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Top Aces earns FAA certification of F-16
June 4, 2021 By Wings Staff
Top Aces integrated the open architecture Advanced Aggressor Mission System (AAMS) in its F-16 fighters to provide the advanced adversary capability needed by the USAF. (Photo: Top Aces)
Top Aces Corp., a provider of advanced adversary training, reached a major milestone in its United States expansion with its newly acquired F-16 fighter aircraft earning FAA certification and completing its first flight.
Top Aces took delivery of its first four F-16s in January 2021 to support the US Air Force (USAF) Contracted Air Support indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract This acquisition made Top Aces the first private company in the world to own and operate fourth-generation fighter aircraft.
Following the January delivery, Top Aces explains its in-house maintenance team then worked to return the aircraft to full operational and airworthy status at its F-16 Center of Excellence in Mesa, Arizona.
As a fundamental step in preparing its F-16 fleet to serve the USAF, Top Aces integrated its open architecture Advanced Aggressor Mission System (AAMS), designed to provide advanced adversary capability. Top Aces explains this proprietary system features the latest technologies including active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, infrared search-and-track (IRST), advanced data link and helmet-mounted cueing systems.
“By recruiting the most-experienced former USAF Aggressor pilots and ground crews, deploying this high-caliber aircraft and upgrading the F-16 with tailor-made system modifications, Top Aces will provide the most tactically challenging, realistic and cost-effective adversary training,” said Russ Quinn, President, Top Aces. “The entire Top Aces team is very proud to play our part in providing the men and women who operate USAF and USN front line fighters with the most advanced level of training possible.”
