Northrop T-38 Talon

Northrop T-38 Talon
Name	T-38 Talon
Caption	A United States Air Force T-38C in flight.
Type	Supersonic advanced trainer
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Northrop Corporation
Designer	Edgar Schmued
First flight	10 April 1959
Introduction	17 March 1961
Status	In service
Primary user	United States Air Force
More users	United States Navy , NASA , Turkish Air Force
Produced	1961–1972
Number built	1,187
Developed from	Northrop N-156
Variants with their own articles	Northrop F-5

Northrop T-38 Talon. The Northrop T-38 Talon is a twin-engine, supersonic, advanced jet trainer designed and built by the Northrop Corporation. It was the world's first supersonic trainer and remains a cornerstone of United States Air Force pilot instruction. Renowned for its safety, performance, and longevity, the T-38 has also served with NASA and numerous allied air forces.

Development and design

The T-38 originated from the Northrop N-156 program, a private venture by Northrop Corporation to develop a lightweight supersonic fighter. Led by famed designer Edgar Schmued, the team created a common airframe that could fulfill both fighter and trainer roles. The trainer variant, designated the N-156T, was selected by the United States Air Force in 1956. Its design incorporated two General Electric J85 turbojet engines in a sleek, area-ruled fuselage, enabling supersonic performance with exceptional handling characteristics. The aircraft's first flight occurred on 10 April 1959 at Edwards Air Force Base. The successful prototype led to a production contract, and the type entered service as the T-38A Talon, providing a high-performance platform for student pilots transitioning to frontline fighters like the F-4 Phantom II and F-15 Eagle.

Operational history

The T-38 was officially introduced into United States Air Force service on 17 March 1961 with the 12th Flying Training Wing at Randolph Air Force Base. It quickly became the primary advanced trainer for the USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training program, a role it continues to fill today. Beyond training, the T-38 has been used as a proficiency aircraft for B-52 Stratofortress and U-2 pilots, and for chase duties in test programs. NASA has operated a fleet of T-38s since the 1960s for astronaut training and as chase planes for programs like the Space Shuttle. The aircraft has also seen extensive international service, with many allied nations operating it through programs like the Mutual Defense Assistance Act. Despite its age, ongoing modernization efforts, such as the T-38C avionics upgrade, have kept the fleet viable.

Variants

* T-38A: The original production model for the United States Air Force. * AT-38A: A small number of T-38As modified to carry practice bombs and a gun sight for weapons training. * DT-38A: Several aircraft converted as director aircraft for BQM-34 Firebee target drones. * NT-38A: Designation for aircraft used in special test roles. * T-38B: A proposed variant with upgraded avionics that was not produced. * T-38C: The current standard, featuring a modernized glass cockpit with head-up display and upgraded navigation systems under the Avionics Upgrade Program. * T-38N: Newly built aircraft for the Turkish Air Force in the 2010s, featuring T-38C-standard avionics.

Operators

The primary operator remains the United States Air Force, with aircraft assigned to training wings at bases like Columbus Air Force Base, Laughlin Air Force Base, and Vance Air Force Base. NASA operates a fleet from Ellington Field and Edwards Air Force Base. Former and current international military operators include the German Air Force, the Portuguese Air Force, the Republic of China Air Force, the South Korean Air Force, and the Turkish Air Force. The United States Navy has also used the T-38 for test pilot training at the United States Naval Test Pilot School.

Specifications (T-38C)

* Crew: 2 (student and instructor) * Length: 46 ft 4 in (14.14 m) * Wingspan: 25 ft 3 in (7.70 m) * Height: 12 ft 10 in (3.92 m) * Empty weight: 7,200 lb (3,270 kg) * Max takeoff weight: 12,500 lb (5,670 kg) * Powerplant: 2 × General Electric J85-GE-5 turbojets * Maximum speed: Mach 1.3 (858 mph, 1,381 km/h) * Range: 1,140 mi (1,835 km) * Service ceiling: 55,000 ft (16,800 m) * Rate of climb: 33,600 ft/min (171 m/s)

Notable appearances in media

The T-38 has frequently appeared in films and television, often depicting United States Air Force or NASA operations. It features prominently in the opening sequence of the film The Right Stuff, showcasing its role in astronaut training. The aircraft also appears in the movie Space Cowboys and in documentaries about the U.S. space program and test flying at Edwards Air Force Base. Its distinctive shape and supersonic capability have made it an iconic symbol of military aviation training.

Category:United States military trainer aircraft 1950–1959 Category:Northrop aircraft Category:Twinjet aircraft