Page 2 - Aerotech News and Review, April 30, 2021

ATAC, from 1

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Story ideas, letters, editorials
Photograph by Cathy Hansen Please send all letters and editorials to
Stuart A. Ibberson, editor,
was developing new types of jet fighters like the all Pacific Fleet Strike Groups, and supported Terminal Air Controllers (JTACs) based in the at editor@aerotechnews.com.
Republic F-84 Thunderjet and the North Ameri- unit level training for Navy and Marine Corps Hawaiian Islands.
can F-86 Sabre. The Soviet Union was putting operational F/A-18 squadrons and FRS units Textron, Inc., purchased ATAC in 2016 and
the swept wing MiG-15 into service. from NAS Lemoore, as well as MCAS Miramar, then ATAC completed the purchase of 63 Mirage
The first prototype Hunter flew on July 20, all staging from Point Mugu. Aircraft, pilots and F1s from the French Air Force, taking ownership Web Site
1951. The Hunter is one of the longest-serving maintenance crew regularly deploy from Point of the entire legacy fleet, all support equipment Access the Aerotech News web
jets in any air force, with the last of its type re- Mugu to Alaska, Yuma, Ariz., Boise, Idaho, and and more than 150 ATAR 9K50 engines. This site at www.aerotechnews.com
tired from the Royal Air Force in 1996. A total numerous other locations. massive investment was targeted at winning a
of 1,972 Hunters were built, of which 400 were ATAC began operating out of NAF Atsugi, portion of the U.S. Air Force’s upcoming CAF Submissions for upcoming events, air
later re-manufactured for service with second air Japan, in 2006, with two Hunters permanently CAS Adversary Air contract. shows and museums
should be emailed to
forces, and it served with 21 different world air based there and the personnel, pilots and main- ATAC won the contract in the summer 2020. editor@aerotechnews.com.
forces. tenance crews travelling to Japan for scheduled ATAC provides adversary air training to pilots
In 1953, Hawker decided to modify the pro- training and exercises. ATAC’s WestPac Opera- at Luke AFB, Ariz., Holloman AFB, N.M., and For questions concerning the web site,
totype Hunter to attempt the Absolute Air Speed tion supports the U.S. Navy with Fleet Integrated Eglin AFB, Fla. The combined awards provide contact the webmaster at
Record for England. At the time, the record was and Air-to-Air training in a wide range of mis- for more than 3,000 sorties per year, for up to 4.5 webmaster@aerotechnews.com.
held by the North American F-86D Sabre. On sions. years, which will be provided by ATAC’s fleet
Sept. 7, 1953, the modified first prototype broke In 2008 MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, became of Mirage F1 fighter aircraft and was expected
the world air speed record for aircraft, achieving the fourth permanent operating location. ATAC’s to commence in fall 2020. Under the same con- Where you can get
a speed of 727.63 miles per hour. Hawaii operation primarily supports fleet inte- tract, ATAC also provides Close Air Support for Aerotech News and Review
Hunters were also used by two RAF display grated training with the two Hunters based there, the U.S. Air Force Special Operations command For information on
teams: the Black Arrows — predecessors to the conducting target towing for Navy ships and air with A-27 Tucano and L39 Albatross aircraft. Aerotech distribution, call
RAF’s Red Arrows — who on one occasion intercept control scenarios for the ship-borne (661) 945-5634 or visit
looped a record-breaking 22 Hunters in forma- controllers, as well as dry Close Air Support for Airborne Tactical Advantage Company www.aerotechnews.com/distribution.
tion, and later the ‘Blue Diamonds’ demonstra- Marine Corps and Naval Special Warfare Joint From a November 2020 press release, ATAC
tion team, who flew 16 aircraft. announced they would be providing tactical
Obviously, Hawker Hunters are still flying 68 flight training and adversary aggressor services
years after the prototype first flight — a great for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force, Aerotech News and Review is published
testament to the resilient, sound airframe and including live military air-to-air, air-to-ship, and every other Friday, serving the
durable design. air-to-ground training and support services. aerospace and defense industry of
ATAC comprises the world’s leading civilian- Southern California, Nevada and
History of ATAC provided, tactical airborne training organization Arizona. News and ad copy deadline
According to ATAC’s website, the company and provides the highest quality live training to is noon on the Tuesday prior to
was founded by Jeff “JD” Parker in 1994 under squadrons, Air Wings, and Battle Groups. publication. The publisher assumes no
the name of VORTEX and in 2002, a new com- responsibility for error in ads other
pany emerged — Airborne Tactical Advantage About Textron Systems – Textron Inc. than space used. Your comments are
Company or ATAC, upon winning a contract Textron Systems is a world leader in un- welcomed and encouraged. Write to
with the U.S. Navy. manned air, surface and land products, services the address below.
ATAC established its home base at the New- and support for aerospace and defense custom-
port News/Williamsburg International Airport ers. Harnessing agility and a broad base of ex-
in early 2002, commencing operations under pertise, Textron Systems’ innovative businesses • Publisher ....................Paul Kinison
NAVAIR’s newly awarded contract in May of design, manufacture, field and support compre- • Business Manager ....... Lisa Kinison
that year. hensive solutions that expand customer capabili- • Editor .................... Stuart Ibberson
The first Mk-58 Hawker Hunter arrived at ties and deliver value. • National Advertising
ATAC in 2003. The subsonic Hunter was better Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that Manager .....................Paul Kinison
suited for the NAVAIR missions and proved to be leverages its global network of aircraft, defense,
extremely versatile and reliable. One dual-place industrial and finance businesses to provide cus-
Hunter was used for training in Newport News, tomers with innovative solutions and services. Aerotech News and Review
and single-seat Hunters were subsequently added Courtesy photograph Textron is known around the world for its pow- e-mail: editor@aerotechnews.com
to locations on the East and West Coasts, with The Royal Air Force’s Blue Diamonds aerial erful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft,
two each placed in both Hawaii and Japan. demonstration team fly 16 Hawker Hunters in Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Visit our web site at
In October 2004, the first ATAC aircraft land- formation. Artic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation www.aerotechnews.com
ed at NASA Point Mugu, establishing a perma- and Training.
nent presence at the facility. ATAC has supported

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