US naval aviation and ground‑air integration training is getting a boost after AIRO’s training division secured a contract to support Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) and flight programs.
AIRO Group Holdings subsidiary Coastal Defense has been awarded a $1.9-million, one‑year contract with the US Navy to provide training support services designed to enhance the realism and execution of both naval flight and JTAC training events.
These programs are critical for ensuring that aircrews and JTACs can safely and effectively coordinate close air support, particularly in complex mission environments where precision communication and adherence to joint procedures are essential.
Under the contract, Coastal Defense’s training team will deliver specialized support services that elevate exercise realism and help align training scenarios with contemporary operational standards.
Chris Levy, Senior Vice President and General Manager of AIRO’s Training Division, said the company “remains focused on delivering scalable, high‑fidelity solutions that strengthen readiness and meet the evolving needs of naval aviation.”
Improved Training for Modern US Operations
This latest contract is part of a broader US Navy effort over recent years to expand and modernize training for sailors and aviators in areas involving advanced aircraft systems, joint operations, and unmanned technologies.
In 2023, Australian firm Ryan Aerospace won a $28-million contract to supply the US Navy with 50 state-of-the-art extended reality flight simulators. This came following a 2021 contract involving fighter and helicopter training simulators.
Also in 2023, a contract awarded to CAE USA involved upgrades to P‑8A Poseidon operational flight trainers, bolstering the navy’s anti‑submarine and maritime patrol training pipeline with simulated environments tailored to emerging threats in the Pacific and Atlantic theaters.
More recently, in August 2025, the service awarded HII’s Mission Technologies a multiple-award contract worth up to $267 million to provide training products and services. These include learning management systems and other tools.
