Top Gun 3: 5 Fighter Planes and Drones We Could See if Maverick Soars Again

5 Planes We Expect to See in Top Gun III - There were 36 years between the release of the original Top Gun and its sequel Tom Gun: Maverick . That included eight years of development, two years of production, a new director and five pandemic-related delays. However, the film went on to gross $124 million in its first weekend, the biggest opening of Tom Cruise's career.

There are now reports that Top Gun III is in the works, and it won't take three decades for the film to come together. Given that Cruise will turn 62 this year, there are only so many years left for Maverick to continue flying. But of course, the films' aren't just about the pilots.

The F-14 Tomcat was arguably as much a star of the original Top Gun as those listed on IMDB, while the F/A-18F Super Hornet was at the forefront of the action in the sequel. There is now a debate over what aircraft we can expect in the third outing in the series. Here are the five planes we can expect to see in Top Gun III.

Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet

The Boeing F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornet delivers cutting-edge, next-generation multi-role strike fighter capability, outdistancing current and emerging threats. Production on the Super Hornet could end in 2025, but the aircraft will certainly remain in service as the backbone of the U.S. Navy carrier air wing for years to come.

Maverick will be in a rocking chair before the Super Hornet is retired from service.

Lockheed Martin F-35C

There are several reasons why the F-35 Lightning II wasn't in Top Gun: Maverick, notably the fact that Pentagon regulations bar non-military personnel from controlling any Department of Defense (DoD) assets apart from small arms in training scenarios. Perhaps with some movie magic, it would be possible to see Maverick behind the controls of an F-35 in a follow-up. If they can de-age Indiana Jones, anything is possible.

It could be a very different film of course, as the F-35C – the carrier-based variant – isn't really designed for dogfighting. That said, it would be hard to imagine a film about the U.S. Navy's aviators without the F-35 having a starring role.

The Boeing MQ-28

Here's a potential title: Top Gun III: Attack of the Drones! OK, that's probably not going to be it, but the film will likely feature drones such as the Boeing MQ-28 that could serve as the loyal wingman for Maverick and his cohorts.

There has already been speculation that the plot of the film could be Maverick's attempt to prove that human pilots still have a place alongside unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). That doesn't sound all that original, but Hollywood isn't exactly known for the land of fresh ideas – hence we'll soon see a new take on Road House on Prime Video. 

Sixth Generation Navy Fighter: F/A-XX

The United States Navy has been tight-lipped about its F/A-XX sixth generation fighter, which is reported to be the manned fighter aircraft for the service's Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. Yet, as a "fictionalized version" of the Lockheed Martin SR-72 "Darkstar" made an appearance in Top Gun: Maverick, we should expect some futuristic aircraft in Top Gun III.

What is known about the F/A-XX next-generation fighter is that its missions could include air combat, air-to-air, ground attack, surface warfare, and close air support. Platform requirements include supercruise capabilities as well as advanced next-generation stealth features, sensors, and radars with networking adaptability. Additional missions and capabilities include air-to-air refueling, reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA), and electronic warfare and countermeasures. Sounds like the perfect aircraft for Maverick.

F-14 Tomcat and/or P-51 Mustang

Cruise owns the P-51 Mustang seen in Top Gun: Maverick. Whether a U.S. Navy test pilot could own such an aircraft (as easily as a Hollywood A-lister) has been questioned, but Maverick would have connections, and it doesn't seem like he'd have spent his money on much else.

We should expect the Mustang to make an appearance, and what would a Top Gun film be without at least an appearance by the F-14? Somehow one will be in the film if and when it comes out.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.