CAE USA Wins $300M USAF Contract to Continue C-130H Aircrew Training

# What happened The U.S. Air Force selected CAE USA for a $300 million competitive recompete contract to continue running the C-130H Aircrew Training System (ATS). CAE USA will remain the prime contractor and extend its role in training crews who fly and support the C-130H Hercules.

# What the contract covers CAE USA will deliver classroom and flight-simulator instruction plus program management, sustainment, logistics and ongoing modernization to keep the ATS aligned with aircraft technology changes. The award explicitly includes strengthening cybersecurity protections for the training system.

The contract scope includes training for pilots, navigators, flight engineers and loadmasters assigned to the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard.

# Current program footprint CAE already operates nine C-130H full-mission simulators and more than 45 aircrew training devices for the program. The recompete extends CAE's role for another nine years, with work expected to run through December 2035.

• Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia.
• Minneapolis Air National Guard Base, Minnesota.
• St. Joseph Air National Guard Base, Missouri.
• Wyoming Air National Guard Base.

# Why this matters for the Air Force and units This contract maintains continuity for C-130H aircrew readiness within the Reserve and Guard communities. By keeping simulators and training devices in service and funding modernization and cybersecurity work, the Air Force aims to preserve training quality as aircraft systems evolve.

# Contract history and related work CAE first won the C-130H training contract in 2018. The company is also listed among 37 vendors selected for the Air Force's Training Systems Acquisition IV vehicle, which handles design, development, production and sustainment of training systems. CAE has received other military aviation training awards in recent years, including contracts for Bombardier Global 6500 pilot training and advanced helicopter flight training support.

# Immediate operational timeline The recompete covers nine years of work, with performance expected to continue through December 2035. CAE will execute instruction and sustainment activities at the locations listed above and carry out modernization and cybersecurity enhancements during that period.

# Bottom line The award keeps CAE USA as the prime contractor for C-130H aircrew training across multiple Reserve and Guard sites, funds simulator sustainment and upgrades, and commits training support through the end of 2035. For stakeholders tracking Air Force training contracts, this is a continuation of an incumbent relationship that began with CAE's earlier 2018 win.