CAE announced for RCAF C295W training solution
CAE has announced that it has been awarded a contract for the RCAF's C295W aircrew and maintenance training solutions.
CAE, a global aviation training company, has announced that it has been awarded a contract by Airbus Defence and Space for a comprehensive C295W aircrew and maintenance training solution to support the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) fixed-wing search and rescue (FWSAR) programme. The company said the contract is worth approximately CA$200 million over the next 11 years and will include an option to extend an additional 15 years, which would take the value to more than $300 million.
The Canadian government selected the Airbus C295W in December last year for its FWSAR programme. The RCAF will receive 16 of the aircraft with SAR modifications.
“We are honoured to serve as the training systems integrator to lead the overall design and development of a comprehensive C295W training solution for aircrews and maintainers,” said Joe Armstrong, vice-president and general manager of CAE Canada.
CAE said that the contract will be completed in three stages. The first will see the company lead the design and construction of a new training centre facility at 19 Wing in Comox, British Columbia, Canada, which will include a full cockpit flight simulator, a cockpit procedures trainer, sensor station simulator used for rear-crew training and several other simulators. Phase two of the contract will see CAE leading a three-year in-service support (ISS) transition period for the C295W aircrew and maintenance training programme. Phase three will begin with the 20-year in-service support phase, which is divided into a base five-year ISS contract with three additional five-year options.
CAE and Airbus’ partnership has a long history across many platforms, including the C295, said Simon Jacques, head of Airbus Defence and Space in Canada. “CAE already provides C295 training systems to Airbus and other global operators of the C295, including at our International Training Centre in Seville, Spain. This relationship has continually expanded, including Airbus’ announcement of the purchase of two other C295 simulators from CAE in November, and we are pleased to extend this relationship with CAE to Canada for the Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue programme."