Description:
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. |
WEFT Description
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- WINGS
- ENGINE
- FUSELAGE
- TAIL
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