The Northrop T-38 Talon is a US-built supersonic jet trainer for military pilots. It was the world’s first supersonic trainer and remains in service as of 2003.
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History
The T-38 is of conventional configuration, with a small, low, swept wing, a single tail fin, and tricycle undercarriage. The aircraft seats a student pilot and instructor in tandem, and has intakes for its two turbojet engines at the wing roots. Its nimble performance has earned it the nickname white rocket - in 1962, T-38s set four climb records.
Most T-38s are of the T-38A variant, but the USAF also has a small number of aircraft that have been converted for weapons training. These aircraft (designated AT-38B) have been fitted with a gunsight and can carry a gunpod, rockets, or bombs on a centreline pylon. In 2003, 562 T-38s were still operational with the USAF and are currently undergoing structural and avionics programmes to extend their service life to 2020. Refurbished aircraft are being designated T-38C.
Besides the USAF, other T-38 operators include the German Luftwaffe, the Portugese Air Force, the Singapore Air Force, the Taiwanese Air Force, and the Turkish Air Force. It is also flown by NASA and Boeing, who use the type as a chase plane. There are also a very small number of them in private civilian hands.
The fighter version of the N-156 was eventually selected for the US’s Military Assistance Program (MAP) and produced as the F-5 Freedom Fighter. Many of these have since reverted to a weapons training role as various air forces have introduced newer types into service.
See also: F-20 Tigershark
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