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

Summary

Matthew Buckley, a former fighter pilot, reviews the fighter jets featured in 'Top Gun: Maverick'. He discusses the F-14 Tomcat, F/A-18 Hornet, P-51 Mustang, F-35 Lightning, and SU-57 Felon, highlighting their capabilities and roles. Buckley also shares his personal experiences and insights on the thrill and challenges of flying these aircraft.

Takeaways

• 🎬 Matthew Buckley introduces himself as a fighter pilot and discusses the impact of the original 'Top Gun' movie on his career.
• 🐱 The F-14 Tomcat is described as a large, maneuverable aircraft with significant firepower, primarily used for fleet air defense.
• 🔍 The F-14 Tomcat was a prominent fighter in the 1980s, equipped with various missiles like Sidewinder, Sparrow, and Phoenix.
• 🌐 Iran is noted as the only nation still flying the F-14 Tomcat, highlighting its enduring capabilities despite its age.
• 🐝 The F/A-18 Hornet is praised for its versatility as a multi-role fighter attack aircraft, capable of various missions and weapon loads.
• 🌪️ The film 'Top Gun: Maverick' is commended for its realistic and thrilling aviation scenes that capture the intensity of flying these aircraft.
• 💪 The physical demands of flying low and fast in an F-18 are highlighted, emphasizing the need for exceptional pilot skill and awareness.
• 🔥 The P-51 Mustang is mentioned as a WWII aircraft with a storied history, capable of both escort and ground attack missions.
• 🚀 The F-35 Lightning II is described as a fifth-generation aircraft with advanced stealth, electronic warfare, and multi-role capabilities.
• 🔧 The SU-57 Felon is compared to the F-35, noting its similar capabilities and the unique feature of being able to counter infrared missiles.
• 🌌 The Dark Star, a fictional aircraft in 'Top Gun: Maverick', is speculated to be based on real advanced technology, possibly developed in secret.

Q & A

Who is Matthew Buckley and what is his call sign?

Matthew Buckley is a fighter pilot, and his call sign is Whiz.

What was Matthew Buckley's experience with the first 'Top Gun' movie?

Matthew Buckley saw the first 'Top Gun' movie in 1986. He humorously described it as one of the worst things that ever happened to him because it made everyone want to be a Navy fighter pilot, which increased the competition and required him to study and try harder.

What are the main features of the F-14 Tomcat?

The F-14 Tomcat is characterized by its large size, big radar in the front, and massive missiles. It was equipped with a Sidewinder (heat-seeking missile), Sparrow (radar missile), and the Phoenix missile, which could shoot over a hundred miles down range. Its primary mission was fleet air defense.

Why was the F-14 Tomcat considered a 'bullet sponge'?

The term 'bullet sponge' was used to describe the F-14 Tomcat because it was challenging to get airborne, especially in foreign countries without the same spare parts or maintenance support. It was also less maneuverable compared to other aircraft.

Which nation still flies the F-14 Tomcat today?

Iran is the only nation that still flies the F-14 Tomcat today.

What is the significance of the F/A-18 Hornet in the script?

The F/A-18 Hornet is highlighted as the first multi-role, fighter attack aircraft. It is a single-seat, twin-engine aircraft capable of flying up to Mach 1.7 or 1.8 and can carry a variety of weapons, including air-to-air and GPS-guided weapons. It can also serve as a tanker aircraft.

How did the filmmakers of 'Top Gun: Maverick' handle the aviation scenes?

The filmmakers of 'Top Gun: Maverick' did an incredible job with the aviation scenes, making them so realistic that they made Matthew Buckley feel as if he was actually in the aircraft.

What is G-LOC and how does it affect pilots?

G-LOC, or G-induced Loss of Consciousness, occurs when pilots pull multiple Gs, causing blood to leave their heads and potentially leading to loss of consciousness. Pilots must squeeze their legs and abs to try and maintain consciousness.

What is the Ground Collision Avoidance system and how does it work?

The Ground Collision Avoidance system is a safety feature in modern aircraft that warns pilots if they are about to crash. It will alert the pilot to pull up and, if they do not respond due to being unconscious, the aircraft will automatically level out and climb away from danger.

What are the capabilities of the F-35 Lightning II?

The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation aircraft with capabilities including electronic warfare to jam enemy radar and communications, air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, and stealth features. It can fly at about Mach 1.6 and has internalized weapons to maintain its stealth profile.

What is the SU-57 Felon and how does it compare to the F-35?

The SU-57 Felon is a Russian aircraft that is essentially a copy of the F-35, with similar weapon systems and electronic warfare capabilities. It also has the unique ability to detect and shoot down infrared missiles using its DIRCM (Direct Infrared Countermeasures) system.

What is the significance of the Dark Star aircraft in 'Top Gun: Maverick'?

