Summary ATAC has a vast fleet of private military aircraft, including Mirage F1s, Hawker Hunters, Kfirs, and L-39 Albatroses. ATAC purchased the French Air Force's entire legacy fleet of 63 Mirage F1s in 2017, forming the backbone of its missions. ATAC is the world's largest outsourced civilian military fleet, operating in various locations worldwide for tactical flight training.
While the US Air Force may provide much of its own training , it also contracts out to private companies like Airborne Tactical Advance Company (ATAC) for tactical flight training roles. ATAC has been owned by the conglomerate Textron since 2016. ATAC has contracts with the US Forces, US Marines, the US Navy, the US Army, and international forces.
Air Force training is complicated, and full-time flight training takes 2 to 3 years after graduate school. Aircraft operated by ATAC ATAC operates one of the world's most impressive fleets of private military aircraft, which includes Dassault Mirage 1, Mk-58 Hawker Hunters, IAI Kfirs, and Aero L-39 Albatros (the exact number of aircraft is unclear). ATAC states that its aircraft enjoy a mission-capable state rate that exceeds 95%.
The Mirage F1 started out as the French Air Force's main interceptor until it was replaced by the Mirage 2000. It then transitioned into reconnaissance and attack roles with significant avionics and systems upgrades. France once operated 246 F1s, and it also exported some 473 Mirage F1s to various air forces around the world.
ATAC air fleet Country of origin Hawker Hunters: United Kingdom IAI F-21 Kfirs: Israel Aero L-39 Albatroses: Czech Republic Dassault Mirage F1s: France In 2017, ATAC completed the purchase of 63 French Air Force Mirage F1s - the service's entire legacy fleet at the time. The deal included over 150 ATAR 6K50 engines. Today, the Mirage F1 forms the backbone of ATAC's fleet and is deployed in support of all its missions, being able to participate in all integrated training exercises.
The IAI Kfir (or Kfir-C1) has a curious backstory being built by the Israelis after an arms embargo ban by France. It is essentially an unlicensed reversed-engineered Dassault Mirage III/5 with a General Electric J79 after burning turbojet, Israeli electronics, and various Israeli modifications. It was exported by the Israelis to the US Navy and Marines in 1985 for use as aggressor aircraft before they were retired in 1990.
They were also exported to Colombia and elsewhere (it remains in service in Colombia). Israeli IAI Kfir First flown: 1973 Former operators: Israel, US Navy, US Marines Current operators: ATAC, Colombia, Sri Lanka Role: Fighter-bomber, multirole combat aircraft Number built: over 220 Manufacturer: Israel Aircraft Industries ATAC uses Kfir in various roles. It is used as a formidable air-to-air adversary and performs well as a high-speed flyer.
The Kfir can also simulate high-speed missiles or adversaries. The L-39 Albatros is produced in the Czech Republic and is flown primarily as a trainer or light attack aircraft. ATAC mostly uses it in the ground attack role, where it is used to train JTACs/FACs/airborne FACS in the US and internationally.
"If greatness in a combat aircraft equates to outstanding service longevity and extreme operational flexibility, the Mk-58 Hawker Hunter is one of the great fighter designs of all time. It is an aesthetically beautiful jet and a thoroughbred aircraft in every sense." - ATAC The aging Hawker Hunter was developed for the Royal Air Force in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
ATAC notes the Hawker Hunter is a stable, precise platform in the air-to-surface role and is a versatile opponent in all fleet-integrated training exercises. Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas is about to become a master F-35 training base for international customers. World's largest private military aircraft fleet of its kind Founded in 1994, ATAC is a defense contractor providing adversary air training simulating real-world combat situations.
Over that time, the company has completed more than 65,000 flight hours and has become the world's largest outsourced civilian military fleet. "ATAC operates a live-air training business focused on real-world combat situations and is the world’s largest outsourced civilian, tactical airborne training organization." - ATAC ATAC operates in five major locations worldwide, including the Continental US, Hawaii, and the Pacific.
It is at the Navy's elite Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), the US Marine Corps's Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1), and the US Air Force's Weapons School. Example ATAC taskings: Fighter Intercepts Basic Fighter Maneuvers Advanced Electronic Attack Offensive and Defensive Counter-Air Tactics Large Force and Self-Escort Strike Opposition Large Force Exercise (LFE) Participation U.S.
Navy Air Wing and SFARP Training Many of the pilots and other personnel previously served in the Navy, Marines, and Air Force. Some of ATAC's aviators were previously leaders, instructors, and tacticians in the military, including former TOPGUN, MAWTS-1, and Weapons School instructors. Red Flag and Black Flag are two critical exercises that allow the US military and allies to train and test for future aerial combat.
ATAC's bases of operation ACTAC is based in Virginia's Newport News, but its main air operations base is California's Naval Air Station Point Mugu (now called Naval Base Ventura County). Other notable bases include Alliance Airfield in Forth Worth Texas, Japan's Naval Air Facility Atsugi, and Hawaii's Marine Corps Base Kaneohe. It is also building additional operating locations at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, and Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida.
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