Air Force awards $18.25M contract for advanced adversary air threats to support pilot training at Holloman AFB

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,250,000 ($18.3M)

Contractor: Draken International, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $50.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: THE CONTRACTORS SHALL PROVIDE REALISTIC ADVANCED ADVERSARY AIR THREATS FROM INDUSTRY ADAIR SOURCES TO SUPPORT PILOT PRODUCTION AND COMBAT READINESS TRAINING FOR THE 49TH WING AT HOLLOWMAN AFB, NM.

Place of Performance

Location: HAMPTON, HAMPTON CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23666

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $18.3 million to DRAKEN INTERNATIONAL, LLC for work described as: THE CONTRACTORS SHALL PROVIDE REALISTIC ADVANCED ADVERSARY AIR THREATS FROM INDUSTRY ADAIR SOURCES TO SUPPORT PILOT PRODUCTION AND COMBAT READINESS TRAINING FOR THE 49TH WING AT HOLLOWMAN AFB, NM. Key points: 1. Contract supports critical pilot production and combat readiness training. 2. Draken International, LLC, a known provider of adversary air services, is the contractor. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order, indicating clear cost expectations. 4. Spending is within the typical range for specialized aviation training services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $18.25 million contract for adversary air services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for advanced threat simulation and training services suggests this pricing is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple bidders likely participated. This competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and ensure the government receives optimal value for the services.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that aims to secure cost-effective adversary air support for essential military training.

Public Impact

Enhances pilot training realism with advanced adversary threats. Supports combat readiness for the 49th Wing. Ensures continued availability of specialized air support services. Contributes to the operational effectiveness of Air Force pilots.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in advanced threat simulation.
Reliance on a single contractor for a critical training function.

Positive Signals

Clear contract duration and delivery order structure.
Firm-fixed-price award provides cost certainty.
Competition ensures value for taxpayer dollars.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically supporting aviation training and readiness. Spending on adversary air services is crucial for maintaining pilot proficiency against modern threats, with costs varying based on aircraft type, duration, and threat complexity.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, Draken International, LLC, is not identified as a small business. Analysis of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this contract is not readily available from the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of the Air Force, a component of the Department of Defense. Standard oversight mechanisms for defense contracts are expected to be in place to monitor performance and ensure compliance.

Related Government Programs

Flight Training
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

Contract performance risk
Cost escalation potential
Reliance on contractor for critical training
Limited visibility into subcontracting opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $18.3 million to DRAKEN INTERNATIONAL, LLC. THE CONTRACTORS SHALL PROVIDE REALISTIC ADVANCED ADVERSARY AIR THREATS FROM INDUSTRY ADAIR SOURCES TO SUPPORT PILOT PRODUCTION AND COMBAT READINESS TRAINING FOR THE 49TH WING AT HOLLOWMAN AFB, NM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DRAKEN INTERNATIONAL, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the specific nature of the 'advanced adversary air threats' and how do they differ from standard training?

Advanced adversary air threats typically involve simulating sophisticated enemy aircraft capabilities, including advanced radar, electronic warfare, and maneuver tactics. This goes beyond basic training by exposing pilots to more realistic and challenging combat scenarios, enhancing their ability to counter modern, near-peer adversaries and improving overall combat readiness.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on industry sources for adversary air support?

Risks include potential contractor performance issues, such as aircraft availability or maintenance problems, which could disrupt training schedules. There's also a risk of escalating costs if contract terms are not tightly managed or if unforeseen operational demands arise. Dependence on external providers may also limit the Air Force's direct control over training scenarios.

How effectively does this contract contribute to the long-term combat readiness of the 49th Wing?

This contract is designed to directly enhance long-term combat readiness by providing realistic training against advanced threats. By simulating challenging adversary tactics, pilots gain critical experience necessary to operate effectively in complex combat environments. The firm-fixed-price structure and competitive award suggest a cost-effective approach to maintaining this vital training capability.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Technical and Trade Schools › Flight Training

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3330 FLIGHTLINE DR, LAKELAND, FL, 33811

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $253,874,031

Exercised Options: $18,250,000

Current Obligation: $18,250,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA489024D0017

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline