Top Aces

Introduction

In the late 2010's the USAF was searching for a commercial partner to provide adversary training for it's new 5th generation platforms like the F-22 and F-35. In the past the USAF had always provided that adversary training in-house. But after the Cold War these squadrons were almost completely abolished with only a few remaining. With the introduction of the F-22 back in the late 1990's the need was felt to upgrade the adversary role. Budget constraints always prevented that with these squadrons being equipped with older airframes like the F-5, but also F-16s or F/A-18's. With the introduction of the F-35 and the worldwide uplift in geopolitical unrest the USAF was confronted with expanding its fighter fleet as expanding its adversary squadrons as well. To speed up this process and to field an economically viable solutions, it sought a partner to achieve this.

History

In 2021 the USAF opened up the competition to find that commercial partner. Top Aces was already established back in 2000 when the Canadian Air Force sought a somewhat similar solution, albeit for their F/A-18 fleet. Top Aces was well suited to take up this role and was selected by the USAF in September of 2022. Responding to the USAF's requirements, Top Aces drafted up an indiginous plan to field an open architecture platform to perform this duty. But they had to find a suitable platform to build this architecture on. The F-16 was selected by Top Aces on different gounds. It is a suitable platform, available in sufficient numbers, known for its ability to be upgraded, etc. In 2021 they already bought 29 ex-Israeli aircraft which the IDFAF withdrew from usage in 2014 and put up for sale in 2016 thus becoming the first commercial owner and operator of the F-16.

Inventory

Initial Order

Bying those airframes evidently wasn't enough. They were of the much older A/B models. They had to be reserviced and also upgraded to accomodate the assigned mission. Therefore these F-16s received:

• Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) air-to-air radar

Scorpion Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (HMCS)

Tactical datalink communications

Infrared search and track (IRST) systems

Advanced electronic attack pod employment

Passive radio frequency (RF) detection capabilities

High fidelity weapon simulation – accurately replicates adversary weapons and tactics

An array of tactical functions coordinating the above systems which offer a wide spectrum of realistic adversary effects

This means their fleet is completely ready to accept the challenge.

Operational Service