CAE announced it has become an exclusive partner in the Thales CVF team's bid to build two 50,000-ton aircraft carriers for the U.K. Royal Navy. The Thales CVF team is one of two competitors expecting a decision on their contract bid by the end of this year. As part of the Thales CVF team, CAE's mandate includes integration of the carriers' platform management systems into ship data transport infrastructure. Platform management components will be supplied through open competition managed by CAE. "I am delighted that CAE is able to play such a key role in this most innovative program," said Rashid Khan, Executive Vice-President, Marine Controls, CAE.