T-38 Talon Mission 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.FeaturesThe 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.BackgroundAir Education and Training Command uses the T-38C to prepare pilots for front-line fighter and bomber aircraft such as the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-15C Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, B-1B Lancer, A-10 Thunderbolt and F-22 Raptor.The Talon first flew in 1959. More than 1,100 were delivered to the Air Force between 1961 and 1972 when production ended. As the T-38 fleet has aged, specific airframe, engine and system components have been modified or replaced. Pacer Classic is the name given to a sustainment program that integrates essential modifications, and includes major structural replacements into one process.AETC began receiving T-38C models in 2001 as part of the Avionics Upgrade Program. T-38C models will also undergo a propulsion modernization program which replaces major engine components to enhance reliability and maintainability, and an engine inlet/injector modification to increase available takeoff thrust. These upgrades and modifications, with the Pacer Classic program, should extend the service life of T-38s to 2020.Advanced JSUPT students fly the T-38C in aerobatics, formation, night, instrument and cross-country navigation training.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.General CharacteristicsPrimary Function: Advanced jet pilot trainerBuilder: Northrop Corp.Power Plant: Two General Electric J85-GE-5 turbojet engines with afterburnersThrust: 2,050 pounds dry thrust; 2,900 with afterburnersThrust (with PMP): 2,200 pounds dry thrust; 3,300 with afterburnersLength: 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 milesArmament: T-38A/C: none; AT-38B: provisions for practice bomb dispenserUnit Cost: $756,000 (1961 constant dollars)Crew: Two, student and instructorDate Deployed: March 1961Inventory: Active force, 546; ANG, 0; Reserve 0(Current as of January 2014)