Vanguard Magazine

34 APRIL/MAY 2026 www.vanguardcanada.com S I M U LAT I O N serve as the primary ab initio trainer, with every future RCAF pilot starting their fly- ing career on the type. These aircraft will carry trainees from initial flight through to operational training units, where they take on their specific roles on fighter, transport, surveillance, and rotary wing aircraft. "Simulation plays an important role in modern training by complementing live flying, allowing students to experience a wider range of scenarios than what is pos- sible in live flying alone," says Ruess. "This is particularly true for air combat systems officer and airborne electronic sensor op- erator training, where advanced simula- tion will play a much more significant role than what was possible previously. It also provides additional flexibility in how stu- dents are prepared, enabling more student practice and review, both before and after live-flight exercises." MGen Jeff Smyth, Chief of Air and Space Force Development, RCAF, described what the new aircraft brings: "The Astra II provides more power and superior per- formance and will set students up for suc- cess as they prepare to fly the sophisticated RCAF aircraft we will welcome in the near future, like the CF-35A and CP-8A." LGen Eric Kenny, Commander of the RCAF at the time of the contract an- nouncement, made the broader stakes clear in May 2024: "We must modernize our training systems as we are modernizing our front-line equipment and weapons systems. The Future Aircrew Training program will do that by incorporating the latest training concepts and technologies and adapting to emerging trends to ensure Royal Canadian Air Force personnel can operate and win in highly contested and increasingly complex theatres of operation." What it means for industry SkyAlyne is a made-in-Canada joint ven- ture, and the contract structure reflects that. Canada's Industrial and Techno- logical Benefits Policy applies, requiring investments in Canada equal to the full $11.2 billion contract value. The program is projected to create or maintain 3,400 jobs and contribute $405 million annu- ally to Canada's GDP across the 25-year term. The procurement specifically targets Canadian industrial capacity in training, simulation, and in-service support. The FAcT program aims to commit a minimum of five per cent of the contract value, excluding aircraft and simulators, to Indigenous participation. The bigger picture FAcT is one piece of a broader defence modernisation effort, and the platforms coming into RCAF service need aircrew trained to meet them. Training continues at the existing sites, with SkyAlyne and the RCAF working towards a spring 2029 goal for FAcT to be operational. The pro- gram will ramp up gradually as the initial cadre of students progress through the courses, starting in Basic before moving into the Advanced streams for Multi-En- gine, Rotary, and Jet. When that happens, the RCAF will have, for the first time, a single training enterprise matched to the force it is being asked to generate. That's not a small thing. Register Now bestdefenceconference.com October 20-21, 2026 | RBC Place, London, Ontario Canada's Defence Decisions Begin Here

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