tp最新官方下载|top gun pilot

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2024-03-09 23:09:25

壮志凌云（美国1986年托尼·斯科特执导电影）_百度百科

（美国1986年托尼·斯科特执导电影）_百度百科网页新闻贴吧知道网盘图片视频地图文库资讯采购百科百度首页登录注册进入词条全站搜索帮助首页秒懂百科特色百科知识专题加入百科百科团队权威合作下载百科APP个人中心壮志凌云是一个多义词，请在下列义项上选择浏览（共14个义项）展开添加义项壮志凌云播报讨论上传视频美国1986年托尼·斯科特执导电影《壮志凌云》是由派拉蒙影业公司出品，由托尼·斯科特执导、汤姆·克鲁斯、凯莉·麦吉利斯、安东尼·爱德华兹、方·基默领衔主演的励志电影。影片于1986年5月16日在美国上映。该片讲述了美国海军飞行员麦德林以自己老飞行员父亲为偶像，几经沉沦，终于奋起，驾驶银鹰，纵横蓝天，最终成为一名优秀飞行员的故事。>>>主要演员凯莉·麦吉利斯瓦尔·基尔默汤姆·斯凯里特迈克尔·艾恩塞德精彩图集查看更多词条图册壮志凌云美国电影《壮志凌云》剧照目录1剧情简介2演职员表▪演员表▪职员表3角色介绍4音乐原声5幕后花絮6获奖记录7幕后制作8制作发行9影片评价基本信息《壮志凌云》是由派拉蒙影业公司出品，由托尼·斯科特执导、汤姆·克鲁斯、凯莉·麦吉利斯、安东尼·爱德华兹、方·基默领衔主演的励志电影。影片于1986年5月16日在美国上映。该片讲述了美国海军飞行员麦德林以自己老飞行员父亲为偶像，几经沉沦，终于奋起，驾驶银鹰，纵横蓝天，最终成为一名优秀飞行员的故事 [1]。中文名壮志凌云外文名Top Gun其他译名捍卫战士、比翼神鹰类型爱情、动作、剧情出品公司派拉蒙影业公司制片地区美国拍摄日期1985年导演托尼·斯科特编剧Ehud Yonay、Jim Cash主演汤姆·克鲁斯、凯莉·麦吉利斯、方·基默、安东尼·爱德华兹片长110 分钟上映时间1986年5月16日（美国）对白语言英语色彩彩色出品时间1986年剧情简介播报编辑美国电影《壮志凌云》剧照(20张)麦德林（汤姆·克鲁斯饰演）是名美国海军中尉，代号“独行侠”。他的父亲是个战功显赫的老飞行员，也是他心中不可动摇的偶像。一次，他与同是海军军官的古斯一起被派到战斗机武器学校（TOP GUN）接受最严格的训练。在第一堂训练课上，教官就鼓励他们要勇于成为美国最精英的飞行员。可是，麦德林的训练并不顺利，他在空中总是特立独行，不与别人合作，教官对他的成绩一直不满意，同学们尤其是第四小队代号“冰人”的史奈德更是对他颇有微词。在一堂教学课上，他的有意刁难又使女教官查丽（凯莉·麦吉利斯饰演）陷入难堪，俩人之间存在着分歧与隔阂。麦德林爱上了美丽热忱的查丽，渐渐地，查丽也爱上了这个有个性的学员并破例邀请他到她家中做客，这令整天为训练所困的麦德林稍感振奋。但是，麦德林的飞行训练总是成绩平平而不能被上司肯定，他因此而整天郁郁寡欢。在毕业前的一次训练中，麦德林与搭档代号“笨鹅”的古斯又同驾一机，其间，由于飞机失速进入尾旋，即将坠海，麦德林与古斯被迫跳伞，结果古斯因为撞击到了机体不幸身亡。这使本已整天不悦的麦德林更为痛苦，他闷闷不乐且决定放弃自己的理想，不当精英飞行员了。与父亲曾是战友的教官麦卡鼓励麦德林要坚持下去，不论环境如何，优秀的飞行员都不会被吓倒并再次以其父的事迹教他不要气馁。查丽也来鼓励他要有雄心，力争成为优秀的飞行员，可麦德林不能振作的态度却使查丽痛心地离去 [1]。演职员表播报编辑演员表汤姆·克鲁斯饰麦德林配音 -凯莉·麦吉利斯饰查丽配音 -方·基默饰史奈德配音 -安东尼·爱德华兹饰古斯配音 -汤姆·斯凯里特饰毒蛇配音 -迈克尔·艾恩塞德饰小丑配音 -约翰·斯托克韦尔饰美洲豹配音 -Barry Tubb 饰狼人配音 -Rick Rossovich 饰滑行者配音 -蒂姆·罗宾斯饰梅林配音 -小克拉伦斯·吉尔亚德饰 Sundown配音 -Whip Hubley 饰好莱坞配音 -James Tolkan 饰 Stinger配音 -梅格·瑞恩饰 Carole配音 -亚德里安·帕斯达饰 Chipper配音 -职员表制作人Bill Badalato、杰瑞·布鲁克海默、唐·辛普森、Warren Skaaren导演托尼·斯科特副导演（助理）Patrick Cosgrove、Dan Kolsrud、莎朗·曼恩、James Dillon编剧Ehud Yonay、Jim Cash、Jack Epps Jr.摄影杰弗里·L·金鲍配乐哈罗德·方特梅耶剪辑克里斯·莱本森、比利·韦伯艺术指导John DeCuir Jr.展开演职员表参考资料来源 [2]角色介绍播报编辑麦德林演员汤姆·克鲁斯配音-影片主角，美国海军飞行员，以自己来飞行员父亲为偶像，与同是海军军官的古斯一起被派到高炮训练基地接受最严格的训练，在一次训练中，因机器故障导致古斯离他而去，麦德林意志消沉甚至想离开军队，然而在教官的劝说下放弃这一念想并在最后的考核中终于奋起，驾驶银鹰，纵横蓝天，最终成为一名优秀飞行员。查丽演员凯莉·麦吉利斯配音-起初是男主角的女教官，开始因工作而接近麦德林，最后因麦德林的个性而爱上他。在古斯死后，因麦德林不能振作的态度却使查丽痛心地离去。在最后麦德林战胜敌机、成为精英训练基地的教官后，俩人的爱情也上了一个新的台阶。古斯演员安东尼·爱德华兹配音-Maverick的飞行员搭档，两人配合默契，一直在麦德林身边鼓励、支持麦德林，但是在一次训练中因机器故障而死。史奈德演员方·基默配音-技术高超的飞行员，对男主角颇有微词，甚至在最后与敌机的对战前夕依旧不想与麦德林合作，但是最后对男主角伸出友谊之手。角色介绍参考资料来源 [1]音乐原声播报编辑曲目曲目音乐信息danger zonehot summer nightsmigghty wingsheaven ln your eyesplaying with the boysthrough the firelead me ondestination unknowntake my breath awaytop gun anthem [3]幕后花絮播报编辑1.影片《壮志凌云》摄制组总共使用了6台摄影机和1架利尔喷气商务机跟随海军机群拍摄。2.飞行摄影师阿特·斯科尔在驾驶他的Pitts S-2拍摄时，因不明原因没有在预定高度改出而坠海身亡 [4]。获奖记录播报编辑时间奖项内容获奖项目1987年第59届 ·奥斯卡奖-最佳原创歌曲Take My Breath Away [5]幕后制作播报编辑《壮志凌云》是作为征兵宣传片而拍摄的，所以摄制组获得了美国军方的大力协助。美国海军提供了VF-1“狼群”中队、VF-51“猎鹰”中队、VF-111“落日者”中队、VF-114“土豚”中队、VF-213“黑狮”中队5个中队的现役F-14战斗机与8名现役飞行员参加影片的拍摄，另外作为F-14对手的A-4攻击机与F-5战斗机（片中的MiG-28）则来自米拉马航空站与影片同名的TOPGUN学校，其飞行员则是该校的飞行教官。“突击者”号、“企业”号、“卡尔·文森”号航空母舰也在片中露了面。为了拍出真实可信的效果，该片的摄影不仅要采用多角度、多镜头的不同手法，追逐着抢拍各种惊险刺激的场景 [6]。制作发行播报编辑国家/地区上映/发行日期美国1986年5月16日中国香港1986年7月24日 [7]影片评价播报编辑影片表现了科技航空器及其的飞行能力，近两个小时中飞行员们驾驶战斗机F-14和相对老旧的A4、F5急驰在蓝天白云中的镜头却足足占了一个半小时。那些银光闪闪的战斗机相互追逐，相互编队，时而从头顶呼啸而过，时而平稳地浮游在万米高空，伴以崇高的山川和壮美的晨曦、余晖，各种情景都很好，还有机舱中飞行员们那时而紧张时而俏皮的对话，使观众有以身临其境之感，正是如此，该片不仅吸引了众多兵器迷们，对一般观众而言，它也是极具诱惑力的。（网易娱乐评） [6]影片在突出刺激、艰苦的飞行训练外，影片的主要任务还是表现主人公从沉沦到奋起的历程。此外，与紧张的演练生活相对比，该片也着意表现了一段士官生与女教官的恋情，它给影片撒上了柔柔的浪漫温情，使得天上人间张弛有度，颇具感染力。影星汤姆·克鲁斯在该片中因饰演飞行精英麦德林而走红影坛，其身着戎装的飒爽英姿令人过目难忘。值得一提的是，该片主题曲《带走我的呼吸》，真情感人，对渲染主人公的内心情感起到了不可替代的作用 [8]。新手上路成长任务编辑入门编辑规则本人编辑我有疑问内容质疑在线客服官方贴吧意见反馈投诉建议举报不良信息未通过词条申诉投诉侵权信息封禁查询与解封©2024 Baidu 使用百度前必读 | 百科协议 | 隐私政策 | 百度百科合作平台 | 京ICP证030173号京公网安备110000020000

