Montreal. 01 October 2024 . CAE announced  that it has signed a 25-year sub-contract valued at approximately $1.7 billion from SkyAlyne, a joint venture between CAE and KF Aerospace, to provide the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) with modern, state-of-the-art pilot training.

As a major subcontractor to the Future Air Crew Training (FAcT) program, CAE will deliver over the course of the contract term comprehensive aircrew training including live flying, simulation, and ground school training. This will extend CAE’s long-standing presence at 15 Wing Moose Jaw where CAE currently operates the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) program.

As part of this sub-contract, CAE will initially develop and deliver a range of simulators and training devices to be installed in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and at Southport, Manitoba for the various aircraft fleets being procured for the RCAF under the FAcT program. These training devices are expected to be delivered over the next 5 years.

In addition to this initial approximately $1.7 billion sub-contract, CAE is also expected to sign a follow-on order in the near term involving sustainment-related in-service support services.

“The FAcT program launches a new era in Canadian military aircrew training, and CAE is proud to be delivering advanced products and services that will enable the most extensive training system recapitalization ever undertaken by the RCAF,” said Marc Parent, CAE’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “For more than 75 years, CAE has put the readiness and safety of military pilots and service members at the forefront of its training and simulation development. With FAcT, our priority will be to ensure the RCAF has the depth and the technical advantage it needs to support the mission readiness of Canada’s next generation of military personnel.”

SkyAlyne unites leading Canadian defence and aviation companies, CAE and KF Aerospace, in a joint venture designed to provide the RCAF with turnkey training operations delivered by a single provider. The partnership combines the expertise of both organizations’ highly successful and longstanding RCAF pilot training programs, while expanding training capabilities for Air Combat System Officers (ACSO) and Airborne Electronic Sensor Operators (AES Op) under an innovative and cost-effective single schoolhouse model for aircrew training.

“As the world we live in continues to change and evolve, the RCAF needs the most capable and well-trained aircrew that can excel in challenging and dynamic global environments. Together with partners like CAE, SkyAlyne is providing the RCAF with a world-leading training system that will set a new standard,” explained Kevin Lemke, General Manager of SkyAlyne. “The team supporting SkyAlyne includes leaders from coast-to-coast-to-coast and the personnel at CAE are among the best of the best. CAE’s contributions to the FAcT program will be immense.”

For nearly a quarter of a century, CAE has provided best-in-class pilot training trusted by the RCAF at 15 Wing Moose Jaw as part of the NFTC program. CAE is proud to continue this legacy of excellence and to participate in the overall delivery of the transformative FAcT program as Canada’s premiere military training partner.