Draken International won a contract to provide adversary support to augment the Air Force’s F-16 aggressor fleet at Nellis AFB, Nev., the company announced? Sept. 30. “We are excited to begin delivering a professional, safe, and highly capable aggressor service … integrating with and complementing the USAF Nellis-based aggressors,” the company’s Nellis detachment boss Terry Scott said in a release. Nellis was forced to pull fighters from other bases last year because of a shortage of aggressors to support the Air Force Weapons School after the standdown of the 65th Aggressor Squadron F-15Cs. Draken’s fleet of L-159 light combat aircraft and former Royal New Zealand Air Force A-4K Skyhawks will now fill that hole, operating alongside Nellis’ dedicated adversary F-16s. The jets are equipped with advanced radar, counter measures, and equipment needed to replicate a variety of fourth-generation threats, according to the company. Draken demonstrated its “red air” capabilities against Air Force fighters in support of Exercise Northern Lightning earlier this year. The aggressors also support international F-35 operational testing at Edwards AFB, Calif., including Dutch Lightning II integration trials in July.
Members of Congress from both parties expressed frustration and dismay over the abrupt and still-unexplained firing last month of Air Force Gen. Timothy Haugh from his dual role as head of U.S. Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency.