ATAC secures Air Force training pact

The Air Force has awarded a contract worth up to a combined $240 million to Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC) for adversary air live training.

Air Force officials said the award to ATAC, part of the Textron Systems segment of Textron Inc., is via the Combat Air Forces (CAF) Contracted Air Support (CAS) program, noting ATAC would train pilots at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona and Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.

“ATAC is thrilled to have been selected to provide adversary training at Luke and Holloman AFBs, enabling us to continue our excellence in providing training to US and allied pilots,” Scott Stacy, ATAC general manager, said. “With additional ATAC F1s and pilots coming online, we are well positioned to expand our flight operations and provide adversary training at additional bases and locations, as needed.”

The contract calls for over 3,000 sorties per year for up to 4.5 years, officials said, with instruction provided by ATAC’s fleet of Mirage F1 fighter aircraft.

The awards are part of an initial round of five operating locations the Air Force has selected under the CAF CAS program. The Air Force intends to contract for such services at up to 22 operating locations, officials said, 12 for adversary air and 10 for contracted close air support.