CAE is an enduring member of the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Enterprise Partnership. Our role is to deliver training to ensure the safety and mission readiness for the aviators that employ this capability. The MRTT Training system is supported by simulation devices with the first KC-30A full-flight and mission simulator to RAAF Base Amberley delivered by CAE in 2010. Three years later this device became the world’s first A330 MRTT simulator formally qualified to level D, the highest qualification for flight simulators, and accredited by the Australian Defence Force Airworthiness Authority. We currently have three devices on the KC-30A program to include the Full Motion Simulator (FMS), as well as the Part Task Trainer (PTT) and an Integrated Procedures Trainer (IPT).
It has been our privilege to train more than 400 students in support of the RAAF KC-30A program. Supporting 170 courses over the course history, our onsite staff of instructors, maintenance and operations personnel have provided over 43,000 hours of training to students.
CAE continues to supports to the RAAF (33 Squadron, Heavy Lift Air Supply Program Office [HALSPO] and 86 Wing) by providing Through Life Support (TLS). CAE maintains and upgrades simulators and ongoing engineering support, as well as facilitating training for students both classroom and via our Pilot and Air-to-Air Refuelling Instructors.
How does the training help prepare aircrew for future roles?
Students exiting initial flight training or other RAAF platforms can utilize the conversion type training of the KC-30A training system to transition to the A330 / MRTT. In addition to the conversion and categorisation training courses, CAE also delivers Squadron approved Cyclic and Currency training in support of 33 Squadron operational requirements. This supports the RAAFs temporal model to Raise, Train and Sustain capability.
CAE develops and delivers several A330 MRTT air refuelling officer part-task trainers (ARO PTT) to air forces around the world, to include the RAAF and UAE Air Force. The CAE-developed ARO PTT is a sophisticated, high-fidelity training device designed to train the air refuelling officer – often called the boom operator – on the demanding tasks of a refuelling mission in a safe, cost-effective synthetic environment. The trainer features a seven-channel CAE Medallion-6000 visual system combined with stereographic 3D goggles and displays to provide a realistic 3D view of the boom itself and approaching receiver aircraft. Using the ARO PTT, crews practice the procedures and techniques of air refuelling operations to become proficient, thus significantly reducing the amount of airborne training required.
How are emerging technologies having an impact on training?
The needs of all training cannot be met in a single solution. CAE has a scalable scope of synthetic-based training solutions to include immersive environments, mixed reality, AR/VR, Learning Management Systems and traditional classroom instruction. This comprehensive learning ecosystem leverages our experience and capabilities to ensure that training needs are met at every scale. For example with the A330 MRTT, training can include fuel transfer, boom extension/retraction and fuel delivery system malfunctions. We have delivered several programs that included scalable levels of fidelity, from basic air-to-air refuelling procedures to very high fidelity training systems based on actual flight test data.
Military customers worldwide are seeking solutions to train mariners, soldiers and aviators faster, more efficiently and in secure environments. CAE is the world’s leading platform agnostic training and simulation pure play; ensuring mission readiness by integrating solutions across all five battlespace domains. We have 75 years of experience and expertise in modelling and simulation that provides our military customers an unparalleled training experience in digital ecosystems that enhance mission readiness.
Additionally, CAE leverages advancements in AI, cloud computing, immersive synthetic environments, and adaptive learning to provide an agile ecosystem. For example, we are involved in programs such as the Mission Command System Common Operational Picture for the U.S. Special Operations Command and the Single Synthetic Environment for the UK Strategic Command where cloud-based synthetic environments can offer decision support, what-if course of action analysis, and faster than real-time simulation.
We are consistently working to innovate our solutions to increase defence readiness. Our industry requires a continual evaluation of capabilities and adaptive learning to meet new requirements leveraging advanced technologies. In November, CAE was awarded a Defence Innovation Hub contract to develop a deployable augmented reality 3D virtual modelling tool that is designed to assist defence with AI enabled decision support to planning. The Australian Defence Force is focused on improving situational awareness, and improved simulation, modelling and training. CAE supports the evolution of training and recognizes the critical role immersive environments play in ensuring mission readiness.
CAE is at the leading edge of digital innovation providing training and mission support solutions across multi-domain operations – air, land, maritime, space and cyber. We are committed to being our customer’s partner of choice to help elevate safety, efficiency and readiness so that our customers can achieve their best performance.
Matthew Sibre
Managing Director, Indo-Pacific Region
CAE Defense & Security
Main pic Operating from the CAE KC-30 simulator at RAAF Amberley, a 33SQN pilot approaches a United States KC-135 simulated aircraft. This image has been digitally manipulated. Defence image.
