Welcome to Top Aces

Top Aces provides advanced airborne training to the world’s leading air forces. The mission-critical training offered by Top Aces enhances the operational readiness of combat forces by providing a realistic real-world experience while prolonging fleet life.

Our Fleet

Dornier Alpha Jet

  • Day and night Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) training;
  • Adversary Support and Anti-Shipping Attack Training for Naval Forces;
  • “Red Air” Adversary Support for Fighter Forces, including large-scale coalition air exercises;
  • Air-to-Air Gunnery Target Tow; both circular and combat dart missions for Fighter Forces;
  • Electronic Warfare Training for Naval and Fighter Forces.
  • - Crew: Tandem Cockpit Configuration
  • - Normal T/O Weight: 13,200 - 14,330
  • - Length: 40 ft.
  • - Engines: 2 x SNECMA Larzac 04-C6
  • - Speed: 0.95 M

Douglas A-4 Skyhawk

  • Day and night Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) training; Weapons Delivery;
  • Adversary Support and Anti-Shipping Attack Training for Naval Forces;
  • “Red Air” Adversary Support for Fighter Forces, including large-scale coalition air exercises;
  • ir-to-Air Gunnery Target Tow; both circular and combat dart missions for Fighter Forces;
  • - Crew: Single and tandem configuration
  • - Length: 40.3 ft.
  • - Normal T/O weight: 19,850 lbs
  • - Engines: 1 P&W J52 P408 Turbojet
  • - Speed: 0.9 Mach

Bombardier Learjet 35A

  • Approved for VFR, IFR, day, night and icing conditions;
  • Real Time Performance & Quality Assurance (RTPQA) for NORAD on the East & West Coasts plus the North Warning System (NWS);
  • NORAD HAWK exercises involving multi simulation profiles for CF-18 & USAF forces;
  • Target Tow for Naval training with TRX-9 targets for gunnery and TLX-1 Low Level targets for anti-ship missile defence training;
  • - Crew: Three, (Pilot, Co-pilot and Electronic Warfare
  • - Length: 48.8 ft.
  • - Normal T/O weight: 19,600 lbs
  • - Engines: Garrett TFE731-2B turbofan
  • - Speed: 872 km/h

Lockheed Martin F-16A

  • Superior 4th Generation maneuverability and pilot-centric avionics;
  • Large array of available air-to-air weapons and sensors;
  • All-weather capability allows it to employ weapons in non-visual environments;
  • Light weight with a full load of internal fuel up to 9 G’s;
  • The pilot has excellent flight control of the F-16 through its "fly-by-wire" system.
  • - Crew: Single and tandem configuration
  • - Length: 49.4 ft.
  • - Normal T/O weight: 25,281 lbs
  • - Engine: One Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220E
  • - Speed with air to air missiles: Mach 2.05 at 40,000 feet.

News and Events

Top Aces Integrates Cutting-Edge IRST on F-16 Advanced Aggressor Fighter

Posted on September 5, 2024

New Infrared Search and Track Capability Elevates Training for U.S. Air Force 5th Generation Pilots

MESA, AZ, September 5, 2024 – Top Aces Corp. (Top Aces), the world’s only commercial operator of the F-16 aircraft for advanced adversary air (ADAIR) training, announces the integration of an infrared search and track (IRST) capability on its F-16 Advanced Aggressor Fighter (AAF) platform. This sophisticated IRST technology, used in military and aerospace applications to detect, track, and identify targets by measuring their infrared (IR) radiation, will significantly enhance the training experience for U.S. Air Force (USAF) 5th generation fighter pilots.

“We’re delighted to add this advanced IRST capability to our ADAIR training portfolio,” says Russ Quinn, President of Top Aces Corp., a USAF veteran and former Aggressor pilot. “Fitted with Top Aces’ open architecture ‘Advanced Aggressor Mission System’ (AAMS), our F-16 AAF will continue to rapidly integrate a range of high-tech sensors to meet evolving customer requirements.”

Top Aces’ F-16 AAF aircraft, already equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, a helmet mounted cueing system, and Link-16 capabilities, have now been further upgraded with Northrop Grumman’s cutting-edge OpenPod™. Featuring Leonardo’s state-of-the-art SkyWard scanning IRST, a passive long-wave infrared sensor, the system offers a wide scan volume for early target detection and engagement beyond visual range. This latest addition allows the Top Aces pilot to select and slave one advanced sensor to another, optimizing their ability to challenge 5th Generation tactics across various phases of air-to-air combat training engagements.

Top Aces collaborated with Leonardo, Northrop Grumman, Coherent Technical Services Inc. (CTSi), and Seger Aviation LLC to field the IRST on its F-16 AAF – a first of its kind in the ADAIR industry.

 “The Air Force needs a highly capable adversary to train against. We firmly believe our F-16 AAF platform, combined with our highly experienced personnel, offer the most realistic and cost-effective solution to prepare the next generation of combat leaders,” continues Quinn.

 

About Top Aces Inc.

 

With more than 130,000 accident-free flight hours, Top Aces Inc. and its subsidiaries (including Top Aces Corp. and Blue Air Training Corp.) provide advanced adversary air (ADAIR) and joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) training to the world’s leading armed forces. It has the largest fleet of commercially operated fighter aircraft in active service and is the world's only commercial owner/operator of the F-16. Top Aces’ mission-critical training enhances the operational readiness of combat forces by delivering real-world experience, while creating significant cost efficiencies and extending the lifespan of military aircraft fleets. For more information, please visit www.topaces.us.

