success of the first flight trials.'