Military Trainers
Alenia Aermacchi M-346
ICAO: Y130
Overview
The Northrop T-38 Talon is a twin-engine supersonic jet trainer developed for the United States Air Force. Designed in the late 1950s, it became the first supersonic trainer in the world. The aircraft has trained thousands of military pilots.
Live Fleet Activity (T38)
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Specifications
Units
- Engine
- 2 × General Electric J85-5A
- Engine type
- Jet
- Thrust
- 2 × 3,850 lbf · 17 kN
- Avionics
- —
- Wing tips
- No winglets
- Seats
- 2
- Crew
- —
- Cabin width
- —
- Cabin height
- —
- Cabin length
- —
- Exterior length
- 46 ft 5 in · 14.14 m
- Tail height
- 12 ft 10 in · 3.92 m
- Fuselage diameter
- 3 ft 3 in · 1.00 m
- Wing span
- 25 ft 3 in · 7.70 m
- Baggage volume
- —
- Gross weight
- —
- Empty weight
- —
- Max takeoff weight
- 12,500 lb · 5,650 kg
- Max landing weight
- —
- Max payload
- 1,400 lb · 650 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 580 gal · 2,200 L · 1,800 kg (Jet A)
- Max cruise speed
- 745 kt · 857 mph · 1,380 km/h
- Maximum speed
- —
- Cruise speed
- —
- Approach speed
- 133 kt · 153 mph · 246 km/h
- Range
- 991 nm · 1,140 mi · 1,840 km
- Fuel burn
- 1.69 nm/gal · 0.83 km/L
- Ceiling
- 50,000 ft · 15,200 m
- Rate of climb
- 33,600 ft/min · 171 m/s
- Takeoff distance
- 3,700 ft · 1,130 m
- Landing distance
- 4,500 ft · 1,370 m
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Live fleet activity details
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Operational Context
Northrop T-38 Talon — supersonic jet trainer
The T-38 first flew in 1959 and entered service in 1961. Derived from the F-5 fighter, it featured a slim fuselage and swept wings optimized for high-speed performance. The aircraft was designed to provide student pilots with experience in supersonic flight.
Powered by two General Electric J85 engines producing approximately 2,900 pounds of thrust (13 kN) each, the T-38 can exceed Mach 1.3. Maximum takeoff weight is around 12,700 pounds (5,760 kg). The tandem cockpit configuration supports advanced flight instruction.
The Talon has served for more than six decades and continues to be used in updated variants. Its longevity reflects a robust and adaptable design. The T-38 remains one of the most significant military trainers in aviation history.
Sources and references used for research and fact-checking.