Defense & Military
ATAC Secures 200 Million Contract for U.S. Navy Electronic Warfare Training
ATAC awarded $200 million contract to provide Stand-Off Jammer services to US Navy, enhancing electronic warfare readiness through 2030.
ATAC Secures $200 Million Contract to Enhance U.S. Navy Electronic Warfare Training
We are witnessing a significant development in the realm of naval defense training as the Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC), a subsidiary of Manufacturers, has been awarded a substantial contract by the United States Navy. This Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, valued at up to $200 million, tasks ATAC with providing Stand-Off Jammer (SOJ) services over the next five years. This agreement underscores the growing importance of electronic warfare (EW) in modern combat scenarios and the Navy’s commitment to preparing its fleets for high-tech adversarial environments.
The contract, which covers the period from 2025 to 2030, is designed to simulate realistic electronic attack scenarios. By utilizing private contractors for these specialized services, the Navy can preserve the flight hours of its own active-duty combat assets, such as the EA-18G Growler, for real-world operations. This “Train as You Fight” strategy ensures that naval crews are exposed to sophisticated threats during exercises without depleting the service’s operational readiness or budget on internal resources.
In our analysis of this procurement, it becomes clear that the scope of the mission extends beyond simple target practice. The objective is to test and evaluate shipboard and Military-Aircraft squadron weapon systems, operators, and aircrew against a backdrop of intense electronic interference. As the maritime domain becomes increasingly contested by peer adversaries with advanced EW capabilities, the ability to operate in a degraded electromagnetic environment is no longer optional, it is a critical survival skill.
Defining the Mission: Stand-Off Jamming Services
The core of this contract revolves around “Stand-Off Jamming,” a mission profile that differs significantly from traditional aerial dogfighting. In this context, the aircraft operates at a safe distance, or “stands off”, from the target area while projecting powerful electronic signals. These signals are designed to blind enemy radars, disrupt communications, and create a chaotic environment for the trainees. We understand that the primary goal is to force Navy operators to adapt when their sensors are compromised and their communication lines are jammed.
Under the terms of the agreement, ATAC will provide these services using highly modified Private-Jets equipped for electronic warfare. These aircraft will be stationed on both the East and West Coasts of the United States to support fleet exercises in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. The mission scope includes Electronic Attack (EA), where radar frequencies are jammed, and Communications Intrusion, where false or disruptive signals are interjected into friendly radio networks. This forces crews to practice strict radio discipline and verify the integrity of their command-and-control networks.
Furthermore, these operations often involve “Own Force Monitoring” (OFM). In this capacity, the contractor aircraft listens to friendly communications to critique security protocols. This feedback loop is vital for training crews to recognize when they are being monitored or when their communications are leaking sensitive information. By integrating these complex electronic layers into training exercises, the Navy ensures that its sailors and aviators are not only proficient in kinetic warfare but are also resilient against the invisible threats of the electromagnetic spectrum.
“The goal is to test and evaluate shipboard and aircraft squadron weapon systems, operators, and aircrew in countering potential enemy stand-off jamming.”
Distinguishing the Fleet: Business Jets vs. Fighter Jets
There is often confusion regarding the various air services ATAC provides, particularly given their extensive fleet of fighter aircraft. It is crucial to distinguish the hardware utilized for this Stand-Off Jammer (SOJ) contract from the aircraft used in the separate Fleet Fighter Jet Services (FJS) contract. While ATAC is renowned for operating fighter jets like the Hawker Hunter Mk-58, Mirage F1, and F-21 Kfir, those platforms are primarily tasked with aerial dogfighting, target towing, and missile simulation.
For the SOJ mission, the requirements are fundamentally different. Fighter jets generally lack the internal volume and fuel endurance required for long-duration jamming sessions. Consequently, this contract utilizes “Type VI” aircraft, specifically, modified business jets. These platforms offer the necessary loiter time to remain on station for extended periods, ensuring that training exercises are not interrupted by frequent refueling needs. Additionally, the larger cabin space of a business jet accommodates the heavy, sophisticated electronic jamming consoles and the specialized Electronic Warfare Officers (EWOs) required to operate them.
