GA-ASI and CAE Sign Long-Term Agreement to Develop the Next Generation MQ-9B SkyGuardian(R) Mission Trainer
18.2.2025 20:00:00 CET | ACCESS Newswire | Press release
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / February 18, 2025 / General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. and CAE are pleased to announce a long-term agreement for the development and production of the next-generation mission trainer for GA-ASI's MQ-9B SkyGuardian® remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS). The contract with GA-ASI includes a firm order for 11 mission trainers, with the opportunity to deliver up to 50 devices over the next five years. The agreement brings together two industry leaders to enhance the training capabilities for operators of MQ-9B and builds on the long-standing business relationship between GA-ASI and CAE.
Recognized globally as the reference in synthetic training for RPAS, CAE leverages the latest visualization technology in the development of the next-generation MQ-9B SkyGuardian Mission Trainers. The trainers will employ the CAE Prodigy Image Generator to provide a highly realistic training environment to replicate flight operations. Powered by a state-of-the-art gaming engine, CAE Prodigy elevates training standards through an enhanced immersive training environment, high-fidelity graphics, and physics-based simulation. This cutting-edge technology enhances the realism and effectiveness of the training, ensuring that operators are well-prepared for their missions.
MQ-9B is the world's most advanced RPAS delivering exceptionally long endurance and range, with auto takeoff and landing under pole-to-pole SATCOM-only control and will be able to operate in unsegregated airspace using the GA-ASI-developed Detect and Avoid system. MQ-9B includes the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian® models, as well as the new Protector RG Mk1 that is currently being delivered to the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force. The platform is building a global operator list, with procurement contracts signed with Belgium, Canada, Poland, the Japan Coast Guard, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Taiwan, India, and the U.S. Air Force in support of Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has also supported various U.S. Navy exercises.
"GA-ASI and CAE have worked together to deliver leading-edge training to our customers for more than two decades," said Jaime Walters, vice president of International Strategic Development at GA-ASI. "Through this partnership, we will continue to enhance operational readiness and effectiveness for MQ-9B operators worldwide, and in particular, we see the new SkyGuardian Mission Trainers supporting our new Canadian customer. CAE's comprehensive training solutions ensure that personnel are well-prepared to operate these advanced RPAS efficiently and safely."
GA-ASI's partnership with CAE is part of its Team SkyGuardian Canada initiative, which is focused on GA-ASI's collaboration and investment with Canadian businesses following the Government of Canada's selection of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian.
"This agreement underscores our commitment to advancing the capabilities of RPAS training and ensuring that MQ-9B SkyGuardian operators worldwide have access to the best training tools available," said Marc-Olivier Sabourin, Division President, CAE Defense & Security, International. "Our knowhow, expertise, and experience put our customers on the cutting edge of training and readiness. Through our long-term relationship with General Atomics, we are proud to be the key partner of choice for training solutions involving remotely piloted aircraft systems."
CAE is a leading provider of flight training and services and works in partnership with the world's most advanced OEMs and defense forces to deliver integrated training solutions that ensure operational excellence and mission readiness.
About GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable RPA systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. With more than eight million flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent situational awareness. The company also produces a variety of sensor control/image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas.
For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com.
Avenger, Gray Eagle, Lynx, Predator, Reaper, SeaGuardian, and SkyGuardian are trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries.
About CAE
At CAE, we equip people in critical roles with the expertise and solutions to create a safer world. As a technology company, we digitalize the physical world, deploying software-based simulation training and critical operations support solutions. Above all else, we empower pilots, cabin crew, maintenance technicians, airlines, business aviation operators, and defence and security forces to perform at their best every day and when the stakes are the highest. Around the globe, we're everywhere customers need us to be with approximately 13,000 employees in more than 240 sites and training locations in over 40 countries. CAE represents more than 75 years of industry firsts-the highest-fidelity flight and mission simulators as well as training programs powered by digital technologies. We embed sustainability in everything we do. Today and tomorrow, we'll make sure our customers are ready for the moments that matter.
