SkyAlyne awarded $8.2 billion contract for Canada’s Future Aircrew Training programme

A joint venture between two Canadian defence contractors has been awarded a C$11.2 billion (US$8.2 billion), 25-year contract to provide the RCAF with modern, state-of-the-art aircrew training under the country’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme.

SkyAlyne was formed as a joint venture focused on delivering FAcT by training service provider CAE and aerospace services firm KF Aerospace. Through the contract, Canada will acquire more than 70 training aircraft split into five fleets comprising Grob G120TP, Pilatus PC-21, Beechcraft King Air 260, Airbus Helicopters H-135 and De Havilland Dash 8-400 equipped with a mission training system in the cabin.

The initiative will attempt to reimagine training for the RCAF, consolidating three aircrew training operations under SkyAlyne and Canada’s joint management. SkyAlyne was originally selected as the preferred bidder for FAcT in July 2023.

RCAF commander Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny commented: “We must modernise our training systems as we are modernising our front-line equipment and weapons systems.

“The FAcT programme will do that by incorporating the latest training concepts and technologies and adapting to emerging trends to ensure Royal Canadian Air Force personnel can operate and win in highly contested and increasingly complex theatres of operation,” Kenny remarked.

Canadian minister of national defence Bill Blair said the deal would provide Canadian troops with “the tools that they need to do their jobs”, claiming that the deal would “support good jobs right across Canada”.

The FAcT programme will aim to prepare Canadian pilots, air combat systems officers and airborne electronic sensor operators for future challenges with SkyAlyne working with the RCAF to design, develop and deliver a training and support systems.

Among the systems sort will be live flying, simulation, ground school training and in-service support functions.

Marc Parent, president and CEO of CAE, added: “[The] announcement regarding FAcT is a significant achievement in the ongoing modernisation efforts of Canada’s defence forces. FAcT is a transformational win for SkyAlyne and CAE, laying the groundwork for training technologies and processes enabling mission readiness.”