Back to news

August 2, 2018 | Local, Aerospace

CAE acquires Alpha-Omega Change Engineering (AOCE)

CAE today announced that CAE USA Mission Solutions Inc., a subsidiary of CAE USA, has acquired Alpha-Omega Change Engineering (AOCE) for approximately US$29 million, excluding post-closing adjustments.

The acquisition will enhance CAE USA's core capabilities as a training systems integrator (TSI), grow CAE's position on enduring platforms such as fighter aircraft, and expand the ability for CAE USA to pursue higher-level security programs in the United States.

AOCE, based in Williamsburg, Virginia, provides a range of aircrew training services, operational test and evaluation, and engineering support services to the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. intelligence services.

“This acquisition aligns directly with CAE's strategic priorities to grow and expand our capabilities in the world's largest defense market,” said Marc Parent, CAE's President and Chief Executive Officer.

“AOCE brings existing contracts as well as past performance in unmanned systems, aircrew training and courseware development for fighter and special operations aircraft, and space and missile defense,” said Ray Duquette, President and General Manager, CAE USA. “This will significantly enhance CAE USA's training systems integration capabilities and allow us to address broader market opportunities in the United States.”

AOCE was founded in 1997, employs approximately 600 people, and has been a successful, rapidly growing business focused on providing training, engineering and consulting services. The company is currently the prime contractor on a range of programs for the U.S. Department of Defense, including: Maintenance and Aircrew Training at Kirtland/Davis-Monthan/Joint Base Andrews/Moody (KDAM) in support of the Air Force Special Operations Command Aircrew Training and Rehearsal Support (ATARS) program; U.S. Army Space & Missile Defense Command indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to provide engineering and operational support services; and U.S. Air Force contract aircrew training and courseware development for F-15, F-16, and F-22 aircrews.

“CAE is a recognized global leader in training and we have first-hand knowledge of the type of company CAE is through the excellent working relationship we developed on programs such as the U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft aircrew training,” said Jim Hartney, AOCE's Chairman of the Board. “This acquisition and being part of CAE will open new growth opportunities for AOCE and our employees.”

CAE USA also announced it has established CAE USA Mission Solutions Inc, a subsidiary of CAE USA which operates under a Proxy Agreement with the United States government. The Proxy Agreement enables Mission Solutions to pursue and execute higher-level security programs.

About CAE

CAE's Defense & Security business unit focuses on helping prepare our customers to develop and maintain the highest levels of mission readiness. We are a world-class training systems integrator offering a comprehensive portfolio of training centers, training services and simulation products across the air, land, sea and public safety market segments. We serve our global defense and security customers through regional operations in the United States/Latin America; Canada; Europe/Africa; and Asia-Pacific/Middle East, all of which leverage the full breadth of CAE's capabilities, technologies and solutions.

CAE is a global leader in training for the civil aviation, defense and security, and healthcare markets. Backed by a 70-year record of industry firsts, we continue to help define global training standards with our innovative virtual-to-live training solutions to make flying safer, maintain defense force readiness and enhance patient safety. We have the broadest global presence in the industry, with over 8,500 employees, 160 sites and training locations in over 35 countries. Each year, we train more than 120,000 civil and defense crewmembers and thousands of healthcare professionals worldwide.

https://www.cae.com/news-events/press-releases/cae-acquires-alpha-omega-change-engineering-aoce

On the same subject

  • Federal government invests in innovative training for aerospace and defence sectors

    May 17, 2018 | Local, Aerospace

    Federal government invests in innovative training for aerospace and defence sectors

