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Bell awards CAE contract for US Army FLRAA program

CAE’s Defense & Security business is now under contract with Bell Textron Inc. to support the U.S. Army Future Long Range Assault Aircraft program. As a team member of the program, abbreviated as FLRAA, CAE will provide operator and maintenance training aids, devices, simulators, and simulations (TADSS), including maintenance training systems and display and simulation effects for operator training.

The initial contract award includes virtual prototyping and developing visual display systems and radio simulations for portable flight trainers. Future efforts, explains CAE, will provide the opportunity to develop a next-generation virtual maintenance training system (VMTS) and hardware-based maintenance trainers.

The U.S. Army selected Bell’s tiltrotor as the next-generation assault aircraft under the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program back in late 2022. In mid-2023, CAE was awarded a 12-year, US$455 million contract from General Dynamics Information Technology to support U.S. Army Flight School Training Support Services at Fort Novosel in Alabama.

CAE and Bell announced their teaming on the Future Vertical Lift family of systems in 2021, with CAE agreeing to provide maintenance training devices, assist in the development of flight training devices, and deliver other training products, including courseware, Interactive Multimedia Instruction, and procedural training.

“The FVL program demonstrates the U.S. Army’s commitment to aviation modernization and providing transformational capabilities to support joint force operations and strengthen deterrence,” said Dan Gelston, Group President, CAE Defense & Security. “CAE is pleased to contribute decades of simulation expertise as a strategic partner with Bell and member of Team Valor to support the next generation of US Army aircraft and ensure mission readiness for future forces.”