Efforts to modernize aviation and joint operations training within the United States Navy have gained further momentum after AIRO Group Holdings announced that its subsidiary Coastal Defense won a $1.9-million, one-year contract supporting JTAC and flight training programs. The initiative seeks to raise the quality and authenticity of naval aviation exercises while strengthening coordination between airborne units and ground-based controllers. Close air support missions rely heavily on accurate targeting, disciplined communication, and strict procedural compliance. By supporting both flight crews and JTAC personnel, Coastal Defense will help ensure that simulated exercises mirror real-world operational complexity. The contract includes tailored training support services aimed at improving scenario realism and aligning instruction with modern tactical and doctrinal standards. Company leadership emphasized a commitment to delivering adaptable, high-fidelity training solutions capable of addressing rapidly changing operational demands. The initiative reflects the Navy’s broader objective of preparing forces for contested environments that increasingly integrate advanced aircraft systems, unmanned platforms, and joint-force cooperation. Recent investments highlight this strategy. In 2023, Ryan Aerospace was awarded $28 million to provide next-generation extended reality simulators. CAE USA also modernized P-8A Poseidon flight trainers to enhance maritime patrol readiness. Most recently, in August 2025, HII Mission Technologies secured a multi-award contract valued at up to $267 million to deliver advanced training products and digital learning systems, reinforcing the Navy’s long-term readiness transformation efforts.