《壮志凌云》（《Top Gun》），做最帅的海军航空兵 - 知乎

《壮志凌云》（《Top Gun》），做最帅的海军航空兵 - 知乎首发于老兵看电影切换模式写文章登录/注册《壮志凌云》（《Top Gun》），做最帅的海军航空兵王顾左右言《壮志凌云》（《Top Gun》）是表现美国海军航空兵的经典电影，1986年上映，托尼·斯科特（Tony Scott）导演，汤姆·克鲁斯（Tom Cruise）、凯莉·麦吉利斯（Kelly McGillis）主演。以下是剧情详述电影开场，先用文字介绍了Top Gun 的来历。1969年3月3日，美国海军为优秀飞行员组建了一所精英学校，目的是教授快要失传的空中格斗技术，确保毕业的少数学员成为世界上最优秀的飞行员。海军的培训策略成功了。今天，这所学校的官方称呼是战斗机武器学校，但飞行员称呼它——最强机炮（Top Gun）。片名出现，主题音乐《Top Gun Anthem》响起，天色微亮，航母甲板上出现战机和地勤人员的剪影，蒸气弹射器产生的蒸气缭绕在甲板上，扩音器传来指挥人员的指令，偏流板升起，战机发动机喷出尾焰，弹射起飞，升空，《Danger Zone》音乐响起。天色转亮，人影变得清晰起来，甲板上更加繁忙，不断有战机起飞、降落。这段最酷的是机腹视角的起飞和降落镜头，热血澎湃。镜头一转，出现航母指挥室，舰长露面。舰长军帽显示本舰是企业号航母（核动力），弦号65（USS Enterprise CVN-65）战机格斗之开胃菜。印度洋上空，美军两架F-14驱逐试图接近航母的不明国籍两架米格28，飞行员分别是绰号独行侠（Maverick）（汤姆·克鲁斯饰）和美洲狮（Cougar），接战中，独行侠成功雷达锁定一架米格，将其驱离，美洲狮被另一架米格雷达锁定，独行侠赶来解围，运用高超的驾驶技术，倒飞至米格机上方，用拍立得给米格飞行员来个特写，《Top Gun Anthem》高潮部分响起。中国空军宣传片《空天猎》开头也有类似桥段。第二架米格被驱离，两架F-14燃油将尽，准备返航，没想到美洲狮因刚才的接战受到惊吓，几乎不能控制战机，舰长命令独行侠先行降落，但独行侠冒着坠机危险引导美洲狮，最终两机成功着舰。美洲狮因不能承受压力向舰长交出飞行徽章。由于不服从先行着舰命令，独行侠与大鹅（Goose，系独行侠机上雷达操作官）被舰长一顿训斥，从舰长口中，我们得知独行侠一贯特立独行（估计这也是他绰号的来历），多次失去晋升机会。训话结束，舰长告知他已推荐两位去Top Gun学校进修（看来舰长生气归生气，还是很惜才的）。虽然进修时间只有5个星期，真是好期待啊。截图显示企业号航母舰长军衔居然只是中校。画面一转，《Danger Zone》音乐响起，独行侠骑着摩托疾驰在路上。看着跑道上起飞的战机，独行侠心里乐开了花。战机与摩托车的轰鸣混响在一起，燃爆了。着卡其色短袖衬衣的独行侠与大鹅，军衔分别是上尉与中尉。Top Gun学校指挥官，军衔也只是中校。Top Gun学校校徽着白色短袖衬衣的飞行员，绰号冰人（Iceman），方·基默（Val Kilmer）饰，是独行侠在Top Gun学校最有力的竞争对手。女一号出现，独行侠唱歌撩妹。独行侠继续撩妹，注意军服右胸姓名牌，左侧是学校校徽，右侧上部刻印姓名Pete Mitchell（皮特·米切尔），下部有学校非官方名称Top Gun，看来是学校专用姓名牌。注意远景的多架战机，看得出本片的拍摄得到了美国海军的大力协助。着飞行服的独行侠与大鹅。船形帽，左侧缀海军军种徽章，右侧缀军衔（少校）。civilian contractor，意为美军文职，军人无需向文职敬礼。这就是昨晚独行侠撩妹的美女，原来是Top Gun教官，剧中人物姓名夏洛特·布莱克伍德Charlotte Blackwood，绰号Charlie，凯莉·麦吉利斯（Kelly McGillis）饰。美军的文职真的就是文职，不穿军装，也没有统一订制的制服，就穿便服。独行侠技术高超，第一次与飞行对抗就赢了教官。降落时，强行飞越塔台，害得塔台指挥官把咖啡洒了一身。独行侠与大鹅受到训斥长得帅，技术高超的独行侠受到女教官青睐。军人身份牌，金属质地，橡胶包边，用于阵亡后确定身份。伴着《playing with the boys》的音乐声打场沙滩排球，顺便展现一下阿汤哥的肌肉。打得一身臭汗的阿汤哥套上一件皮夹克，骑着心爱的摩托去赴约会，《Take My Breath Away》音乐响起，进入恋爱模式。夕阳西下，海滨小屋，海风习习，正适合谈一场恋爱。约会中，独行侠介绍他的父亲，曾经也是战斗机飞行员，1965年11月5日，驾驶一架F-4战机执行任务时失踪。大鹅的老婆、孩子来基地探亲，居然是乘海军运输机来的，不得不说，美军的福利实在是太好了。独行侠的摩托独行侠的夹克缀布，上书Far east cruise 63-4，猜测大意是1963年美国海军远东巡航纪念，下有美、日、联合国、中华民国旗，猜测独行侠父亲参加过该次巡航。独行侠在编队对抗中被教官击败，沮丧中。左侧招兵海报：海军不仅仅是一份工作，更是一场冒险。大鹅的老婆由梅格·瑞恩（Meg Ryan）饰演，当年只有25岁，青涩岁月。她的代表作《Sleepless in Seattle》、《City of Angels 》等。对抗训练中，独行侠战机失控，二人弹跳逃生，落入海中，大鹅不幸殉职。大鹅的身份牌该起事故调查委员会宣布调查结论，飞机坠毁是意外事件，独行侠没有过错，无需担责。旁听调查结论的两位教官，注意右侧少校居然没有系腰带，严重违反着装规定。大鹅殉职后，独行侠意志消沉，一度决定退学，在军校指挥官激励下，重拾信心。军校结业典礼如期举行，冰人获得优胜奖，独行侠到场祝贺。典礼上，指挥官宣布命令，独行侠等人立即上舰执行任务。又回到了印度洋，又回到了企业号航母，舰长介绍任务。任务是救援某失控通讯船，f-14提供空中掩护，冰人、好莱坞、独行侠奉命出击。起飞、起飞。冰人、好莱坞先行起飞，不明国籍的米格战机来势汹汹，空战一开始，好莱坞被击落，冰人一机对抗米格5机。独行侠起飞后，航母两台蒸气弹射器同时发生故障，需要10分钟时间修理，修理期间不能再起飞增援，不得不说，这剧情设定也是绝了。独行侠及时到达战场，双方互射空对空导弹和机炮，独行侠、冰人配合作战，击落4架米格机，战斗结束。这段空中格斗画面用今天的眼光来看，不免粗糙了一点，不过用1986年的标准来看，堪称精彩。值得一提的是，蒂姆·罗宾斯（Tim Robbins）在影片最后打了个酱油，饰演独行侠的雷达操作官（RIO），他的代表作是1994年的《The Shawshank Redemption》。战斗结束，独行侠选择去Top Gun学校当教官，在基地酒吧里，点唱机响起《You've lost that lovin' feeling》(就是阿汤哥初遇女教官时清唱的那首歌）的歌声，独行侠与女教官重逢，Happy Ending。发布于 2021-05-29 22:08飞行员美国海军壮志凌云（电影）赞同 71 条评论分享喜欢收藏申请转载文章被以下专栏收录老兵看电影分享中外军事题

