Vanguard Magazine

Building a World-Class Training Pipeline While the Guardian and the Quadratix software environment that powers it are technological marvels, the success of these systems hinges on the people who operate and maintain them. Recognizing this, Team SkyGuardian Canada has partnered with CAE, a leader in simulation-based training, to develop a software-defined training pipeline that sets a new standard for RPAS training. The centerpiece of this effort is the Sky- Guardian® Mission Trainer Next Genera- tion (SMT Next Gen), a high-fidelity sim- ulator that mirrors the systems crews will use in live operations. Featuring CAE's Brief/Debrief system and advanced scenario generation capa- bilities, the SMT enables comprehensive training for basic platform operations as well as complex mission scenarios. This reduces the need for live flight training, cutting costs and minimizing downtime caused by weather, maintenance, or air- space restrictions. The advanced simulation capabilities fea- tured on the SMT will reduce the need for, and costs associated with, live flight train- ing. They also ensure crews can maintain pro- ficiency in complex and infrequent tasks, maximizing their ability to safely and ef- fectively employ the aircraft. The training program, which begins with www.vanguardcanada.com DECEMBER 2025/JANUARY 2026 11 Quadratix unifies General Atomics' soware capabilities— across all domains— into a single, interconnected enterprise. P E R S P E C T I V E Sponsored Content a train-the-trainers model, will transition fully to Canada for implementation. RCAF crews will receive instruction at CAE-led classes in Ottawa and other installations across the country, ensuring they are pre- pared to maximize the CQ9B's capabilities. In the medium-to-long term, this train- ing system will benefit not just Canada but MQ-9B SkyGuardian operators world- wide, with CAE's expertise helping to stan- dardize offerings across the fleet. A Bold Step Forward By integrating Quadratix's advanced soft- ware capabilities and CAE's world-class training solutions, Team SkyGuardian Can- ada is delivering a solution that is as strategic as it is transformative. As Canada fields its fleet of CQ9B Guardians, it is setting a global standard for uncrewed systems operations and training. With cutting-edge technology, reduced operator requirements, and advanced ma- chine learning, the CQ9B is poised to play a critical role in defending Canada's home- land, advancing its global interests, and safeguarding the Arctic. Through collaboration with Canadian in- dustry leaders like CAE and MDA Space, as well as L3Harris WESCAM, Team Sky- Guardian Canada is fostering innovation, creating jobs, and ensuring Canada main- tains sovereignty over its defense capabilities. With CQ9B leading the way, Canada's future force is flying high. behaviours, such as unauthorized ship movements or violations in exclusive eco- nomic zones, with precision and efficiency. By automating complex data analysis, Optix further reduces personnel require- ments while increasing the speed and ac- curacy of intelligence delivery. GA's culture thrives on innovating for its customers, driving Quadratix toward a fu- ture where operators can manage multiple mission elements seamlessly and thereby maximize the economy and efficiency of each operation. For Canada, Quadratix and its Optix vertical ensure the CQ9B remains a versa- tile and indispensable asset across defense and civil missions. Together, they rede- fine operational efficiency, ensuring Can- ada's CQ9B fleet is equipped to meet the demands of modern ISR missions. These capabilities allow crews to op- timize aircraft performance in real time, such as adapting flight paths, identifying targets, and coordinating sensor opera- tions, based on evolving mission needs. For Canada, this means the CQ9B Guardian can seamlessly integrate into joint operations with allied forces, lever- aging data-driven insights to enhance in- teroperability and mission effectiveness. Whether conducting Arctic surveillance or supporting NATO missions abroad, the CQ9B's capabilities ensure it remains a trusted and versatile asset in Canada's defense arsenal.

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