Air Force awards adversary air support contract worth up to $6.4B

The Air Force is giving six companies a chance to compete to provide contracted combat air support through a deal worth up to $6.4 billion over the next five years.

The service selected Air USA, Airborne Tactical Advantage Company, Coastal Defense, Draken International, Blue Air Training, Tactical Air Support and Top Aces Corp. as part of the pool for the multiple-award contract, announced Oct. 18.

The chosen companies will provide adversary air services meant to replicate close-air support operations in order to make training more realistic. Services will include providing manned and unmanned aircraft, system support, maintenance, support equipment and contract management.

The need for adversary air capacity has grown in recent years and is a high priority for Air Combat Command, which has a particular need for jets that can provide realistic threat simulation for fifth-generation aircraft.