The premiere episode of this reality series provides a modern, real-life look at the elite training program inspired by the movies. : "Strike".

There is no traditional "Episode 1" for the original 1986 film Top Gun , as it was released as a standalone movie. However, the title often refers to the series premiere of the 2025 National Geographic docuseries or various "behind-the-scenes" specials. Top Guns: The Next Generation (2025 Docuseries)

: A 22-minute feature that interviews actual TOPGUN flight instructors to reveal the tactics used in the classroom and the air.

: The episode follows a class of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps student pilots as they enter the final, most unforgiving phase of elite strike fighter training. It features high-speed bombing tests that push students to their limits, with one student's performance raising immediate doubts about their future in the program.