Page 38 - Combat Aircraft (January 2020)

FTER NEARLY TWO decades
of combat operations in
Afghanistan and Iraq, and
in the face of a booming
civilian job market, the US
A military is facing manpower
shortages in several critical war ghting
quarters. Among the most consequential
shortfalls are ghter pilots in the US Air
Force, US Marine Corps and US Navy, but
there is a less-well publicized shortfall in
joint terminal attack controllers (JTACs).
These skilled personnel are responsible for
directing tactical aircraft executing close
air support (CAS), often in close proximity
to friendly ground forces. Both the pilot
and JTAC shortages are critical for the
infantrymen and special operators who
rely heavily on air support.
Compounding the impact is the fact
that JTACs rely on tactical aircraft for their
training. Regardless of their assigned

The US Air Force has issued an overarching contract covering contracted training
for ‘Red Air’ aggressors and close air support. Valkyrie Aero is aimed at the latter,
offering cost-effective aircraft and optimized support to the military.

REPORT AND PHOTOS Joe Copalman
MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK

VALKYRIE AERO TACKLES CONTRACTED CLOSE AIR SUPPORT

38 January 2020 // www.Key.Aero

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