The U.S. Navy has contracted with Georgia-based Phoenix Air Group to provide air services simulating airborne electric warfare (EW) threats for naval training exercises. Initially valued at $165 million, the five-year deal will use highly modified Learjet 35/36s to train, test, and evaluate shipboard crew and naval aircraft weapon systems operators.

“The contract includes use of 10 Phoenix Air-owned and operated jet aircraft that can support up to 5,000 hours of EW jet capabilities for fleet scheduling on the East and West Coasts,” said a Naval Air Systems Command spokesperson. “They can be used in a variety of venues, from basic ‘schoolhouse’ air intercept control training, large multinational exercises, and small single unit training exercises including target/banner tow missions supporting the Navy, Department of Defense, and non-DoD agencies.”

Headquartered at Cartersville-Bartow County Airport (KVPC), Phoenix Air currently operates a fleet of 37 aircraft. “Some are Learjets, but we are acquiring an additional six or seven Lears to support this contract, as well as other similar contracts we currently hold,” said Phoenix president Mark Thompson. “We will also be recruiting more pilots, maintenance staff, and other support personnel.”

According to Phoenix Air, Learjet 35 and 36 models are “uniquely adaptable for military training exercises” since they are derivatives of 20-series Learjets that were designed based on a Swiss military fighter.