NEWPORT NEWS, Va., May 18, 2015 -- ATAC, a private company comprising the world's only operational corporate fleet of 25 supersonic fighter and attack aircraft plus 30 highly-qualified, former US military fighter instructor pilots, has been awarded a five-year, 20,000 flight-hour contract to provide live airborne adversary training, pilot training and threat simulation to address operational Fleet training requirements for the U.S. Navy.  The Contract Air Services program, administered by Naval Air Systems Command, provides contractor-owned and operated aircraft to train ship-board and airborne weapon systems operators on fighter aircraft operation and employment, countering potential enemy airborne threats, and electronic warfare / electronic attack operations. ATAC is also involved in pilot ground training, research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E), operational evaluation of weapons systems, and range support.  In addition to the Navy, Air Force and Marines, customers include other Department of Defense and non-DoD agencies, NATO and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers.

ATAC flies subsonic and supersonic fighter aircraft to provide Navy airborne training services from four primary locations in the continental US, Hawaii and Japan.  The company flies modified F-21/C-2 Kfirs, a supersonic fighter aircraft formerly flown by the Israeli Air Force, and the British-designed Mk.58 Hunter which were purchased from Switzerland.  The company employs former US fighter instructor pilots and TOPGUN instructors from the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps to operate their aircraft.

The Naval Air Systems Command Commercial Air Services Contract submissions were accepted late in 2013 but just recently awarded. ATAC had been the incumbent service provider, having supported Navy tactical air services since the late 1990's.  At least four other competitors were involved in the competition.

The company's website (www.atacusa.com) describes the company as being headquartered in Virginia with flying bases in California, Hawaii, Japan and Germany.  Due to the high cost of operating military aircraft, the company states their support of training missions saves more than $100 million in annual training O&M costs, or in excess of $500 million over the last five years.  ATAC is the only civilian tactical airborne services provider approved to train at the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and the Navy Strike Air Warfare Center, and also is the only civilian entity approved to fly against U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors.  ATAC also supports the USAF – European theater with airborne training as well. 

About Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC)

ATAC provides tactical flight training and adversary aggressor services for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force, including live military air-to-air, air-to-ship, and air-to-surface training and support services. ATAC comprises the world's leading civilian-provided, tactical airborne training organization and proudly provides the highest quality live training to squadrons, Air Wings, and Battle Groups. For more information visit: www.atacusa.com.