Top Aces Inc. is a Montreal, Quebec-based defence contractor that offers contracted airborne training services to the Canadian Armed Forces, Bundeswehr, and United States Air Force. Operating a fleet of modernized fighter aircraft, flown by highly experienced ex-military pilots, they provide Red Air threat replication, Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) training, practice munitions drop, air-to-air gunnery training and naval target tow profiles.[1]
The Alpha Jet and Lear 35 platforms are also utilized by No. 414 Squadron RCAF for electronic warfare training and tactics development, and support for advanced radar trials in nationally controlled environments, as part of the CATS contract.[2][3] All Electronic Warfare Officers and EW role equipment being provided by the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Canadian Armed Forces personnel are authorized to fly on board Top Aces fighter aircraft.[4]
Top Aces was founded in 2000 by three former Royal Canadian Air ForceCF-18 fighter pilots. In 2005, Top Aces signed a $94-million contract with the Canadian Armed Forces to supply contracted combat support and adversary training.[5]
In 2014, the company signed a contract to provide fast jet airborne training services to the German Armed Forces for five years. This contract was then extended and expanded in 2021.[6]
In 2017, Top Aces was awarded a long-term Contracted Airborne Training Services contract with the Government of Canada.[7] The CATS contract was amended in 2023, extending it to 2029 and expanding it by adding A-4N aircraft.[8] In March 2017, Top Aces was awarded a short term contract to provide training support to the Australian Defence Force, with three Alpha Jet aircraft deployed to RAAF Base Williamtown for two years.[9]
In November 2020, it was reported that Top Aces was in negotiations with the Israeli Ministry of Defense for the purchase of 29 early model Lockheed Martin F-16A fighter aircraft with a cost-per unit price of $3–4 million.[10] Four of the planned 29 F-16s arrived in Top Aces F-16 Center of Excellence in Mesa, Arizona in January 2021 and began flying operations for the USAF in early 2022.[11] Top Aces plans to ship the rest of the orders in 12 batches with two jets arriving every other month.[12]
In 2024, the Canadian government announced a contract with Top Aces to train Ukraine F-16 pilots.[13]
Top Aces, formerly Discovery Air Defence Services (DADS), is no longer a 'Wholly Owned Subsidiary' of the parent company Discovery Air.[14] It is now owned by Clairvest and other unnamed investors with transactions completed on 22 December 2017.[15] As of July 2018, Top Aces Inc, Top Aces Holdings Inc and Clairvest are subject to ongoing legal proceedings lodged in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List).[16]
Fleet
Some Alpha Jets retained the German Air Force paint schemes, and the F-16s retained their Israeli Air Force paint schemes. The remaining Alpha Jets and A-4s have been repainted in aggressor camouflage colours that mimic certain foreign aircraft. Small low visibility Canadian flags have been added to the vertical tail stabilizers of aircraft contracted to the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The A-4N and F-16 fleets have been upgraded with Top Aces proprietary Advanced Aggressor Mission System. This system is designed to provide high fidelity threat simulation and includes AESA radar, HMCS, IRST, Tactical Datalink, and EW capabilities. [17]
As of February 2023, Top Aces. has the following aircraft listed with Transport Canada, the FAA, or in long term storage.[18]
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