Navy contract for Tactical Air Support

Tactical Air Support Inc. (TacAir) of Reno (NV) announced on 8 April 2023 that the US Navy has selected their company for the next NAWDC REDAIR Task Order. This contract is for Adversary Air Fighter Jet Services (RedAir) in support of Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC) Air Wing Fallon and SFARP (Strike Fighter Advanced Readiness Program) exercises, FRS and more.

This contract is for one year initially with four one-year options, through 2028. Tactical Air Support Inc., usually referred to under the abbreviation TacAir, is obviously very proud to have been awarded this highly sought-after contract which allows them to continue supporting the US Navy and USMC front-line fighter aircrew.

For said contract TacAir uses a number of Northrop F-5 fighter aircraft, 21 of which were acquired second-hand from the Jordanian Air Force (F-5E and F-5Fs). A number of these machines have been upgraded by TacAir after which these were known as F-5AT (Advanced Tiger). The first F-5AT received its FAA CoA already in 2018.

The upgrading comprised a new Garmin G3000 large-area cockpit display and communication, navigation, surveillance, and air trac management (CNS/ATM) capability, including automatic dependent surveillance — broadcast (ADS–B) and a terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS), plus hand-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) controls. The F-5AT also employs the new Argus radar warning receiver (RWR) and the Nemesis Mechanically Scanned Array (MESA) radar.

Photo by TacAir shows two of its Advanced Tigers N696TA (code 15) and N617TA (code 02). Of these two N696TA is former Jordanian AF 925, while N617TA used to fly as 936.