Montreal’s CAE has signed a contract with the NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Program Management Organization (NAPMO) during the Farnborough Airshow this week to perform a major modernization of the E-3A flight deck simulator and E-3A flight training device located at NATO Airbase Geilenkirchen.

The modernization effort will bring the simulators inline with upgrades currently being performed on NATO’s fleet of E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. The E-3As are receiving new glass cockpits and other advanced avionics. Both modernization programs are expected to be completed by 2018.

CAE delivered the first NATO E-3A flight deck simulator in 1982 and has had responsibility for maintenance and support ever since, performing more than 100 modifications over the past 30 years. Sixteen nations are involved in the multi-national NATO E-3A Component.