The Dark Star aircraft in 'Top Gun: Maverick' is a fictional aircraft that might be based on real-life projects developed in the Skunk Works. It is depicted as a high-altitude, stealthy aircraft capable of reconnaissance and hyper cruising.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Introduction and F-14 Tomcat

Matthew Buckley, a former fighter pilot, introduces himself and begins discussing the various fighter jets featured in 'Top Gun: Maverick'. He recounts his experience watching the original 'Top Gun' in 1986 and the impact it had on his career. The F-14 Tomcat is highlighted as a large, maneuverable aircraft from the mid-80s, equipped with a variety of missiles like Sidewinder, Sparrow, and Phoenix. Its primary mission was fleet air defense, protecting carrier battle groups from Soviet bombers. Despite its capabilities, the F-14 was challenging to maintain and fly, with Iran being the last nation to still operate it. Buckley expresses his love for the aircraft, noting its beauty and maneuverability.

05:00

🌐 F/A-18 Hornet and Advanced Aircraft

The F/A-18 Hornet is described as the first multi-role fighter attack aircraft, capable of speeds up to Mach 1.8 and equipped to carry a range of weapons, including air-to-air missiles and GPS-guided weapons. It can also serve as a tanker aircraft. Buckley praises the filmmakers of 'Top Gun: Maverick' for their realistic portrayal of aviation, particularly the intense low-altitude flight scenes. He discusses the physical demands of high-speed, low-altitude flying and the risks of G-LOC (G-induced loss of consciousness). The F-35 Lightning II is introduced as a fifth-generation aircraft with stealth features, electronic warfare capabilities, and the ability to carry internalized weapons. The SU-57 Felon is mentioned as a potential F-35 copy with advanced capabilities, including direct infrared countermeasures. Buckley also touches on the rarity of dogfighting in modern warfare and the unrealistic portrayal in the movie.

10:01

🎬 Dark Star and Realistic Flying

The fictional Dark Star aircraft from 'Top Gun: Maverick' is discussed, suggesting it might be based on real-life advanced projects developed in secret facilities like the Skunk Works. The aircraft is described as having stealth features, high-altitude capabilities, and hyper cruise engines. Buckley humorously recounts his own experience of destroying a $65 million F-18 Hornet during a training exercise, emphasizing the importance of not ejecting like Maverick did in the movie. He concludes by downplaying the difficulty of flying a fighter jet, attributing his success to rigorous training and suggesting that anyone can do it with the right preparation.

Keywords

💡F-14 Tomcat

The F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. It was developed for the United States Navy's fleet air defense role. In the video, the Tomcat is described as a 'big airplane' with a 'big radar' and 'massive missiles', emphasizing its size and capabilities. It was considered the preeminent fighter in the mid-1980s, tasked with protecting carrier battle groups from Soviet bombers.

💡F/A-18 Hornet

The F/A-18 Hornet is a twin-engine, supersonic, all-weather, carrier-capable, multirole combat jet. It is the first multirole aircraft mentioned in the video, capable of performing both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The Hornet is noted for its versatility and ability to carry a variety of weapons, including GPS-guided munitions, and can also serve as a tanker aircraft.

💡Top Gun

Top Gun refers to the 1986 film that popularized the idea of being a Navy fighter pilot. The video discusses the impact of the movie on the perception of fighter pilots and how it influenced the narrator's career. The sequel, 'Top Gun: Maverick', is also mentioned, highlighting the film's influence on the portrayal of fighter jets and aviation.

💡G-LOC

G-LOC, or G-induced Loss of Consciousness, is a condition where a pilot experiences a loss of consciousness due to high G-forces. The video explains this phenomenon, noting that pilots must exert force on their legs and abdomen to maintain blood flow to the brain. It is a critical concept in the context of high-speed, low-altitude flight maneuvers.

💡P-51 Mustang

The P-51 Mustang is a World War II-era American long-range, single-seat fighter aircraft. It was used for escorting bombers and ground attack missions. In the video, the Mustang is described as a very maneuverable aircraft, capable of speeds up to 400 to 450 miles per hour. Tom Cruise, the star of the 'Top Gun' films, is mentioned as owning one.

💡F-35 Lightning

The F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole fighters. The video describes it as a fifth-generation aircraft with advanced capabilities, including electronic warfare, air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, and stealth features. It is also noted for its ability to glide and its rotating engine nozzle for enhanced maneuverability.

💡SU-57 Felon

The SU-57 Felon is a Russian fifth-generation, single-seat, twin-engine stealth multirole fighter. The video suggests that it is similar to the F-35 in terms of weapon systems and electronic warfare capabilities. It is also highlighted for its ability to detect and counter infrared missiles using direct infrared countermeasures (DIRCM).

💡Dogfighting

Dogfighting is a term used to describe aerial combat between fighter aircraft, typically involving close maneuvering to gain an advantage over an opponent. The video discusses how modern technology has reduced the frequency and necessity of dogfights, emphasizing the importance of long-range weapons and electronic warfare.

