BY MARC MONTGOMERY
Advanced ‘Adversary Air’ Training for the RCAF
Top Aces enhances RCAF combat readiness with technology upgrades to its training platforms.
In a 2011 Report on Transformation of the Canadian Armed Forces, LGen (Ret’d) Andrew Leslie, who served as the Chief of the Land Staff from 2006 to 2010, noted “Defence planners today face a spectrum of threats. The shift to a multi-polar power struggle produces increasingly diverse potential security challenges for Canadian defence planners”.
Since then, the global security environment has deteriorated and become more dangerous despite incredible advances in military technologies. In aviation, this includes 5th-Gen fighters, advanced missiles, radars and other new technologies.
While Canada awaits the arrival of the F-35A Lightning II in 2026, combat readiness remains critical. The RCAF has an advantage – access to one of the best air-warfare training operations in the world: Top Aces.
Coming in at #16 in CDR’s ranking of Canada’s Top 100 Defence Companies for 2024 — and headquartered in Dorval just outside of Montreal — Top Aces operates the world’s largest commercial fleet of ex-military jets, including the F-16 Viper. It also provides the most advanced contracted ‘adversary air’ (ADAIR) and joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) training available to the CAF and NATO allies.
CDR had the opportunity to speak with James “Preston” Manning, Vice-President Canada at Top Aces, who amassed over 3,000 CF-18 flight hours during his career with the RCAF, and has flown a subsequent 3,000 hours in the Alpha Jet at Top Aces. He highlighted the benefits of utilizing contracted adversary or ‘Red Air’ aircraft, which have saved Canada several billion dollars in ADAIR provision since 2005.
“Particularly with the transition to 5th-Gen fleets, many allied Air Forces are recognizing the value of this industry for operational efficiency, fleet life economies, and continued service of veterans,” he told CDR. “By working with Top Aces, Air Forces can reduce the amount of in-house training as ‘Red Air’; fighting CF-18 against CF-18 or F-35 against F-35,” continued Manning. “That burns life on your aircraft and also isn’t the best use of active-duty pilots, because tactics and systems employment are typically restricted when acting as the adversary. Pilots receive better training when flying as ‘Blue Air’, practicing their tactics and utilizing the aircraft systems the way they will need to on actual operational missions, as opposed to pretending to be the enemy.”
Founded in 2000 by three former CF-18 pilots with a deep understanding of fighter training, Top Aces began its long-term contract with the RCAF in 2005. This was in conjunction with DND’s visionary Contracted Airborne Training Services (CATS) program, to develop both ADAIR and JTAC day/night Army close air support training. Using its own aircraft, Top Aces also provides electronic warfare training, along with a variety of threat replications for the RCN and Arctic warning systems.
Due in-part to an outstanding service record, Ottawa announced last year an extension to 2029 of the 2017 10-year CATS contract with Top Aces, with a remaining option to extend to 2031. In a press release, the Minister of National Defence, Bill Blair noted, “These services allow our personnel to practice responding to attacks, detecting and tracking targets, and carrying out electronic warfare missions — bolstering their readiness.”
NEW DOUGLAS A-4 SKYHAWKS FOR CANADA
In addition to the CATS program extension, Top Aces was awarded a contract amendment to introduce an Advanced Aggressor Fighter (AAF) to its Canadian training fleet, which until this year was comprised of Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jets and Bombardier Learjet 35s. In May of this year, the company welcomed two Douglas A-4 Skyhawk AAFs in Cold Lake, with another two aircraft scheduled to arrive in early 2025. Deployment of this aircraft will add networked advanced radars and enhanced weapons simulation to the CATS offering, better reflecting the capabilities of potential threat fighters.
The technology upgrades are based on Top Aces’ proprietary, open architecture ‘Advanced Aggressor Mission System’ (AAMS). The company spent four years and its own investment to develop this unique technology. It can support systems like advanced weapons simulation, electronic warfare, and Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) training, which adds simulated targets into an exercise. From onboard or with collaboration of a ground station, additional targets are created and seen by ‘Blue-Air’ pilots, adding to the tactical problem they must resolve.
