CAE grows cleared US footprint through AOCE deal
By
Ross Wilkers
CAE buys Virginia-based aircrew training services outfit Alpha-Omega Change Engineering to add new cleared work in the U.S. defense and intelligence markets.
Canadian aviation services company CAE has acquired Williamsburg, Virginia-based Alpha-Omega Change Engineering for $29 million to expand defense and intelligence work in the U.S.
In conjunction with the deal, CAE said Wednesday it has established a subsidiary that operates under a proxy agreement with the U.S. government in order to perform services that require a clearance. AOCE is now a part of the CAE Mission Solutions Inc. subsidiary, itself an arm of CAE USA.
Founded in 1997 and with 600 employees, AOCE provides aircrew training services, operational test-and-evaluation and engineering support services to defense and intelligence agencies.
“AOCE brings existing contracts as well as past performance in unmanned systems, aircrew training and courseware development for fighter and special operations aircraft, and space and missile defense,” CAE USA President and General Manager Ray Duquette said in a release.
CAE USA is a subsidiary of CAE that also operates under a special security agreement with the Defense Department to oversee all activities related to classified and export-controlled information, security procedures and company management.
At least 1,000 employees work for Tampa, Florida-based CAE USA, which the parent company says is the largest segment within its defense and security unit.