Rex and National Geographic have announced Zinc Media Group's largest ever international commission - Top Gun: The Next Generation (working title). With unprecedented access to one of the U.S. Navy’s most demanding training and selection programs, this adrenaline-fueled and emotionally searing documentary series follows the world-class U.S. Navy student pilots as they work to join the next generation of the Navy’s most elite strike fighter pilots.
The series follows a group of officers as they push their limits on the gruelling Advanced Flight Training Program. For the first time ever, they'll be embarking on some of the most challenging flight tests possible including landing on an aircraft carrier at sea. The elite nature of the course means that only a minority - the very best - will make it to the top to fly the world’s most advanced jet - the F-35C Lightning II.
The emotional character-led stories will primarily be told through the perspective of a diverse range of Navy student pilots. This first-time access will allow the series to follow the prospective naval aviators every step of the way - in the air, in the classroom, off-base and at home - as we discover who’s got what it takes to make it to the F-35C.
“With so many millions of fans of the film around the world, I was immediately drawn to this series – these elite jet pilots are not only extremely accomplished and impressive, but all have very different stories to tell,” said Tom McDonald, EVP, Global Factual and Unscripted Content, National Geographic. “With Nat Geo’s exclusive unprecedented inside access, this series promises to be an exhilarating, visually jaw-dropping and fascinating journey into the intensely competitive world of elite flying.”
