CAE, GA-ASI team to provide UAS training simulators for Italian AF

Gene Colabatistto, Group President, Defence & Security, CAE;
General Stefano Salamida, Italian Air Force;
Linden P. Blue, CEO, General Atomics.

CAE Demonstrating Comprehensive UAS Training Solutions for Mission Success

GA-ASI PMATS Predator Mission Aircrew Training System

CAE and GA-ASI to develop Predator UAS simulator for Italian Air Force
Paris, France, June 16, 2015 - (NYSE: CAE; TSX: CAE) - Today at the Paris Air Show, CAE announced the Italian Directorate for Air Armaments and Airworthiness (DAAA) has contracted CAE to develop and deliver upgrades and enhancements to a Predator Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Mission Trainer being developed for the Italian Air Force.

CAE, GA-ASI team to provide Predator training simulators - UPI.com
CAE and GA-ASI said they will upgrade current training systems used by Italy for the Predator and intend to develop a high-fidelity UAS Mission Trainer specifically representing the Italian Air Force's Predator(R) A and Predator B/MQ-9 UAS.
CAE will conduct flight test data gathering on actual Italian Air Force Predator A and Predator B/MQ-9 aircraft to ensure the highest fidelity simulation of flight systems and sensor payloads.

CAE and GA-ASI to develop Predator UAS simulator for Italian Air Force | General Atomics News & Media
The high-fidelity Predator UAS Mission Trainer will be delivered in 2017 to Amendola Air Force Base and will enable the Italian Air Force to conduct training for its Predator A and Predator B/MQ-9 pilots and sensor operators, thus allowing a rapid transition to flight operations without further training on the actual aircraft.  In addition, the training capability is expected to significantly enhance operational readiness and flight safety for the Italian Air Force compared to conventional approaches to live training.

Related/Background:

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  PARIS -- Drone maker General Atomics plans to open a training academy in the U.S. early next year for drone pilots from allied countries, a company official said.
  The San Diego-based maker of the popular Predator-series unmanned aircraft plans to announce the move in coming weeks. It is designed in part to relieve a training bottleneck in the U.S. Air Force, according to Christopher Ames, director of international strategic development for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.