Northrop T-38 Talon

T-38 Talon
A T-38A from 560th Flying Training Squadron, flying over the Texas countryside in 2001
Role Advanced trainer
National origin United States
Manufacturer Northrop Corporation
First flight 10 March 1959
Introduction 17 March 1961
Status Operational
Primary users United States Air Force
United States Navy
NASA
Turkish Air Force
Produced 1961–1972
Number built 1,146
Unit cost
US$756,000 (1961 constant dollars)
US$5.879 million (2013 dollars)
Developed from Northrop N-156
Variants Northrop F-5
Developed into Northrop F-20 Tigershark
Air-to-air right side view of a USAF T-38 Talon aircraft from 560th Flying Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, TX as his lead performs a left pitchout
T-38C cockpit
USAF Thunderbirds flying T-38s in formation
Two T-38 chase planes follow Space Shuttle Columbia as it lands at Northrop Strip in White Sands, New Mexico, ending its mission STS-3.
NASA Dryden's T-38 in flight over Cuddeback Dry Lake in Southern California
Picture of the formation leader, taken from the backseat of a T38C, of the 479th Fighter Training Group, Moody AFB, Georgia, 2006
A U.S. Air Force 25th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot and his student walk to a T-38A to begin flight training at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, on 23 November 1997.
X-15 in flight attached to B-52 mother ship, with T-38 chase plane (1961)
A T-38 takes off from Edwards Air Force Base with only one engine during single-engine takeoff testing, to evaluate recommended speeds for takeoff if an engine fails.

The Northrop T-38 Talon is a two-seat, twin-engined supersonic jet trainer. It was the world's first supersonic trainer and is also the most produced. The T-38 remains in service as of 2016 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. The US Naval Test Pilot School is the principal US Navy operator (other T-38s were previously used as USN aggressor aircraft until replaced by the similar Northrop F-5 Tiger II). Pilots of other NATO nations fly the T-38 in joint training programs with USAF pilots.

As of 2015, the T-38 has been in service for over 50 years with its original operator, the United States Air Force.

Design and development

In 1952 Northrop began work on a fighter project, the Fang, with shoulder-mounted delta wing and a single engine.[1] The proposed General Electric J79 engine, weighing nearly two tons, meant the resulting aircraft would be large and expensive.[2] Then in 1953, representatives from General Electric Aviation's newly created Small Aircraft Engine Department showed Northrop a relatively tiny engine (around 400 lb installed wt) capable of 2,500 lb of thrust, and Northrop VP-Engineering Edgar Schmued saw the possibility of reversing the trend toward the large fighters. Schmued and chief engineer Welko Gasich decided on a small twin-engine "hot-rod" fighter, the N-156. Northrop began its N-156 project in 1954, aiming for a small supersonic fighter jet capable of operating from the US Navy's escort carriers. However, when the Navy chose not to pursue equipping its fleets in that fashion, Northrop continued the N-156 design using in-house funding, recasting it as a lightweight fighter (dubbed N-156F) and aimed at the export market.

In the mid-1950s the USAF issued a General Operating Requirement for a supersonic trainer, planning to retire its 1940s-era Lockheed T-33s. Northrop officials decided to adapt the N-156 to this competition. The only other candidate was the two-seat version of the North American F-100 Super Sabre. Although the F-100 was not considered the ideal candidate for a training aircraft (it is not capable of recovering from a spin),[3] NAA was still considered the favorite in the competition due to that company's favored-contractor status with the Air Force. However, Northrop officials convincingly presented life-cycle cost comparisons which could not be ignored, and they were awarded the contract, receiving an order for three prototypes. The first (designated YT-38) flew on 10 March 1959.[4] The type was quickly adopted and the first production examples were delivered in 1961, officially entering service on 17 March that year, complementing the T-37 primary jet trainer. When production ended in 1972, 1,187 T-38s had been built (plus two N-156T prototypes). Since its introduction, it is estimated that some 50,000 military pilots have trained on this aircraft. The USAF remains one of the few armed flying forces using dedicated supersonic final trainers, as most, such as the US Navy, use high subsonic trainers.[5]

The T-38 is of conventional configuration, with a small, low, long-chord wing, a single vertical stabilizer, and tricycle undercarriage. The aircraft seats a student pilot and instructor in tandem, and has intakes for its two turbojet engines at the wing roots. Its nimble performance has earned it the nickname white rocket. In 1962 the T-38 set absolute time-to-climb records for 3,000, 6,000, 9,000 and 12,000 meters, beating the records for those altitudes set by the F-104 in December 1958. (The F-4 beat the T-38's records less than a month later.)

The F-5B and F (which also derive from the N-156) can be distinguished from the T-38 by the wings; the wing of the T-38 meets the fuselage straight and ends square, while the F-5 has leading edge extensions near the wing roots and wingtip launch rails for air-to-air missiles. The wings of both the T-38 and the F-5 family use conventional skin over spar-rib structure.[6]

Most T-38s built were of the T-38A variant, but the USAF also had a small number of aircraft converted for weapons training (designated AT-38B), which were fitted with a gunsight and could carry a gunpod, rockets, or bombs on a centerline pylon. In 2015, 504 T-38s were still operational with the USAF, with many more in operation around the world. Most of the USAF variant aircraft (T-38A and AT-38B) have been converted to the T-38C through an avionics upgrade program. Improvements include the addition of a HUD, GPS, INS (Inertial Navigation System), and TCAS. Most jets have also received PMP (a propulsion modification to improve low-altitude engine thrust). Approximately a third of the fleet (those that experience more severe usage) are currently undergoing structural replacements and upgrades, as well as receiving new wings, to extend their service life to 2029.

The fighter version of the N-156 was eventually selected for the US Military Assistance Program and produced as the F-5 Freedom Fighter. Many of these have since reverted to a weapons training role as various air forces have introduced newer types into service. The F-5G was an advanced single-engined variant later renamed the F-20 Tigershark.

Operational history

Military

The USAF Strategic Air Command (SAC) had T-38s in service from 1978 until SAC's 1991 inactivation. These aircraft were used to enhance the career development of bomber copilots through the "Accelerated Copilot Enrichment Program." They were later used as proficiency aircraft for all B-52, B-1, Lockheed SR-71, U-2, Boeing KC-135, and KC-10 pilots. SAC's successors, the Air Combat Command (ACC) and the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), continue to retain T-38s as proficiency aircraft for U-2 pilots and B-2 pilots, respectively.[5]

The Air Training Command's (ATC) successor, the Air Education and Training Command (AETC), uses the T-38C to prepare pilots for the F-15C Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagle, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, B-52 Stratofortress, B-1B Lancer, B-2 Spirit, A-10 Thunderbolt, F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. The AETC received T-38Cs in 2001 as part of the Avionics Upgrade Program. The T-38Cs owned by the AETC have undergone propulsion modernization which replaces major engine components to enhance reliability and maintainability, and an engine inlet/injector modification to increase available takeoff thrust.[5] These upgrades and modifications, with the Pacer Classic program, should extend the service life of T-38s past 2020. The T-38 has an availability goal of 75% which it maintained in 2011, however in 2015 availability is 60%.[7]

Besides the USAF, USN and NASA, other T-38 operators included the German Air Force (Luftwaffe), the Portuguese Air Force, the Republic of China Air Force, and the Turkish Air Force.[5]

NASA

NASA operates a fleet of thirty-two T-38 aircraft[8] and uses the aircraft as a jet trainer for its astronauts, as well as a chase plane. Its fleet is housed primarily at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. NASA's internal projections show the number of operational jet trainers falling to 16 by 2015. The agency spends $25–30 million annually to fly and maintain the T-38s.[9]

Accidents

More than 210 aircraft losses and ejections have been documented over the lifetime of the T-38.[10]

NASA's T-38s were involved in four separate fatal accidents in the 1960s and 1970s, and several non-fatal incidents.

In response to the 1973 OPEC oil embargo, from 1974 to 1983, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds aerobatic display team adopted the T-38 Talon, which used far less fuel than the F-4 Phantom. The Blue Angels downsized to the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk at roughly the same time. After the infamous 1982 "Diamond Crash" incident that killed four of the Thunderbirds' six demonstration pilots, the T-38 was replaced in this role by the front line F-16A Fighting Falcon.

Two fatal crashes in 2008, on 23 April at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi and on 1 May at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, resulted in four fatalities, causing the Air Force to temporarily ground the aircraft.[18] On 21 May 2009, a T-38 crashed just north of Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert.[19]

Replacement

The USAF has launched the T-X Program, to replace the T-38. Aviation Week & Space Technology reporters wrote in 2010 "there appears to be no rush to purchase T-38 replacements"; "the service is conducting an analysis of alternatives" with results "not expected to be ready until the Fiscal 2013 budget".[20] In subsequent years, the Air Force indicated it would launch a competition for the T-38's replacement. Likely bidders include: A partnership of BAE Systems and Rolls Royce, offering the Hawk trainer, equipped with Rolls' Adour Mk951 engine offering 6,500 lb of thrust and FADEC; Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries, offering the T-50; and General Dynamics and Alenia Aermacchi offering the M-346, an aircraft whose design originated with the Russian Yak-130.[21]

Civil

There are seven privately owned T-38s in the U.S.[8] Boeing owns two T-38s, which it uses as chase planes.[8] Thornton Corporation owns two T-38s and three F-5s and the National Test Pilot School owns one T-38.[8] In addition, ILOAJP HOLDING and Wayne L. Siltanen own one each.[8]

Variants

Operators

 Germany
 Republic of China (Taiwan)
 Turkey
 United States

United States Air Force has 508 T-38 trainers in service as of September 2012.[29]

Air Combat Command
1st Reconnaissance Squadron
2d Fighter Training Squadron
Air Education and Training Command
435th Flying Training Squadron
560th Flying Training Squadron
49th Flying Training Squadron
50th Flying Training Squadron
87th Flying Training Squadron
25th Flying Training Squadron
88th Flying Training Squadron
90th Flying Training Squadron
469th Flying Training Squadron
Air Force Reserve Command
43d Flying Training Squadron (Columbus AFB)
96th Flying Training Squadron (Laughlin AFB)
97th Flying Training Squadron (Sheppard AFB)
415th Flight Test Flight
Air Force Global Strike Command
394th Combat Training Squadron
Air Force Materiel Command
586th Flight Test Squadron (Holloman AFB, New Mexico)
445th Flight Test Squadron

United States Navy has ten aircraft in use as November 2008.[28]

Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division

NASA has approximately 32 aircraft bailed from USAF.

Former operators

 Portugal
 Republic of Korea

Aircraft on display

A T-38 Talon on display at the Frontiers of Flight Museum
T-38A
GT-38A
YT-38A
AT-38B
T-38N

Specifications (T-38A)

Data from USAF factsheet[5]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development


Related lists

References

Notes
  1. Johnsen 2006, pp. 5–6
  2. Eden 2004, p. 344
  3. Due to its elongated fuselage - the pilot's operating handbook for the two-seat version contains an instruction to avoid spins.
  4. "Northrop marks 50th anniversary of T-38 Talon first flight." defencetalk.com, 14 April 2009. Retrieved: 21 August 2011.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Northrop AT-38B Talon." USAF, 2 May 2008
  6. TO 1T-38A-4, USAF T-38 Tech Order
  7. Butler, Amy (6 April 2015). "T-X Competition Fierce Despite GD, Alenia Split". Aviation Week & Space Technology. Archived from the original on 7 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Aircraft – Make / Model Results: Northrop T-38." FAA Registry. Retrieved 21 August 2011
  9. Creech, Gray. "T-38 Supersonic Trainer Jet Gets New Home." NASA. Retrieved 21 August 2011
  10. Northrop T-38 Losses and Ejections
  11. "Crash Kills Astronaut." Richland, WA – Tri City Herald, 1 November 1964
  12. "Goose Hit Jet, Killing Astronaut." The Miami News, 17 November 1964
  13. "2 Astronauts Die In Plane Crash." The Tuscaloosa News, 28 February 1966
  14. "See – Bassett Backup Crew Gets Gemini." Daytona Beach, FL – Morning Journal newspaper, 1 March 1966
  15. "Williams Wanted To Be First On The Moon." St. Petersburg, FL -Evening Independent newspaper, 6 October 1967
  16. "Board Pinpoints Astronaut's Death." Sarasota, FL – Herald-Tribune newspaper, 7 June 1968
  17. "Two Civilian Test Pilots Die In Crash." Spartanburg, SC – Herald-Journal newspaper, 21 January 1972
  18. "Planes Grounded After Crashes," The New York Times, 2 May 2008, p. 14
  19. "T-38 crash claims life of Edwards' pilot." United States Air Force, 22 May 2009. Retrieved 21 August 2011
  20. "USAF Braces For Fiscal Bombardment." AW & ST, 20 September 2010
  21. Power play, The World column, AW & ST, 16 September 2013, p. 12
  22. 1 2 Andrade 1979, p. 167
  23. "Modifications & Modernization T-38 Avionics Modernization Program." Turkish International Cooperation and Export Activities. Retrieved 21 August 2011
  24. airliners.net
  25. "Northrop Space Trainer". The Aeroplane, 3 April 1959, p. 393
  26. Article from Utrechts Nieuwsblad, 12 November 1959
  27. 1 2 "World Military Aircraft Inventory". 2009 Aerospace Source Book, AW & ST, 2009.
  28. 1 2 "Directory: World Air Forces." Flight International, 11–17 November 2008
  29. "The Air Force in Facts and Figures." Air Force Magazine, May 2012
  30. California Science Center. Retrieved 16 June 2015
  31. warbird information exchange
  32. NAM, Pensacola FL
  33. aero-web
  34. "T-38 Talon/60-0549." Prairie Aviation Museum. Retrieved 12 April 2013
  35. "GT-38A Talon 60-0558 in Edinburgh." Talon in Edinburgh
  36. aero-web
  37. aero-web
  38. "T-38 Talon/61-0817." Warbird Registry. Retrieved 12 April 2013
  39. Warbird Information Exchange
  40. "T-38 Talon/61-0854." Pima Air & Space Museum. Retrieved 12 April 2013
  41. 1 2 http://www.aero-web.org/museums/tx/safbap.htm
  42. "T-38 Talon/61-0902." Warbird Registry. Retrieved 12 April 2013
  43. "T-38 Talon/63-8224." Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. Retrieved 12 April 2013
  44. airliners.net
  45. aero-web
  46. aero-web
  47. Aviation Heritage Park
  48. Bowling Green Daily News
  49. aero-web
  50. "T-38 Talon/60-0593." March Field Air Museum. Retrieved 12 April 2013
  51. "T-38 Talon/61-0824." Hill Aerospace Museum. Retrieved 12 April 2013
  52. "T-38 Talon/58-1192." South Dakota Air and Space Museum. Retrieved 12 April 2013
  53. "T-38 Talon/60-0576." Warbird Registry. Retrieved 12 April 2013
  54. "T-38 Talon/65-10441." National Museum of the USAF. Retrieved 12 April 2013
  55. tinfeathers.com
  56. "T-38s modified by the propulsion modernization program have approximately 19 percent more thrust, reducing takeoff distance by 9 percent." (T-38 Talon USAF Fact Sheet)
  57. Even though this value has been printed in USAF outlets for many years, it is probably incorrect. The T-38 time-to-climb record, set in 1962, was 3 minutes to 30,000 feet. According to Northrop's Roy Martin (quoted on p. 64 of Air & Space/Smithsonian, Vol. 20, No. 3 (August/September 2005), a normal climb at military power - that is, maximum power without afterburner - is around 6,000 feet/minute.
Bibliography
  • Andrade, John U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909 Midland Counties Publications, 1979, ISBN 0 904597 22 9
  • Eden, Paul, ed. "Northrop F-5 family". Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft. London: Amber Books, 2004. ISBN 1-904687-84-9
  • Johnsen, Frederick A. Northrop F-5/F-20/T-38. North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58007-094-9
  • Shaw, Robbie. F-5: Warplane for the World. St. Paul, Minnesota: Motorbooks International, 1990. ISBN 0-87938-487-5

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