Since its debut in 1959, the U.S. Air Force has relied on the proficient performance of the T-38 Talon as a training aircraft, refining inexperienced aviators with its capabilities for high altitudes and supersonic flight.
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center reports approximately 562 T-38s are actively serving in both the U.S. Air Force training program and NASA.
However, after 65 years of service, the USAF has initiated a transition toward a new training aircraft set to replace the T-38 entirely.
Beyond the United States, several of America’s allies still utilize the T-38, integrating numerous upgrades over the years to keep pace with evolving technology.
Sustaining such a lengthy service life demands impressive capabilities from an aircraft, and the T-38 rises to meet these demands.
This jet can ascend from sea level to approximately 30,000 feet in just 60 seconds, boasting an altitude ceiling surpassing 55,000 feet and the ability to take off from runways as short as 2,300 feet.
With a top speed of Mach 1.3, the T-38 Talon can climb at speeds reaching around Mach .92 when utilizing afterburners.
Powered by two General Electric J85-GE-5 turbojet engines equipped with afterburners, the T-38 delivers robust dry thrust of 2,050 pounds per engine, offering significant performance output.
Engaging afterburners temporarily increases available thrust, enhancing the jet’s capabilities. For instance, while the T-38 Talon’s engines produce 2,050 pounds of dry thrust without afterburners, once activated, they surge to 2,900 pounds, an 850-pound increase in thrust.
Afterburners introduce additional jet fuel into the engine mix when engaged, leading to a more intense reaction between the fuel and available oxygen.
Simplified, the process begins with the engine drawing in air, which combines with jet fuel and ignites.
This burning fuel powers the turbine, generating a significant energy release from the engine’s rear, propelling the aircraft forward. The afterburner capitalizes on remaining oxygen, elevating overall kinetic energy output.
However, this boost in thrust and resulting speed can occasionally lead to unexpected challenges, such as the time a U.S. fighter jet inadvertently intercepted its own gunfire.
Over 70,000 pilots have undergone training on the T-38 Talon, affectionately dubbed “The White Rocket,” and some consider it a demanding aircraft to master. Therefore, it’s apt that this specific supersonic jet is utilized to acquaint pilots with the intricacies of high-performance flying.
With the capability to sustain afterburner usage for over 20 minutes, the T-38 can achieve speeds of up to 812 mph. When surpassing the speed of sound, novice pilots encounter distinct changes in the control stick, which becomes “mushy,” allowing for extensive movement without affecting the aircraft’s position.
Relevant articles:
– Fuselage, Northrop, T-38 Talon, Smithsonian Institution
– Here’s How Fast A T-38 Jet Can Go After Its Afterburner Is Initiated, SlashGear
– National Air and Space Museum, si.edu
– Max climbing takeoff, T-38, ww2aircraft.net