Air Force contracts for KC-135 training

TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 13 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force's KC-135 tanker crews will receive comprehensive training from Florida's CAE USA under a $20 million contract.

Under the award, CAE USA will provide aircrew training services at 13 Air Force bases in the United States and internationally, where more than 3,500 KC-135 pilots, co-pilots, and boom operators train annually.

Over the life of the contract, which includes a nine-month base contract and nine one-year options, the agreement expected to produce revenues of more than $250 million, the company said.

"Winning the U.S. Air Force KC-135 Aircrew Training System program as a prime contractor is an important milestone for CAE USA," said CAE USA President and General Manager John Lenyo. "We are honored and proud the USAF recognized CAE's focus, experience and expertise in providing world-class training services for tanker aircraft, and we look forward to helping KC-135 aircrews stay well-prepared and mission ready."

The KC-135 Aircrew Training System program delivers initial qualification, requalification, continuation and upgrade training for KC-135 aircrews.

CAE USA will now be the prime contractor responsible for providing program management, academic and simulator instruction, maintenance and logistics services, training device upgrades, relocation services and a Training Systems Support Center.