ATAC Secures Task Order to Provide F-16 Chase Flight Support Under U.S. Foreign Military Sales Program
The Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC), a part of the Textron Systems segment of Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT), has been awarded a significant new task order under the Combat Air Forces Contracted Air Services (CAF CAS) indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. This order, which carries a potential value of $7.82 million over its full duration, will see ATAC deliver specialized chase flight support services for the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) in connection with F-16 fighter aircraft testing and validation.
The award represents an important milestone for ATAC, as it continues to expand its role beyond traditional adversary air and close air support services into the area of Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) operations. According to the agreement, the task order covers a potential performance period of up to 27 months, including a base year with the possibility of extensions through option years.
Scope of the Task Order
Under this contract, ATAC will provide contractor-owned, contractor-operated (COCO) aircraft to support the Department of the Air Force’s (DAF) Foreign Military Sales (FMS) team during production testing of newly built F-16s. These aircraft will function as chase planes, flying in close formation with the F-16s during initial production flights and product assurance test missions.
Operations will be based at Donaldson Field in Greenville, South Carolina (KGYH), a key site for F-16 assembly and delivery. The flights are expected to begin in August 2025 and will continue for roughly two years, supporting international customers who acquire F-16s through the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales program.
By operating in the chase role, ATAC’s aircraft will assist in monitoring F-16 performance during its earliest flights, enhancing flight safety, and helping validate production standards before the jets are delivered to foreign partners. This work ensures that F-16 customers across the globe receive aircraft that meet strict operational and safety benchmarks.
Expansion Into Research and Test Services
This contract represents ATAC’s second major RDT&E-focused award, building on decades of experience in adversary and support flight operations. Traditionally, ATAC has been recognized as the world’s largest provider of contracted air services, with a particular focus on adversary training for U.S. and allied fighter pilots. However, the move into supporting developmental test and evaluation missions illustrates the company’s ability to diversify and adapt to evolving defense needs.
The company’s Senior Vice President, Scott Stacy, emphasized this point in a statement:
“ATAC is an industry leader in chase flight services and adversary air training services. We have pioneered much of what are now contracted air services industry standards with a fleet of over 100 aircraft, more than 105,000 flight hours, and 30 years of operating experience. ATAC now provides chase and target flight services for the F-16s in Greenville, as well as the F-35 aircraft that fly from the Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth, Texas.”
Stacy further underscored the importance of these programs to national and allied defense, noting that ATAC is proud to work closely with PMA-226, DCMA, the Air Force, and the Navy. According to him, the company’s mission is to ensure that new-generation combat aircraft entering service provide pilots with a decisive advantage in real-world operations.
ATAC’s Role in Modern Military Aviation
ATAC, a subsidiary of Textron Systems, has long been known as a trailblazer in the contracted aviation services market. With its diverse fleet and global reach, the company has supported U.S. military training and testing requirements for decades. Its work enables the military to access advanced flight training and test support capabilities without diverting active-duty aircraft and personnel from frontline operations.
The addition of chase flight responsibilities for the F-16—alongside its existing support for the F-35 program at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas—demonstrates how ATAC has become a key enabler in sustaining the operational readiness of U.S. and allied air forces.
The company’s expanding footprint in FMS-related contracts also highlights the broader importance of America’s defense export programs. Nations around the world rely on the U.S. not only for advanced fighter aircraft like the F-16 and F-35 but also for the rigorous testing and certification that ensure these jets are delivered ready for immediate operational use.