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壮志凌云 Top Gun

(1986)

导演: 托尼·斯科特

编剧: 吉姆·卡什 / 小杰克·埃普斯 / 埃胡德·约纳

主演: 汤姆·克鲁斯 / 凯莉·麦吉利斯 / 方·基默 / 安东尼·爱德华兹 / 汤姆·斯凯里特 / 迈克尔·艾恩塞德 / 约翰·斯托克韦尔 / 里克·罗索维奇 / 蒂姆·罗宾斯 / 小克拉伦斯·吉尔亚德 / 维普哈布莱 / 詹姆斯·托根 / 梅格·瑞恩 / 亚德里安·帕斯达 / 巴瑞·塔布

类型: 剧情 / 动作

制片国家/地区: 美国

语言: 英语

上映日期: 1986-05-16(美国) / 2013-02-08(美国)

片长: 109分钟 / 111分钟(3D版)

又名: 捍卫战士(台) / 壮志凌云 3D

IMDb: tt0092099

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The real Top Gun: History of the US Navy pilot school | Live Science

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Human Behavior

Warfare

The real Top Gun: History of the US Navy pilot school

References

By Stuart Hadaway published 29 March 2022

Top Gun leapt to fame with the 1986 movie, but the real US pilot school had a far less glamorous beginning.

A scene from the 1986 film Top Gun

(Image credit: Getty/CBS)

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Background

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Success and growth

Top Gun today

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The United States Navy (U.S.N.) Fighter Weapons School was established in 1969 in an attempt to stem US losses in the air war with Vietnam. Nicknamed Top Gun, the school taught dog fighting skills to a generation who were reliant on missiles and technology, and their efforts turned the tide of the air war. Background of Top GunFrom 1965 to 1968, the U.S. mounted Operation Rolling Thunder, part of their war with the Communist Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam). The US were supporting the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) in their campaign to stem a North Vietnamese invasion, part of the Cold War. A bombing campaign was started in an attempt to undermine the North’s military abilities and political will, but the supposedly primitive North Vietnamese air defences proved a tough nut to crack. Soviet and Chinese support allowed them to build an impressive ground-to-air missile and anti-aircraft gun based defence system, but also provided small numbers of modern jet fighters. To the surprise and alarm of the U.S., these proved highly effective and U.S.N. and U.S. Air Force (U.S.A.F.) air-to-air combat losses mounted.The U.S. problem lay in doctrine, and from that training and technology. Since the Korean War the US fighter forces had been trained only to intercept Soviet nuclear bombers — large, lumbering targets that could not manoeuvre, according to the National Museum of the United States Air Force.The Vietnam War took place between 1955 and 1975 and saw the U.S. in conflict against the communist forces of North Vietnam (Image credit: Getty/ Dominique BERRETTY / Contributor)Fighter-vs-fighter or dogfighting tactics, had not been taught to new pilots. Instead, new generations of air-to-air missiles were developed, and most frontline aircraft were no longer fitted with machine guns or cannon. Missiles proved highly effective when launched under test conditions in the U.S., in straight and level flight against equally steady targets. However, in the humid skies of North Vietnam and under combat conditions, they proved deeply flawed. Even the excellent AIM-9 Sidewinder heat seeking missile, which would go on to see over 60 years of successful use in air forces around the world according to Raytheon Missiles & Defence, suffered from severe teething problems. Early models suffered a 56% failure to launch rate, and if launched missed 28% of targets. AIM-7 Sparrows had even worse failure and hit rates, and without guns to fall back on fighter pilots were faced with a frustrating inability to bring the enemy down. With enemy fighters slipping easily past the escorts, US bomber casualties were mounting.Formation of the Fighter Weapons School While the U.S.A.F. decided that better missiles and technology were the answer, the Navy came to a different conclusion. In 1968 Captain Frank Ault was tasked with compiling a report on the failures and finding solutions, according to History Net. Ault’s team studied the issues and submitted their report on Jan. 1, 1969. Among various technological and organizational recommendations was the establishment of a U.S.N. Fighter Weapons School. More than just a training school, this was be an academy for the sharing of experience and the development of new doctrine and tactics. Instructors were to be highly experienced personnel, and no lecture would be given to the students without first being passed by a board of other instructors, who would question the new presenters mercilessly. Students were to be drawn from experienced crew on operational units — this would not be simply another step in the initial training programme. The knowledge and experience of the students would be fed back into the courses. Preparations for the establishment of the school at Naval Air Station (N.A.S.) Miramar had begun in 1968, even before Ault made his final report. Lt. Cmdr. Dan Pedersen was given a small staff but very little else. "Together, they built the Naval Fighter Weapons School syllabus and created the school with no support," wrote Thomas McKelvey Cleaver, in his book "The Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club:" (Osprey, 2021). "Steve Smith, whom Pedersen had chosen for his ability to get things done without reference to the bureaucracy when necessary… found a dilapidated trailer that appeared abandoned then cajoled a crane driver into moving it into place next to a hangar with an offer of a case of Scotch." Furniture had to be scrounged and the trailer repainted by the team in their off-duty hours — a long way from the later glamour enjoyed by Top Gun. In March 1969, the school opened its doors to its first class of students.Top Gun successNorthrop F-5s were ideal ‘aggressors’ for Top Gun, being smaller and nimbler than most US fighters. (Image credit: Getty/ Dave Baranek/Stocktrek Images)The courses at Top Gun provided a range of classroom-based and practical lessons. Initially geared around the F-4 Phantom, the school rapidly expanded to provide for F-8 Crusader crews, and later the newer F-14 Tomcat and F-18 Hornet. Instructors flew a range of small, light aggressor aircraft to simulate the MiG-17s flown by the North Vietnamese. The favored type was the A-4 Skyhawk according to The National Interest, but A-6 Intruders, A-7 Corsair, and USAF F-106 Delta Darts were all used to provide as broad an experience as possible. Even Soviet aircraft were used.Aircrews studied enemy doctrine and equipment as well as their own. Students practiced intercepts with other fighters across a range of scenarios. Gunnery and dogfighting skills were also taught. Crews were selected from U.S.N. and U.S. Marine Corps units across the Fleet. When they returned to their units, students were expected to pass their new skills and knowledge on to their comrades, lecturing and instructing their fellow pilots to improve quality across the board. In Vietnam, the improvements took a little while to take effect, but ultimately paid off. "For Top Gun and anyone who was paying attention, the kill ratio results of 1972 and early 1973 were the icing on the cake," wrote Brad Elward in his book "Top Gun: The Legacy" (Schiffer Military, 2021). "Top Gun’s tactics worked, as did the concept of developing its graduates to become the squadrons’ training officers."Top Gun todayThe 1986 film Top Gun saw Tom Cruise star in a fictionalized account of the real US Navy Fighter Weapons School (Image credit: Getty/CBS)After the end of the Vietnam War, the Top Gun programme continued to thrive. The school came to public fame and glamour with the release of the 1986 movie starring Tom Cruise. The 1990s brought change as the Cold War ended, and a new age of uncertainty followed. The school was retitled the Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor programme, reflecting the training role of its graduates, and also began to teach air-to-ground tactics. Today it is part of the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Centre, and operates the very latest types, F-35s, to maintain their edge. "Top Gun’s impact on naval aviation has been amazing and, if you ask any of its founders, is something beyond their wildest dreams," writes Elward. "When the school was founded in late 1968, its sole focus was to train fighter crews in core air combat tactics so as to pass those teachings on to the fleet and correct the dismal kill ratio the Navy F-4 community was experiencing in Vietnam. Top Gun did that and more, going on to become world renowned as a centre of excellence and home of some of the world’s best fighter pilots and tacticians."Additional resourcesFurther details on the classified programmes relating to evaluating Soviet aircraft can be found at the National Security Archives, hosted by The George Washington University or through the USAF’s own Airforce Magazine. BibliographyNational Security ArchivesUSAF Airforce MagazineNaval Aviation Warfighting Development CentreThomas McKelvey Cleaver: "The Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club" (Osprey, 2021) Brad Elward ‘Top Gun: The Legacy’ (Schiffer Military, 2021)Stephen Emerson "Air War over North Vietnam: Operation Rolling Thunder, 1965-8" (Pen & Sword, 2018) Drew Middleton (editor) ‘Air-War Vietnam' (New York Times, 1978)Wayne Thompson "To Hanoi and back: The USAF and North Vietnam 1966-73" (Smithsonian Books, 2014)

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Stuart HadawaySocial Links NavigationStuart studied history at Christchurch College, Canterbury and later completed a postgraduate diploma in museum studies at the University of Leicester. He spent two years with the Museum of the Worcestershire Soldier before joining the U.K.'s RAF Museum as assistant curator of its Department of Research & Information Services (DoRIS). He is the author of several military history books and is a regular contributor to "History of War" magazine.