 

Join Top Aces on Social Media:

X: https://x.com/topaces/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/top-aces/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/topaces/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/topaces/

 

Media Contact:

Erin Black

Communications Manager, Top Aces

+1 (514) 867-0886

media@topaces.com

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Top Aces conducts first ‘Adversary Air’ training mission with upgraded A-4 Skyhawks in Canada

Posted on June 20, 2024

Levelling-up Canadian fleet to enhance the combat readiness training of Royal Canadian Air Force pilots

MONTREAL, QC, June 20, 2024 – Top Aces, the world's leading provider of advanced adversary air (ADAIR) and joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) training to allied forces, proudly announces the successful completion of its first training mission in Canada with the A-4 Advanced Aggressor Fighter (AAF). This event marks the start of AAF service delivery, which was stipulated in an amendment to Top Aces’ Contracted Airborne Training Services (CATS) contract, as announced by the Government of Canada in December 2023.

Renowned for innovation and collaborative efforts with customers to evolve its service offering, Top Aces has been the trusted training partner to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) since 2005. The first two A-4 AAFs arrived in Canada in late May, complementing the company’s existing Canadian aggressor fleet of Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jets and Bombardier Learjet 35s.

Each A-4 AAF aircraft is equipped with Top Aces’ proprietary, open architecture ‘Advanced Aggressor Mission System’ (AAMS), an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, and tactical datalink capabilities. The AAF configuration can replicate the advanced systems of a near-peer, threat aircraft.

This week’s first mission featured an A-4 AAF along with a formation of Alpha Jets, conducting air-combat training in support of RCAF CF-18 pilots based out of 4-Wing Cold Lake, Alberta. In addition to improving training for CF-18 aircrew, the introduction of A-4 AAF aircraft allows the RCAF to refocus internal resources on higher value training activities, particularly as they prepare for the F-35 transition.

“Service is the value that leads our organization. As a proud home-grown Canadian company, Top Aces is committed to providing the CAF with cutting-edge training solutions to ensure our servicemen and women are fully prepared for any mission their country entrusts to them,” said Paul Bouchard, CEO of Top Aces.

James “Preston” Manning, Vice-President – Canada, Top Aces Inc., concludes: “Canada's forward-thinking approach to the CATS program has prompted Air Forces worldwide to follow suit. Especially as allied counterparts shift towards 5th Generation fleets, they increasingly acknowledge this industry's importance for operational efficiency, extending fleet lifespan, and supporting the continued service of veterans.”

 

About Top Aces

Top Aces provides advanced ADAIR and JTAC training to the world’s leading air forces. It has the largest fleet of commercially operated fighter aircraft in active service and is the first company in the world to acquire the supersonic F-16. Top Aces’ mission-critical training enhances the operational readiness of combat forces by providing real-world experience, while creating significant cost efficiencies and extending the lifecycle of military fleets. For more information, please visit www.topaces.com.

 

Join Top Aces on Social Media:

X: https://x.com/topaces/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/top-aces/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/topaces/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/topaces/

 

Media Contact:

Erin Black
Communications Manager, Top Aces
+1 (514) 867-0886
media@topaces.com

Read more

Top Aces Announces Important Upgrade to Contracted Airborne Training Services (CATS) Program in Canada Through 2029

Posted on December 5, 2023

Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilots will benefit from an enhanced level of adversary air training

MONTREAL, QC, December 5, 2023 – Top Aces, the world’s leading provider of advanced adversary air (ADAIR) and joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) training to allied forces, today announced the extension and amendment of its pre-existing CATS agreement with Canada through October 2029. Operating a fleet of upgraded Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jets and Bombardier Learjet 35s, Top Aces has been a trusted training partner of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) since 2005.

With this contract extension/amendment, Top Aces’ A-4 Skyhawk ‘Advanced Aggressor Fighter’ (AAF) will join the company’s Canadian fleet early next year. Deployment of this aircraft will add advanced radar and tactical datalink to the CATS offering. The AAF configuration better replicates current adversary fighter aircraft and will enhance the training of RCAF CF-18 pilots, particularly as phase II of the CF-18 Hornet extension project (HEP) is underway.

Furthermore, the addition of the A-4 AAF to Top Aces’ training fleet will allow the RCAF to reduce the use of CF-18s in adversary roles and help mitigate the anticipated human resources challenges associated with the transition to the F-35.

Two Top Aces’ A-4 AAFs will begin training with the RCAF next spring, expanding to four aircraft by 2025. These aircraft will be equipped with Top Aces’ proprietary open architecture ‘Advanced Aggressor Mission System’ (AAMS), which enables the integration of advanced capabilities, including tactical datalink, Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and numerous other potential upgrades.

“Top Aces continues to modernize and enhance our services to meet the evolving needs of the RCAF,” says Paul Bouchard, Founder and CEO, Top Aces. “The addition of AAMS is very significant because it integrates sensors and functions that replicate advanced adversary fighter aircraft. This latest enhancement will be particularly beneficial to the RCAF as it transitions to the HEP2 CF-18 and subsequently the F-35.”

“Canada’s visionary approach to CATS has been adopted by air forces worldwide, including the U.S. Air Force and other allies in Europe. Today, Top Aces is very proud to extend its long-standing partnership with Canada. We will deliver advanced training services that enhance combat readiness and offer numerous cost-efficiencies in support of CAF operations,” adds Bouchard.

 

About Top Aces

Top Aces provides advanced ADAIR and JTAC training to the world’s leading air forces. It has the largest fleet of commercially operated fighter aircraft in active service and is the first company in the world to acquire the supersonic F-16. Top Aces’ mission-critical training enhances the operational readiness of combat forces by providing real-world experience, while creating significant cost efficiencies and extending the lifecycle of military fleets. For more information, please visit www.topaces.com.

 

Media Contact:

Erin Black
Communications Manager, Top Aces
+1 (514) 867-0886
media@topaces.com

 

Read more