US Navy F-35 chase flight contract awarded

The US Navy has awarded a five-year chase flight contract in support of its F-35 programme.

Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC), which is part of Textron, announced on August 10, that it had signed a five-year agreement to provide chase flight services to the US Navy F-35 programme.

Due to commence later this year or early 2023, providing the chase services on behalf of ATAC will be three Mirage F1 aircraft flying approximately 600 hours per annum. The Mirage F1s will fly from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth in Texas.

ATAC crews and the Mirages will provide chase for off the line F-35s during the first flights of the jet and for product assurance flights, commonly known as check rides. The supersonic Mirage F1 will come in handy to fly specific roles with the F-35s and provide airspace clearance. The Mirages speed will help with aircraft system checks throughout and at the end of missions.

The F-35C is the naval variant of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. It differentiates from the A and B model via having a wider wingspan which is foldable and also a carrier catapult capable landing gear
The F-35C is the naval variant of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. It differentiates from the A and B model via having a wider wingspan which is foldable and also a carrier catapult capable landing gear US Navy/ DVIDS

Scott Stacy, ATAC Senior Vice President and General Manager said: “Being chosen to provide F-35 chase services is yet another validation of ATAC’s continued industry-leading solution headlined by our fleet of Mirage F1s.

 “We are well-positioned for continued expansion following our successful wins in 2020 and the company’s sustained operations for our US Navy and US Air Force customers.”

This is not ATAC’s first rodeo in providing chase services, the company successfully performed missions in 2019 and 2020 from ATAC’s Adversary Centre of Excellence, which is also in Fort Worth, Texas.

One of ATAC's Mirage F1s, N601AX  in action at Fort Worth Texas, the mirage F1 is a supersonic fighter that will provide chase operations for US Navy F-35s from late 2022 or early 2023
One of ATAC's Mirage F1s, N601AX  in action at Fort Worth Texas, the mirage F1 is a supersonic fighter that will provide chase operations for US Navy F-35s from late 2022 or early 2023 ATAC