Simulator Will be Based on GA-ASI Ground Control Station

CAE announced on 24 January that it has been awarded a contract from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to develop a comprehensive synthetic training system for the United Kingdom’s PROTECTOR RG Mk1 remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) programme.

To be operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF), PROTECTOR is the UK-specific variant of GA-ASI’s certifiable MQ-9B SkyGuardian RPAS, which can meet the most stringent certification requirements of aviation authorities.

Under the terms of the contract, CAE will design and develop a comprehensive synthetic training system that will include desktop and high-fidelity mission trainers specific to the PROTECTOR. The high-fidelity mission trainers will be based on GA-ASI’s certifiable ground control station (CGCS) and will be the first simulators developed for this advanced CGCS. CAE will also provide brief/debrief and scenario generation stations as part of the overall synthetic training system.

“We are pleased to continue our global training partnership with GA-ASI to support the UK PROTECTOR programme,” commented CAE’s Group President, Defence & Security, Gene Colabatistto. “PROTECTOR will offer a new level of capability in an unmanned air system and will require well-trained aircrews. We will leverage developments we have made over the past several years creating the highest fidelity training devices for the PREDATOR family of remotely piloted aircraft to produce a world-class synthetic training system for the PROTECTOR programme.”

Initial deliveries of the synthetic training system will be targeted for delivery in 2020 to RAF Waddington, the hub of UK Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities, that will be the main operating base for the PROTECTOR.
“MQ-9B SkyGuardian, which PROTECTOR is based on, represents the next-generation of remotely piloted aircraft capabilities, including longer endurance and automatic take-off and landing,” added GA-ASI’s President, Aircraft Systems, David R Alexander. “The PROTECTOR synthetic training system will play a key role helping the Royal Air Force develop skilled aircrews and we are pleased to collaborate with CAE as our training partner on this critical programme.”