The United States Navy
has awarded CAE USA a contract initially valued at $38 million to
develop two MH-60S tactical operational flight trainers (TOFTs) and
two MH-60S weapons tactics trainers (WTTs).
The contract includes options for two additional MH-60S TOFTs
and two additional MH-60S WTTs as well as support services that
could bring the total value to more than $75 million.
“This was a highly competitive procurement and a
significant win for CAE USA as it represents the first U.S. Navy
contract award for CAE’s Military division since
re-establishing a U.S. operation in 2001,” said John Lenyo,
president and general manager, CAE USA. “The U.S. Navy will
be procuring several hundred MH-60 helicopters over the next decade
so there is significant upside potential. We’re pleased the
Navy recognized CAE’s helicopter and tactical weapons systems
simulation experience and technical expertise for this critical
program.”
The MH-60S TOFTs will
be fixed-based simulators used to train pilots and co-pilots. The
MH-60S TOFTs will be integrated with the MH-60S WTTs, which will
replicate the back-end of the helicopter and be used to train
sensor operators. The fully integrated solution will provide the
Navy with a complete MH-60S operator training system for both
flight and tactical skills.
Naval Air Station (NAS) Norfolk will be the site for the first
two MH-60S TOFTs with the first ready for training in mid-2006 and
the second in late 2006. The first MH-60S WTT will also go to NAS
Norfolk with the second going to NAS North Island. Both will be
ready for training in late 2006.
The MH-60S “Knighthawk” is a multi-mission
helicopter used by the Navy for vertical replenishment, airborne
mine countermeasures, combat search and rescue, anti-surface
warfare, and carrier plane guard. The MH-60S, along with the new
MH-60R used primarily for anti-submarine warfare, form the
cornerstone of the Navy’s Helicopter Master Plan. The two
aircraft share a common cockpit and technology. The Navy plans to
procure more than 250 MH-60S and MH-60R helicopters through 2009
and has a total requirement for more than 500 helicopters.
This contract was awarded by the Naval Air Systems Command out
of Orlando, Florida, (NAVAIR-Orlando) under the U.S Navy Training
Systems Contract (TSC II). The TSC II is an omnibus contracting
vehicle designed to support the training needs of the Naval Air
Systems Command. CAE USA was selected last year as one of the prime
contractors eligible to bid for various U.S. Navy training programs
over the next eight years.
NAVAIR provides advanced warfare technologies through the
efforts of a seamless, integrated, worldwide network of aviation
technology experts. From aircraft and weapons development to
carrier launch and recovery; from sensors to real-time
communications to precision targeting; from aircraft and weapons
sustainment to state-of-the-art training; NAVAIR provides dominant
combat effects and matchless capabilities to the American
warfighter.