CAE Wins Contract for the Aermacchi's M-346 Simulator

CAE selected as Alenia Aermacchi's preferred simulator supplier for M-346 advanced lead-in-fighter trainer

(Montreal, April 23, 2008) -- CAE today announced it has been selected by Alenia Aermacchi (AAEM) as preferred full-mission simulator supplier for the M-346 aircraft, AAEM's new generation advanced lead-in fighter trainer. As part of the M-346 program, AAEM has awarded CAE a contract for the design, development and validation of the Initial Training Capability for the simulator as a part of the ground-based training system. The contract was awarded during CAE's fiscal year 2008 and is included in the more than C$730 million military order intake announced on April 7.

"With the M-346, we have developed the most advanced lead-in fighter trainer aircraft designed specifically to train pilots prior to their operational conversion on combat aircraft," said Carmelo Cosentino, CEO of Alenia Aermacchi. "Along with our high-performance M-346 aircraft, we are capable of providing customers a comprehensive training capability, which includes the ground-based training system. After a competitive evaluation, we have selected CAE for its recognized simulation technology leadership and its willingness to actively participate in the Alenia Aermacchi team of industrial partners for the M-346 Integrated Training System."

As part of the overall M-346 ground-based training system, CAE will initially design and manufacture a prototype M-346 flight training device (FTD). The M-346 FTD will feature a high-fidelity replica of the M-346 cockpit with CAE's Medallion(tm)-6000 image generator driving a dome display that includes liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) projectors. CAE will also provide a simulation-based development and validation environment so AAEM engineers and test pilots can perform a range of tests as the M-346 completes its development.

The Finmeccanica-owned company Selex Galileo, under a frame of partnership with CAE, will provide a significant contribution to the program through simulator development, delivery and support, including responsibility for the instructor operating station and cockpit environment.

"We are delighted that Alenia Aermacchi has selected CAE for the M-346 aircraft program," said Marc Parent, CAE's Group President, Simulation Products and Military Training & Services. "The simulators are an important piece of the ground-based training system and overall training capability for a lead-in fighter trainer aircraft, and CAE's experience and expertise will play a key role in developing the initial training capability for the M-346, which we believe will be a very successful program."

Source : CAE

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