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Top Gun (1986) - IMDb

Gun (1986) - IMDb

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Create accountENFully supportedEnglish (United States)Partially supportedFrançais (Canada)Français (France)Deutsch (Deutschland)हिंदी (भारत)Italiano (Italia)Português (Brasil)Español (España)Español (México)Use appCast & crewUser reviewsTriviaFAQIMDbProAll topicsTop Gun198613+1h 49mIMDb RATING6.9/10499KYOUR RATINGRatePOPULARITY21527Play trailer0:5119 Videos99+ PhotosActionDramaAs students at the United States Navy's elite fighter weapons school compete to be best in the class, one daring young pilot learns a few things from a civilian instructor that are not taugh... Read allAs students at the United States Navy's elite fighter weapons school compete to be best in the class, one daring young pilot learns a few things from a civilian instructor that are not taught in the classroom.As students at the United States Navy's elite fighter weapons school compete to be best in the class, one daring young pilot learns a few things from a civilian instructor that are not taught in the classroom.DirectorTony ScottWritersJim CashJack Epps Jr.Ehud YonayStarsTom CruiseTim RobbinsKelly McGillisSee production info at IMDbProIMDb RATING6.9/10499KYOUR RATINGRatePOPULARITY21527Top creditsDirectorTony ScottWritersJim CashJack Epps Jr.Ehud YonayStarsTom CruiseTim RobbinsKelly McGillis851User reviews192Critic reviews50MetascoreSee production info at IMDbProWon 1 Oscar11 wins & 9 nominations totalVideos19Trailer 0:51Watch 'Top Gun' 3D Re-release TrailerTrailer 1:23Watch Top GunTrailer 0:13Watch Top GunClip 4:36Watch The Rise of Tom CruiseClip 4:45Watch How 'Top Gun' Changed Tom CruiseClip 1:00:01Watch IMDb Getting Ready for Maverick's Return Presented by USAA InsuranceClip 4:56Watch By the Numbers: 'Top Gun'Clip 3:17Watch Everything We Know About 'Top Gun: Maverick'Clip 3:55Watch Why 'Maverick' Could Have Been Titled 'Top Gun: More Sweat'Clip 1:26Watch 'Top Gun' | Anniversary MashupClip 7:23Watch Jaws, Shreks, & Lion Kings: A Summer Blockbuster HistoryClip 2:29Watch Top Gun! Terminator! The '80s Live at SDCCPhotos267Top castEditTom CruiseMaverickTim RobbinsMerlinKelly McGillisCharlieVal KilmerIceAnthony EdwardsGooseTom SkerrittViperMichael IronsideJesterJohn StockwellCougarBarry TubbWolfmanRick RossovichSliderClarence Gilyard Jr.SundownWhip HubleyHollywoodJames TolkanStingerMeg RyanCaroleAdrian PasdarChipperRandall BradyLt. DavisDuke StroudAir Boss JohnsonBrian SheehanSprawlDirectorTony ScottWritersJim CashJack Epps Jr.Ehud YonayAll cast & crewProduction, box office & more at IMDbProWho Was Almost Cast in 'Top Gun'?Who Was Almost Cast in 'Top Gun'?The cast of Top Gun is so iconic, it's hard to imagine anyone else filling those roles, but Maverick and Iceman almost looked very different.Watch the video3:11More like this8.2Top Gun: Maverick7.2Mission: Impossible6.1Mission: Impossible II6.9Mission: Impossible III7.4Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol7.9Titanic7.8The Last Samurai7.3Jerry Maguire7.7Mission: Impossible - Fallout7.9Avatar8.0Rain Man6.2Top GunStorylineEditDid you knowEditTriviaStunt pilot Art Scholl was killed during the production of the movie, aged 54. He died when his Pitts S-2 camera plane failed to recover from a flat spin and plunged into the Pacific Ocean. Scholl's last words over the radio were "I have a problem - I have a real problem." The exact cause of the crash was never determined, and neither the aircraft nor Scholl's body were ever recovered. The film is dedicated to him.GoofsThe term "bogey" is misused throughout the movie. A bogey is an unidentified aircraft. Once identified, it is referred to as a "friendly" (for friendly aircraft), "bandit" (for non-friendly aircraft) or "hostile" (for non-friendly aircraft that may be fired at). In USN terminology, a non-friendly surface radar contact is a "skunk".QuotesMaverick: I feel the need...Maverick, Goose: ...the need for speed!Crazy creditsThe opening credits sequence features a history of the Top Gun program before the title of the film appears on screen, with the remainder of the opening credits devoted to footage of planes being launched from and landing on an aircraft carrier.Alternate versionsThe version of the film shown on the Paramount Network has nearly all of the profane language intact (basically everything but the word "shit"). However, this version also randomly cuts out several scenes and parts of scenes, presumably to fit in the network time slot allotted. Scenes missing altogether include (but are certainly not limited to) Maverick and Goose conversing in their housing regarding whether or not they'll graduate, and Jester and Viper conversing, with Viper revealing hew knew Maverick's "old man." The latter is especially surprising considering this plot point plays a major role in a later scene.ConnectionsEdited into MacGyver: GX-1 (1987)SoundtracksDanger ZoneWritten by Giorgio Moroder & Tom WhitlockPerformed by Kenny LogginsProduced by Giorgio MoroderKenny Loggins courtesy of CBS RecordsUser reviews851ReviewReviewFeatured review And all the Air Force got was "Iron Eagle" .....If there's ever proof of the cachet of Naval Aviation, this is it. Those poor Air Force guys got a trio of "Iron Eagle" flicks that went from bad to horrible, whereas the Navy flyboys got this great 1980's classic. Sure, it's cheesy and corny, but it makes the cheese and corn taste pretty damn good. A cynic might argue that it's just a two hour long Navy recruiting ad (one that worked for me, two years later I found my ass in Pensacola sweating through AOCS, short for Aviation Officer Candidate School, the program immortalized in "An Officer and a Gentleman") but by making a pro-Navy movie, the filmmakers also got invaluable technical assistance from top Navy aviators, and it shows.For starters, although this movie takes numerous liberties in order to entertain, the basic setup, in which fighter pilots from the fleet get sent to NAS Miramar, aka, "Top Gun" for intensive training, is 100% accurate. The Navy, back during Vietnam, was getting sick of losing too many pilots in air-to-air combat. The problem, they discovered, was their fighter jocks had been trained for purely long-range missile interceptions, meaning they'd lost their dogfighting skills. And, in Vietnam, several American planes were accidentally shot down by their own side by missiles, so, as a safety factor, enemy planes had to be visually identified, meaning American pilots were back to engaging the enemy at short range, hence the need for dogfighting. The "Top Gun" school was started as a result, and the rest is history.Now, back to the movie. Tom Cruise is Maverick, a hotshot pilot but also somewhat unstable. If "Risky Business" launched his career as a movie star, then "Top Gun" cemented it. Guys wanted to be like him, and women of course lusted after him. The plot is pure formula, but executed with consummate professionalism. The team who put this movie together knew exactly how to push all the right buttons. But the crème de la crème is surely the flying. I don't think that any movie, before or since, has ever rendered air combat in a more convincing and dramatic fashion. For nearly 100 years fighter pilots have been the modern equivalent of olden knights, men who brought a sense of glamour and romance to the deadly art of war, and this movie gives them a fitting tribute.8/10helpful•22345ericjg623Nov 3, 2002Top picksSign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendationsSign inFAQ27How long is Top Gun?Powered by AlexaWhat military conflict is going on in the movie? Is there an actual war, or just one isolated incident against Soviet fighter planes for some reason?What is Top Gun about?The soundtrack has a song called "Through The Fire" but does that song actually appear in the movie?DetailsEditRelease dateDecember 7, 2013 (Philippines)Country of originUnited StatesOfficial siteFacebookLanguageEnglishAlso known asTop GunsFilming locations102 Pacific Street, Oceanside, California, USA(Charlie's house)Production companiesParamount PicturesDon Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer FilmsSee more company credits at IMDbProBox officeEditBudget$15,000,000 (estimated)Gross US & Canada$180,258,178Opening weekend US & Canada$8,193,052May 18, 1986Gross worldwide$357,288,178See detailed box office info on IMDbProTechnical specsEditRuntime1 hour 49 minutesColorColorSound mixDolby StereoDolby DigitalDTS-ESDolby Digital EXDolby AtmosAspect ratio2.39 : 1Related newsContribute to this pageSuggest an edit or add missing contentTop GapWhat is the streaming release date of Top Gun (1986) in Canada?AnswerSee more gapsLearn more about contributingEdit pageMore to exploreListStaff Picks: What to Watch in MarchSee the listListIMDb Staff's Favorite FIlms Directed by WomenSee our picksListHillary's 6 Picks for March and BeyondSee the full listRecently viewedYou have no recently viewed pagesGet the IMDb AppSign in for more accessSign in for more accessGet the IMDb AppHelpSite IndexIMDbProBox Office MojoIMDb DeveloperPress RoomAdvertisingJobsConditions of UsePrivacy PolicyYour Ads Privacy ChoicesIMDb, an Amazon company© 1990-2024 by IMDb.com, Inc.Back to top

