Australia's very own 'Top Gun' pilots are taking to the skies over the Northern Territory in a major military exercise.
The Royal Australian Air Force's Exercise Diamond Storm 22 started this week, with the aim of training the best of the best in air warfare.
More than 60 Australian and US aircraft will fly in the bi-annual exercise that is being held until late June. The warplanes taking part include F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters.
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The giant military drill will also deploy about 1400 Australian and US service personnel.
RAAF Air Commodore Ross Bender said the Northern Territory offered the military one of the best training environments.
"Diamond Storm provides our candidates with the opportunity to apply their skills in high-end warfighting scenarios alongside international partners," he said.
Warplanes based from RAAF Base Darwin and RAAF Base Tindal will fly throughout the NT.
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Air crews will also fire missiles and other weapons at the Delamere Air Weapons Range during the exercise.
The training also gives the RAAF the opportunity to hone the skills and knowledge of its future air warfare instructors.
"Our air warfare instructors will be knowledgeable and approachable experts who can integrate people, systems and combat effects across the five warfare domains: air, land, maritime, space and cyber," Air Commodore Bender said.
Exercise Diamond Storm 22 is being held as the film Top Gun: Maverick, starring Hollywood actor Tom Cruise, screens in Australian cinemas.
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The sequel to the famous 1986 Top Gun movie, it is about pilots from the US Navy's Top Gun elite flying school.