    News release Investment will help create and maintain more than 200 jobs and promote innovation in Atlantic Canada May 16, 2018 – Halifax, Nova Scotia – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada The Government of Canada is maintaining and creating well-paying middle-class jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity by investing in the growth of small businesses to promote innovation and global competitiveness. Today, the Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced a repayable investment of $7.6 million to support a $19-million project by Bluedrop Performance Learning Inc., a company that provides simulation technology, simulators and training programs to the aerospace and defence sectors. The funding will help Bluedrop create or maintain more than 200 jobs by supporting the design and development of next-generation aerospace and marine simulation and training products. The project will adapt gaming and mobile technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality to improve the use of artificial intelligence in developing new simulation and training products used by air and marine crews. This investment will lead to training that is more relevant and cost-effective and that improves safety for air and marine crews. This investment is being made through the Strategic Innovation Fund, a program designed to attract and support high-quality business investments across all sectors of the economy by encouraging R&D that will accelerate technology transfer and the commercialization of innovative products, processes and services and will facilitate the growth of innovative firms. Quotes “Our government is investing to help small businesses across Canada grow and be active players in innovative sectors of the economy. This investment in Bluedrop's innovative simulation and training technologies will support the creation of middle-class jobs in Atlantic Canada and foster a vibrant regional economy. This investment is a concrete example of our government's ambitious agenda to strengthen the middle class, create jobs, and ensure a prosperous and inclusive future for Canadians.” – The Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board “Bluedrop welcomes this support from the Government of Canada, through the Strategic Innovation Fund, as we look to further enhance our competitive position through the development of next-generation training solutions.” – Derrick Rowe, Executive Chairman of the Board of Bluedrop Performance Learning Inc. Quick facts Founded in 2012, Bluedrop Training and Simulation Inc. designs and develops advanced training systems and state-of-the-art simulation products to safely train operators and maintainers of complex equipment. The company is headquartered in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, and also has a location in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where the project will take place. The Strategic Innovation Fund is a flexible program that reflects the diversity of innovation in all sectors of the economy. In addition to the Strategic Innovation Fund, there are hundreds of programs and services to help businesses innovate, create jobs and grow Canada's economy. With a simple, story-based user interface, the new Innovation Canada platform can match businesses with the most fitting programs and services in about two minutes. https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2018/05/federal-government-invests-in-innovative-training-for-aerospace-and-defence-sectors.html

  • Canada's first Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship expected in October

    August 30, 2018 | Local, Naval

    Canada's first Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship expected in October

    DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN The first Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship is expected to be delivered the first week of October, according to Department of National Defence officials. The ship was originally supposed to be delivered this summer. The ship will undergo various tests in the months following delivery. The formal acceptance of the vessel by the Royal Canadian Navy won't take place until early next year. The first vessel, HMCS Harry DeWolf, is expected to be ready for operations starting in the summer of 2019, according to DND officials. Subsequent ships are to be delivered approximately every nine months, according to documents obtained by Postmedia using the Access to Information law. The Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship project will deliver five ships, with an option for a sixth, if affordable. The ships are designated as the Harry DeWolf Class, after Canadian wartime naval hero Vice-Admiral Harry DeWolf. The official RCN ship's class designation will be Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel or AOPV. The AOPV will be capable of armed sea-borne surveillance of Canada's waters, including the Arctic, providing government situational awareness of activities and events in these regions, and cooperating with other government departments to assert and enforce Canadian sovereignty, according to the DND. Construction of the first AOPV began in 2015 with HMCS Harry DeWolf. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/first-arctic-offshore-patrol-ship-expected-in-october

  • Government of Canada awards contract to Chantier Davie for refit of Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker and unveils names of interim icebreakers

    May 1, 2019 | Local, Naval, Security

    Government of Canada awards contract to Chantier Davie for refit of Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker and unveils names of interim icebreakers

