Photo credit: U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jefferson Thompson
The U.S. Air Force is exploring a new model that would put its fighter pilots into contractor-owned aircraft to generate additional flying hours and strengthen combat readiness.
Air Combat Command released a market-research notice on 24 September for the Combat Air Forces Continuum Flight Training Support programme. The concept calls for a flexible Contractor-Owned, Government-Operated (COGO) aircraft solution designed to increase sortie-generation capacity across the fighter pilot training continuum.
The requirement comes as the Air Force faces pressure from reduced sortie generation and aircraft availability across its operational fighter fleet. Aviation Week reports that the aim is to give fighter pilots additional flying opportunities without relying exclusively on frontline combat aircraft.
Under the proposed model, commercial providers would supply the aircraft while U.S. government aircrew would operate them. If taken forward, the concept would represent a further expansion of industry’s role in military flight training, building on the Air Force’s established use of commercially supplied aircraft for adversary-air missions.
Importantly, the current notice is not yet a formal procurement or contract award. Air Combat Command describes it as a draft Commercial Solutions Opening intended to gather industry feedback and refine the requirement before a final acquisition approach is issued. Industry responses are due on 21 October.
Source: U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command / U.S. federal procurement notice FA489027RD100
Combat Air Forces Continuum Flight Training Support notice
Editorial note: AI-assisted editing.
Photo credit:
U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jefferson Thompson
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