We see this differentiation as a strategic allocation of resources. By using business jets for jamming and fighter jets for kinetic simulation, ATAC creates a layered threat environment. In complex exercises, Navy pilots may find themselves fighting off “bandit” fighter jets while simultaneously dealing with the crippling effects of stand-off jamming from a distant business jet. This multi-axis threat simulation provides the most realistic approximation of modern warfare, where physical and electronic attacks occur simultaneously.
Strategic Context and Industry Implications
The awarding of this contract to ATAC, a Textron Systems subsidiary, highlights the reliance of the U.S. military on the commercial defense sector to bridge training gaps. Textron Systems leverages its deep aviation expertise, owning iconic brands like Cessna and Beechcraft, to support these specialized missions. While the specific model of the business jet for this new contract was not explicitly named in the release, such missions typically utilize robust platforms capable of carrying external pods and internal mission systems, similar to the Learjet or Gulfstream series often adapted for special missions.
From a geopolitical standpoint, this investment is driven by the rising capabilities of peer threats. Nations such as China and Russia have invested heavily in Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) strategies, which rely heavily on electronic warfare to deny U.S. forces the ability to navigate and communicate. By simulating these degraded environments now, the Navy is proactively addressing a vulnerability that could be decisive in a future conflict. The $200 million investment over five years signals that the Department of Defense views EW readiness as a high priority.
Looking ahead, we anticipate that the demand for Contracted Air Services (CAS) will continue to grow. As military aircraft become more expensive to operate per flight hour, the economic logic of outsourcing “Red Air” and electronic adversary roles becomes undeniable. This contract solidifies ATAC’s position as a key partner in naval readiness and sets the stage for further integration of private sector innovation into military training doctrines.
Conclusion
The $200 million contract awarded to ATAC for Stand-Off Jammer services represents a critical component of the U.S. Navy’s readiness strategy for the next half-decade. By securing these services through 2030, the Navy ensures that its fleets are consistently tested against the rigorous demands of electronic warfare. The use of modified business jets to simulate high-tech jamming provides a cost-effective, high-endurance solution that complements the kinetic training provided by other platforms.
As the global security landscape evolves, the ability to fight and win in the electromagnetic spectrum will likely determine the outcome of future engagements. This partnership between the Navy and Textron Systems reflects a broader trend of integrating commercial efficiency with military necessity, ensuring that when U.S. forces deploy, they are prepared for the invisible war as well as the visible one.
FAQ
Question: What is the value and duration of the new ATAC contract?
Answer: The contract is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) award valued at up to $200 million, covering a five-year period from 2025 to 2030.
Question: What type of aircraft will be used for this specific contract?
Answer: Unlike ATAC’s fighter jet contracts, this mission utilizes highly modified business jets (Type VI aircraft) equipped for electronic warfare, chosen for their endurance and capacity to carry jamming equipment.
Question: What is Stand-Off Jamming?
Answer: Stand-Off Jamming involves an aircraft flying at a safe distance from a target area while transmitting electronic signals to blind enemy Radar-Systems, disrupt communications, and confuse sensor systems.
Sources
Photo Credit: Textron
Defense & Military
Boeing MQ-25A Stingray Aboard USS Nimitz at FLEETEX 250
Boeing’s MQ-25A T1 demonstrator appeared on USS Nimitz during FLEETEX 250, weeks after Navy LRIP approval.
The Boeing Company’s MQ-25A Stingray T1 demonstrator drone appeared aboard the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Atlantic Ocean on June 25, 2026, sporting special commemorative markings for the United States’ 250th anniversary. The uncrewed aircraft was photographed alongside Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornets and a Grumman C-2A Greyhound during a multinational group sail event.
The deployment provides a visual representation of the United States Navy’s future carrier air wing as the MQ-25 program transitions into its next production phase. Boeing Defense and the Navy publicly released imagery of the static display on June 29, 2026.
FLEETEX 250 and commemorative display
The T1 prototype was painted in a plain gray livery and featured “250” and “Boeing Backs America” markings. In a statement released on the social media platform X, Boeing Defense noted that the display was intended to honor the nation’s semiquincentennial and offer a glimpse of future carrier operations.
