Top Aces Inc., a leading provider of advanced adversary air (ADAIR) training, has successfully completed its first training mission in Canada utilizing the newly introduced A-4 Advanced Aggressor Fighter (AAF). This milestone marks the official commencement of AAF service delivery under an amendment to Top Aces’ Contracted Airborne Training Services (CATS) contract with the Canadian government, announced in December 2023.
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simon butler from halesowen, uk, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The A-4 AAF represents a significant upgrade in training capabilities for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Each aircraft is outfitted with Top Aces’ cutting-edge Advanced Aggressor Mission System (AAMS), an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, and tactical datalink functionalities. This advanced configuration enables the A-4 AAF to realistically replicate the performance and sensor capabilities of modern “near-peer” adversary aircraft, providing a more challenging and operationally relevant training environment for RCAF pilots.
The inaugural training mission involved an A-4 AAF teaming up with a formation of Alpha Jets to conduct air combat maneuvers in support of RCAF CF-18 pilots stationed at 4-Wing Cold Lake, Alberta. This combined force approach not only provided a realistic multi-threat scenario for the fighter pilots but also showcased the versatility of Top Aces’ aggressor fleet.
The introduction of the A-4 AAF also offers strategic benefits for the RCAF. By outsourcing this critical training element to Top Aces, the RCAF can refocus its internal resources on higher-value activities, particularly as they prepare for the integration of the F-35 into their fighter jet inventory.
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