💡Dark Star

Dark Star is a fictional aircraft depicted in 'Top Gun: Maverick'. The video speculates that it might be based on real, advanced technology developed by the Skunk Works, a secretive division of Lockheed Martin known for developing stealth aircraft. The Dark Star is described as a high-altitude, stealthy aircraft with hyper cruise engines.

💡Skunk Works

The Skunk Works is a division of Lockheed Martin that operates as a separate entity, focusing on the development of advanced technology projects, often related to stealth aircraft. The video suggests that the Dark Star aircraft might be a product of this division, indicating the cutting-edge nature of their work.

💡Radar Absorbent Material

Radar Absorbent Material (RAM) is a substance used in the construction of stealth aircraft to reduce the reflection of radar signals. The video mentions that fifth-generation aircraft, like the F-35, utilize RAM to enhance their stealth capabilities, making them harder to detect by radar.

Highlights

Matthew Buckley, a real fighter pilot, shares his insights on 'Top Gun: Maverick'.

Buckley humorously recounts his experience after watching the first 'Top Gun' movie in 1986.

The F-14 Tomcat is described as a large, maneuverable aircraft with a variety of missile capabilities.

Iran is the only nation still flying the F-14 Tomcat, showcasing its longevity.

The F/A-18 Hornet is praised for its multi-role capabilities and impressive speed.

The film 'Top Gun: Maverick' is commended for its realistic and thrilling aviation scenes.

Flying low in an F-18 requires exceptional skill due to heightened senses and the risk of G-LOC.

The Ground Collision Avoidance system is highlighted as a critical safety feature in modern aircraft.

Buckley's personal connection to the F-18 Hornet is revealed, emphasizing its significance in his life.

The P-51 Mustang is discussed as a versatile WWII aircraft with a high price tag for enthusiasts today.

The F-35 Lightning II is compared to its predecessor, the F-18, with a focus on its stealth and technological advancements.

The SU-57 Felon is portrayed as a direct competitor to the F-35, with unique countermeasures against infrared missiles.

Dogfighting is deemed rare in modern warfare, with an emphasis on long-range engagements and technology.

The fictional Dark Star aircraft from 'Top Gun: Maverick' is speculated to be based on real-life advanced projects.

The SR-71 Blackbird's capabilities are compared to the Dark Star, suggesting real-world parallels.

Maverick's decision to destroy the Dark Star is analyzed in terms of its impact on his career prospects.

Buckley concludes by asserting that flying a fighter jet is not as difficult as it seems due to extensive training.

Transcripts

- My name is Matthew Buckley.

My call sign is Whiz, and I'm a fighter pilot.

[upbeat music]

I'm going to explain

each 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 of

when 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 phoenix

that 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 group

from the Soviet hoard of bombers that would attack.

At its time, the F-14 Tomcat

was a pretty maneuverable aircraft

- An F-14?

We don't even know if that [bleep] can fly.

- I think Rooster nailed it

and I think he was being nice.

We also called it a bullet sponge.

So on a good day in the United States Navy

it would be a chore to get an F-14 Tomcat Airborne,

let alone in a foreign country that doesn't have

the same spare parts or the maintenance folks.

There's only one nation on the face of the planet

that still flies the Tomcat and it's Iran.

But to be that tactically proficient

after 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 airplane

on the face of the planet.

[upbeat music]

The F/A-18 Hornet is the first multi role

fighter attack aircraft,

a single seat twin engine aircraft

and 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 airplane

and it can also serve as a tanker aircraft as well.

[engines roaring]

The filmmakers in "Top Gun: Maverick"

just did an absolutely incredible job.

The aviation scenes had me moving in my seat

and squeezing my muscles together

as if I was actually in the aircraft.

When you're flying in an F-18 down at 25 feet

going 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 enough

and 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 safe

is sitting on top of me.

The blood's leaving your head.

So you actually gotta squeeze your legs

and 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 system

is 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 level

the 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 aircraft

that was used to escort bombers to strike on Germany

but could also be used in ground attack missions

to 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 1.6

about 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 aircraft

turn tighter in a turn circle

and 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 own

self-contained strike package, so to speak.

Back in the day when I flew we'd have F-14 Tomcats

doing air superiority, A-6s doing bombing,

and we'd also have jamming aircraft.

Many fifth generation aircraft

are all three of those in one.

They have electronic warfare capability

that 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 absorbent

coating 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 internalized

in 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 planet

outside of helicopters that can actually tell

if it's being locked up by an infrared missile

and it can actually shoot at that warhead

and 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 house

and 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 realistic

because the SU-57 can carry

some 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 around

and 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 taxiing

with 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 Desert

where 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 room

over air conditioned with Mountain Dew and pizzas

designing it and building it.

[intense music]

The Dark Star aircraft is kind of based

on the SR-71 Blackbird.

It was a very high altitude aircraft on the edge of space

that 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 flew

to get supersonic full left hand forward,

full max afterburner

lot 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 space

to straight down at the Pacific

doing 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 captain

busting 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 crazy

based 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.