The T-38A Talon is a twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer used in a variety of roles because of its design, economy of operations, ease of maintenance, high performance and exceptional safety record.
Air Education and Training Command is the primary user of the T-38A for joint specialized undergraduate pilot training. Air Combat Command, Air Force Materiel Command and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration also use the T-38A in various roles.
![T-38 at Nellis](Commercial_Airliners-Military_Aircraft_Pictures/T38_Landing_At_Nellis_AFB.jpg)
Features
The T-38A has swept wings, a streamlined fuselage and tricycle landing gear with a steerable nose wheel. Two independent hydraulic systems power the ailerons, rudder and other flight control surfaces.
The instructor and student sit in tandem on rocket-powered ejection seats in a pressurized, air-conditioned cockpit. Critical components are waist high and can be easily reached by maintenance crews.
The T-38A needs as little as 2,300 feet (695.2 meters) of runway to take off and can climb from sea level to nearly 30,000 feet (9,068 meters) in one minute.
![T-38 Talon From Edwards AFB](Commercial_Airliners-Military_Aircraft_Pictures/T-38.jpg)
Background
Advanced JSUPT students fly the T-38A in aerobatics, formation, night, instrument and cross-country navigation training.
Test pilots and flight test engineers are trained in T-38A's at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Air Force Materiel Command uses the T-38A to test experimental equipment such as electrical and weapon systems.
![USAF T-38 Talon Trainer Aircraft](Commercial_Airliners-Military_Aircraft_Pictures/T-38A_Aircraft_In_Flight.jpg)
Pilots from most North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries train in the T-38A at Sheppard AFB, Texas, through the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration uses T-38A aircraft as trainers for astronauts and as observers and chase planes on programs such as the space shuttle.
Air Education and Training Command uses a modified version, the AT-38B, to prepare pilots for fighter aircraft such as the F-15, F-16 and A-10. The AT-38B has a gun sight and practice bomb dispenser.
![NASA T-38 Test Aircraft](Commercial_Airliners-Military_Aircraft_Pictures/T-38_Nasa_Test_Aircraft.jpg)
The Talon first flew in 1959. More than 1,100 were delivered to the Air Force between 1961 and 1972 when production ended.
Pacer Classic is a program designed to extend the structural life of the T-38 to 2020. Future major modifications to the T-38 avionics systems will result in all Talons being redesignated as T-38C models.
![Air Force T-38 Talon](Air_Force_T-38_Talon_Aircraft.jpg)
General Characteristics
Primary Function: Advanced jet pilot trainer
Builder: Northrop Corp.
Power Plant: Two General Electric J85-GE-5 turbojet engines with afterburners
Thrust: 2,680 pounds dry thrust; 3,850 with afterburners
Length: 46 feet, 4 inches (14 meters)
Height: 12 feet, 10 inches (3.8 meters)
Wingspan: 25 feet, 3 inches (7.6 meters)
Speed: 812 mph (Mach 1.08 at sea level)
Ceiling: Above 55,000 feet (16,764 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 12,093 pounds (5,485 kilograms)
Range: 1,093 miles
Armament: T-38A: none; AT-38B: provisions for practice bomb dispenser
Unit Cost: $756,000
Crew: Two, student and instructor
Date Deployed: March 1961
Inventory: Active force, 509; ANG, 0; Reserve 0
![T-38 Talon Cockpit Photo](Commercial_Airliners-Military_Aircraft_Pictures/T-38_cockpit.jpg)
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