The United States Navy has awarded CAE USA a contract initially valued at $38 million to develop two MH-60S tactical operational flight trainers (TOFTs) and two MH-60S weapons tactics trainers (WTTs).

The contract includes options for two additional MH-60S TOFTs and two additional MH-60S WTTs as well as support services that could bring the total value to more than $75 million.

“This was a highly competitive procurement and a significant win for CAE USA as it represents the first U.S. Navy contract award for CAE’s Military division since re-establishing a U.S. operation in 2001,” said John Lenyo, president and general manager, CAE USA. “The U.S. Navy will be procuring several hundred MH-60 helicopters over the next decade so there is significant upside potential. We’re pleased the Navy recognized CAE’s helicopter and tactical weapons systems simulation experience and technical expertise for this critical program.”

The MH-60S TOFTs will be fixed-based simulators used to train pilots and co-pilots. The MH-60S TOFTs will be integrated with the MH-60S WTTs, which will replicate the back-end of the helicopter and be used to train sensor operators. The fully integrated solution will provide the Navy with a complete MH-60S operator training system for both flight and tactical skills.

Naval Air Station (NAS) Norfolk will be the site for the first two MH-60S TOFTs with the first ready for training in mid-2006 and the second in late 2006. The first MH-60S WTT will also go to NAS Norfolk with the second going to NAS North Island. Both will be ready for training in late 2006.

The MH-60S “Knighthawk” is a multi-mission helicopter used by the Navy for vertical replenishment, airborne mine countermeasures, combat search and rescue, anti-surface warfare, and carrier plane guard. The MH-60S, along with the new MH-60R used primarily for anti-submarine warfare, form the cornerstone of the Navy’s Helicopter Master Plan. The two aircraft share a common cockpit and technology. The Navy plans to procure more than 250 MH-60S and MH-60R helicopters through 2009 and has a total requirement for more than 500 helicopters.

This contract was awarded by the Naval Air Systems Command out of Orlando, Florida, (NAVAIR-Orlando) under the U.S Navy Training Systems Contract (TSC II). The TSC II is an omnibus contracting vehicle designed to support the training needs of the Naval Air Systems Command. CAE USA was selected last year as one of the prime contractors eligible to bid for various U.S. Navy training programs over the next eight years.

NAVAIR provides advanced warfare technologies through the efforts of a seamless, integrated, worldwide network of aviation technology experts. From aircraft and weapons development to carrier launch and recovery; from sensors to real-time communications to precision targeting; from aircraft and weapons sustainment to state-of-the-art training; NAVAIR provides dominant combat effects and matchless capabilities to the American warfighter.

FMI: www.cae.com