Top Aces Inc., is a Montreal, Quebec-based defence contractor that offers contracted airborne training services to the Canadian Armed Forces through the Contracted Airborne Training Services program. Top Aces operates a fleet of modernized fighter aircraft to provide Red Air threat replication, Joint Terminal Attack Controller training, practice munitions drop, air-to-air gunnery training and naval target tow profiles for the Canadian and German militaries. It also provides electronic warfare training and tactics development, and supports advanced radar trials in nationally controlled environments. All Electronic Warfare Officers and EW role equipment are provided by the 414 Electronic Warfare Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force as part of the CATS contract. Canadian Armed Forces personnel are authorized to fly on board Top Aces fighter aircraft.
History
Top Aces was founded in 2000 by three former Royal Canadian Air ForceCF-18fighter pilots. In 2005, Top Aces signed a $94-million contract with the Canadian Armed Forces to supply contracted combat support and adversary training. In 2014, the company signed a contract to provide fast jet airborne training services to the German Armed Forces for five years. 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. Top Aces, formerly Discovery Air Defence Services, is no longer a 'Wholly Owned Subsidiary' of the parent company Discovery Air. It is now owned by Clairvest and other unnamed investors with transactions completed on 22 Dec 17. 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.
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:
