Canada has received the first Airbus H135 helicopter designated for its Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program, a major initiative aimed at preparing the next generation of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilots.
The aircraft is the first of 19 H135 helicopters ordered under a November 2024 agreement between Airbus and SkyAlyne, the prime contractor responsible for delivering the FAcT program. Known as the CT-153 Juno in RCAF service, the twin-engine platform is equipped with Airbus’ Helionix avionics suite and will support a range of training activities, including initial pilot instruction, advanced instrument flight training, and tactical operations.
The CT-153 Juno fleet will be based at 15 Wing Southport and operated by the 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School, one of the RCAF’s principal pilot training establishments. Deliveries of the remaining helicopters are scheduled to continue through 2028.
The FAcT initiative forms part of Canada’s broader effort to modernize military aircrew training. In July 2023, SkyAlyne—a partnership between CAE and KF Aerospace—was selected to manage the program and subsequently secured a 25-year, $11.2-billion contract in May 2024.
The new training framework will replace services currently provided by CAE Military Aviation Training in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and Allied Wings in Southport, Manitoba, both of which are expected to conclude by 2027. It will also assume responsibility for training air combat systems officers and airborne electronic sensor operators previously trained by the RCAF itself.
To support these objectives, the program is procuring more than 70 aircraft across five fleets, including Airbus CT-153 Juno helicopters, Grob G 120TP trainers, Pilatus PC-21 aircraft, Textron Beechcraft King Air 260 utility aircraft, and De Havilland Dash 8-400 platforms.
