CAE Defense & Security has been awarded a significant contract worth $180 million to provide essential training support services for advanced rotary-wing aircraft operators within the US Army. The comprehensive agreement is set to facilitate extensive training for around 900 aviators, comprising instructor pilots, maintenance evaluators, and non-rated crewmembers.
The training program will encompass instruction on three key helicopter models: the Boeing CH-47F Chinook, AH-64E Apache, and Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk. This initiative aims to serve both American and foreign national trainees, ensuring a breadth of expertise and capability among the participants. A notable highlight of the program includes plans to double the number of instructors dedicated to the UH-60, reflecting the increasing demand for qualified personnel in military aviation.
Initially, CAE will manage the program for a one-year term, with the possibility of extending its services through 2030, contingent upon the exercise of all contract options. The company will collaborate closely with the US Army Aviation Center of Excellence and the 110th Aviation Brigade, both of which spearhead the Army’s flight training initiatives.
Merrill Stoddard, President of CAE Defense & Security USA Division, emphasized the company’s commitment to training excellence, stating that the goal is to ensure Army aviators are well-prepared for challenging missions ahead. Stoddard underscored CAE’s role as a trusted partner in modern aviation, highlighting the importance of high-fidelity simulation and advanced training technologies in developing critical skills for force readiness.
Since 2021, CAE has been actively involved in providing training support services, classroom instruction, and simulators as part of the US Army’s helicopter flight training program, which encompasses both aerial combat and logistics operations. The CAE facility in Dothan, Alabama, plays a pivotal role in training over 500 Army and Air Force pilots each year. Additionally, CAE’s full-flight simulators and collaborative training platforms are utilized for CH-47F and UH-60M instruction at various tactical aviation school locations.
This contract reinforces CAE’s strategic commitment to enhancing the capabilities of military aviation personnel and strengthens its position in the defense training sector, further contributing to the operational readiness of the US Army’s aviation units.
