Little Rock Air Force Base will continue serving as the nation’s primary training hub for C-130 Hercules aircrews after the U.S. Air Force awarded a $300 million contract renewal to CAE USA. The Tampa, Florida-based defense contractor announced Monday that it had secured the recompete contract to provide training and logistics services through December 2035.
CAE USA has held the contract since 2018, when it was initially awarded at a value of $200 million.
Little Rock Air Force Base, located in Jacksonville, Arkansas, is home to the U.S. military’s C-130 Hercules Formal Training Unit and the Training Service Support Center. The installation plays a critical role in training aircrews to operate the versatile C-130 aircraft, which has been a mainstay of the Air Force’s airlift capabilities for decades.
Nick Coucoules, vice president of airlift and tanker programs at CAE USA, said the new contract underscores the trust the Air Force has in the company’s capabilities. He credited the award to the “unparalleled value” provided by CAE’s multidisciplinary team, particularly in a defense sector that is constantly evolving.
Srini Dixit, interim vice president and general manager for CAE Defense and Security USA, highlighted the importance of the C-130H model to the Air Force’s operational readiness and mission success. “The C-130H remains a critical platform for the U.S. Air Force, and CAE is proud to continue delivering the training excellence required to support mission readiness and operational success,” Dixit said in a statement.
As the incumbent contractor, CAE communicated its commitment to maintain the high standards of performance achieved under the previous agreement while also adapting to emerging requirements from the Air Force, according to Dixit.
The Air Force made the announcement public through CAE USA and did not provide additional details about the agreement or comment directly to reporters.
Little Rock Air Force Base continues to be a pivotal component of the Department of Defense’s aircrew training operations, reinforcing the state’s role in supporting national defense missions.