Germany extends Top Aces training contract
Top Aces training for Germany is based on the Skyhawk (pictured) and other aircraft types. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)
Germany has extended its contract with Top Aces to deliver fast-jet adversary air training services to its armed forces for a further 10 years.
Announced by the Canadian-based contractor-owned and contractor-operated (COCO) company on 19 January, the EUR420 million (USD492 million) award extends the original 2016 contract out to 2036.
“Building on a decade of trusted service, this new agreement – officially titled ‘Contracted Fast Adversary Air' (Vertrag Schnelle Flugzieldarstellung) – will deliver mission-critical operational training across Germany's air force, army, and navy,” Top Aces said.
Top Aces fields more than 150 tactical combat aircraft, comprising Lockheed Martin F-16A/B ‘Netz', Dornier Alpha Jets, Douglas A-4N Skyhawks, and Bombardier Learjets that it uses for contractor COCO training.
“Training will be conducted using Top Aces' diverse fleet, featuring A-4N Skyhawk aircraft equipped with active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and highly upgraded Alpha Jets. Leveraging an open architecture design, Top Aces' proprietary ‘Advanced Aggressor Mission System' (AAMS) enables the A-4Ns to integrate advanced sensors, effectively replicating the threats posed by modern adversary fighter aircraft,” the contractor said.
Founded in 2000, Top Aces employs a team of 600+ personnel including ex-military fighter pilots, a large proportion of whom are Top Gun Fighter Weapons School graduates.
For more, please see:
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