What Is the Real Story of 'Top Gun'? | At the Smithsonian | Smithsonian Magazine

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At the Smithsonian | May 26, 2022

‘Top Gun’ Is Back. But Is the Elite Navy Fighter Pilot School Really Like the Movies?

The Smithsonian’s Chris Browne flew the much-feared F-14, and as a former TOPGUN student, knows well the power of a Navy-trained fighter pilot

Tom Cruise revives his Top Gun role as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in the new film arriving in theaters May 27.

Erin Blakemore

Correspondent

Hold on to your aviator sunglasses, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell is back. After a nearly-40-year hiatus, the Top Gun franchise is taking off once more with Top Gun: Maverick, a long-awaited sequel to the hit 1986 film. In theaters now and filled with visual thrills and real-life air sequences, the Tom Cruise vehicle takes viewers back to fighter pilot school.

But what is the U.S. Navy's real training program like? And how accurate was the throwback flick that catapulted both the high-powered military school and the iconic F-14 fighter jet into the public consciousness?

Though it's popularly known as TOPGUN, the Navy's program is actually called the Fighter Weapons School. And as a point of clarification, it hasn't been around since the dawn of fighter planes. Far from it: Though there was a Korean War-era gunnery school, it was brief and had been discontinued by the Vietnam War.

And by 1968, it was painfully clear that U.S. troops were at a disadvantage in the air war over southeast Asia.

Though the proxy war's biggest toll was on the Vietnamese people—it took the lives of an estimated 2 million civilians, 1.1 million North Vietnamese and Viet Cong, and an estimated 250,000 South Vietnamese soldiers—the conflict proved deadly to American troops, too. According to the U.S. military, 58,220 American troops were killed in Vietnam, the vast majority before 1970.

North Vietnam's air force was equipped with MiG 17s, a Soviet-designed aircraft that was surprisingly effective. They weren’t built for dogfights in the air—their original intent was to intercept the bombers cruising at altitude and dropping ordinance straight down from on high. But the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong flew them in dogfights with a frustrating—and deadly—level of daring and success.

For the U.S. Navy, which played an essential role in the air war over Vietnam, the situation was unacceptable. When naval officials reviewed their own air-to-air missile performance in 1968, they gave themselves a dismal grade. Just one kill had been achieved for every 10 firing attempts over a three-year period, the Naval Air Systems Command wrote in a document informally known as the Ault Report.

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Christopher Browne, a former naval flight officer that trained in the program in the early 1980s (above), says the pilots were the "difference between success and failure for the carrier."

NASM

The Navy’s assessment of the preparedness of its own flight crews was brutal. "While the experience in air-to-air missilery is the highest it has ever been, formal missile system training is still largely a 'boot-strap' operation in many areas," the report said. One of its many recommendations was that the Navy establish an advanced training school for fighter pilots.

That's where TOPGUN began, Hill Goodspeed, a historian at the National Naval Aviation Museum, says via email: "The resulting Navy Fighter Weapons School literally changed the face of the air war over North Vietnam as seen in the improved kill ratios against enemy fighters."

Based at Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego, the program that emerged was rigorous and demanding. Its instructors were subject-matter experts who used real-world intelligence to help trainees grow as fighter pilots. The program involved both lectures and training flights followed by relentless debriefs.

"You'd go back and revisit every turn, every move," says Christopher Browne, the director of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. A former naval flight officer, Browne trained in the program in the early 1980s.

The F-14D(R) Tomcat, a super-sonic, twin-engine strike fighter, that Browne flew over the Gulf of Sidra, is now on view at the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.

NASM

By then, the F-4 Phantoms and F-8 Crusaders of the Vietnam War had been replaced—but the Cold War was still raging. "Our training and efforts really centered around countering the Soviet threat," he says.

The Navy had a not-so-secret weapon: the Grumman F-14 Tomcat—a supersonic fighter jet that ruled the air for more than 35 years. Designed in 1968, the aircraft was specifically developed to counter the Soviets. It featured six long-range AIM-54 Phoenix missiles and others designed for dogfights. Also on board were the most advanced weapons system of its time, and the aircraft had the speed, maneuverability and all-out power needed to dominate the air. "What made the F-14 unique was its adaptability," says Goodspeed. Though it was massive in size, with a 64-foot wingspan and twin engines, it was unexpectedly maneuverable.

It was also fun to fly, says Browne, who learned to pilot the plane in 1981.

"It was essentially a rocket," he says, as he reminisces about what it felt like to feel the raw power of the plane, with a full cargo of weapons, as it got an extra boost from its afterburner for take-off. "Particularly at night, you'd see these plumes of flame going 100 feet after the aircraft. It was not a casual event. It was a thrill ride all the way."

The public was thrilled by the plane, too, as evidenced by its use in multiple movies, not just Top Gun. It made its screen debut in The Final Countdown, a 1980 film starring Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen that depicted the iconic jet as a time-traveling machine that might just stop the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

The real-world training for Browne (above), who learned to fly the F-14 in 1981, was a grueling experience.

NASM

Students at the Navy Fighter Weapons School often felt like they were running out of time, too. Browne recalls the program's grueling schedule, with lectures, flights, debriefs and lessons that involved studying the enemy's aircraft, too. Browne chuckles when he thinks of the depictions of volleyball games and late-night hangouts in the 1986 film. "It's not that; folks don't have fun along the way. It's training for the real world."

That real-world training took Browne to the skies above the international waters of the Gulf of Sidra, which Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi had claimed for his country. Though Browne himself was not there that day, on August 19, 1981, Libyan jets fired on two F-14 Tomcats, which promptly shot them down. Browne later flew one of the planes that had engaged with the Libyan fighters, but says that he never got within more than 50 miles of a Libyan plane.

"When they knew you'd locked on to them, they'd turn and run," he says.Such was the power of a TOPGUN-trained fighter pilot in the much-feared F-14—and Top Gun the movie only increased the world's interest in, and respect of, naval fighters. But it did sow some misconceptions about the program, most related to its rigor and professionalism.

Fighter pilots aren't quite as brash as Tom Cruise's Maverick. "While fighter pilots are a confident collection of individuals," Goodspeed says, "one former TOPGUN commanding officer stated, 'We are not looking for someone who is arrogant or overconfident. We are looking for aircrew who are humble and approachable; traits that will make them effective teachers in the end.'"

Browne concurs. "What people don't always recognize is that when the Navy deploys a carrier to sea, it's a national asset," he says. "[The fighter pilots] were mindful that we were the difference between success and failure for the carrier."

Top Gun Then and Now

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Erin Blakemore

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Erin Blakemore is a Boulder, Colorado-based journalist. Her work has appeared in publications like The Washington Post, TIME, mental_floss, Popular Science and JSTOR Daily. Learn more at erinblakemore.com.

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TopGun

Edge of Aviation

More than three decades ago, the movie Top Gun not only had everyone feeling "the need for speed," it also introduced the Navy's elite fighter weapons school to the world.

Taking off from a parking lot to soaring high above the clouds, TOPGUN has been synonymous with aviation excellence for more than 50 years. And the Navy's real "top guns" will tell you, they truly are "not in the business of good enough."

