He is best remembered for the classified study he led in 1968 that led to the creation of the Navy Fighter Weapons School, or TOPGUN. Disturbed over less than expected performance of Navy fighters against the North Vietnamese MiGs in the first stage of the Vietnam War 1965-1968 in which the exchange ratio was at best 2.5:1, Ault was directed by Adm. Tom Moorer, the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) to conduct a sweeping review of aircraft, aircrew, organizational, training and missile performance and make recommendations for improvements.
He is most remembered for his 1968 classified study that led to the establishment of the Navy Fighter Weapons School, or TOPGUN. Concerned by the Navy's subpar performance against North Vietnamese MiGs during the early years of the Vietnam War (1965-1968), with a favorable exchange ratio of only 2.5:1, Ault was tasked by Adm. Tom Moorer to conduct an in-depth examination of aircraft, aircrew, and training methods, with the aim of improving performance.