CBS Plans Military Reality Show

<br>LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Reality television is enlisting in the military. <br><br>``American Fighter Pilots,'' planned for midseason on CBS, will be the first new TV series drawing on post-Sept.

Wednesday, December 12th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Reality television is enlisting in the military.

``American Fighter Pilots,'' planned for midseason on CBS, will be the first new TV series drawing on post-Sept. 11 action against terrorism by the United States.

``We feel that 'American Fighter Pilots' fulfills the desire of today's audiences for patriotic fare that's both exciting and entertaining,'' said CBS Television development executive Ghen Maynard.

Described by the network as a '``Top Gun'-like reality series,'' the program follows fighter pilot trainees at work and home in footage shot before the attacks on New York and Washington.

Many of the pilots are now part of the U.S. anti-terrorist war, CBS said. They are being interviewed abroad about their experiences during ``the current world situation,'' the network said.

The program's executive producers include Tony Scott, who directed the 1986 film ``Top Gun'' starring Tom Cruise.