Top Gun (TOPGUN)

TOP GUN FILMS / US NAVY’S TOPGUN

Sign up to the newsletter

The US Navy created its Fighter Weapons School (better known as TOPGUN) in the late 1960s, though it came to worldwide attention with the release of the 1986 film ‘Top Gun’ starring Tom Cruise. Since it creation TOPGUN has evolved to meet the changing threats and also expanded the courses it offers.

With the release of the much-anticipated sequel, ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, once again the US Navy’s real-life TOPGUN will be the basis for another high-G adventure on the silver screen.

Feature Premium

TOPGUN through the ages

The US Navy’s TOPGUN fighter weapons school is marking 50 years of training. Combat Aircraft charts its history and success and finds a center of excellence that is adapting for the future.

Feature Premium

Top Gun: Maverick (NO SPOILER) review

“The sort of extreme-G flying that even has you clenching your butt cheeks in your cinema seat”

Going head-to-head — a TOPGUN F-14A (BuNo 162591) and a visiting VF-32 F-14B (BuNo 161608) and crew merge during high-aspect basic fighter maneuvers (BFM) in 2002. Ted Carlson/Fotodynamics Feature Premium

Tomcats of TOPGUN

Inextricably linked to the Navy Fighter Weapons School thanks to the hit movie Top Gun released in the spring of 1986, the F-14 Tomcat came to symbolize the very best of US naval fighter aviation throughout the jet’s three decades of fleet service

All the new Top Gun: Maverick trailers

After a nearly two-year wait, the highly anticipated Top Gun: Maverick film hits cinemas in the UK today. Key.Aero has collated all the trailers available in one place so you can make sure you're fully briefed before you watch the blockbuster on the big screen

Feature Premium

What aircraft could you buy with the profits from the original Top Gun?

After a nearly three-year wait, Top Gun Maverick is released in UK cinemas today. The original made $356.8 million at the box office, which is enough to equip the US military with the following…

Feature Premium

How they made the film Top Gun

US naval aviator Dave ‘Bio’ Baranek was an instructor at the real Topgun school when Hollywood called. He tells the story of the team who helped bring realism to the smash hit 1980s film and here reveals some of the tricks of the trade.

Meet the author who interviewed 450 TOPGUN aircrew

In a video interview with Key.Aero, Brad Elward, the author of 'TOPGUN – The Legacy’ discusses his book which covers the full 50-year history of TOPGUN. The book includes interviews with over 450 former instructors, graduates, and commanding officers, plus references to the development and evolution of air combat and air combat training in the US Air Force and US Navy

Top Gun: Maverick nears release

He wasn't expecting an invitation back, but nearly thirty-six years to the day since the iconic 1986 film Top Gun, Tom Cruise will return as Captain Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell in its sequel, Top Gun: Maverick.

WIN 1 of 3 copies of the book ‘TOPGUN – The Legacy’

We have 3 copies of the book ‘TOPGUN – The Legacy’ signed by the author to give away, in this exclusive Key Aero competition. At 688 pages long with 95 colour and black and white photos, this book normally priced at £45.99, is the ultimate guide to TOPGUN

Top Gun: Maverick Expansion Update

Asobo Studio has announced the Top Gun: Maverick expansion pack for Microsoft Flight Simulator has been delayed until May 2022.

The Real Topgun Bookazine

This special publication celebrates TOPGUN’s people, details its aircraft and weapons, examines its evolution, and sets its achievements in the global context of US Naval Aviation.

Buy Now