20 Things You Somehow Missed In Top Gun

While flying, the pilots are sometimes referred to as "going ballistic". Although many viewers assume this phrase simply means the pilot has gone nuts, this is a real term used by naval aviators.

However, the characters use the phrase incorrectly. In the film, the pilots are told they are "going ballistic" when they are flying at maximum speed.

But this term means the exact opposite. When a pilot goes ballistic, it means they are going too slow to maintain control of the vehicle. This usually occurs when the aircraft is completely vertical and its speed becomes compromised by gravity.

Considering the correct term for "maximum speed" in the Navy is "envelope", the scriptwriters probably chose "ballistic" because it sounds cooler.