Top Aces Integrates IRST on F-16 Advanced Aggressor Fighter
September 7, 2024
On September 05, 2024, at Mesa, Arizona, Top Aces Corp. the world’s only commercial operator of the F-16 aircraft for advanced adversary air (ADAIR) training, announced the integration of an infrared search and track (IRST) capability on its F-16 Advanced Aggressor Fighter (AAF) platform.
Top Aces Inc. and its subsidiaries (including Top Aces Corp. and Blue Air Training Corp.) provide advanced adversary air (ADAIR) and joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) training to the world’s leading armed forces, thereby enhancing the operational readiness of combat forces by delivering realistic real-world training, while creating significant cost efficiencies and extending the lifespan of military aircraft fleets. The company operates the largest fleet of commercially operated fighter aircraft in active service, and is the world’s only commercial owner/operator of the F-16.
The lack of representative sensors has been a critical shortcoming for some commercial ADAIR providers, and Top Aces has taken steps to address this, adding AESA radar, and now IRST systems to its A-4 Skyhawk and F-16AAF aircraft.
Top Aces’ F-16 AAF aircraft are former IDF F-16A Netz aircraft that have been especially modified for the ADAIR role. They are already equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, a helmet mounted cueing system, and Link-16 capabilities
Russ Quinn, President of Top Aces Corp., a USAF veteran and former Aggressor pilot explained that: “The Air Force needs a highly capable adversary to train against. We firmly believe our F-16 AAF platform, combined with our highly experienced personnel, offer the most realistic and cost-effective solution to prepare the next generation of combat leaders.”
The F-16AAFs are now being upgraded with Northrop Grumman’s cutting-edge OpenPod, which incorporates a Leonardo SkyWard scanning IRST. Skyward was originally developed by Selex ES (a subsidiary of Finmeccanica that later merged into Leonardo), and is integrated internally on Saab’s Gripen E fighter. Top Aces collaborated with Leonardo, Northrop Grumman, Coherent Technical Services Inc. (CTSi), and Seger Aviation LLC to field the IRST on its F-16 AAF – a first of its kind in the ADAIR industry.
Skyward is a passive long-wave infrared sensor, and offers a wide scan volume for early target detection and engagement beyond visual range. Top Aces adversary pilots can select and slave one advanced sensor to another, allowing them to emulate 5th Generation tactics in representative air-to-air combat training engagements.
Russ Quinn said that: “We’re delighted to add this advanced IRST capability to our ADAIR training portfolio. Fitted with Top Aces’ open architecture ‘Advanced Aggressor Mission System’ (AAMS), our F-16 AAF will continue to rapidly integrate a range of high-tech sensors to meet evolving customer requirements.”