Evolution

The intrigue of TOPGUN isn't only about the students like it is in the movie, it's about the instructors who also train relentlessly, study hard and exude professionalism so the Navy can keep its edge.

History

It Started in a Parking Lot: TOPGUN's History Revealed

What They Fly

F-16

Serves in an aggressor-training role with simulation capability of current threat aircraft in fighter combat mode.

F/A-18

All-weather fighter and attack aircraft designed for traditional strike applications such as interdiction and close-air support without compromising fighter capabilities.

F-35

Designed with the entire battlespace in mind, a highly agile, supersonic aircraft that provides unprecedented situational awareness and unmatched lethality and survivability.

Navy Aircraft Past and Present F-86 Sabre Single seat all-weather/night interceptor First Flight Oct. 1, 1947 The Air Force's first swept-wing fighter. It played a prominent role in the Korean War, shooting down 792 MiG fighters that belonged to Chinese, North Korean and Russian fighters, with a loss of only 76 Sabres. A-4 Skyhawk Single seat carrier-based attack-bomber First Flight June 22, 1954 A-4s were lightweight and good for long-range missions. During Vietnam, they logged more combat missions than any other naval aircraft. More than 20 versions of the A-4 have been used by the U.S. military and foreign nations. The Navy retired its last A-4 in 2003. F-8 Crusader Single seat carrier-based fighter First Flight March 25, 1955 Was the first aircraft to exceed the speed of sound (Mach 1). Went on to set the U.S. speed record in August 1956. Served primarily in Vietnam. Was exclusively used by the Navy and Marine Corps. F-4 Phantom Dual seat carrier-based fighter/strike aircraft First Flight May 27, 1958 Dominant fighter of the 1960s and early 1970s. Considered the workhorse of Vietnam. Its early dominance in the Navy influenced the Air Force to adopt it as one of its fighters, too. It was extensively used by the Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team. A-6 Intruder Dual seat carrier- or shore-based all-weather attack aircraft First Flight April 19, 1960 Served the Navy in Vietnam, Libya and Desert Storm. Premier bomber during Vietnam. Star of the movie "Flight of the Intruder." E-2C Hawkeye Navy's only airborne early warning and control First Flight Oct. 21, 1961 It's equipped with long-range radar capable of detecting targets anywhere within a 3M cubic mile-surveillance envelope while also monitoring maritime traffic. Can also maintain an-weather patrols, automatically track 600+ targets simultaneously, and control 40+ airborne intercepts. It has supported operations in Libya, Desert Storm, Desert Fox and Bosnia, and has been used to aid in drug interdiction efforts. A-7 Corsair Single seat carrier-based light attack bomber First Flight Sept. 27, 1965 Served from the 1960s through 1990s as one of the Navy's premiere light attack bombers. It was based on the F-8 Crusader design to keep costs minimal. Served in Vietnam, Libya, Panama and in Desert Storm. F-14 Tomcat Dual seat carrier-based multi-role fighter First Flight Dec. 21, 1970 Served in Libya, Desert Storm and Bosnia. In the 1990s, it was outfitted for a multi-mission role of fighter-bomber and was used as a bomber during Operation Desert Fox. Star of "Top Gun." S-3 Viking Four-seat twin-engine carrier-based anti-submarine aircraft First Flight Jan. 21, 1972 Introduced in 1974 as an anti-submarine warfare aircraft, the Viking played a critical surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting role at sea for naval and joint forces. It went on to perform various other duties, such as organic tanking, electronic intelligence and carrier onboard delivery. Officially retired from Navy service in 2009. F-16 Fighting Falcon Single seat land-based multi-role fighter First Flight Aug. 7, 1978 Flew more sorties during Desert Storm than any other aircraft. With a full load of internal fuel, the F-16 can withstand up to nine times the G-force. The Navy, including TOPGUN, uses it as an adversarial aircraft to train its best fighter pilots. F-5N Tiger II Initial operational capability: 2003 This single seat twin-engine tactical fighter and attack aircraft is used for simulated air-to-air combat training. The F-5F is the dual seat version commonly used for training and adversary combat tactics.

Three Mission Sets Air-to-Air Fighting other airplanes mid-air with air-to-air missiles. It has been the founding principle for TOPGUN for more than half a century. Air-to-Surface Dropping ordnance on land-based targets. The air-to-surface mission grew in importance during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Maritime Strike Destroying enemy ships with ordnance. Currently, maritime strike has grown in focus and involves integration with other Navy and joint service assets.

Flight School

It's like two teams playing against each other. You don't know what that offense is going to do. You don't know what defense you're going to be presented with, either.

- Navy Cmdr. Dustin Peverill

The students are broken into three groups: Strike Fighter Tactics Instructors (SFTIs), Adversaries and Air Intercept Controllers. When students graduate from TOPGUN and go on to their follow-on tours or back to their fleet unit, they become teachers, passing what they learned at TOPGUN to others to raise the whole squadron or ship’s tactical performance.

SFTIs

Adversaries

Air Intercept Controllers

Perspective SFTIs are FA-18E/F Super Hornet and F-35C Lightning II aircrew from the fleet who learn the latest tactics over the span of 13 weeks. During training, these students practice what they've learned against the Adversary students and TOPGUN instructors.

Adversary students are primarily F-5 Tiger II pilots. Their course is condensed over nine weeks, and they learn to replicate the capability and tactics used by other countries in order to provide realistic training to the fleet.

AIC students come from the Navy’s E-2 Hawkeye community and the surface fleet. During training, these students practice what they've learned against the Adversary students and TOPGUN instructors. The AIC course teaches students via simulators how to operate their sensors and seamlessly integrate with the SFTIs to provide them with situational awareness to help guide their airborne tactical decision making. The AIC course is also about nine weeks.

Did You Know? Fewer than 5% of Navy fighter pilots get to teach at TOPGUN. 90-95% of students who attend TOPGUN pass. "The staff's job is to graduate students, not to attrite them." - Navy Cmdr. Dustin Peverill TOPGUN averages about 35 instructors on staff at any one time. That includes strike fighter aircrew, airborne intercept controllers and an intelligence officer. Most spend about three years on staff. What's in the name? As you might have noticed, the acronym TOPGUN doesn't match the school's name. In fact, TOPGUN doesn't stand for anything. It was a nickname created by the tactical department of Fighter Squadron 21 when the school was stood up. That department called itself TOPGUN – it even fashioned a TOPGUN sign for the parking lot trailer that served as the original schoolhouse – because it was simply easier to say than U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School. And the name stuck. Its location: not in cali anymore Yes, TOPGUN was once in California, but not anymore. The school was founded at Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego and remained there for several years after the movie "Top Gun" came out. However, it was moved in 1996 during the Base Realignment and Closure Program to Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada, to be integrated into the newly created Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (now known as the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center). As the F/A-18 Hornet's role grew, the aircraft required more airspace and air-to-surface range space for training, and the Fallon Range Training Complex provided that. Most don't go on to fight the enemy. In the movie "Top Gun," the school's graduates quickly were sent on a real-world mission. But that rarely happens in real life. As their mission is to "train the trainers," most TOPGUN graduates go on to weapons schools to provide training and support to the deployable fleet - but they won't deploy again themselves until follow-on tours. "Their job is to make sure that COs all the way down to the brand new aircrew are trained in the latest tactics developed by TOPGUN," Peverill said. There's confidence, but not cockiness. In the original "Top Gun" movie, arrogance was not lacking in any of the characters. But today's instructors say that's far from reality - in fact, it's frowned upon. The school looks for three personality traits in every student and instructor: Credibility, approachability and humility. "As I teach you, I'm trying to get better, too. So I have to have that humble demeanor in order to make everybody better," Peverill said. "A cocky demeanor just shuts everybody down, and it would be a huge disservice to the school." While the cockiness might be a myth, the competitiveness is not!

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Watch Fighter Pilot Breaks Down Every Fighter Jet From Top Gun: Maverick | Each and Every | WIRED

h Fighter Pilot Breaks Down Every Fighter Jet From Top Gun: Maverick | Each and Every | WIREDSkip to main contentOpen Navigation MenuMenuStory SavedTo revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories.Close AlertFighter Pilot Breaks Down Every Fighter Jet From Top Gun: MaverickSecurityPoliticsGearBackchannelBusinessScienceCultureIdeasMerchMoreChevronStory SavedTo revisit this article, select My Account, then View saved storiesClose AlertSign InSearchSearchSecurityPoliticsGearBackchannelBusinessScienceCultureIdeasMerchPodcastsVideoWired WorldArtificial IntelligenceClimateGamesNewslettersMagazineEventsWired InsiderJobsCouponsFighter Pilot Breaks Down Every Fighter Jet From Top Gun: MaverickAboutNavy fighter pilot Matthew "Whiz" Buckley breaks down the fighter jets featured in Top Gun: Maverick. Whiz, in incredible detail, explains everything you need to know about the iconic F-14A Tomcat, F/A-18 Hornet, P-51 Mustang, SU-57 and more. He also takes a critical look at the film itself. Just how realistic is Top Gun: Maverick?

