*Iceman, on the previous recommendation of Viper upon his retirement, is commander of Top Gun. Maverick, like Jester before him and given his unpredictable style, is the lead instructor, using F-18s and 5th generation fighters to train a new class of fighter pilots for both modern and future warfare.
*Bureaucrats are attempting to end the program due to expense and ever-changing warfare strategies, and instead replace fighter pilots with unmanned drones. Iceman, Maverick and their trainees attempt to convince them of the necessity for fighter pilots and the human factor involved in air-to-air and air-to-ground operations.
*Maverick is married to the semi-retired Charlie, who still consults with the Department of Defense. They have a son and daughter, named Brad and Nicole for the late Nick “Goose” Bradshaw. Charlie works with Mav and Iceman to convince Washington of the necessity to continue the Top Gun program, even testifying before Congressional hearings over the matter on Capitol Hill.
*The ending involves a mock battle of planes vs drones, with Iceman, Maverick and their trainee aviators taking on drone “pilots.” In the end, both are proved necessary and effective components of an overall military strategy. The bureaucrats back off their plans to scrap Top Gun and other fighter pilot programs.
Opening scene:
Iceman is on a training hop with two trainees. As Iceman continues to purposefully evade, the pursuing trainees taunt him seemingly unaware.
“You know, Iceman here was crowned top of his class back in the day. Of course, it was remedial.”
“You don't say? Should rename him Caveman, given these outdated tactics.”
“You just keep coming, trainees. You'll understand soon enough the importance of studying your elders.”
Suddenly, another plane descends behind the trainees from the intermittent cloud cover of the otherwise clear blue sky. Maverick, flashing his typically boyish grin, targets both to simulate their elimination.
“Great balls of fire!” Maverick howls. “Always be prepared for the unexpected, trainees. Or, you'll be writing checks your bodies can't cash.”
“Wait, what? Where'd he come from? Nothing appeared on the scopes.”
Iceman chimes in. “You focused on what you were told about the combatants in the briefing, you failed to anticipate any changes in those parameters once you were on mission and trusted your instruments, which can be fooled, more than your instincts. You never know who or what else might be lurking out there.”
Like Viper and Jester before them, the two veterans have just given their new trainees their first lesson.
“Time to buzz the tower, Ice.”
“You're still dangerous, Mav.”
Both heartily laugh, relishing in their once-antagonistic camaraderie that has evolved over the years into real friendship.
Slider, also an instructor at Top Gun, watches the events through binoculars from the control tower.
“God damn, those guys.”
[ROLL OPENING CREDITS]
©2017 Steve Sagarra