Market Intelligence: -General Aviation

Italy – CAE announced that it has been awarded a contract by the Italian Air Force to deliver the MQ-9A Block 5 Predator Mission Trainer Plus (PMT Plus). This contract, which also includes initial in-service support for the PMT Plus, underscores CAE’s commitment to providing cutting-edge training solutions that enhance the mission readiness of Italy’s defence forces.

CAE’s PMT Plus, developed in partnership with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), is the most advanced training system for the MQ-9A Reaper. It provides a fully immersive training environment that replicates real operational conditions, enabling pilots and sensor operators to transition to flight operations with minimal training on the actual aircraft.

CAE has a long history of supporting the Italian Air Force across multiple aircraft platforms, including the MQ-9A. In 2018, CAE delivered the PMT Block 1 to the Italian Air Force, the first Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) trainer to achieve a Zero Flight Time Training qualification. Additionally, with 10 sites across the country, CAE has been dedicated to supporting military flight training in Italy for more than 15 years, demonstrating its enduring commitment to the Italian defence forces.

“Our dedication to delivering tailored and high-quality training solutions, such as the PMT Plus, significantly contributes to the operational excellence of Italy’s defence forces,” said Marc-Olivier Sabourin, Division President, CAE Defense & Security – International. “This achievement underscores our longstanding collaboration with GA-ASI and our unwavering commitment to support the mission readiness of MQ-9 operators worldwide.”

The PMT Plus enhances mission training for the MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft, enabling flight crews to train on the Italian Air Force’s specific Operational Flight Program (OFP) and includes Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability (ATLC). The upgrade further improves visual graphics for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions and delivers an advanced user interface for instructors.

CAE is recognized globally as the reference in synthetic training for remotely piloted aircraft aircrews. As demand for RPAs continues to rise, these systems play a critical role among modern defence forces, providing support for a wide range of operations, including Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, interdictions, and close air support. Their ability to operate in complex joint and coalition environments significantly enhances their strategic value, making them a cornerstone of contemporary military operations.

About CAE
At CAE, we exist to make the world safer. We deliver cutting-edge training, simulation, and critical operations solutions to prepare aviation professionals and defence forces for the moments that matter. Every day, we empower pilots, cabin crew, maintenance technicians, airlines, business aviation operators, and defence and security personnel to perform at their best and when the stakes are the highest. Around the globe, we’re everywhere customers need us to be with approximately 13,000 employees at around 240 sites and training locations in over 40 countries. For nearly 80 years, CAE has been at the forefront of innovation, consistently seeking to set the standard by delivering excellence in high-fidelity flight simulators and training solutions, while embedding sustainability at the heart of everything we do. By harnessing technology and enhancing human performance, we strive to be the trusted partner in advancing safety and mission readiness—today and tomorrow.