WASHINGTON – General Dynamics C4 Systems and Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company, have added supplier CAE to its Team T-100 that will compete for the U.S. Air Force’s T-X trainer program. Team T-100 will offer a cost-effective, off-the-shelf integrated training system to replace aging T-38 trainer jets and related training systems. CAE USA is based in Tampa, Fla., and is a unit of CAE, a global leader in providing simulation-based training for pilots. General Dynamics C4 Systems will serve as the prime contractor.

Together, Team T-100 will offer a fully integrated advanced pilot-training system built around the Alenia Aermacchi T-100 Integrated Training System, a market variant of the company’s established M-346 military aircraft trainer and system. As the prime contractor, General Dynamics C4 Systems will bring its proven experience in systems integration and sub-contract management to deliver an Advanced Pilot Training (APT) Family of Systems (FoS) consisting of aircraft, flight simulation devices, multi-media classrooms and logistics support. The T-100 Integrated Training System will incorporate any unique U.S. Air Force requirements and will be built in the United States with an emphasis on U.S.-made components and equipment.

“The combined strength of the General Dynamics, Alenia Aermacchi and CAE USA team leverages aircraft and proven ground-based training systems that are already in service internationally to save significant development time, reduce system cost and provide an unprecedented level of safety for U.S. Air Force trainees,” said Manny Mora, senior vice president of General Dynamics C4 Systems. “Team T-100 will offer a solution that balances capability with affordability while fully preparing pilots for the rigorous demands of fifth-generation fighters such as the F-22 and F-35 aircraft.”

Ben Stone, president and CEO of Alenia Aermacchi North America commented: “Bringing CAE onto the T-100 Team is a natural expansion of their existing role as a strategic supplier for Alenia Aermacchi S.p.A on the M-346 ITS programs, and ensures our competitive advantage while capitalizing on the successes of our existing programs.”

Ray Duquette, president and general manager of CAE USA, said, “Simulation-based training will take on an increasingly important role for the U.S. Air Force because of the inherent safety and cost advantages it delivers. CAE has the comprehensive flight simulation and training expertise needed that will help prepare Air Force pilots to safely and efficiently fly the most advanced fighter aircraft with confidence.”

General Dynamics C4 Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), is a leader in integrating and delivering large, complex systems to the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy and other government customers worldwide. More information about General Dynamics is available at www.generaldynamics.com.

Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company, is an aircraft manufacturer renowned in the global defense and commercial markets for its innovation and ability to design, build, integrate and support complex systems. Alenia Aermacchi plays a key role in world-class programs such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the Neuron Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle demonstrator. Additional information about the company is available at http://www.aleniaaermacchi.it/en-US/AboutUs/Pages/Our-company.aspx and www.aleniana.com.

CAE is a global leader in modeling, simulation and training for defense and civil aviation. The company offers military, civil aviation and helicopter training services in more than 50 locations worldwide and trains approximately 100,000 crewmembers yearly. The company applies simulation expertise and operational experience to help customers enhance safety, improve efficiency, maintain readiness and solve challenging problems. More information can be found at www.cae.com.

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