CAE Submits Bid For Canadian Armed Forces' Airborne Training Services Program

 CAE has teamed with Draken International, operator of the world's largest fleet of privately-owned fighter aircraft, to  bid for the Contracted Airborne Training Services (CATS) program to the Government of Canada.

The CATS progam seeks poposals for a comprehensive service for adversary and threat training, electronic warfare and target towing operations for Canada's Department of National Defence (DND).

CAE and Draken have formed a Canada-based joint venture company that would operate the fleet of aircraft and have responsibility for delivering the combat support training services to the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Navy, and Canadian Army.

"Our solution leverages CAE's training systems integration capabilities and NATO Flying Training in Canada experience, and combines this with Draken's world-leading fleet of adversary fighter aircraft and unmatched aggressor training practices," said Mike Greenley, Vice President and General Manager, CAE Canada.

"The Canadian Forces need to train against future threat aircraft that cannot be replicated without combining actual live-flying fighter aircraft with simulated enhancements. Our comprehensive solution will provide a better and more challenging overall training experience for Canada's fighter pilots by providing actual fighter jet adversaries that will look and act like real-world threats."

CAE and Draken team have proposed a fleet of Douglas A-4 Skyhawk fighter aircraft to support the CATS program. The fleet has had extensive upgrades and now delivers capabilities similar to Canada's CF-18 fighter aircraft they would be training against. CAE and Draken have also proposed a comprehensive research and development program aimed at developing the next-generation live-virtual-constructive (LVC) training capabilities for adversary and aggressor air training services.

"CAE is a company with world-class expertise for both simulation-based and live flying training, and we are thrilled to be partnering with them to offer a solution for the Contracted Airborne Training Services program," said Jared Isaacman, Chief Executive Officer of Draken International.

"Draken has unmatched experience and capabilities for live aggressor training as evidenced by our role in providing similar services to the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. We fully understand that future fighter combat training will involve an integrated live-virtual-constructive training environment, and this is an area where CAE is one of the global leaders."

The Contracted Airborne Training Services for Canada's DND are delivered in locations across Canada, primarily Victoria, British Columbia; Cold Lake, Alberta; Bagotville, Quebec; and Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Government of Canada expects to award a 10-year contract to the successful bidder by the end of calendar year 2016.