CAE bags new simulation & training contracts

CAE has released details on four new contracts to provide a range of training and simulation equipment and services to customers in New Zealand, Germany and Korea, worth a combined $110 million.

The first award will see the company provide the T-6C ground-based training system (GBTS) for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). The contract was awarded by the Beechcraft Defense Company as part of an overall training solution Beechcraft is providing to the RNZAF that includes 11 T-6C Texan II military trainer aircraft and 30 years of logistics support.

The T-6C GBTS will be an integrated training system that includes two T-6C operational flight trainers, computer-based classroom training systems, and courseware customised for RNZAF pilot training.  CAE has established CAE New Zealand to provide long-term training support and maintenance services at RNZAF Base Ohakea.

The second contract will see the company replace obsolete components and upgrade the visual systems on the German Air Force's Eurofighter simulators.  The visual system upgrade will include the addition of CAE's latest generation CAE Medallion-6000 image generator along with new high-resolution projectors and dome display systems for the Eurofighter full-mission simulators and Eurofighter cockpit trainers located in Laage, Norvenich, Wittmund and Neuburg, which are the four main Eurofighter operating bases in Germany.

Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd (KAI) has contracted CAE to provide its CAE Medallion-6000 image generator for a T-50IQ full-mission simulator that KAI is developing for the Iraqi Air Force.  KAI is under contract with the government of Iraq to provide its T-50IQ supersonic advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft, including a ground-based training system.  In addition to providing the CAE Medallion-6000 image generator for the T-50IQ full-mission simulator, CAE will provide a database modelling station and support KAI with integration and training services.

Finally, CAE will supply a KC-135 boom operator weapon systems trainer (BOWST) to an undisclosed international customer. The KC-135 BOWST will provide tanker boom operators with enhanced synthetic training capabilities.

Gene Colabatistto, group president, defence and security, CAE, said: ‘We are well positioned across a range of opportunities around the world, involving defence and security forces that increasingly recognise the benefits of simulation-based training. CAE is a skilled and experienced training systems integrator, and we are focused on pursuing long-term, integrated training solutions.’