Director: Maya Dangerfield

Director of Photography: Kevin Layne

Editor: Louis Lalire

Talent: Matthew “Whiz” Buckley

Line Producer: Joseph Buscemi

Associate Producer: Samantha Vélez

Production Manager: Eric Martinez

Production Coordinator: Fernando Davila

On-Site Producer: Carolina Sauer

Gaffer: Anthony Duckett

Audio: Justin Hall

Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Deutsch

Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant

Supervising Editor: Doug Larsen

Assistant Editor: Ben HarowitzReleased on 02/10/2023TranscriptMy name is Matthew Buckley.My call sign is Whiz, and I'm a fighter pilot.[upbeat music]I'm going to explaineach and every fighter jet in Top Gun: Maverick.So I originally saw the first Top Gun in 1986.It was one of the worst things that ever happened to me.As a result of that movie,everybody wanted to be a Navy fighter pilot,so I had to study and try even harder.Well, the first thing I think ofwhen I see the F-14 Tomcat is a target.[upbeat music]Big airplane, big radar in the front, and massive missiles.A sidewinder, which is a heat-seeking missile,the sparrow, the radar missile,and the big stick called a phoenixthat could shoot probably a hundred plus miles down range.In the mid '80s when the original Top Gun came out,the F-14 Tomcat was the preeminent fighter.It's mission objective was fleet air defense,responsible for protecting the entire carrier battle groupfrom the Soviet hoard of bombers that would attack.At its time, the F-14 Tomcatwas a pretty maneuverable aircraftAn F-14?We don't even know if that [bleep] can fly.I think Rooster nailed itand I think he was being nice.We also called it a bullet sponge.So on a good day in the United States Navyit would be a chore to get an F-14 Tomcat Airborne,let alone in a foreign country that doesn't havethe same spare parts or the maintenance folks.There's only one nation on the face of the planetthat still flies the Tomcat and it's Iran.But to be that tactically proficientafter not flying that jet for a couple years,just a little bit of a stretch, in my opinion.Pure love, it's the most beautiful airplaneon the face of the planet.[upbeat music]The F/A-18 Hornet is the first multi rolefighter attack aircraft,a single seat twin engine aircraftand it can fly up to mach 1.7, mach 1.8,but the F-18 can carry all sorts of weapons,air to air, all the way up to GPS guided weapons.And you can even throw gas tanks on the airplaneand it can also serve as a tanker aircraft as well.[engines roaring]The filmmakers in Top Gun: Maverickjust did an absolutely incredible job.The aviation scenes had me moving in my seatand squeezing my muscles togetheras if I was actually in the aircraft.When you're flying in an F-18 down at 25 feetgoing that fast,your senses are absolutely heightened.You even sneeze and it's over with.As the aircraft flies that low to the ground,the air can't get out of the way of the jet fast enoughand actually kicks up all of that dirt.The skill required to do that is pretty incredible.A former blue angel actually flew that maneuver.Level out, Coyote.Coyote experiences what we call G-LOC,G loss of consciousness.When you start pulling multiple Gs,for example, I'm 200 pounds,at eight Gs, it's like a 1600 pound safeis sitting on top of me.The blood's leaving your head.So you actually gotta squeeze your legsand your abs to try and keep you from passing out.And if you lose consciousness,at least back in the day when I started flying fighters,you die.The Ground Collision Avoidance systemis a system that we have today.The jet will give you a couple opportunities to pull up.It'll start yelling at you and if you don't respond'cause you're out, the jet will levelthe wings automatically and climb you away from danger.Coyote! Pull up!Coyote, Coyote! Pull up!Spent nearly, almost 3000 hours in this airplane.One of my first true loves, Susie, don't kill me,and it just, it's a part of me.It's a piece of who I am.[upbeat music]I just smile when I see this aircraft,just the beautiful lines of this airplane,the hum of the engine,the Rolls Royce or the Merlin engine.[upbeat music]They can do about 400 to 450 miles an hour,very maneuverable airplane for its generation.The P-51 Mustang is a World War II fighter aircraftthat was used to escort bombers to strike on Germanybut could also be used in ground attack missionsto strafe enemy tanks.[engine roaring]Tom Cruise actually owns his own.You can buy a P-51 Mustang,unfortunately for a couple million bucks.It is not a cheap aircraft to own or operate.[upbeat music]So the F-35, interesting looking aircraft,not as sexy looking as the F-18 Hornet.[upbeat music]The F-35 Lightning can go about mach 1.6about 1200 miles per hour.If you actually look at the aircraft,it's a lifting body, aerodynamic, so it can glide.The single engine also rotates.So the nozzle actually moves to make the aircraftturn tighter in a turn circleand also to fire off weapons.[upbeat music]So the first time we see the F-35 Lightning 2,we see it on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln,CVN-72,which was the ship I did my first deployment on in 1995.The F-35 is definitely a fifth generation aircraft.Many fifth generation aircraft are their ownself-contained strike package, so to speak.Back in the day when I flew we'd have F-14 Tomcatsdoing air superiority, A-6s doing bombing,and we'd also have jamming aircraft.Many fifth generation aircraftare all three of those in one.They have electronic warfare capabilitythat can jam the enemy's radar and communications.They have air to air and air to ground capability as well.Plus the stealth features are just off the charts.So fifth generation aircraft,if you go up and touch them,it'll actually feel a little spongy,because they have radar absorbent material.Aside from the exterior radar absorbentcoating of the aircraft,they internalize the weapons.If there's anything hanging off of a fighter jet,that reflects radar energy.So all the weapons are internalizedin a fifth generation aircraft.So the SU-57 Felon,very appropriately named because they stole this.This is essentially the F-35 ski, so to speak.[upbeat music]So the SU-57 Felon is essentially the F-35 copy paste.Similar weapon systems,similar electronic warfare capabilities.[engines roaring]It's one of the only aircraft on the face of the planetoutside of helicopters that can actually tellif it's being locked up by an infrared missileand it can actually shoot at that warheadand disintegrate it or disable it.It's called DIRCM,direct infrared countermeasures.[upbeat music]Today, dog fighting is extremely rare.When our enemy pilot leaves his houseand gets to the air station,we know that that's already happened.If you're in a dog fight in today's day and age,a lot of things have broken down.Whenever you're doing a dog fight,it's who can turn tighter.It wasn't too realisticbecause the SU-57 can carrysome pretty serious air to air missiles.So if I were the SU-57 Felon driver,I would've pitched out of the visual range of the dog fight,went out a couple miles and turned aroundand shot Maverick in the face with a radar missile.But I wasn't the director.[upbeat music]The dark star as depicted in Top Gun Maverick,although a fictional aircraft or maybe not.[upbeat music]This is Dark Star, we are taxiingwith information alpha.So the Dark Star jet might actually be real,developed in what we call the Skunk Works.The Skunk Works is out in the middle of the Mojave Desertwhere they develop all of our black box type of aircraft.If you can think about it, it probably exists.There's probably guys and gals in a windowless roomover air conditioned with Mountain Dew and pizzasdesigning it and building it.[intense music]The Dark Star aircraft is kind of basedon the SR-71 Blackbird.It was a very high altitude aircraft on the edge of spacethat could do reconnaissance.On demand recon, as we call it.Kind of looks stealthy, very sleek, very fast.And it also has hyper cruise engines.So for example, an F-18 Hornet that I flewto get supersonic full left hand forward,full max afterburnerlot of dinosaurs being burned,lot of fire out of the back.As technology and engines improve,lot less fire required,lot less energy required to get to a certain point.And based on how the airframe is designed,it can actually super cruise,so it can fly faster, longer,and on less fuel required and less fire.So Maverick more or less destroys the Dark Star aircraft,not a career enhancing move.I just happened to break a $65 million F-18 Hornet.I went from the edge of spaceto straight down at the Pacificdoing about mach 1.7 and I overstressed the aircraft.That was not career enhancing either,but I saved the aircraft.I didn't eject like Maverick did.So let's just say I got out as a lieutenant.I don't know how he made it to captainbusting up airplanes like that,but after destroying the Dark Star,he certainly isn't gonna get selected for admiral.[upbeat music]It's not incredibly difficult to fly a fighter jet,and I know that might sound a little crazybased on how it looks,but the training is so good.I'm a poor kid from South Jersey, South Philadelphia,and I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed.And if I can do it just about everybody can do it as well.HideUp NextEvery Overwatch Hero Explained by Blizzard’s Michael ChuEvery Video Game in 'Ready Player One' Explained By Author Ernest ClineEvery Dinosaur In 'Jurassic Park' Series ExplainedEvery Hero in 'Avengers: Infinity War'Every Spider-Man Movie & TV Show Explained By Kevin SmithEvery Character in Mortal Kombat 11 ExplainedEvery Legend in Apex Legends ExplainedEvery Toy in Toy Story ExplainedEvery Major Movie Reference in Stranger ThingsEvery Rainbow Six Siege Operator ExplainedEvery Top Toy of the Last 50 YearsEvery Stormtrooper in Star Wars ExplainedEvery Starfighter in Star Wars Explained Every Top Video Game in the Last 40 YearsEvery Dog Breed Explained (Part 1)Every Star Trek: Picard Easter Egg ExplainedEvery C-3PO Costume Explained By Anthony DanielsEvery Dog Breed Explained (Part 2) Every Hidden Reference to Future Pixar Movies ExplainedEvery Batmobile From Movies & TV ExplainedEvery Job Homer Simpson's Ever HadEvery Transformers Generation ExplainedEvery Job Homer Simpson's Ever Had (Part 2)Every Style of Beer ExplainedEvery Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate Friendship Explained By Ed BoonEvery Starfighter From Star Wars: Squadrons ExplainedEvery Superpower From Zack Snyder's Justice League ExplainedEvery Ape in Planet of the Apes ExplainedEvery James Bond Car ExplainedTrauma Surgeon Breaks Down Every Home Alone InjuryEvery Batman Movie Villain ExplainedFood Scientist Breaks Down Every Plant-Based MilkMarvel vs Norse Mythology: Every Norse God in Thor ExplainedHow PlayStation 5 Was Built Every Spider-Man Suit From Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales & Spider-Man ExplainedEvery Champion in League of Legends ExplainedEvery Jedi & Sith From Star Wars Explained By Kevin SmithEvery Bone in the Human Body Explained Using John WickFighter Pilot Breaks Down Every Fighter Jet From Top Gun: MaverickTrending videoiconPlayI Petted and Walked a Dog in a VR Demo You Can FeeliconPlayEnergizer’s Latest Android Phone Has a Stupidly Big BatteryiconPlayHonor Eye Tracking 2iconPlayHonor Eye Tracking 1iconPlayDermatologist Answers More Skin Questions From Twitter | Tech SupportChevronChevronWIRED is where tomorrow is realized. 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Meet Real-Life TOPGUN Navy Pilot Nick Mongillo | L3Harris® Fast. Forward.

