Tampa, Florida. 25 September  2024. CAE celebrates the inauguration of its new training and simulation facility in Tampa, headquarters to the U.S. Division of CAE Defense & Security (CAE USA). The official ribbon cutting welcomes industry leaders, government officials, and distinguished guests to the modern facility dedicated to strengthening the U.S. defense sector.

The CAE Tampa training center, a 326,000 sq. ft. campus, boasts a 16-bay manufacturing facility for simulation and product development, which delivers flight simulation training and is home to more than 750 valued employees. The inauguration celebrates the cutting-edge facility that broke ground in 2019 on the Tampa International Airport property. The project is a collaboration with Space Florida, the City of Tampa, and county authorities, demonstrating CAE’s commitment to training and simulation in the region as we continue to drive innovative solutions and training modernization in the defense industry.

“Today, we take an exciting step forward with the new Tampa facility, marking a major milestone in our commitment to real-world training solutions for the defense industry,” said Marc Parent, CAE President and CEO. “This state-of-the-art center will not only drive advancements in simulation and training technology but also serve as a hub for strengthening partnerships with the U.S. military and allied forces.”

CAE is the platform-independent training and simulation solutions provider supporting the mission readiness of more than 40 U.S. and allied forces at 145 sites globally. CAE delivers training efficacy from turnkey training centers to tailored live, virtual, and constructive solutions at company and government-owned locations at all proficiency levels. CAE USA employs over 3,000 skilled professionals, including computer and software engineers, program managers, training instructors, and corporate staff.

“As the headquarters for CAE USA, we look forward to our continued collaboration with military and government customers to provide customized training and simulation technologies that meet the evolving needs of defense operations,” said Merrill Stoddard, Division President, CAE USA. “Our team is excited to leverage this facility to develop next-generation simulation devices and training programs to push boundaries of what’s possible and ensure the readiness of those who serve.”

CAE USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of CAE, based in Montreal, Canada. As a U.S. corporation that operates under a Special Security Agreement (SSA) with the U.S. Department of Defense, CAE USA has its own U.S. board of directors that monitors and oversees all company activities related to classified and export-controlled information, security procedures, and company management.

“For decades, CAE has been an integral part of Tampa’s business landscape, contributing to both local growth and national defense,” said Mayor Jane Castor, City of Tampa. “We are thrilled to see their continued investment in our community with this new facility, which will further cement Tampa’s role as a leader in training and simulation.”

“The new CAE USA facility in Tampa is a critical asset for enhancing the capabilities of military personnel,” said Francis Beaudette, Lieutenant General, United States Army (Retired) and former Commanding General of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. “The cutting-edge training solutions developed here will be vital in training modernization and mission readiness for U.S. and allied forces.”