Air Combat Systems Officer

Overview
Air Combat Systems Officers are military personnel who plan, coordinate and direct missions of aircraft and crew. They manage the operation of precision tactical navigation systems, sophisticated sensors, communication systems, electronic warfare equipment and weapon delivery systems. Officers often direct tactical activities of other units and lead a variety of missions, including:

Search and Rescue

Anti‑Submarine Operations

Maritime Surface Surveillance and Targeting

Sovereignty and Fisheries Patrols

Counter‑Narcotics Operations

Air‑to‑Air Refueling

Humanitarian Relief

Combined Operations with Foreign Militaries

Electronic Warfare Training and Support

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operations

Aircrew Selection Centre
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) requires all pilots, aerospace controllers and air combat systems officers to attend and successfully complete the Aircrew Selection Centre located in Trenton, Ontario. Candidates are tested over a 2‑day period with computer‑based scenarios designed to validate the skills and aptitudes required by the RCAF.

Entry and Training
Entry options:

Direct Entrance for candidates with an eligible university degree.

Paid Education Programme – successful recruits are paid to complete a bachelor’s degree in the Royal Military College System or, on a case‑by‑case basis, another Canadian university.

After basic officer training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School (12 weeks), officers attend the Canadian Forces School of Survival and Aeromedical Training. Core courses include Aeromedical Training, Basic Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape, and Air Operations Sea Survival. Further training occurs at the Canadian Forces Flying Training School in Winnipeg, covering meteorology, navigation, guidance and control systems, electronics, communications, tactical employment of aircraft, and weapons systems.

Officers then complete Professional Training at an Operation Training Unit to qualify on specific aircraft types such as Long Range Patrol, Maritime Helicopter, Search and Rescue, Electronic Warfare, Air‑to‑Air Refueling, Uninhabited Air Vehicle, and Instructional Techniques.

Work Environment
Officers serve at operational flying units across Canada, on deployment at airfields worldwide, and aboard naval vessels e officers act as instructors or contribute to strategic and operational policy formulation. Regular Force officers may be relocated throughout their career, whereas Reserve Force officers work on a part‑time basis in a local community unit, with optional deployment.

Benefits and Compensation
Regular Force officers receive full‑time salary, medical and dental care, vacation pay, and benefits. Reserve Force officers are paid 92.8% of Regular Force rates and receive a reasonable benefits package.

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