More than 1,100 were delivered to the Air Force between 1961 and 1972 when production ended. An ongoing program called Pacer Classic, the structural life extension program for the T-38, is integrating 10 modifications, including major structural renewal, into one process. As a result, the service life of T-38s should extend to the 2010. Two independent hydraulic systems power the ailerons, flaps, rudder and other flight control surfaces. The instructor and student sit in tandem on rocket powered ejection seats in a pressurized, air-conditioned cockpit.
Critical components are waist high and can be easily reached by maintenance crews.
Refueling and preflight inspections are easily performed. The T-38 needs as little as 2,300 feet of runway to take off and can climb from sea level to nearly 30,000 feet in one minute. Above 55,000 feet.