The USS Nimitz hosted the drone during Fleet Exercise (FLEETEX) 250. A Navy spokesperson told TWZ that the exercise involved 25 other warships and aircraft from 13 partner and allied nations conducting structured training events at sea. The spokesperson confirmed the presence of the Boeing-owned T1 prototype on the flight deck.
Aviation analysts at The Aviationist observed that the drone lacked the Cobham Aerial Refueling Store (ARS) pod, which is typically mounted under the left wing for refueling operations. The T1 demonstrator has never taken off from or landed on an aircraft carrier and was transported aboard the USS Nimitz for the exercise. It remains unconfirmed whether the uncrewed aircraft actively participated in any operational drills or if its presence was strictly for static display and photo opportunities.
Program milestones and carrier transitions
The appearance of the T1 demonstrator follows several recent advancements for the MQ-25 program. The Boeing-owned prototype originally flew on September 19, 2019, and previously conducted flight deck handling and remote control system demonstrations aboard the USS George H.W. Bush in December 2021.
On April 25, 2026, the first production-representative MQ-25 completed its maiden flight from Boeing’s facility at MidAmerica Airport in Illinois. The following month, the Navy officially approved the uncrewed tanker program’s transition into Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP).
The FLEETEX 250 exercise also marked a significant operational transition for the Navy’s legacy aircraft. On June 25, 2026, the Grumman C-2A Greyhound made its final catapult launch and arrested landing from a carrier aboard the USS Nimitz. The C-2A is anticipated to be fully retired later in the year.
AirPro News analysis
The static display aboard the USS Nimitz offers a stark visual contrast between the Navy’s past and its immediate future. Placing the MQ-25A Stingray next to the retiring C-2A Greyhound highlights the physical footprint required to integrate advanced uncrewed assets into the carrier air wing. While the T1 demonstrator’s presence was largely ceremonial for the 250th anniversary, the recent approval for Low-Rate Initial Production indicates that the logistical and operational challenges of deploying uncrewed tankers at sea are moving from theoretical testing to active fleet integration. We expect the focus to shift rapidly toward deck handling and maintenance procedures for the production-representative models in the coming months.
Sources: Boeing Defense
Photo Credit: Boeing
Defense & Military
NATO Expected to Select Saab GlobalEye to Replace AWACS Fleet
NATO is set to announce the Saab GlobalEye as its E-3A Sentry replacement at the July 2026 Ankara summit, bypassing Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail.
This article summarizes reporting by Reuters by Sabine Siebold and Tim Hepher.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is preparing to select the Saab GlobalEye to replace its aging fleet of Boeing E-3A Sentry airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, marking a significant shift toward European defense procurement. The official announcement is expected during the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, scheduled for July 7 and 8, 2026.
According to reporting by Reuters, four sources familiar with the matter indicated that the alliance will pivot away from its previous intention to acquire the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail. The decision represents a major defense contract for Sweden-based Saab AB and a notable setback for The Boeing Company in the airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) market. Neither NATO nor Saab has officially commented on the pending announcement.
Transitioning from the E-3A Sentry
NATO currently operates a fleet of 14 Boeing E-3A Sentry AWACS aircraft. Based at Geilenkirchen Air Base in Germany, these aircraft have been in service since 1982 and are approaching the end of their operational lifespan. The Saab GlobalEye, which completed its first flight in 2018, utilizes a modified Bombardier Global 6000 or 6500 business jet airframe equipped with Saab’s Erieye extended-range radar system.
The Boeing E-7 Wedgetail fallout
The anticipated selection of the GlobalEye follows a series of procurement shifts regarding the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail. NATO had initially planned to purchase six E-7 aircraft to replace the E-3A Sentry fleet. The alliance abandoned this plan in 2025 after the United States Department of Defense (Pentagon) canceled its own procurement of 26 Wedgetails in favor of satellite-based surveillance networks.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth indicated to Congress in May 2026 that the Pentagon is attempting to reinstate the E-7 into the budget following pressure from U.S. lawmakers. Despite these efforts, international momentum appears to be shifting toward the Swedish manufacturer. On May 27, 2026, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the Government of Canada had entered formal negotiations with Saab as the preferred supplier for its own AEW&C program, bypassing the Boeing platform.
