Page 42 - Combat Aircraft (January 2020)

INDUSTRY REPORT // CONTRACTED CLOSE AIR SUPPORT

Though they were operated by the French
Air Force exclusively for pilot training,
Valkyrie modifi ed its EMB-312s as modern
attack aircraft, complete with an MX-15
sensor turret mounted on the centerline that
is operated by a JTAC in the rear cockpit.

‘All of them are former instructors and they had to meet in the military, the ight time just in our higher-echelon
weapons school graduates.’ In addition company’s training program having to be leadership levels. We’ve worked hard to
to the service they provide in the air, they periodically inspected by the Department get to where we are.’
provide critical support on the ground, of Defense (DoD). Above left: Flags
being able to serve as JTAC instructors McCutchan enthused, ‘We’re really from all fi ve Operational employment
out on the ranges as well. Valkyrie CEO proud of our people. I’m a big believer branches of the During JTAC support missions, the station
Keebaugh added, ‘Post-mission, they’re in ‘the company is the people’ and US military and time, ordnance capabilities, and two-crew
the POW-MIA
an extra subject matter expert during we’ve got great people here. We have fl ag fl ank the concept enable a single aircraft to simulate
the debrief.’ Though no longer on active literally a couple of hundred years of CAS American fl ag multiple aircraft on a single mission. As
duty, Valkyrie’s operators are held to experience in this company, and probably hanging in McCutchan explained: ‘Generally speaking,
Valkyrie’s hangar
internal standards that mirror those over 20,000 hours of close air support at Falcon Field. we have the ability to simulate multiple

42 January 2020 // www.Key.Aero

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