Firm Flying Shahed Drone Stand-Ins Joins U.S. Air Force's $5.4B Adversary Air Contract

The US Air Force added three companies, including A2G International, Fleet Adversary Support and Training, and KestrelX, to its Combat Air Forces contracted adversary-air support framework. The indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity vehicle has a combined ceiling of $5.4 billion, but only a nominal $3,000 was obligated with the latest awards, which do not allocate the ceiling to individual firms. KestrelX uses piloted light aircraft, including the KX-2, to replicate Shahed-type drone threats during military training. The contractual arrangement allows subsequent task orders through October 2029 and should not be confused with a guaranteed multibillion-dollar aircraft or drone purchase.