Sat, May 29, 2021
Adversary Air Training Operator Reportedly First To Operate F-16s Under Commercial License
Top Aces is celebrating a milestone as its newly-acquired F-16 fighter aircraft earned FAA certification and completed its first flight.
In order to support the US Air Force (USAF) Contracted Air Support indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract, Top Aces took delivery of its first four F-16s in January, reportedly becoming the first private company in the world to own and operate a fourth-generation fighter aircraft. Top Aces’ in-house maintenance team then returned the aircraft to full operational and airworthy status at its F-16 Center of Excellence in Mesa, Arizona. This week marks a historic achievement as Top Aces’ first F-16 obtained FAA certification and successfully performed its initial test flight.
A fundamental step in preparing Top Aces’ F-16 fleet to serve the USAF is the integration of Top Aces’ open architecture Advanced Aggressor Mission System (AAMS), which will provide advanced adversary capabilities. 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. 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,” says Russ Quinn, President, Top Aces Corp.
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