Top Aces celebrates 25 years of excellence in fighter pilot training

Photo: Top Aces

Press Release

Top Aces Inc., the world’s premier provider of live-fly Adversary Air (ADAIR) and Close Air Support (CAS) training, is proudly celebrating its 25th anniversary of service. Founded in Montreal by veteran Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CF-18 pilots, Top Aces has since evolved into a global leader, achieving an industry record of over 140,000 accident-free training hours in support of NATO and allied nations.

“This is a very proud moment for all of us at Top Aces. What began as a small Canadian business with just a few employees has grown into a global enterprise of 600+ team members operating across three continents,” said Paul Bouchard, Co-Founder and CEO, Top Aces Inc. “This 25th anniversary milestone is a testament to our dedicated employees, past and present, for believing in the Top Aces mission and living our values of Service, Integrity, Excellence, and Together – every day. Our highly experienced military veterans take great pride in continuing to mentor and support the training of active-duty aviators, soldiers and sailors.”

Top Aces' mission has always been to deliver safe and highly professional defense training solutions, ensuring the current and future operational readiness of its customers. In an ever-changing world, military preparedness and readiness are crucial, and allied forces worldwide are recognizing the benefits of the commercial ADAIR industry for cost savings and fleet longevity. “We feel privileged for the unwavering trust and support of our customers and partners throughout this 25-year journey, and for their recognition of the value Top Aces brings to their operational training needs,” stated Didier Toussaint, Co-Founder and Group President, Top Aces Inc.

Several notable achievements have marked Top Aces' 25-year history, driving the company's remarkable growth:

·       In 2021, Top Aces Corp. achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first private company in the world to own and operate a fleet of F-16 fighter aircraft. Currently used to train U.S. Air Force (USAF) F-22 and F-35 pilots, Top Aces’ F-16 Advanced Aggressor Fighters (AAFs) are the most advanced and threat-representative training adversaries available on the market today.

·       Driven by innovation, Top Aces spent nearly a decade developing its groundbreaking, proprietary “Advanced Aggressor Mission System” (AAMS), which was successfully launched in 2021. Featuring an open architecture design, the AAMS enables Top Aces’ F-16 and A-4N aircraft to integrate cutting-edge sensors, including but not limited to Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Infrared Search and Track (IRST), Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (HMCS), and advanced datalinks, effectively replicating the threats posed by modern adversary fighter aircraft. The AAMS provides a pathway for continuous improvement, allowing customers to constantly evolve their training threat, including the integration of ongoing advancements in Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) elements and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).

·       In 2022, Top Aces expanded its service offering with the acquisition of U.S.-based Blue Air Training, the recognized global expert in full-spectrum CAS training for Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) and Joint Fires Observers (JFO). The partnership created a market leader in the provision of ADAIR and CAS training, benefiting military customers worldwide.

Looking ahead, Top Aces' vision is to be the most trusted provider of innovative defense training solutions, continuously elevating standards in an industry where Experience Matters. “As we celebrate this significant milestone, we look forward to continuing our mission of delivering best-in-class training solutions, ensuring our NATO and allied militaries are always prepared for the challenges that lie ahead,” continued Bouchard.

VETERAN SHIP BUILDER AND INDIGENOUS MANUFACTURER JOIN FORCES ON MARINE VESSELS

Photo: Hike Metal Products & Shipbuilding Ltd.

Press Release

ATMIS Protective Equipment lnc. (ATMIS), an Indigenous advanced manufacturer of custom machined metal parts, fabrications, and automated production systems, and Hike Metal Products Ltd. (Hike Metal), a leading Canadian ship builder, are joining forces.

The two companies have signed an agreement to work together on mutually beneficial initiatives in Canada's marine and defence sectors - and both companies say the deal is the only one of its kind in the country.

"This marks the first time an Indigenous manufacturer has ventured into the new vessel build market in support of the government and larger defence primes," said ATMIS President Andy Valentine, explaining the focus will be on small and medium-sized boats.

"We're very excited to be working with Hike MetaI on Canadian maritime vessel builds and proud to think our high-quality work will one day be in the ships keeping our country safe."

Valentine's comments were echoed by Hike Metal President Steve Ingram, who said his company's decades-long track record of superior vessel construction will be complemented by ATMIS’ advanced manufacturing capabilities and defence industry experience.

"By leveraging our core strengths, we believe we can strengthen both companies' presence in the Canadian marine vessel market," Ingram said. "Combining our skill sets in advanced marine metal product manufacturing is a win, not only for our companies, but for our customers."