Top Aces’ AAMS integrates an advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, similar to those employed on current operational fighters. This reduces the need to use the CF-18 or the eventual CF-35 as ‘radar shooters’ in exercises.
As Manning tells CDR, “Some of the potential threats have advanced to the point of near parity to western weapons systems, or ‘near-peer’ threats. Our Canadian Forces need to be ready to defend against these advanced systems, and CATS is a key component of the aggressor forces for CAF readiness training.”
AAMS is also able to incorporate helmet-mounted display/cueing technology, tactical data link communications between aircraft and other entities, Infrared Search and Track (IRST) systems, High Fidelity Weapon Simulation, Advanced Electronic Attack pod employment, passive RF detection capabilities, as well as LVC training. Moreover, since the AAMS is a modular system, it can be selectively and relatively quickly configured to suit each client’s needs.
“The AAMS is like a plug-and-play system, where we can rapidly integrate new sensors or systems with minimal impact on the core avionics and operating system of the aircraft. This allows very rapid tempo from design through integration, testing and certification,” adds Manning.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
In addition to having its own Systems Integration Lab (SIL) to develop innovation within, Top Aces has invested in the San Diego-based EpiSci, a highly respected developer of Tactical AI solutions, and has conducted SIL testing with ‘collaborative combat aircraft’ (CCA). The unmanned drone craft collaborate with a piloted fighter in the execution of the mission. This is again to ensure the company can provide the most up-to-date, realistic adversary training scenarios.
“I believe that low-observable, or stealthy, CCAs would be a desirable augmentation for 5th-Gen fighter training,” shares Manning. “We are also very focused on expanding our F-16 operations. The combination of kinematics, low RCS and AAMS in our Viper AAF is really the leading edge of contracted ADAIR, and what we believe most 5th-Gen forces would be best served with as a baseline aggressor.”
Top Aces is the only company in the world to own and operate the F-16 commercially. Upgraded to the Advanced Aggressor Fighter configuration with AESA radar and other advanced capabilities, Top Aces’ F-16 AAFs have been training USAF F-22 and F-35 pilots out of Luke and Eglin AFBs since 2022.
SAFETY FIRST & FOREMOST
It should be highlighted that in its global operations, Top Aces has an astounding record of over 125,000 accident-free flight hours, with pilots averaging 20 years of experience and over 2,000 hours of combat- fighter operations. This is combined with top-notch support staff and a company culture of risk awareness. Any staff member at any level has the authority to slow or stop an operation if there’s concern over perceived increased risk. The company’s core values are service, integrity, excellence – Together. In Canada, many staff members have CAF experience and a passion for being able to continue serving the country in this role – operating from bases in Victoria, Cold Lake, Bagotville and Halifax.
“We have some of the most capable and experienced Alpha Jet maintainers on the planet, and our Learjet implementation has also gone very well since her introduction in 2019,” shares Manning. “I am constantly impressed with the professionalism of our Maintenance, Fleet Management and support Teams — this is combined with a very highly experienced pilot cadre.”
With both military and Transport Canada airworthiness certification, it is this reputation for experience, excellence and safety that has enabled Top Aces – the world’s leading contracted ADAIR and JTAC training provider – to develop and export services to NATO partners.
“Canada’s contracted adversary support approach and shared airworthiness oversight are highly valued by allied Air Forces, because Top Aces’ values of integrity and collaboration have built trust in our brand,” says Manning. “Top Aces’ acquisition of Blue Air Training in 2022, the world’s leading provider of JTAC training, has significantly enhanced our training portfolio. Now, we’re focused on expanding both our ADAIR and JTAC training services in new markets. And I must salute the Canadian government for its role in supporting the export of Canadian expertise to our allies.”
James Manning also hinted at some exciting news and major developments to come later this year — with Top Aces as a partner on a major Canadian project, along with some new clients abroad.
“Top Aces remains dedicated to innovation and actively partners with our customers to enhance their capabilities, enabling them to adapt to the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and threats.”
Marc Montgomery is a Regular CDR Contributor
