The new contract adds nine years to CAE’s work on the program after its initial award in 2018. By the end of the term, the company will have supported the training system for nearly two decades.
CAE will provide instruction, program management, maintenance and logistics support. The scope also includes cybersecurity, upgrades and other enhancements intended to keep training aligned with changes to the C-130H.
The system trains pilots, flight engineers, navigators and loadmasters for the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard. It currently includes nine full-mission simulators and more than 45 aircrew training devices.
Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas serves as the program’s main training site. It hosts the Training Service Support Center and the C-130H Formal Training Unit.
Work will also be conducted at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Georgia and Wyoming Air National Guard Base in Wyoming. The remaining sites are Minneapolis Air National Guard Base in Minnesota and St. Joseph Air National Guard Base in Missouri.
“The C-130H remains a critical platform for the U.S. Air Force and CAE is proud to continue delivering the training excellence required to support mission readiness and operational success,” said Srini Dixit, Vice President and General Manager (Interim), CAE Defense and Security, USA. “As the incumbent training provider, we are committed to providing exceptional performance, innovation, and value while ensuring the C-130H Aircrew Training System evolves to meet the U.S. Air Force’s requirements.”
Nick Coucoules, Vice President Airlift/Tanker Programs at CAE USA Defense and Security, said the recompete reflected continued confidence in the company’s work. “The United States Air Force recognizes the unparallelled value that CAE’s dedicated multidisciplinary team brings amidst a rapidly evolving defense landscape, and we are honored to have that continued trust in our efforts to enhance mission readiness.”
