T-38 Talon

On April 10, the first supersonic training aircraft T-38 Talon celebrated its 65th anniversary. On that day in 1959, the first prototype of the aircraft, the YT-38, took to the skies at Edwards Air Force Base (USA, California). It was developed by the Northrop Corporation in accordance with the requirements of the United States Air Force (USAF).

Serial production of the T-38 lasted from 1961 to 1972, during which 1189 units were built. The vast majority were two-seater T-38A models designed for advanced pilot training. They were powered by two General Electric J85-5A engines, each producing 1744 kgf of thrust. The aircraft had a length of 14.14 meters, a wingspan of 7.7 meters, a maximum takeoff weight of 5670 kg, a maximum speed of 1381 km/h, and a practical range of 1835 km. A significant number of aircraft were gradually upgraded to the T-38C variant with more modern avionics.

The main operator of the T-38 was the USAF. After initial training on the relatively simple Cessna T-37 Tweet, pilot cadets transitioned to the more complex T-38. This program was undergone by all pilots, whether they later flew fighters, bombers, or transport aircraft. Additionally, NASA extensively used the T-38 for astronaut training and various research programs, often modifying the aircraft for specific purposes. The T-38 was also regularly used by the USAF as a chase aircraft for testing various aviation technologies.

Apart from the USA, the T-38 was purchased by Germany, South Korea, Portugal, Taiwan, and Turkey. In the United States, plans to replace the aircraft with a newer model were anticipated during the 1990s. However, the reliable and pilot-friendly Talon earned a high reputation and remained in service much longer. Only in mid-2024 is the transition to the Boeing–Saab T-7 Red Hawk planned to begin.

Based on the T-38, Northrop Corporation developed the lightweight fighter F-5 Freedom Fighter, primarily for export to countries receiving American military assistance. It remains in service with 17 countries to this day.