Top Aces flies Skyhawks and Alpha Jets against Danish F-35As in adversary air trial

Privately owned combat jets from Top Aces engaged in air combat exercises with Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) Lockheed Martin F-35As during a trial demonstration held in April and May. These drills, recently confirmed by the RDAF, featured adversary air operations supporting Denmark’s fifth-generation fighter pilot training. The use of civilian-operated tactical jets marks an evolving approach to replicating threat environments against advanced military platforms.

Top Aces deployed its fleet of Douglas A-4N Skyhawks and Dornier Alpha Jets alongside and against the Danish F-35As from Fighter Wing Skrydstrup, Denmark’s tactical aviation hub. According to the company, the exercises focused on delivering high-end threat replication, creating complex combat scenarios designed to enhance pilot decision-making and readiness. This approach helps simulate realistic adversary tactics without relying solely on expensive frontline fighters.

The RDAF described a highlighted engagement involving four Danish F-35s pitted against four Top Aces jets, augmented by two additional Danish F-35s supporting the adversaries to simulate tactical challenges. This scenario unfolded off the west coast of Jutland and emphasized aggressive, dynamic combat environments to prepare RDAF pilots for practical battlespace conditions. Official commentary acknowledged that each flight provided valuable learning and contributed to maintaining high pilot proficiency.

One significant milestone during these operations was a Danish F-35 pilot reaching 500 flight hours in the stealth fighter, a notable achievement reflecting the platform’s maturation within Denmark’s fleet. Currently, Denmark operates 21 F-35As with plans to expand to 43 aircraft. Incorporating private contractor adversary air allows the RDAF to efficiently use their fleet while maintaining rigorous training standards.

Top Aces, headquartered in Montreal, operates a large fleet of privately owned tactical jets as dedicated aggressor aircraft, including the only privately owned Lockheed F-16s globally. Their Advanced Aggressor Mission System enables older aircraft like the F-16s and A-4Ns to emulate fifth-generation fighter threats. This capability effectively reduces wear and tear on frontline platforms such as the F-35 by substituting adversary roles to private contractors.

Beyond dogfighting exercises, Top Aces also replicates cutting-edge threats including mass cruise missile attacks, supplying multifaceted training scenarios that are increasingly critical for modern combat pilots facing diverse combat situations. The company already supports the US military’s fifth-generation squadrons with F-16 adversary air and flies operational training missions for the German and Canadian air forces using its A-4Ns and Alpha Jets.

While Top Aces’ existing adversary mission contracts cover several Western air forces on a long-term basis, the recent RDAF sorties were a single trial intended to demonstrate capability and inform Copenhagen potential contracting decisions. The company noted that this agreement could lead to expanded services or follow-up demonstrations tailored to the RDAF’s evolving requirements.

Employing proprietary tactics and technologies, Top Aces represents a growing trend in military training outsourcing whereby commercial providers augment national air forces. This model provides flexible, cost-effective access to adversary air support, crucial for maintaining combat readiness as air forces operate and train with expensive, complex fighter jets.

The demonstration underscores Denmark’s commitment to advanced pilot training integrating private sector innovation. With the ongoing build-out of its F-35 fleet and increasing operational tempo, the RDAF’s exploration of contracted adversary air services aims to sustain high pilot quality while optimizing operational costs and platform availability.