The T-38 Talon is the world’s first supersonic trainer, first flown in 1959. Tens of thousands of pilots learned to fly in T-38s. The US Air Force is the primary user of the T-38, but Talons are also used by the US Navy and several NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) member nations. NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) also maintains a fleet of T-38s, flown by astronauts to maintain their flight proficiency and used as chase planes. T-38s have also served as test beds for a variety of new technologies, equipment, and weapons systems. The US Air Force Thunderbirds flight demonstration team flew T-38s from 1974 to 1983. In all 1,189 T-38As were built between 1960 and 1972. Flying a T-38A in 1961, Jacqueline “Jackie” Cochran set eight world records for speed, altitude, and distance, including a record for speed over a 15km closed course, at 844.2 miles per hour (1,358.6 km/hr) on August 24, 1961.
The aircraft is used to teach supersonic techniques, aerobatics, formation, night and instrument flying, and cross-country/ low-level navigation. The T-38 is also used by the USAF Test Pilot School to train test pilots and flight-test engineers and by ACC and AFGSC as a companion trainer to maintain pilot proficiency. ACC uses regenerated T-38s as dedicated Aggressor aircraft for F-22 training and companion trainers for the U-2 program.
-38Bs are equipped with a gunsight and centerline station for mounting external stores including ECM pod/practice bomb dispensers. Aircraft were redesignated T-38Cs after avionics modernization that added a glass cockpit and HUD, color MFDs, mission computer, integrated INS/GPS, and reshaped engine inlets. T-38s were designed for 7,000 flying hours but many have surpassed 20,000 hours, requiring life-extension to bridge the gap to replacement by the T-7A. Pacer Classic III is the type’s third structural renewal effort and the most intensive in its history. It replaces major longerons, bulkheads/formers, intakes, internal skins, and structural floors on 180 high-risk T-38Cs.
The first airframe was redelivered in 2015 and a total of 19 aircraft will complete upgrades in FY21. Additional efforts include wing replacement through 2033, a new forward canopy to improve bird-strike survivability, and low-cost safety mods. Development encompasses digital avionics, replacement HUD, VHF nav/comms, and airspace compliance.
AETC plans to begin replacing its T-38s with the T-7A starting at Laughlin in 2033.