    LÉVIS, QC, April 30, 2019 /CNW/ - Icebreaking is a key factor in ensuring the safe and efficient movement of people and goods on Canadian waterways, and helps contribute to year-round shipping and economic growth. That is why the Government of Canada is committed to providing the Canadian Coast Guard with the equipment it needs to ensure these waterways are kept safe and open for business. The Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, and the Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, announced today that Chantier Davie of Lévis, Quebec, was awarded a contract of $7,198,164.30 for the dry-dock refit of the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent, Canada's largest icebreaker. The scheduled refit of the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent will ensure the Canadian Coast Guard continues to provide critical icebreaking and other marine services effectively. This contract was awarded on April 15, 2019following an Advanced Contract Award Notice issued on November 16, 2018. Minister Wilkinson also announced the names of the two interim icebreakers currently undergoing conversion work at Chantier Davie; CCGS Jean Goodwill and CCGS Vincent Massey. These ships will be available to support Coast Guard programs by late 2019 and summer 2020, respectively. In December 2018, the Canadian Coast Guard accepted the first of three interim icebreakers which were acquired to supplement its existing fleet during vessel life extension and repair periods. CCGS Jean Goodwill takes its name from one of the founding members of the Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada and contemporary champion of public health services for Indigenous people. CCGS Vincent Massey, is named after the first Canadian appointed to the post of Governor General, which until then was occupied by British born individuals. The Right Honourable Vincent Massey was appointed Governor General on the recommendation of then Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent. CCGS Jean Goodwill and CCGS Vincent Massey will be part of the national Coast Guard fleet which carries out icebreaking duties in Atlantic Canada, the St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes, and Arctic regions. CCGS Jean Goodwill's homeport will be in Halifax, NS, and CCGS Vincent Massey in Quebec City, QC. Quotes "The refit of CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent is an important part of the planned maintenance of the Coast Guard's icebreaking fleet. Regular maintenance helps ensure our largest vessel is ready to provide essential icebreaking services to Canadians, especially in the Arctic where shipping escorts are essential to resupplying northern communities. Furthermore, we look forward to welcoming CCGS Jean Goodwill and CCGS Vincent Massey to the fleet to help support the Coast Guard with the essential work they do in Canadian waters." The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard "Canadians from coast to coast to coast rely on the Canadian Coast Guard to protect their coastlines and their livelihoods. This contract will ensure the men and women of the Canadian Coast Guard are properly equipped to do their important work, while also helping sustain good middle-class jobs at the Davie Shipyard." The Honourable Carla Qualtrough Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility "Our government's contract award to Davie Shipyard is a testament to the exceptional expertise of the shipbuilding workers in our region. Their internationally recognized expertise and professionalism will continue to be put to work for the benefit of the Canadian Coast Guard, the safety of our waterways and our economy." The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos Member of Parliament for Québec Quick Facts The CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent is Canada's largest icebreaker, homeported in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Icebreakers are crucial to Coast Guard services, vital to the safety of mariners, the protection of coastal waters, resupply of northern communities and the orderly flow of commerce through Canadian waters. The award of this contract follows an Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN), which was issued on November 16, 2018 and closed on December 4, 2018. The ACAN process helps to ensure a fair, open, and transparent procurement process, by allowing any interested supplier to demonstrate how it could meet the requirements of the ACAN. As of December 2018, the value of the work awarded under the repair, refit and maintenance portion of the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) is now over $4.5B.This includes $1.56B in contracts awarded to Quebec shipyards under the NSS. On December 14, 2018, the Canadian Coast Guard accepted the first of three interim icebreakers being converted by Chantier Davie as part of a $610-million contract awarded in August 2018. The three icebreakers were acquired to supplement the Coast Guard's existing fleet during vessel life extension and repair periods, providing continuous on-water capability during scheduled maintenance periods. In accordance with the Canadian Coast Guard ship naming policy, CCGS Jean Goodwill and CCGS Vincent Massey were named to honour Canadian leaders who made significant contributions to Canada. Associated Links Canadian Coast Guard's new icebreakers National Shipbuilding Strategy Canadian Coast Guard Navigation Officer Program Stay Connected Follow the Canadian Coast Guard on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Subscribe to receive our news releases and more via RSS feeds. For more information or to subscribe, visit http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/rss-eng.htm. SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada For further information: Jocelyn Lubczuk, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, 343-548-7863, Jocelyn.lubczuk@dfo-mpo.gc.ca; Media Relations, Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, 613-990-7537, Media.xncr@dfo-mpo.gc.ca https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/government-of-canada-awards-contract-to-chantier-davie-for-refit-of-canadian-coast-guard-icebreaker-and-unveils-names-of-interim-icebreakers-857320833.html

All news