Naval Air Station Oceana, VA — An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 103 has retained legal counsel and filed a preemptive objection with the Department of the Navy after learning that production on Top Gun 3 is currently in development, citing what the aircraft’s attorneys are describing as “a well-documented pattern of Hollywood disposing of naval aviation assets the moment a more photogenic replacement becomes available.”
The F-14 was not available for comment.
It hasn’t been for a while.
“My client has served honorably since 1999,” said the Super Hornet’s attorney, a retired JAG officer who asked that his name not be used because he was not aware until this week that he would be representing an aircraft. “It has flown over 500,000 hours of combined fleet service. It currently comprises the backbone of carrier aviation for the United States Navy. And it has seen what happens when Tom Cruise decides it’s time to move on.”
What happened to the F-14 is well documented. It appeared in the original Top Gun in 1986. It was celebrated. It was beloved. Posters were made. And then in 2022, Top Gun: Maverick was released, the F-14 was relegated to a single third-act cameo flown by the enemy, and the F/A-18 took center stage.
The F-14 was retired from U.S. service in 2006.
“My client is not saying there’s a connection,” the attorney said.
He paused.
“My client is absolutely saying there’s a connection.”
The Super Hornet’s legal filing requests assurances from Paramount Pictures that it will not be replaced in Top Gun 3 by the F-35, the B-21, or what the filing describes as “whatever unmanned vehicle the Navy is currently pretending isn’t already operational.”
Paramount did not respond to the filing.
The F-35 has not commented publicly but was seen at a Lockheed Martin function last Thursday looking extremely comfortable in front of cameras.
The Super Hornet’s pilot, a commander with twelve years of carrier aviation experience, said he understands his aircraft’s concerns but remains optimistic.
“It’s a great plane,” he said. “It’ll be fine.”
He said it in the voice of someone who has watched a lot of planes not be fine.
The F-14 could not be reached for comment.
It was last seen in an Iranian Air Force inventory photo from 2026, which the Super Hornet’s legal team has submitted as Exhibit A.
The filing is pending.
Top Gun 3 is expected to begin principal photography next year.
The F/A-18 has already started going to the gym.
Just in case.
