Northrop T-38A Talon
Northrop · United States · first flew 1959 · light aircraft
The Northrop T-38 Talon is an American twin-engine supersonic trainer and the world's first supersonic trainer to enter service, still flying with the USAF today.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 14.14 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Slender tandem two-seat supersonic trainer
- Twin turbojets with afterburners
- White USAF trainer livery
A very slender, wasp-waisted fuselage with a long tandem cockpit, small swept wings, twin jet exhausts side-by-side at the rear, and the characteristic Northrop F-5 family area-ruled fuselage.
Specifications
- The Northrop T-38A Talon has a length of 14.14 m (46 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7.7 m (25 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1381 km/h (858 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in April 1959, the T-38A entered USAF service in 1961 and has since trained virtually every USAF pilot including NASA astronauts. Its design is related to the F-5 Tiger, sharing the same basic airframe and engines.
Variants
Variants include the T-38A (basic trainer), AT-38B (lead-in fighter trainer with gun sight), T-38C (avionics upgrade with glass cockpit), and F-5 derivatives.
Where you'll see it
The USAF has operated the T-38 continuously since 1961, making it one of the longest-serving jet trainers in history; NASA also operates a fleet of T-38s for astronaut proficiency.
Related aircraft
- Northrop F-5
- Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter
- T-38 Talon
- Northrop QT-39A Talon
- Aermacchi AL-60
- Aero Boero AB-95
- Aeromere F.8L Falco Series III
- Air & Space 18A
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