Top Aces

Top Aces Inc. (Top Aces), is a Montreal, Quebec-based defence contractor that offers contracted airborne training services to the Canadian Armed Forces through the Contracted Airborne Training Services (CATS) program. Top Aces operates a fleet of modernized fighter aircraft to provide Red Air threat replication, Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) training, practice munitions drop, air-to-air gunnery training and naval target tow profiles for the Canadian and German militaries.[1] It also provides electronic warfare training and tactics development, and supports advanced radar trials in nationally controlled environments.[2] All Electronic Warfare Officers and EW role equipment are provided by the 414 Electronic Warfare Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) as part of the CATS contract.[3]

Top Aces Inc.
IndustrySpecialized Aviation
Founded2000
HeadquartersMontreal, Quebec, Canada
Key people
Paul Bouchard, President; Didier Toussaint, Group President
Website

Canadian Armed Forces personnel are authorized to fly on board Top Aces fighter aircraft.[4]

Alpha Jet line up in Top Aces colours

History

Top Aces was founded in 2000 by three former Royal Canadian Air Force CF-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.[6] In 2017, Top Aces was awarded a long-term Contracted Airborne Training Services contract with the Government of Canada. In March 2017, Top Aces was awarded a contract to provide training support to the Australian Defence Force, with 3 Alpha jets deployed to RAAF Base Williamtown for 2 years.[7]

Top Aces, formerly Discovery Air Defence Services (DADS), is no longer a 'Wholly Owned Subsidiary' of the parent company Discovery Air.[8] It is now owned by Clairvest and other unnamed investors with transactions completed on 22 Dec 17.[9] 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).[10]

Fleet

Some Alpha Jets retained the German Air Force paint schemes, but others have been repainted in aggressor camouflage colors 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. As of November 2019, the fleet consists of 31 aircraft including:[11]

Top Aces fleet
AircraftNo. of aircraftVariantsNotes
Alpha Jet20Model A
Douglas A-4 Skyhawk7A-4N
Learjet 35235A
IAI Westwind21124Listed as an Israel 1124

In addition the Transport Canada site lists a Canadair CL-600[12] and a Learjet 35[13] both with cancelled registration certificates.

Future Purchases

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 F-16s with a cost-per unit price of $3-4 million.[14]

References
  1. Exhibitor Profile for Discovery Air Inc.
  2. About Us
  3. "414 Electronic Warfare Squadron". Royal Canadian Air Force. Government of Canada. Archived from the original on 2018-02-07. Retrieved 2018-02-06.
  4. RCAF Spring Edition 2015, page 82
  5. History
  6. Discovery Air deploys A-4N jets to Germany ahead of training contract]
  7. "Discovery Air Defence and Air Affairs Australia Win Jet Air Support Trial Contract in Australia". Top Aces. 2017-03-01. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
  8. "Federal Corporation Information - 1002778-2". Federal Corporation Information. Government of Canada. 2019-09-23. Retrieved 2019-10-15.
  9. "Download SEDAR Filings - Code Verification and Accept Terms of Use". www.sedar.com. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  10. "CCCA Proceedings - Ontario Superior Court of Justice" (PDF).
  11. "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Quick Search Result for Canadian North". Transport Canada. Retrieved 2019-06-20.
  12. Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Aircraft Details C-GDAX
  13. Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Aircraft Details C-GTWX
  14. Zaken, Danny. "Israel in talks to sell F-16's to Canada's Top Aces". Globes. Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
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