Northrop T-38A Talon (USA)
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April 1- September 30
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The Castle Air Museum is chartered by the Department of Education and operated by the Castle Air Museum Foundation, Inc., a private not-for-profit corporation,
tax-exempt under IRS Code 501 (c)(3). The mission of the Museum is to preserve military aviation history for future generations.
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Specifications
Country of Origin:
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United States
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Manufacturer:
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Northrop Aircraft Inc.
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Role/Function:
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Supersonic-Trainer
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Serial Number:
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52-1927
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Model Number/Mk #:
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N-156T
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Crew:
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2 (student + instructor)
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Power Plant:
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2 × General Electric J85-5A (J85-5R after PMP modification) afterburning turbojets
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Maximum Speed:
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858 mph. (M 1.3)
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Cruising Speed:
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n/a
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Service Ceiling:
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50,000 ft.
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Range:
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1,140 mi.
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Weights:
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Empty: 7,200 lbs. Maximum: 11,820 lbs.
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Wing Span:
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25 ft. 3 in.
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Length:
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46 ft. 4.5 in.
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Height:
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12 ft. 10.5 in.
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Wing Area:
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170 ft²
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Armament:
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n/a
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Cost:
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$756,000.00 (1961); $5,756,000.00 (2012)
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Number Built:
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n/a
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# in Current Service:
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546
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The T-38 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-38 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.
The T-38 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. Critical aircraft components are waist high and can be easily reached by maintenance crews.
The T-38C incorporates a "glass cockpit" with integrated avionics displays, head-up display and an electronic "no drop bomb" scoring system. The AT-38B has a gun sight and practice bomb dispenser.
The T-38 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-38s modified by the propulsion modernization program have approximately 19 percent more thrust, reducing takeoff distance by 9 percent.
The instructor and student sit in tandem on rocket-powered ejection seats in a pressurized, air-conditioned cockpit.
Test pilots and flight test engineers are trained in T-38s at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Air Force Materiel Command uses the T-38 to test experimental equipment such as electrical and weapon systems.
Pilots from most North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries train in the T-38 at Sheppard AFB, Texas, through the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration uses T-38 aircraft as trainers for astronauts and as observers and chase planes on programs such as the space shuttle.
Other Points of Interest:
