Top Aces introduce Advanced Aggressor Fighter
By successfully completing its first training mission in Canada utilizing the newly introduced A-4 Advanced Aggressor Fighter (AAF) Top Aces Inc. has taken advanced adversary air (ADAIR) training to a next level. 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.
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.
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.
Source: Top Aces
Photo: Massimo Filippini from Scramble Archives