Training and Workforce
‘Red Air’ Contractors Chalk Up Milestones
ATAC has flown its first Mirage F1 after return-to-flight overhaul, while Top Aces has surpassed 80,000 hours of contracted air services.
ATAC's first ex-French air force Mirage to return to the skies was a two-seat F1B registered N601AX. (Photo: ATAC)
ATAC's first ex-French air force Mirage to return to the skies was a two-seat F1B registered N601AX. (Photo: ATAC)

Part of Textron Airborne Solutions, Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC) has been conducting contractorized adversary and terminal air controller training activities for U.S. forces for two decades with a variety of aircraft, including the Aero L-39, Hawker Hunter, and IAI Kfir. On August 22 ATAC performed the first flight of its new Dassault Mirage F1 following refurbishment. The F1B two-seater flew for around 30 minutes on its first acceptance test flight. Earlier, on June 22, ATAC undertook the first high-speed taxi trials with a single-seat F1CR.

In July 2017 ATAC acquired 63 Dassault Mirage F1s from the French air force, along with an extensive supply of spares, including more than 100 Snecma Atar 9K-50 engines. The first two were delivered by sea in July 2018 and the last on April 2 this year.

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