It's not really a 'flight simulator' -- or is it? What do you call it, when the crew of a UAV gets flight training? CAE doesn't care what you call it; the company has won a five-year contract valued at C$14 million (US$10.3 million) from the United States Air Force (USAF) to continue training its Predator Remotely Operated Aircraft (ROA) crews.

Under the terms of the new contract starting October 1, CAE will continue to provide aircrew training and courseware development at Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field near Las Vegas (NV). The training program is designed for both ROA pilots and sensor operators and includes training curricula for entry-level students, re-qualification, and instructors.

"The use of unmanned and remotely operated vehicles is beginning to play a much more prominent role in U.S. military actions, and this fact is reflected in the increased scope of training for Predator crews," said John Lenyo, president and general manager, CAE USA. "This win signals that the Air Force values the training we provide to support readiness and combat capability for this community."

The Predator ROA was used extensively during recent operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and a Hellfire missile-equipped Predator was responsible for a 'hunter-killer' trackdown and obliteration of a carload of suspected al Qaeda bigshots, in Yemen.

CAE will provide courseware products such as interactive computer-based training, classroom instruction, simulator training on a multi-task trainer, and actual flight instruction on the Predator ROA. Approximately 120 pilots and sensor operators will graduate each year from the ROA schoolhouse.

The Predator ROA is a medium-altitude reconnaissance aircraft that can fly up to 500 miles and orbit for 24 hours. Imagery collected by its sensors can be relayed in near real-time to the battlefield or headquarters via satellite. In addition, the Predator can provide laser designation for laser-guided weapons carried on-board, or for other aircraft operating in the combat theater.

FMI: www.cae.ca