Topgun

TOPGUN was not as credible of an adversary without the F-16N: why the retirement of the F-16Ns was a blow to the Navy Fighter Weapons School

TOPGUN was not as credible of an adversary without the F-16N: why the retirement of the F-16Ns was a blow to the Navy Fighter Weapons School

The opportunity to fly the sleek and high-powered F-16N Vipers, as they were called by the staff, was one of… Read More

2 years ago

US Naval Aviators explain why “a mixed division of F-14 Tomcats and F/A-18 Hornets was devastating in aerial engagements”

With its excellent fighter and self-defense capabilities, the F/A-18 at the same time increased strike mission survivability and supplemented the… Read More

2 years ago

The story of how TOPGUN selected the F-16N Viper, the adversary aircraft that had the ability to simulate the MiG-17, MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-29 and Su-27

Not only did the F-16N Viper allow TOPGUN to simulate current fourth-generation threats, it gave them the ability, in one… Read More

2 years ago

Crew Chiefs have almost finished to rebuild the F-22 Raptor that belly landed at NAS Fallon in 2018

With steady progress being made on the rebuild, the functional check flight for F-22 Raptor tail number AF-07-146 is now… Read More

2 years ago

USAF F-15C pilot who became TOPGUN instructor explains how he helped the Navy’s Fighter Weapons School to develop tactics to counter the MiG-23 Flogger

TOPGUN The history of air combat has seen one recurring theme—new tactics are learned in battle, forgotten or discarded when… Read More

2 years ago

The story of how TOPGUN integrated the F-22 Raptor flights into its syllabus

One of the more proactive actions taken by TOPGUN during the 2000s was the effort to integrate with the USAF… Read More

2 years ago

F-14 Tomcat pilot and TOPGUN instructor tells the story of when he nailed a MiG-29 in a 1v1 dogfight

Captain Sam “Slammer” Richardson forced the MiG-29 pilot to call “Knock it off.” Afterwards, he said the Fulcrum pilot could… Read More

2 years ago

First carrier air wing to incorporate E-2D and F-35C completes new syllabus ahead of upcoming deployment

This is the first time in naval history that the F/A-18E/F, EA-18G, F-35C, and E-2D have been integrated together for… Read More

3 years ago

Q&A with a former F-14 Tomcat RIO: Dave “Bio” Baranek answers your questions

"I have to wonder what a fully-funded, fully-developed Tomcat would be like (…looks dreamily into space). I’m certain it would’ve… Read More

3 years ago

All you need to know about today’s TOPGUN: why the US Navy Fighter Weapons School is recognized worldwide as the center of excellence for fighter tactics training

Today’s TOPGUN is stronger than ever and is widely accepted as the center of excellence for fighter tactics training. Currently… Read More

3 years ago

Brothers who flew together in the F-14 produce the ultimate documentary on the mighty Tomcat

With the upcoming release of “Tomcat Tales”, Tomcat fans can now look forward to a new film experience that features… Read More

3 years ago

Highway to the danger zone – First two F-35C pilots graduate from Topgun

Maj. Derek Heinz from the VFA 125 Rough Raiders  and Lt. William Goodwin, III from the VFA 147 Argonauts successfully completed the 13-week… Read More

3 years ago

Trailer: Top Gun Vs Top Gun: Maverick, i.e. F-14 Tomcat Vs F/A-18 Super Hornet

“The F-18, while very capable, and extremely competent in its own right, doesn’t quite have the same bad-boy image as… Read More

4 years ago

The Life and Times of an S-3A Viking Sensor Operator, Part Two: Livin’ in the Real World

"So many things that you have no control of have to go absolutely right for you. Becoming an S-3A SENSO,… Read More

4 years ago

Do You Feel The Need For Speed? Top Gun 2 to hit theaters in a year’s time

After decades of wondering what happened next to Maverick, in a year's time, the long-awaited Top Gun sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, will make… Read More

4 years ago

How a VMFA-333 F-4 Phantom II scored the only USMC Mig Kill of the Vietnam War

'The growl of the Sidewinder tone was loud enough to drive you from the cockpit, and it really did a… Read More

5 years ago