Top Aces Inc., a global leader in advanced operational training for allied air forces, has announced it will lead an all-Canadian industry team to pursue the Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF) Operational Training Infrastructure Enterprise Modernization (OTIEM) program. The team includes Raytheon Canada, CogSim, and Select Global International (SGI).
Strategic Importance of OTIEM
As Canada prepares to integrate fifth-generation fighter aircraft, OTIEM represents a strategic sovereign capability essential for modernizing the RCAF's operational training enterprise. The program will define how Canada trains, tests, and exercises fifth-generation airpower and multi-domain operations, while strengthening readiness, interoperability with allies, and long-term national control over mission-critical training capabilities.
Team Composition and Expertise
Top Aces (Prime Contractor) – Founded in Montreal by former RCAF fighter pilots, Top Aces brings over two decades of experience in advanced live-fly adversary air training for Canadian and allied forces. Since 2019, the company has performed more than 5,000 sorties supporting fifth-generation fleets including the F-22 and F-35.
Raytheon Canada (Lead Technical Integrator) – With over 70 years of service, Raytheon Canada provides mission-critical program management, systems integration, and lifecycle sustainment. Its work with the Royal Australian Air Force demonstrates proven OTI implementation experience at a scale comparable to OTIEM.
SGI – A Canadian defence company specializing in simulator-based fighter pilot instruction and ground-based training delivery for the RCAF, staffed by veteran CF-18 instructor pilots.
CogSim – A Canadian firm delivering modelling, simulation, and distributed mission training technologies, including tactical data-link simulation, LVC bridging, and cloud-based solutions for allied air forces.
Commitment to Sovereignty and Readiness
Together, the team offers a low-risk, mission-ready path to modernizing Canada's operational training infrastructure while strengthening national control over data, intellectual property, sustainment, and long-term capability evolution.
“OTIEM is fundamentally about operational readiness and sovereignty,” said Paul Bouchard, CEO of Top Aces. “This team brings together the right experience, at the right scale, with the credibility that comes from having already delivered complex operational training systems for Canada and our closest allies. Together, we are ready to partner with Canada to design, deliver, and sustain a modern training capability that evolves with the threat environment and supports force generation for decades to come.”
The Top Aces-led team is prepared to begin the definition phase immediately, ensuring alignment with the RCAF’s future fleet introduction and operational training requirements.
