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Canada Selects SkyAlyne for Multi- Billion-Dollar Future Aircrew Training
Canada recently named SkyAlyne as the preferred bidder in the competition for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program.
The contract has not been awarded yet, but it is expected to reach billions in value, spanning over two decades, making it one of the most significant service contracts ever awarded by the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND).
The final contract award is anticipated in 2024, and work will begin immediately following.
It will cover all aspects of the required training and in-service support to train Canadian military pilots, air combat systems officers (ACSOs) and airborne electronic sensor operators (AES Ops).
“It is critical that current and future Royal Canadian
Air Force pilots have the
most advanced training and equipment available to ensure they can deliver on the important work that we ask of them,” Minister of National Defence Anita Anand said, commenting on the selection. “This program will help ensure Canada can continue to defend North America, enhance our Arctic sovereignty and meet our NATO and NORAD obligations in the face of current and emerging threats.”
Over the past decade, up to six companies or consortia had expressed interest in the program, but over recent
32 July/Aug 2023
years these were whittled down to two: SkyAlyne, a partnership between CAE and KF Aerospace; and a JV between Babcock and Leonardo.
After an extensive assessment, industry engagement and indigenous participation, SkyAlyne was identified as the preferred bidder.
The services FAcT will cover are currently provided under two separate contracts: NATO Flying
delivered by CAE Military
Training in Canada, Aviation
Training; and the Contracted Flying Training and Support Program provided by Allied Wing, led by KF Aerospace.
The expiration dates of these contracts are 2028 (or 2029 if an additional option year is exercised) and 2027, respectively.
The Canadian government’s procurement website states, “Canada will continue to work with SkyAlyne Canada Limited Partnership, in addition to preparations for the transition process from the existing contracts to the FAcT” program.
In the Interim, SkyAlyne “must remain compliant with the requirements of the solicitation process,” the site reads.
CAE and KF Aerospace undoubtedly had the edge over other contenders as the essential incumbent of RCAF training service providers, although not under the SkyAlyne partnership.
“SkyAlyne’s proposed solution for FAcT was the collective effort from an
outstanding team of individuals and companies from across Canada,” said Tracy Medve, SkyAlyne board chair and president and CEO of KF Aerospace. “SkyAlyne is ready to execute the FAcT contract and collaborate with Canada and the RCAF on preparing our aircrew for the challenges of today and tomorrow.”
SkyAlyne will provide the Grob G 120TP and King Air 260 as fixed-wing turboprop pilot trainers, plus the Pilatus PC-21 advanced trainer.
The Airbus H135 will be used for helicopter training, and the De Havilland Dash 8 for ACSO and AES Op instruction.
The responsibility of providing the majority of simulator solutions will likely be carried out by CAE, with Bluedrop Simulation as a subcontractor SkyAlyne partnership.
in
the
FAcT is subject to Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy, which mandates that the winning suppliers must
make investments in
Canada
equivalent to the value of the contract they have been awarded, according to the Canadian government’s website.
SkyAlyne noted in a press release that it has submitted an extensive Indigenous Participation Plan as part of the requirement to commit a minimum of 5% of the contract’s value, as requested by the DND.
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