Airbus hands over the first of 19 CT-153 Junos for the Future Aircrew Training program, the second aircraft type delivered to Canada under the 25-year contract.

Airbus has delivered the first H135 helicopter for the Royal Canadian Air Force under the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program. The aircraft, designated the CT-153 Juno in RCAF service, was delivered on June 17.

The trainer

The twin-engine Juno is equipped with Airbus’ Helionix avionics suite and will support basic rotary-wing instruction, advanced instrument flight rules training and tactical mission preparation. The avionics suite is also designed to ease pilots’ transition to larger, more complex aircraft.

The fleet will be based at Southport, Manitoba, with 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School.

Completed in Canada

The aircraft are completed and delivered from Airbus Helicopters’ facility in Fort Erie, Ontario. There, they receive Canadian-developed modifications to their avionics and communications systems, along with custom cockpit work.

“This first delivery is an important step forward for the Future Aircrew Training program and the next generation of Royal Canadian Air Force pilots, and it highlights the depth of capability being delivered here in Canada,” said Dwayne Charette, President of Airbus Helicopters in Canada.

SkyAlyne, a joint venture between CAE and KF Aerospace, selected the H135 for the program. It will acquire 19 Junos, with deliveries of the remaining helicopters continuing through 2028.

“It is our collective mission to make sure the RCAF has an unfair advantage in the skies,” said Kevin Lemke, General Manager of SkyAlyne. He credited collaboration across industry, the military and government for bringing the first Juno to the RCAF within 18 months.

The program

FAcT is a 25-year, $11.2-billion contract awarded to SkyAlyne in May 2024. The program will introduce 71 aircraft across five fleets, along with classroom instruction, simulators, flight training, maintenance, infrastructure and other support services.

It will consolidate pilot, air combat systems officer and airborne electronic sensor operator training now delivered through multiple arrangements. The Southport training contract expires in 2027. The NATO Flying Training in Canada contract at Moose Jaw also expires in 2027, with an option year that could extend services into 2028.

The Juno is the second FAcT aircraft type delivered to Canada, following the first two CT-102B Astra II basic trainers in September 2025.