CAE to build simulator for RAAF tanker

CAE Australia has won the contract to provide the flight simulator for the RAAF's new Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft. This win positions its Canadian parent company CAE to bid competitively for future A330MRTT contracts around the world against Thales, which will build the A330MRTT simulator for the UK's Royal Air Force.

Under two separate contracts from prime contractor EADS CASA and Defence valued at approximately $46 million, the company will provide a turnkey training capability and five years of support services for the new simulator.

The contract with EADS CASA will see CAE provide an A330 MRTT full flight and mission simulator (FFMS), a new training facility, and a CAE Simfinity(r)-based mission systems trainer. In addition, CAE has signed an initial agreement directly with Defence to provide five years of support services for the A330 MRTT training systems. The provision of support services will be contracted as part of CAE's existing MSAAS contract.

"For EADS CASA, it is very satisfying to have CAE on board for the Australian Tanker Program", said Miguel Morell, A330 MRTT Australia Program Director. "The contract with CAE for the development of the latest generation of full flight and mission simulator in conjunction with construction of a new training centre facility is a major milestone for the program and another step for EADS CASA toward the successful achievement of providing the RAAF with the most advanced MRTT Tanker anywhere in the world."

"This adds another full flight and mission simulator to the RAAF's stable of simulators provided and supported by CAE", said Air Vice-Marshal Clive Rossiter, Head of DMO's Aerospace Systems Division. "The ability to roll the support arrangements for this simulator into an existing multi-simulator support contract offered benefits to both parties."

The A330 MRTT simulator will be delivered to RAAF Amberley in Queensland in 2009. The RAAF is acquiring five A330 aircraft that will serve as refueling tankers as well as strategic airlift aircraft capable of carrying troops and cargo.

"This is a key win for CAE in Australia and we're pleased to continue our long-standing relationship with the RAAF as their provider of high-fidelity airlift and tanker training solutions," said Alan Johnson, Managing Director of CAE Australia. "CAE is a leading provider of simulators for Airbus aircraft and we have established an excellent relationship with EADS CASA on the A330 MRTT program for Australia, which should position us for possible future tanker opportunities."