TAMPA, Florida, September 21, 2026 — CAE USA has been awarded a recompeted contract worth USD $300 million from the United States Air Force (USAF), enabling the company to continue providing essential crew training services for the C-130H Hercules aircraft. The contract extends CAE's role as prime contractor for the USAF C-130H Crew Training System through December 2035, marking nearly two decades of uninterrupted strategic partnership with the U.S. Air Force.
CAE has been delivering C-130H crew training services for the USAF since the initial contract award in 2018. The successful outcome of this competitive recompete signals renewed confidence from U.S. military authorities in the expertise of this Montreal-based company — a global leader in flight simulation and military training solutions. The C-130H Hercules remains one of the most versatile and widely deployed tactical transport aircraft in the U.S. military arsenal, making this crew training program a cornerstone of USAF operational readiness.
A comprehensive training and technical support mandate
Under this nine-year contract extension, CAE will be responsible for a full scope of services covering the entire lifecycle of the C-130H Crew Training System. Deliverables include program management and operational coordination, instruction delivered by certified trainers to C-130H pilots, flight engineers, navigators, and loadmasters, as well as maintenance and logistics support for all simulators and crew training devices currently in service. The contract also encompasses cybersecurity solutions aligned with U.S. Department of Defense requirements, along with continuous upgrades and enhancements to keep the training system synchronized with the evolving capabilities of the operational aircraft fleet.
The program currently fields nine C-130H mission simulators and more than 45 crew training devices deployed across the United States. These high-fidelity systems produce highly skilled pilots, flight engineers, navigators, and loadmasters who are prepared to meet the USAF's most demanding mission readiness requirements.
Five military installations served nationwide
Training services will be provided to the U.S. Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard across five installations throughout the United States. Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas serves as the program's hub, housing the Training Support Services Center and the official C-130H Formal Training Unit. The four additional locations are Dobbins Air Reserve Base (Georgia), Wyoming Air National Guard Base, Minneapolis Air National Guard Base (Minnesota), and St. Joseph Air National Guard Base (Missouri). This broad geographic footprint reflects CAE's proven ability to manage large-scale, geographically distributed training operations while upholding consistent, high-quality instructional standards.
CAE leadership voices confidence in the path ahead
"The C-130H remains a critical platform for the U.S. Air Force, and CAE is proud to continue delivering the training excellence required to support mission readiness and operational success. As the incumbent training provider, we are committed to outstanding performance, innovation, and value, while ensuring the C-130H crew training system evolves to meet the U.S. Air Force's requirements." — Srini Dixit, Vice President and General Manager (Acting), CAE Defense & Security – U.S.
"The U.S. Air Force recognizes the unparalleled value that CAE's dedicated, multidisciplinary team brings in a rapidly evolving defense landscape, and we are honored by the continued trust placed in our efforts to enhance mission readiness." — Nick Coucoules, Vice President, Airlift/Tanker Programs, CAE Defense & Security – U.S.
CAE: A Quebec aerospace champion with global reach
Founded nearly 80 years ago and listed on both the Nasdaq (CAE) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CAE), the Montreal-based company operates in more than 40 countries and employs thousands of highly skilled professionals worldwide. CAE has established itself as an indispensable partner for the armed forces of numerous allied nations, drawing on its unmatched expertise in high-fidelity simulation and military training. The award of this $300 million contract through a competitive open-bid process stands as a powerful demonstration of the international competitiveness of Quebec's aerospace industry and confirms CAE's standing as a global benchmark in defense training. The company also places sustainability at the heart of its operations, notably by promoting simulation-based training as a means of reducing real flight hours and the associated environmental footprint.
Career opportunities in a thriving sector
This large-scale, multi-year contract award sustains and creates highly skilled jobs across a wide range of fields, including military flight instruction, high-fidelity simulation engineering, advanced equipment maintenance, program management, and defense cybersecurity. In a sector experiencing sustained growth, qualified professionals are in higher demand than ever: flight instructors, simulation systems engineers, avionics maintenance technicians, program managers, and information security specialists are among the most sought-after profiles in the industry today.
Explore the latest job opportunities in Quebec's aerospace industry at AeroEmploi.ca — the reference portal for professionals and companies in the sector. Whether you are just starting out or bringing years of specialized expertise, AeroEmploi.ca connects you with the best opportunities in a world-class industry that shapes the future of aviation and defense.