T-38 celebrates 50 years with USAF

A T-38 taxis past a F-22 at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, recently. (USAF)

The US Air Force celebrated the 50th anniversary of the T-38 Talon trainer in March.

An event at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, last month saw the Talon praised for its solid performance and reliability as widely-used trainer for generations of USAF pilots. Northrop Grumman predecessor Northrop produced 1187 T-38s between 1959 and 1972, with approximately half of those remaining in service today with the USAF, plus the US Navy, NASA and other air forces around the world. Northrop Grumman continues to provide support for the Talon, including replacement wings and new structural components to increase the service life of the trainer.

Since 1961, over 70,000 USAF pilots have earned their wings on the T-38. The average T-38 has flown 15,000 hours, and the high-time aircraft has flown 19,000 hours.