Features
The T-38 has swept-back wings, a streamlined fuselage and tricycle landing gear with a steerable nose wheel. Two independent hydraulic systems power the ailerons, flaps, rudder and other flight control surfaces. 
The aircraft is powered by two J85-GE-5 series, eight-stage, axial-flow, turbojet engines. Sea level, standard day, static thrust for an installed engine is approximately 2050 pounds at MIL power and approximately 2900 pounds at full MAX power.
The gross weight of the aircraft fully fueled and including two aircrew is approximately 12,500 pounds.
The instructor and student sit in tandem on rocket-powered ejection seats in a pressurized, air-conditioned cockpit. Critical components are waist high and can be easily reached by maintenance crews. Refueling and preflight inspections are easily performed. 
The T-38 needs as little as 2,300 feet (695.2 meters) of runway to take off and can climb from sea level to nearly 30,000 feet (9,068 meters) in one minute.

Background
Student pilots fly the T-38A to learn supersonic techniques, aerobatics, formation, night and instrument flying, and cross-country navigation. More than 60,000 pilots have earned their wings in T-38A aircraft. 
Test pilots and flight test engineers are trained in T-38A's at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School in Edwards AFB, California, Air Force Materiel Command uses T-38A's to test experimental equipment such as electrical and weapon systems. 
Pilots from most North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries are trained in the T-38A at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, through the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program (ENJJPT). 
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) uses T-38A aircraft as trainers for astronauts and as observers and chase planes on programs such as the space shuttle. Both the USN and USAF have used the T-38 in the aggressor role with Top Gun and the 57 FWW respectively. In those guises they adopted camoflage markings.
Air Combat Command uses Air Education and Training Command's T-38A's for its Companion Training Program. This program gives younger, less-experienced bomber and tanker co-pilots a chance to develop self-confidence and decision-making skills needed to become aircraft commanders. Air Education and Training Command also uses a modified version, the AT-38B, to prepare pilots and weapon systems officers for fighter aircraft such as the F-4, F-15, F-16 and A-10. This model carries external armament and weapons delivery equipment for training. All T-38Bs wear a camoflage of blues and greys. T-38s, have also been widely used with the F-117 wing as well as the wing flying the U-2/SR-71.
The Talon first flew in 1959. More than 1,100 were delivered to the Air Force between 1961 and 1972 when production ended. Approximately 562 remain in service throughout the Air Force. 
An ongoing program called Pacer Classic, the structural life extension program for the T-38, is integrating 10 modifications, including major 
structural renewal, into one process. As a result, the service life of T-38s should extend to the 2010. Additionally, the introduction of the T-1A Jayhawk Airlift/Tanker Training System will significantly relieve the T-38's work load. 

General Characteristics

Primary Function:	Advanced jet pilot trainer
Builder:	Northrop Corp.
Power Plant:	Two General Electric J85-GE-5 turbojet engines with afterburners
Thrust:	2 x 2,900 pounds with afterburners
Length:	46 feet, 4 1/2 inches (14 meters)
Height:	12 feet, 10 1/2 inches (3.8 meters)
Wingspan:	25 feet, 3 inches (7.6 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Weight:	12,093 pounds (5,200 kilograms)
Speed:	812 mph (Mach 1.08 at sea level)
Ceiling:	Above 55,000 feet (16,667 meters)
Range:	1,000 miles (870 nautical miles)
Armament:	T-38A: none ; AT-38B: provisions for external armament
Unit Cost:	$756,000
Crew:	Two, student pilot and instructor pilot
Date Deployed:	March 1961
Inventory:	Active force, 562; ANG, 0; Reserve 0