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Meet Real-Life TOPGUN Navy Pilot Nick Mongillo

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Meet Real-Life TOPGUN Navy Pilot Nick Mongillo

Vice President, CHQ Business Development, Nick “Mongo” Mongillo's Navy career spanned nearly 28 years in tactical aviation and three years as a TOPGUN instructor.

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Sep 14, 2022

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Audiences worldwide are captivated by the unfailing bravado and soaring egos portrayed in the hit blockbuster Topgun: Maverick.

Even service men and women who completed the U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor (SFTI) Training Program (TOPGUN) in real life find it a fun and entertaining movie. Vice President, CHQ Business Development, Nick “Mongo” Mongillo, is one.

While he believes the attitudes of Tom Cruise’s Maverick and Val Kilmer’s Iceman make for great drama, he notes that in reality, pilots with those types of egos wouldn’t make many friends in a real Navy fighter squadron.

“TOPGUN, above all else, is a graduate-level school for some of the world’s best pilots to improve their briefing, flying and debriefing skills and earn their SFTI designation,” says Mongo.

“There isn’t a Number 1 Pilot award for being the best in the sky as portrayed in the movie. TOPGUN is simply a rigorous program filled with learning opportunities and hours upon hours of debrief after each short flight to analyze every aspect of the simulation and learn. Six-hour debriefs on every tactical flight performed by students don’t make for an appealing movie, so producers add drama, larger-than-life characters and relationships to keep audiences enthralled."

Mongo’s Navy career spanned nearly 28 years in tactical aviation, including 6,000 hours flown in military aircraft, 750 carrier-arrested landings, five deployments on aircraft carriers, involvement in Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM, and 25 combat missions in DESERT STORM. Additionally, he spent three years as a TOPGUN instructor.

Mongo is no stranger to the realities of service. “TOPGUN was the hardest job I’ve ever had, but the one I loved the most.” Outside of the exaggerated egos, Mongo feels the movie is well done, especially the flying scenes. They contain little computer-generated imagery, instead using recordings of real flights with actors sitting in the backseat of real F/A-18s. The camera crews flew in helicopters, positioned atop mountain ranges, poised to catch the stunning, authentic visuals seen in the movies.

Mongo most often flew in F/A-18 Hornets, which was his favorite to fly. He says the environment of TOPGUN is unique and special as everyone in the program shares the goal to become the best possible fighter pilot and, more importantly, to become the best possible tactics instructor. TOPGUN classmates are a close-knit group that spend an enormous amount of time together, working to create excellence in their ranks and share knowledge to foster improvement. As an experienced pilot and instructor, Mongo flew F-16Ns, A-4s, F-5s, and, of course, all versions of the F/A-18, working to push his limits and challenge himself and his team.

Just as in the movie, the TOPGUN program is not without risk. Mongo recalls a time where he was engaged in a dogfight training exercise and the plane opposite him began to slow, lose altitude, and depart controlled flight. With the mountains and valleys surrounding the Fallon, Nevada training site, it was difficult for Mongo to determine the altitude of the sinking plane. As he followed it down, he confirmed the other had lost control of his aircraft. Mongillo yelled over the radio for the pilot to eject. Seconds later, the plane pancaked into the ground and exploded. When Mongo first circled the crash, he did not see the pilot and was fearful he was still in the plane. Circling again, he noticed a parachute about 50 feet from the plane with the pilot still in the harness but not moving. Circling a third time, he saw the pilot on his feet, waving at him. The entire incident – from controlled flight to aircraft impacting the ground – took only 15 seconds.

The same high-speed maneuverability and exhilaration that characterizes TOPGUN flights in the movie can also bring danger, and training to fly is no different. After six months of non-stop, comprehensive F/A-18 introduction flight training in 1990, Mongo received orders to a squadron deploying to the Mediterranean Sea as part of a normal, planned rotation.

Within days of receiving those orders, he and his wife welcomed their first daughter. Only weeks later, as Mongo was settling in with his new squadron, Iraq invaded Kuwait, and his standard rotation became an active threat rife with potential hostilities as he headed to the Red Sea. Mongo deployed, saying goodbye to his wife and two-week old daughter, unsure if he would see them again. In January 1991, Mongo found himself in the first daytime strike of the war, aiming a bomb at an important military target some distance away. Though his force had F-14s flying ahead to defend against possible counterattack, two Iraqi MiG fighter jets got behind the U.S. Tomcats, close to Mongo’s plane. Mongo was able to splash one of the MiGs, while a wingman downed the other. During the engagement, Mongo’s plane retained its bomb load, splashed the MiGs and continued to the target, employing ordnance and destroying targeted aimpoints. In the last 30 years, Nick Mongillo is one of only three Navy pilots to shoot down a MiG in combat, and for this, he was awarded a Silver Star Medal, the United States Armed Forces’ third-highest military decoration for valor in combat.

Mongo’s transition from the military to the defense industry was relatively smooth.

“Both the military and the defense industry understand the necessity for a strong defense. L3Harris was a natural fit for me, because I understand the military customer, and more importantly, I can immediately connect the L3Harris products and services with how they support our men and women in uniform and our great nation.”

Mongo’s widespread and in-depth experience, knowledge, training, and skills have made him a highly recognized fighter pilot. Not only does he enjoy Topgun and Topgun: Maverick, but he was part of several TGM movie premiers and openings. Additionally, he routinely speaks at TOPGUN, the United States Naval Academy, military museums, fighter pilot podcasts and other venues interested in fighter aviation.

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壮志凌云（美国1986年托尼·斯科特执导电影）_百度百科

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Watch Fighter Pilot Breaks Down Every Fighter Jet From Top Gun: Maverick | Each and Every | WIRED

Meet Real-Life TOPGUN Navy Pilot Nick Mongillo | L3Harris® Fast. Forward.

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