What type of aircraft is a T-38?

What type of aircraft is a T-38?

twinjet supersonic jet trainer
The T-38 Talon is a twinjet supersonic jet trainer produced by American aerospace and defence company Northrop Grumman. The company built 1,187 T-38 twin-jet trainer aircraft and more than 72,000 USAF pilots have flown the T-38 since it entered service in 1961, when it was the world’s first supersonic trainer.

Is the T-38 still flying?

The T-38 remains in service as of 2022 in several air forces. The United States Air Force (USAF) operates the most T-38s. In addition to training USAF pilots, the T-38 is used by NASA.

What is the T-38 used for?

The T-38 is a tandem seat twin-engine supersonic jet. There is increased emphasis on formation, navigation, and low-level navigation flying. 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.

How many T-38 does the U.S. have?

Program Overview. More than 72,000 U. S. Air Force pilots have trained in Northrop Grumman Corporation’s T-38 Talon, the world’s first supersonic trainer when it entered service. Nearly 1,200 Talons were produced from 1961-72, and more than 500 are currently operational with the Air Force and NASA.

What is the difference between T-38 and F 5?

The F-5 was designed as a lightweight export fighter in the mid-late ’50s. The T-38 was developed from the F-5A variant to be used as an advanced/supersonic trainer to replace the T-33. The 38 uses a much simpler wing, less powerful engines, and a redesigned 2-seat tandem cockpit.

Do all astronauts learn to fly the T-38?

Anyone who didn’t fly a T-38 before they got to NASA learned to fly it once they joined the astronaut corps. Basic astronaut training includes T-38 courses, and mission specialists, who do not sit at the controls of a space shuttle, have to record four hours a month at the stick of a T-38.

How high can a T-38 go?

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.