Follow us on Twitter: @CAE_Inc
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cae.inc
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cae
# # #
Contact Information
GA-ASI Media Relations
asi-mediarelations@ga-asi.com
SOURCE: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

Subscribe to releases from ACCESS Newswire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from ACCESS Newswire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from ACCESS Newswire
Polaris Renewable Energy Awards Key Supply Contract and Issues Notice to Proceed on Punta Lima Battery Storage Investment20.10.2026 23:10:00 CEST | Press release
TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / October 20, 2026 / Polaris Renewable Energy Inc. (TSX:PIF) ("Polaris" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has awarded and executed a contract with Trina Energy Storage Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. ("Trina Storage") for the supply of battery energy storage systems ("BESS") for the Company's Punta Lima project in Puerto Rico. Trina Storage is a global utility-scale energy storage provider with 30 GWh of BESS projects commissioned and under execution worldwide, including more than 6 GWh across Latin America and the Caribbean. The Punta Lima BESS project is being advanced under Puerto Rico's Accelerated Storage Addition Program ("ASAP"), a strategic initiative designed to strengthen grid reliability through the deployment of utility-scale battery energy storage systems co-located with existing generation facilities. As background, on June 5, 2026, Polaris Power US, Inc. ("PPUS") fully executed the BESS Standard Offer Agreement (the "SO1 Agree
DataTracks Strengthens European Track Record, Supporting 550+ Large Dutch Entities in First KVK Digital Reporting Cycle20.10.2026 13:00:00 CEST | Press release
AMSTERDAM, NL / ACCESS Newswire / October 20, 2026 / DataTracks, a specialist provider of KVK XBRL and iXBRL filing and ESEF reporting solutions, has supported more than 550 large entities across the Netherlands in meeting their annual accounts reporting requirements under the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel, KVK). This is the first cycle in which large Dutch legal entities, other than listed issuers that report under ESEF, must file their annual accounts electronically via Standard Business Reporting (SBR). The requirement applies to financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2025. Entities may file in XBRL or Inline XBRL (iXBRL), depending on their reporting framework. iXBRL is required for entities reporting under IFRS, those including a CSRD sustainability statement and those using entity-specific disclosures. For many companies, this was a significant change from preparing and filing annual accounts in PDF or paper format. Finance teams had to produce st
Chervon Names Devin Murray Director of Sales - Northern Division19.10.2026 15:00:00 CEST | Press release
NAPERVILLE, IL / ACCESS Newswire / October 19, 2026 / Devin Murray joins Chervon as Director of Sales - Northern Division, effective October 19, 2026, reporting to Thomas Kentouris, Vice President of Field Sales. Murray joins Chervon after completing a six-year fast track career in TTI sales and sales management. Most recently, he was a Key End User Account Manager for Milwaukee charged with growing the pro tool business with large end users. Murray's exceptional recruiting skills and leadership skills enabled him to build, manage and inspire highly effective sales teams at the store level. His account management prowess resulted in outstanding sales results and strong partnerships with multiple national accounts. "Early in his impressive career, Devin was identified as a high potential future superstar executive," said Thomas Kentouris. "His large end user pro tool experience is exactly what we need to help build our pro tool leadership position. His inspiring leadership skills combin
Chervon Names Krystle Adams Director of Sales Recruiting19.10.2026 15:00:00 CEST | Press release
NAPERVILLE, IL / ACCESS Newswire / October 19, 2026 / Krystle Adams joins Chervon as Director of Sales Recruiting, effective October 19, 2026, reporting to Matt DeFeo, SVP of Sales, Training and Recruiting. Over the past 9+ years, Adams has advanced through a series of increasingly responsible sales and recruiting positions at TTI. Earlier in her impressive career, Krystle distinguished herself as an outstanding sales representative and sales manager delivering consistently strong results. Most recently, she was a National Recruiting Operations Manager responsible for leading, coordinating, and implementing recruiting efforts across campuses nationwide. Krystle has demonstrated exceptional skills in developing and leading campus and field sales recruiting efforts. She also designed and executed a thriving national college internship program. "I feel incredibly fortunate to now have Krystle Adams in place to launch Chervon campus recruiting," said Matt DeFeo, SVP of Sales, Training and
Chervon Names Terry Lucero Director of National Accounts - Industrial19.10.2026 15:00:00 CEST | Press release
NAPERVILLE, IL / ACCESS Newswire / October 19, 2026 / Terry Lucero joins Chervon as Director of National Accounts - Industrial, effective October 19, 2026, reporting to Jeff Campbell, Senior Vice President of Industrial Commercial Sales. Lucero brings 25+ years of extensive experience in building professional tool businesses at national accounts, regional accounts, at the store level and at the end user level. Lucero started his career at Dewalt where he advanced through a series of sales, sales management and end user marketing positions over 5 years driving professional tool growth. Lucero went on to WW Grainger where he progressed through a series of business development and sales management positions. He was also a sales manager of professional equipment at United Rentals. Most recently, Lucero served as a director of sales at APEX Tool Group for the Americas. "Terry's impressive pro tool experience in industrial distribution, national account management and end user marketing make
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom