Australia Picks CAE for Future Air Mission Training System
Australia has awarded Canadian defense contractor CAE a long-term contract to deliver the Royal Australian Air Force’s Future Air Mission Training System, a key part of its mission aircrew training modernization. The 10-year contract, announced on 12 December, is expected to be worth more than A$300 million and starts initial service in 2026 at RAAF Base East Sale in Victoria.
The Future Air Mission Training System contract will expand the RAAF’s training capacity and combine advanced simulation, courseware, and real operational training to prepare crews for roles on platforms such as the Gulfstream MC-55A Peregrine and the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton.
Background on the RAAF’s Training Modernization
Australia has been modernizing how it trains military aircrew to handle increasingly complex missions and systems. The initiative is part of Project AIR5428 Phase 3, which aims to overhaul air mission training with integrated simulation and instructor development.
The move reflects broader training trends among Western air forces, where synthetic environments and simulation are used to reduce flight hours for routine tasks and focus live flying on advanced tactical training. It echoes the earlier adoption of advanced simulators in fast-jet and mission systems training.
Contract Details and Training Scope
The contract awarded to CAE spans an initial ten years and is valued at more than C$270 million, or roughly A$300 million. CAE will work with Australian and international industry partners including Nova Systems, Adacel, DXC Technology, Milskil, MMCLD, Airflite, and Seeing Machines.
The system will combine classroom instruction and high-fidelity simulation with airborne training. It is designed to replicate real-world operational complexity across multiple roles, including:
• Airborne Electronics Analysts
• Operations Officers
• Air Mobility Officers
• Air Traffic Controllers
• Air Battle Managers
• Maritime Patrol and Response Officers
• Weapon Systems Officers
• Electronic Warfare Officers
Training will be delivered at RAAF Base East Sale in Victoria, where the Australian Defense Force is building an upgraded facility for the Air Mission Training School. Delivery is scheduled to begin in 2026, with the first graduates expected around 2028.
According to Australia’s Department of Defense, the investment could increase aircrew training capacity by up to 70 percent using modern simulation and training technologies, in support of future platforms and operational needs.
Government and Industry Voices
CAE’s President for Defense and Security, France Hébert, framed the contract as a strategic shift in how aircrew training is delivered. He said the system will equip ADF personnel with skills and confidence for current and future operational demands.
Australian Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the investment reinforces sovereign capability, supports local jobs, and underwrites growth within the domestic defense sector. Industry estimates suggest up to 140 jobs during acquisition and roughly 50 ongoing sustainment roles could be created through the program.
What the System Means for RAAF Training
The Future Air Mission Training System represents a significant evolution in how the RAAF prepares aircrew for complex missions. Instead of traditional separation of classroom and flight hours, the system blends virtual, classroom, and live training into an integrated pipeline. This approach is becoming a standard in allied air forces aiming to reduce costs and accelerate readiness.
By creating a scalable training environment that mirrors operational scenarios, the RAAF expects to improve throughput and produce specialists ready for roles in air battle management, maritime patrol, and advanced ISR missions.
The initiative also supports Australia’s broader strategic goals in the Indo-Pacific, where airpower and surveillance capabilities are foundational to deterrence and rapid response. Modern training ecosystems are seen as force multipliers, enabling smaller air forces to maintain operational edge against evolving threats.
Analysis: Implications for Defense Training
The CAE contract underscores a shift in training philosophy toward integrated, simulation-heavy pipelines. For the RAAF, this means a more modular training path that can adapt to new systems like the MC-55A and MQ-4C without wholesale retraining programs.
Globally, similar training systems are being adopted to reduce reliance on costly flight hours and to ramp up training capacity fast enough to match platform deliveries. For CAE, the deal adds to a portfolio of long-term training contracts with allied militaries, including sustained support arrangements in the United States and elsewhere.
Large-scale training investments also signal that Australia is intent on retaining a technological edge in aircrew proficiency, which is critical given strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific and allied interoperability demands.
What to Watch Next
Delivery timelines will be an early metric of success, with 2026 earmarked for capability rollout at East Sale. Observers will also monitor how the system supports the integration of next-gen platforms into RAAF missions.
The effects on training throughput, costs, and graduation quality will matter to defense planners, as will any further involvement of domestic industry in sustainment and upgrades.
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