As part of one of Europe’s most demanding and complex air training exercises, the veteran A-4 Skyhawks of the Canadian company Top Aces successfully completed their participation in the multinational Exercise Cobra Warrior 25-2, conducted under the direction of the Royal Air Force (RAF). The company confirmed that its aircraft played a key role as aggressor platforms, logging more than 60 hours of operational flight time without any technical failures, resulting in 100% availability.
Throughout the operations, the A-4 Skyhawks took part in simulated air-to-air combat missions, facing RAF units and other allied forces. The aircraft, upgraded with active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and the Advanced Aggressor Mission System (AAMS), enabled realistic engagement scenarios, contributing to strengthening interoperability among participating nations. The company highlighted the professionalism and dedication of its technical team, whose performance ensured full operational capability throughout the exercise.
Cobra Warrior 25-2 was held between September 15 and October 2, using various RAF bases across the United Kingdom as training areas. In addition to Top Aces, assets from the United States Air Force (USAF) took part, including a B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber, as well as F/A-18 Hornet fighters from the Royal Canadian Air Force, Eurofighter Typhoons from the German Air Force, and units of the Italian Air Force. The exercise, considered one of the most important in Europe, seeks to enhance multinational coordination and response capability in high-intensity scenarios.
Cobra Warrior is not only a training event but also a key preparation instance amid the current geopolitical context. The exercise takes place against the backdrop of rising tensions on Europe’s eastern front, following recent incursions of Russian drones into Poland. In this context, the presence of U.S. bombers and allied fighters reaffirms NATO’s commitment to collective defense, while underscoring the importance of combined training as a tool for deterrence and rapid response.
For Top Aces, participating in this type of exercise represents an opportunity to consolidate its role as a global provider of advanced training services. The company, founded in Canada, has become a world leader in aggressor operations, with a fleet that includes F-16A/B Fighting Falcon fighters, Alpha Jet trainers, and the aforementioned A-4 Skyhawk attack aircraft.
It is worth recalling that in early 2025 the company expanded its fleet with the incorporation of an ex-Israeli Air Force A-4N Skyhawk, equipped with AESA radar and integrated IRST infrared sensors—upgrades that allow it to accurately simulate the behavior of modern fighters. Its performance in Cobra Warrior 25-2 confirms the relevance of these veterans of the air and Top Aces’ ability to provide cutting-edge training to the world’s leading air forces.
Images used for illustrative purposes. Cover credits: Top Aces.
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