DoD awards $5.6M for Red Air fighter jet fleet support, extending services through November 2026

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,640,105 ($5.6M)

Contractor: Airborne Tactical Advantage CO LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-11-24

End Date: 2026-11-24

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACTION IS TO FUND A NEW TASK ORDER FOR CLINS 0003, 0006, 0007, 0008, 0011 AND 0012 FOR CAS ID 2026-022 IN SUPPORT OF RED AIR FIGHTER JET FLEET SUPPORT.

Place of Performance

Location: NEWPORT NEWS, NEWPORT NEWS CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23602

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $5.6 million to AIRBORNE TACTICAL ADVANTAGE CO LLC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACTION IS TO FUND A NEW TASK ORDER FOR CLINS 0003, 0006, 0007, 0008, 0011 AND 0012 FOR CAS ID 2026-022 IN SUPPORT OF RED AIR FIGHTER JET FLEET SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential support for adversary aircraft training, crucial for realistic combat simulations. 2. The award represents a significant investment in maintaining the readiness and effectiveness of training programs. 3. Performance period of one year suggests a need for ongoing, adaptable support services. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide budget certainty for the government. 5. This contract is part of a broader strategy to enhance pilot training capabilities. 6. The specific task orders indicate a focus on operational and logistical support elements.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.6 million for a one-year period for adversary air support appears reasonable when benchmarked against similar services. While specific per-unit cost data is not provided, the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the government has negotiated a set price for the services. Comparisons to other adversary air support contracts indicate that pricing can vary significantly based on aircraft type, mission complexity, and duration. This award seems to fall within a typical range for specialized training support.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not detailed, but the competitive nature of the award suggests that the Department of the Navy sought the best value from the market. Full and open competition generally leads to a wider range of proposals and potentially more innovative solutions, while also driving price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and a higher quality of service due to market forces.

Public Impact

Pilots and aircrews benefit from realistic training scenarios provided by the Red Air fighter jet fleet. Enhanced combat readiness and improved tactical proficiency for U.S. military personnel. Support activities are likely concentrated at training bases where adversary air operations are conducted. The contract supports specialized roles within the aviation support industry, potentially involving skilled technicians and pilots.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if additional support requirements emerge beyond the defined task orders.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical training support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty and limits financial risk for the government.
Clear performance period (one year) allows for focused management and evaluation.

Sector Analysis

The defense aviation training sector is a specialized niche within the broader aerospace and defense industry. This contract falls under support activities for air transportation, specifically focusing on adversary simulation. The market for adversary air services is competitive, with several companies offering similar capabilities. Spending in this area is driven by the continuous need for realistic training environments to prepare military forces for potential conflicts. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing contracts for flight training, aircraft maintenance, and simulation services within the defense sector.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from this particular award. The primary contractor, Airborne Tactical Advantage Co LLC, is likely a mid-to-large-sized entity capable of fulfilling the requirements of this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the Department of the Navy, a component of the Department of Defense. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract structure, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases where award details are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Adversary Air Training Services
Fighter Jet Fleet Support
Military Aviation Training
Department of Defense Training Contracts
Airborne Tactical Support

Risk Flags

Performance Risk
Schedule Risk
Cost Control
Contractor Dependency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $5.6 million to AIRBORNE TACTICAL ADVANTAGE CO LLC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACTION IS TO FUND A NEW TASK ORDER FOR CLINS 0003, 0006, 0007, 0008, 0011 AND 0012 FOR CAS ID 2026-022 IN SUPPORT OF RED AIR FIGHTER JET FLEET SUPPORT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AIRBORNE TACTICAL ADVANTAGE CO LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-11-24. End: 2026-11-24.

What is the track record of Airborne Tactical Advantage Co LLC in providing similar adversary air support services?

Airborne Tactical Advantage Co LLC (ATACO) has a significant history of providing contracted adversary air (also known as 'Red Air') services to the U.S. military. They operate a fleet of former military aircraft, modified to simulate enemy threats, and provide training sorties for U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps pilots. ATACO has held numerous contracts with various branches of the DoD, supporting exercises and training requirements across different installations. Their experience includes providing simulated combat scenarios, electronic warfare support, and threat replication. The company's longevity and repeated contract awards suggest a generally positive track record in delivering these specialized services, though specific performance metrics for individual contracts would require deeper analysis of past performance reviews and contract close-outs.

How does the awarded amount of $5.6 million compare to previous spending on Red Air fighter jet fleet support?

The awarded amount of $5.6 million for a one-year period represents a specific task order for CAS ID 2026-022, focusing on CLINs 0003, 0006, 0007, 0008, 0011, and 0012. To compare this to previous spending, one would need to examine historical contract data for similar adversary air support services provided to the Red Air fighter jet fleet or comparable training programs. Annual spending on such services can fluctuate based on training tempo, exercise schedules, and evolving threat landscapes. Without access to a comprehensive historical database of all related contracts, a precise year-over-year comparison is difficult. However, $5.6 million for a year of specialized support is not uncommon in the context of high-demand military training requirements, especially for advanced fighter platforms.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks associated with this contract include potential performance failures by the contractor, such as aircraft maintenance issues leading to flight cancellations, or failure to meet simulated threat fidelity requirements. Another risk is cost overruns, although the firm-fixed-price structure aims to mitigate this. Schedule delays could also impact training schedules. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight by the Department of the Navy, including performance monitoring, regular progress meetings, and adherence to strict delivery schedules. The contractor's own quality control processes and maintenance protocols are also critical. Furthermore, the full and open competition process helps ensure that a capable contractor is selected, reducing the risk of selecting an underqualified vendor.

What is the expected effectiveness of the services provided under this contract for enhancing pilot training?

The services provided under this contract are expected to be highly effective in enhancing pilot training by offering realistic 'Red Air' or adversary simulation. This allows pilots to train against credible threats in a controlled environment, improving their tactical decision-making, situational awareness, and combat effectiveness. The use of specialized aircraft and experienced personnel to replicate enemy tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) is crucial for developing proficient aircrews. Realistic training scenarios are vital for preparing pilots for potential real-world engagements, ensuring they can effectively employ countermeasures and offensive tactics against sophisticated adversaries. The duration of the contract (one year) suggests a sustained need for these services, indicating their ongoing importance to training objectives.

Are there any specific geographic or workforce implications tied to this contract award?

The geographic implications of this contract are likely tied to the specific military installations where the Red Air fighter jet fleet training operations are conducted. These operations typically occur at major training ranges or air bases equipped to handle adversary air support. The workforce implications involve the employment of specialized personnel, including pilots with extensive military aviation backgrounds, aircraft maintenance technicians, and support staff. The contractor, Airborne Tactical Advantage Co LLC, will leverage its existing workforce or potentially hire additional personnel to fulfill the contract requirements. The specific locations of these operations are not detailed in the provided data but would generally be within the United States or at overseas training locations frequented by U.S. forces.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Support Activities for Air Transportation › Other Support Activities for Air Transportation

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: N0042123R0064

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Textron Inc

Address: 1001 PROVIDENCE BLVD, NEWPORT NEWS, VA, 23602

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: $5,640,105

Exercised Options: $5,640,105

Current Obligation: $5,640,105

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0042125D0084

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline