OTTAWA, CANADA and HALIFAX, CANADA // DECEMBER 18, 2024 — Today SkyAlyne, a joint venture between CAE and KF Aerospace, and Bluedrop Training & Simulation are pleased to jointly announce the successful signing of a 25-year contract. The contract confirms Bluedrop’s support of SkyAlyne in delivering the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program.
“Building and then delivering the Future Aircrew Training program to the RCAF is a monumental undertaking, which requires top-level expertise and know-how, which is why it is so important to have Bluedrop part of Team SkyAlyne,” said Kevin Lemke, General Manager of SkyAlyne. “As SkyAlyne works on military aircrew training solutions, it’s important that our team is made up of the best companies, with strong track records of success, from all across Canada.”
The FAcT program is the RCAF’s next-generation aircrew training program, which combines three separate training programs into one. The FAcT program includes training all RCAF Pilots, Air Combat Systems Officers (ACSOs) and Airborne Electronic Sensor Operators (AES OPs) to Wings Standard. The program will become operational over the coming years.
Bluedrop is a Halifax-based business with a strong history of contributions to RCAF training, including years of experience supporting the Contracted Flying Training and Support (CFTS) program, led by KF Aerospace and multiple programs with CAE, including Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue (FWSAR) and Operational Training Systems Provider (OTSP) among others. Bluedrop’s involvement in the FAcT program is a natural extension of this collaboration with CAE and KF Aerospace to deliver industry-leading training material to the RCAF.
“As a Small/Medium Enterprise, it is a tremendous opportunity to be a part of Team SkyAlyne and the FAcT program for the coming 25-years. Our team at Bluedrop provides exceptional know-how and superior levels of support to our customers,” explained Derrick Rowe, CEO, Bluedrop Training & Simulation. “The future of aircrew training increasingly includes simulation, virtual reality, and augmented reality systems. Bluedrop is positioned to advance the program and maintain relevance for the long-term.”
Bluedrop’s contributions to SkyAlyne in this contract includes provision and configuring of software components, development and continuous improvement of courseware in Moose Jaw and Southport, and providing maintenance technicians in Moose Jaw.
The Government of Canada officially awarded the FAcT program contract to SkyAlyne in late May 2024. SkyAlyne’s solution for the FAcT program includes expertise from a number of leading Canadian companies, including Bluedrop. Formalizing agreements between SkyAlyne and its subcontractors is an important step in moving the program forward.
“Momentum is growing as the FAcT program moves forward,” added Lemke. “It’s exciting to see the entire team coming together, all working to ensure Canada has the best trained aircrew in the world.”
ABOUT
SkyAlyne: The Future of Aircrew Training
SkyAlyne is the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program provider for the Royal Canadian Air Force. SkyAlyne is a team of defence, training, simulation, and aviation industry experts assembled from across Canada, working to prepare the next generation of RCAF pilots and aircrew. SkyAlyne was formed in 2018 as a partnership between CAE and KF Aerospace, two Canadian aviation, training, and defence leaders. The partnership was built to jointly answer the call for the Government of Canada’s FAcT program. In 2023 SkyAlyne was named the preferred bidder, and in 2024, was officially contracted to partner with the RCAF to deliver the FAcT program.
Learn more: SkyAlyne.ca
Bluedrop Training & Simulation
Bluedrop provides products and services for advanced training solutions, including highly interactive courseware, technical publications, state-of-the-art virtual, augmented and mixed reality training simulation products and in-service-support. Bluedrop is a partner of choice by bringing capabilities in R&D and innovative solution development.
For additional information, visit www.bluedropts.com
Follow us on LinkedIn: @Bluedrop
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SKYALYNE CONTACT
Harrison Ruess
Head of Communications, Collaboration, and Stakeholder Relations
H.Ruess@SkyAlyne.ca
BLUEDROP CONTACT:
Jean-Claude Siew, EVP Technology & Simulation
jeanclaudesiew@bluedrop.com
BLUEDROP PRESS INQUIRIES:
Angela Archibald, Marketing Manager, Bluedrop
AngelaArchibald@bluedrop.com