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Join the Air ForceInformation > Factsheets > T-38 Talon                               T-38                                 TalonPosted 5/2/2008 Printable Fact SheetPhotos1 of 4Download                                 HiResDownload                                 HiResDownload                                 HiResDownload                                 HiResMission 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.                                 Features 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.                                 Background Air                                 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 Characteristics                                 Primary Function: Advanced                                 jet pilot trainer Builder:                                 Northrop Corp. Power Plant:                                 Two General Electric J85-GE-5 turbojet engines                                 with afterburners Thrust:                                 2,050 pounds dry thrust; 2,900 with afterburners                                 Thrust (with PMP): 2,200                                 pounds dry thrust; 3,300 with afterburners                                 Length: 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 miles                                 Armament: T-38A/C: none;                                 AT-38B: provisions for practice bomb dispenser                                 Unit Cost: $756,000 (1961                                 constant dollars) Crew:                                 Two, student and instructor Date                                 Deployed: March 1961                                 Inventory: Active force,                                 546; ANG, 0; Reserve 0Point of                                 ContactAir                                 Education and Training Command, Public                                 Affairs Office; 100 H Street, Suite 3; Randolph                                 AFB, Texas 78150-4330; DSN 487-3946 or                                 210-652-3946. 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