AirPro News analysis
We view NATO’s expected selection of the Saab GlobalEye as a critical indicator of changing procurement dynamics within the alliance. Historically, NATO has relied heavily on U.S.-manufactured heavy surveillance platforms. The shift to a European-integrated system on a Canadian business jet airframe suggests a growing preference for diversified defense supply chains and potentially lower operating costs compared to commercial airliner-based platforms like the E-7. If confirmed at the Ankara summit, this contract will solidify Saab’s position as a primary competitor in the global AEW&C market while placing additional pressure on Boeing’s defense sector to secure international orders for the Wedgetail program.
Sources: Reuters
Photo Credit: Saab
Defense & Military
UK Commits 5 Billion to Drones in 298 Billion Defence Plan
The UK Ministry of Defence unveils a 298 billion Defence Investment Plan, including 5 billion for uncrewed and autonomous systems.
The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence committed £5 billion to uncrewed and autonomous systems as part of a broader £298 billion Defence Investment Plan unveiled on June 29 and June 30, 2026. The funding marks the largest drones procurement initiative in British military history, signaling a strategic pivot toward hybrid crewed and uncrewed operations across the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and British Army.
Announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis, the four-year spending blueprint aims to modernize depleted armed forces by applying direct lessons from recent conflicts. According to official government statements, the plan establishes a new Uncrewed Systems Taskforce to accelerate the deployment of autonomous capabilities and includes the opening of Europe’s largest drone testing facility, the Uncrewed Systems Centre, in Swindon, England.
Strategic shift toward autonomous warfare
The £5 billion allocation specifically targets the rapid acquisition and deployment of strike, protector, and surveillance drones. The Ministry of Defence explicitly cited the ongoing war in Ukraine, where forces consume approximately 200,000 drones per month, and recent Middle East conflicts involving the launch of up to 700 offensive drones per day, as the primary drivers for this doctrinal shift.
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis outlined the scope of the hardware acquisition during his parliamentary statement, noting the funding will cover anti-submarine vessels, uncrewed ground vehicles, and autonomous systems designed to operate alongside traditional fighter jets.
In a press release detailing the operational integration of these new assets, the Ministry of Defence stated:
“The £5 billion investment will see Britain build a flexible, integrated force with attack drones flying alongside Army helicopters, RAF jets made invisible from enemy detection with new drones, and a hybrid Royal Navy made up of crewed and uncrewed vessels.”
Aerospace and naval procurement allocations
Beyond the dedicated drone funding, the Defence Investment Plan outlines significant capital for traditional and next-generation aerospace programs. The government allocated £8.6 billion to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a joint venture with Italy and Japan to develop the Tempest sixth-generation fighter jet. An additional £300 million is earmarked specifically for the development of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), which will fly in tandem with crewed fighters.
The broader £298 billion package, which targets a defense spending level of 2.7 percent of the national gross domestic product, includes £64 billion to renew the nuclear deterrent, build new submarines, and procure Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning jets. Space capabilities will receive £3.2 billion, while £11 billion is dedicated to replenishing munitions and weapons stockpiles.
The integration of autonomous systems is also reshaping naval procurement. Defense industry reports indicate the Royal Navy is shifting its surface fleet strategy, opting to forgo the previously planned Type 83 destroyers. Instead, the service will pursue at least six new hybrid air defense warships engineered specifically to operate in concert with uncrewed maritime vessels.
AirPro News analysis
We note that while the UK government is framing the £15 billion funding boost over previous budget estimates as a historic modernization effort, it falls short of the £28 billion originally requested by defense officials. This discrepancy suggests that despite the heavy emphasis on rapid, low-cost autonomous systems, the Ministry of Defence may still face procurement gaps in its traditional, long-term acquisition programs.
The timing of the announcement carries significant political weight. With Prime Minister Starmer reportedly preparing to step down, the Defence Investment Plan is positioned as a capstone legacy project. However, the heavy reliance on uncrewed systems like the StormShroud autonomous collaborative platform reflects a permanent doctrinal shift for the UK military. The strategy clearly moves away from relying solely on exquisite, low-volume crewed platforms, pivoting toward mass-producible autonomous assets that can sustain the high attrition rates observed in modern combat environments.
Sources: UK Ministry of Defence
Photo Credit: Stock Image
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