CAE has partnered with ADM Aéroports de Montréal to support the development of the YMX Control Centre, a key component of Canada’s emerging hub for autonomous and uncrewed systems.
The agreement will see CAE contribute to the facility’s design, helping define its digital infrastructure and operational framework. The centre will form part of the Uncrewed Systems Defence Innovation Secure Hub (UxS DISH), located within the Espace Aero Aerospace Innovation Zone at YMX.
Through the collaboration, CAE will apply its systems integration expertise and proven technologies to support the creation of a testbed environment capable of enabling simultaneous full-scale aircraft and drone operations an important step toward integrating autonomous systems into real-world aviation environments.
Currently, conventional aircraft and drones typically operate in separate airspace due to safety and regulatory constraints. The YMX Control Centre is designed to bridge this gap by allowing testing and validation in a live airport setting, providing a secure environment for government, industry, and research stakeholders to develop and transition advanced technologies into operational use.
The facility is expected to support applications across defence, aerospace, and advanced air mobility, accelerating the adoption of autonomous and AI-enabled systems. It will also play a critical role in future training and simulation requirements as these technologies become more integrated into civil and defence operations.
“Increasingly sophisticated autonomous systems create the need for environments that reflect real operational conditions and help shape how these capabilities will be integrated,” said Pascal Grenier, President of CAE Defense & Security. “This project highlights the important role of systems integration in enabling next-generation mission capabilities while strengthening growth, investment, and technology development domestically.”
“YMX is built for this kind of ambition,” said Yves Beauchamp, President and CEO of ADM Aéroports de Montréal. “By combining our infrastructure with CAE’s expertise, we are creating the conditions for industry to come together, drive innovation, and bring these technologies closer to deployment in operating environments.”
“This partnership illustrates how the innovation zone fosters collaboration between stakeholders and is already building strong momentum for the future of Québec’s aerospace industry,” added Mélanie Lussier, President of Aéro Montréal and Espace Aero.
Located within Montréal’s aerospace innovation ecosystem, the project is expected to support long-term growth in Canada’s aerospace and defence sector while enabling technology demonstration, capability development, and future operational applications.
