Australia awards CAE KC-30A simulator contract

08/06/11 By Greg Waldron SOURCE:Flight International

Australia has awarded simulation firm CAE Australia a contract to provide aircrew training services for its air force's new KC-30A tankers.

"This means 16 more jobs and around $20 million in investment between 2012 and 2018," said minister for defence materiel Jason Clare. "CAE support teams will be on site at the KC-30A training facility to provide support and maintenance."

Training for the KC-30A will take place at the Royal Australian Air Force's Amberley base in Queensland. Clare added that the KC-30A work is an extension of CAE's existing contract to support Australian Defence Force simulators.

"CAE already has the contract to provide management and support to 15 of the defence force's training devices and simulators across the country," said Clare. "By extending the existing contract, defence can cut overheads and operate a more economical and efficient simulator training system for ADF personnel."

On 1 June the RAAF accepted its first of five KC-30A multi-role tanker transports. The aircraft is a modified Airbus A330-200. It is equipped with two underwing refuelling pods, the fly-by-wire Airbus Military air refuelling boom system and a universal aerial refuelling receptacle slipway installation, enabling it to be refuelled from another tanker. It also has seating for 270 passengers.