US Marines seek private contractor to fly foreign adversary aircraft for combat training

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The United States Marine Corps is seeking a private contractor to provide aircraft and services that replicate the flight characteristics, capabilities, and limitations of foreign adversaries. The request includes manned and unmanned rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft capable of participating in Marine Corps training.

The objective of this effort is to provide direct instruction and realistic tactical exposure to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) instructor staff and prospective Weapons and Tactics Instructors (WTIs). To fulfill this requirement, the Marine Corps seeks a contractor to provide aircraft, associated systems, and qualified personnel to simulate a realistic Adversary Force (ADFOR). The contractor assets will participate in the flight execution phases of the Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course.

Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course

MAWTS-1, located at Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Arizona, is the United States Marine Corps' premier advanced aviation training school. The primary mission of MAWTS-1 is to provide advanced Weapons and Tactics Training for the entirety of Marine Corps aviation. This training is also extended to joint and coalition forces.

The WTI Course consists of seven weeks of instruction broken into two phases: academic and flight.

Rotary-Wing Adversary Support

The rotary-wing foreign attack helicopter required to support this requirement shall serve as a realistic dissimilar aircraft with unique capabilities to support specific aircraft training. The aircraft shall be a Mi-24 HIND, Mi-17 HIP, or other foreign attack helicopter with comparable performance characteristics and capable of using tracking pods compatible with the Tactical Air Combat Systems range at Yuma.

The Mi-17 (NATO reporting name "HIP") is a Russian helicopter in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude. It is known as the Mi-8M series in Russian service. It is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter. There are also armed gunship versions.

The Mi-24 (NATO reporting name “HIND”) is a large helicopter gunship, attack helicopter, and low-capacity troop transport with room for eight passengers.

The rotary-wing attack helicopter shall participate in the following training:

Air and Missile Defense Operations: The attack helicopter, due to its size, flight profile, firepower, and defensive maneuvering capabilities, poses a unique threat, creating a realistic, dissimilar, and credible ADFOR that stresses the joint forces conducting Joint Air and Missile Defense Operations.

Close Air Support: The attack helicopter will act as an aggressor to interfere with the forces conducting Joint Close Air Support.

Fixed-Wing Adversary Support

The required aircraft is an L-39, SU-25, or another foreign fixed-wing platform capable of simulating a fixed-wing threat to rotary-wing aircraft or ground forces and equipped with tracking systems compatible with the Tactical Air Combat Systems range at Yuma.

Surrogate Unmanned Aerial System Adversary Support

The required aircraft is a light civil aircraft similar in form to a Shahed 136 one-way attack drone, capable of replicating a one-way attack against rotary-wing aircraft or ground forces, and compatible with the Tactical Air Combat Systems range at Yuma.

Pilot Requirements

The contractor shall demonstrate the capability of performing simulated attacks against ground-based air defenses, simulated attacks on friendly ground units, and offensive/defensive air combat maneuvers against rotary-wing, fixed-wing, and tilt-rotor aircraft.

Pilots shall have a minimum of 2,000 total flight hours and at least 250 hours of Pilot in Command flight time in their respective aircraft or 75 hours of Pilot in Command flight time in their respective aircraft and must be a graduate of the Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructor course, the U.S. Navy Rotary-Wing Weapons School, or the U S Air Force 34th Weapons Squadron Course.

The contract period will be 12 months from the date of award, with four one-year option periods if exercised.

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