CAE To Upgrade USAF C-5B Galaxy Weapon Systems Trainer

CAE has been awarded a C$12-million contract from FlightSafety Services Corporation, the prime contractor, to upgrade one of the C-5B Galaxy weapon systems trainers (WSTs) operated by the United States Air Force at Dover Air Force Base (DE).

The upgrade will ensure concurrency with current aircraft upgrades being performed as part of the C-5 Avionics Modernization Program. The C-5B Galaxy is one of the largest aircraft in the world, used primarily for carrying outsized and oversized cargo for the USAF Air Mobility Command. The upgraded simulator will be ready for training in early 2005.

"The Air Force currently operates a fleet of more than 100 C-5 aircraft, and many of these aircraft will be upgraded as part of the C-5 Avionics Modernization Program," said Donald W. Campbell, group president, military simulation and training, CAE. "As the Air Force upgrades the aircraft, some of the legacy training systems will need to be updated. We're pleased to continue our long-standing partnership with FlightSafety Services Corporation to ensure the US Air Force C-5 aircrews are well-trained and mission-ready."

Upgrades will include radar enhancements, night-vision goggle compatibility, updated computer systems, and a new forward-facing instructor operator station. In addition, the upgrade will make distributed mission training possible, allowing simulators to be linked together for more realistic training.

Over the past 15 years, CAE has designed and manufactured nine C-5B WSTs for the USAF. FlightSafety Services Corporation has overall program responsibility for training the aircrews.

CAE is a leading provider of integrated training solutions and advanced simulation and controls technologies to military, civil aviation and marine customers. The company generates annual revenues in excess of C$1 billion and employs more than 6,000 people in Canada, the United States and around the globe.

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