Northrop T-38 Talon | |
|---|---|
| Pays | Usa |
| Rôle | Formateur avancé |
| Produit | 1961–1972 |
| Construit | 1146 |
Lla Northrop T-38 Talon est un avion d’entraînement biplace bimoteur à réaction supersonique. C’était le monde’s first supersonic trainer and is also the most produced. The T-38 remains in service as of 2017 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 U.S. 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.
Source: Northrop T-38 Talon sur Wiki
| Northrop T-38A Talon Se promener | |
|---|---|
| Photographe | Vladimir Yakubov |
| Localisation | Salon aérien de la capitale |
| Photos | 58 |
| Northrop T-38A Talon ‘black’ Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographe | Cees Hendriks |
| Localisation | Inconnu |
| Photos | 40 |
| Northrop T-38A Talon Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographe | Vladimir Yakubov |
| Localisation | Musée occidental du vol, Torrance |
| Photos | 80 |
Voir aussi :
The Supersonic Schoolroom
Lla Northrop T-38 Talon is a legendary twin-engine, high-altitude jet that has served as the backbone of advanced pilot training for over 60 years. Introduced in 1961, it was the first supersonic trainer in history. Its sleek, « coke-bottle » fuselage and high-performance engines allow it to mimic the flight characteristics of front-line fighters. Beyond training nearly 80,000 Air Force pilots, the T-38 has been the « personal sports car » Pour NASA astronauts, used for proficiency training, travel, and as a chase plane for every major space program from Apollo to the Space Shuttle.
| Attribute | Technical Specification (T-38C) |
|---|---|
| Rôle | Advanced Supersonic Jet Trainer |
| Crew | 2 (Student and Instructor in tandem) |
| First Flight | March 10, 1959 |
| Groupe motopropulseur | 2 × General Electric J85-GE-5 turbojets |
| Thrust | 2,900 lbf (12.9 kN) each with afterburner |
| Vitesse maximale | 812 mph (Mach 1.08 at sea level; Mach 1.3 at altitude) |
| Service Ceiling | 55,000+ feet (16,764 m) |
| Rate of Climb | 33,600 feet per minute (170 m/s) |
Design Engineering: The Area Rule Masterpiece
- Area Rule « Coke Bottle » Shape: To achieve supersonic speeds with relatively small engines, Northrop applied the « Area Rule »—narrowing the fuselage where the wings meet. This reduces transonic drag, allowing the sleek Talon to slip through the sound barrier with ease.
- High Wing Loading: The T-38 features small, thin, swept-back wings. This design provides high speed and a smooth ride in turbulence but results in a high landing speed (around 170 mph), requiring precision from student pilots.
- Ease of Maintenance: Northrop designed the Talon so that critical components are « waist-high. » Mechanics can reach most systems without ladders, and an entire engine can be swapped in about 20 minutes.
- T-38C Modernization: Lla « C » model introduced a « glass cockpit » with digital displays, a Head-Up Display (HUD), and a Virtual Proximity Warning System, bridging the gap between this 1960s airframe and modern 5th-generation fighters like the F-22 and F-35.
The Astronaut’s Best Friend
- Lla « White Rocket » at NASA: NASA has maintained a fleet of T-38s at Ellington Field since the early 1960s. Astronauts use them to develop « quick-thinking » skills in high-pressure environments, a direct carry-over to spaceflight.
- The Jackie Cochran Records: In 1961, legendary pilot Jackie Cochran used the T-38 to set eight world records for speed, distance, and altitude, proving the aircraft’s exceptional performance to a global audience.
- Thunderbirds Era: During the fuel crisis of the 1970s, the USAF Thunderbirds demonstration team switched from the thirsty F-4 Phantom to the economical T-38. They flew the Talon for eight seasons, showcasing its incredible maneuverability.
- Combat Cousin: The T-38 was the direct basis for the F-5 Freedom Fighter. While they look nearly identical, the F-5 features a wider wing for weapons hardpoints and lead-computing gunsights.
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