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NASA Northrop T-38N Talon N913NA
In the early 1950s, the Northrop Corporation developed a small supersonic fighter that could be operated from the U.S. Navy’s escort carriers. The Navy abandoned using these outdated ships in favor of larger super-carriers, so the Navy did not need the tiny fighter. Meanwhile, nations allied with the United States during the height of the Cold War wanted the latest in military equipment.
Northrop began developing a lightweight fighter for this export market. At the same time, the U.S. Air Force wanted a new supersonic jet trainer. Northrop demonstrated that a smaller design, using two small jet engines, was more economical than the more prominent types produced by other manufacturers.
The resulting T-38A Talon, a marvel of engineering, met the needs of both the export market and the U.S. Air Force. It went into service in 1961 and still serves in many countries today. The Talon's exceptional maneuverability set it apart from its counterparts, making it a force to be reckoned with.
It was adopted by the Air Demonstration Squadron of the U.S. Air Force, better known as the Thunderbirds. Between 1974 and 1981, the Talons flown by the Thunderbirds thrilled millions of air show enthusiasts worldwide. The Talon was the primary training jet at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School.
It has also been used by the air forces of Germany, Portugal, South Korea, Turkey, and the Republic of China, to name a few. NASA has used the Talon since the beginning of the manned spaceflight programs in the early 1960's. The Iranian Air Force announced an outwardly similar aircraft to the F-5 named the Kowsar. The T-38 Talon was primarily used for astronaut proficiency training, aerial photography, crew transport, and as a flight-test chase plane.
NASA Northrop T-38N Talon N913NA
In the early 1950s, the Northrop Corporation developed a small supersonic fighter that could be operated from the U.S. Navy’s escort carriers. The Navy abandoned using these outdated ships in favor of larger super-carriers, so the Navy did not need the tiny fighter. Meanwhile, nations allied with the United States during the height of the Cold War wanted the latest in military equipment.
Northrop began developing a lightweight fighter for this export market. At the same time, the U.S. Air Force wanted a new supersonic jet trainer. Northrop demonstrated that a smaller design, using two small jet engines, was more economical than the more prominent types produced by other manufacturers.
The resulting T-38A Talon, a marvel of engineering, met the needs of both the export market and the U.S. Air Force. It went into service in 1961 and still serves in many countries today. The Talon's exceptional maneuverability set it apart from its counterparts, making it a force to be reckoned with.
It was adopted by the Air Demonstration Squadron of the U.S. Air Force, better known as the Thunderbirds. Between 1974 and 1981, the Talons flown by the Thunderbirds thrilled millions of air show enthusiasts worldwide. The Talon was the primary training jet at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School.
It has also been used by the air forces of Germany, Portugal, South Korea, Turkey, and the Republic of China, to name a few. NASA has used the Talon since the beginning of the manned spaceflight programs in the early 1960's. The Iranian Air Force announced an outwardly similar aircraft to the F-5 named the Kowsar. The T-38 Talon was primarily used for astronaut proficiency training, aerial photography, crew transport, and as a flight-test chase plane.