CAE Wins $250M MQ-9B SkyGuardian Contract

CAE Defense & Security has been awarded a contract from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to support the MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) acquired by the Government of Canada.

The minimum contract value is $250M for the initial 9 years with additional option years over the total period of performance. Under the terms of the contract, CAE will deliver aircrew and maintenance technician training, supporting training devices and courseware to meet Canada’s RPAS requirements. CAE will also provide experienced maintenance technicians to augment the Royal Canadian Air Force maintenance staff in Canada and deployed.

The agreement includes broader In-Service Support (ISS) capabilities, including aircraft maintenance, IT and cybersecurity at the RPAS operating sites, and publications management. CAE will also leverage comprehensive maintenance and support solutions to support the RPAS capability across multiple domains.

“Our long-standing collaboration with GA-ASI delivers best- in-class training technologies, systems, and services to Canada’s Armed Forces with critical devices and support to enable intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance (ISR) operations,” said Marc Parent, CAE’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

The MQ-9B SkyGuardian is interoperable with Canada’s domestic missions and its continental defence missions through NORAD, as well as with Canada’s closest allies – including the Five Eyes Alliance (FVEY) and NATO – for seamless integration with current and future Canadian defence, civil air, and ground assets.

As a member of Team SkyGuardian Canada, CAE is part of the coalition of Canadian businesses working with GA-ASI on MQ-9B development, delivery, and sustainment. Canada’s investments in the RPAS Project are a direct reflection of Canada’s vested domestic interest in pursuing leading-edge RPAS technologies.

The Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy and Value Proposition applied to the RPAS contract, requires investments in Canada equal to the contract value. As part of its RPAS contract award GA-ASI committed to providing investments to Canadian industry to support the growth of the aerospace and defence sectors.