Patuxent River, Md. — The U.S. Navy awarded a $554 million indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to Airborne Tactical Advantage Company in late July 2025 to supply training support services under the Fleet Fighter Jet Services program. The agreement, managed by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, will deliver 6,500 to 7,000 flight hours annually through 2030, using contractor-operated high subsonic and supersonic aircraft to simulate airborne threats for Navy and Marine Corps aviators.
The contract enables ATAC to operate Mirage F1, F-21 Kfir and Mk. 58 Hawker Hunter jets for threat simulations, including electronic combat environments and aggressor roles in adversary air exercises. These services support squadron training and shipboard operators by replicating advanced tactics, preserving the service life of operational F/A-18 and EA-18 aircraft through the contracted air services approach.
Capt. Jason Pettitt, program manager for the Adversary and Specialized Aircraft Program Office and AV-8B Harrier Program Office, described the award as essential for fleet preparation. “The Fighter Jet Services contract represents a critical investment in the readiness and capability of our fleet air training and certification programs,” Pettitt said. “By leveraging contracted air services, we are able to provide our aircraft squadrons and shipboard operators with advanced training to counter emerging airborne threats, including electronic warfare operations.”
ATAC, a Textron Systems subsidiary based in Newport News, Virginia, will handle aircraft operations, maintenance and integration with supporting platforms and ground personnel. The firm-fixed-price structure ensures cost predictability, with funds obligated on individual task orders. This procurement followed a competition where one offer was received, aligning with federal acquisition regulations for specialized services.
The contract extends ATAC’s longstanding role in Navy training, building on prior awards like a $441 million indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity deal in 2020 for up to 8,500 flight hours using similar aircraft. That earlier agreement supported global exercises, including Red Flag and Topgun programs, where ATAC pilots, many former military aviators, provided realistic opposition. By 2023, ATAC had logged over 105,000 flight hours across more than 100 aircraft, establishing industry standards for outsourced tactical training.
Patuxent River serves as the Navy’s hub for aviation acquisition and testing, overseeing programs that integrate contractor support into fleet readiness. The base, established in 1943, employs about 25,000 personnel and hosts over 200 aircraft, conducting research, development and evaluation for platforms like the F-35 and MH-60. Contracts like this one bolster local operations, where adversary training occurs alongside test flights over the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic ranges. For Southern Maryland communities in St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles counties, such awards sustain economic stability, with NAVAIR contributing billions annually through procurement and jobs.
The Fleet Fighter Jet Services program addresses readiness gaps by outsourcing adversary roles, allowing organic assets to focus on combat missions. Simulations cover air-to-air, air-to-ground and electronic warfare scenarios, essential as threats evolve from near-peer adversaries. ATAC’s fleet, modernized with sensors mimicking frontline fighters, ensures aviators practice against transonic and supersonic opponents without depleting military resources.
Pettitt highlighted the broader benefits. “The FJS contract underscores our commitment to maintaining a highly trained and mission-ready force while achieving significant cost savings for the Navy and the nation,” he said. This efficiency preserves taxpayer funds, as contractor operations reduce wear on high-value jets and streamline logistics.
In recent years, ATAC has expanded its Navy ties. In August 2025, the firm secured a $199 million contract for Type VI business jet services, providing threat simulation from San Diego and Virginia Capes through October 2030. Another five-year deal, valued at up to $198 million and announced September 8, 2025, dedicates F-1 aircraft to Marine Corps F-35 training at bases in Cherry Point and Beaufort, North Carolina. These upgrades include active electronically scanned array radars and Link 16 systems with RedWEZ software for realistic F-35 opposition.
Southern Maryland residents, many commuting to Patuxent River from Lexington Park or Prince Frederick, benefit directly from these initiatives. The base’s procurement office facilitates small business participation, with local firms supporting engineering and logistics. Historical context underscores the region’s aviation legacy: Patuxent River pioneered test pilot training in the 1940s, graduating over 2,600 aviators who advanced programs from the F-14 Tomcat to modern stealth fighters.
The indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity structure allows flexible tasking, with work distributed across ATAC’s bases in Virginia, California, Texas and Hawaii. Flight hours will support exercises like fleet synthetic training and live-fire drills, enhancing interoperability with allies. No funds were obligated at award; allocations occur per order, drawing from fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation accounts.
This contract aligns with Navy priorities under the 2025 budget, emphasizing unmanned systems and manned-unmanned teaming. While Patuxent River tests collaborative combat aircraft prototypes, traditional fighter training remains vital. ATAC’s role ensures aviators from nearby Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort or Naval Air Station Oceana receive consistent, high-fidelity opposition.
