Usually a country that operates a type of aircraft, the industry will benefit from the procurement, already the size of the goods is adjusted to the agreed contract value. This could be limited to technology transfer, production of certain types of components or to assembling and producing aircraft through a joint venture company in the buyer's country, as India has done so far.
However, there is something unique about Israel, an eternal ally of the United States, in fact it produces the wings of the Northrop T-38 Talon advanced jet trainer. It is called unique, because the Israeli Air Force is not a user of the twin engine trainer aircraft variant of the F-5.
As recently, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) celebrated the delivery of IAI's 100th production T-38 wing for the needs of the US Air Force (USAF). This milestone demonstrates IAI's ability to produce the highest quality aero structures and its commitment to a long-term relationship with the US Air Force.
The T-38 Talon is a twin-jet supersonic trainer jet, developed for the US Air Force and Navy, where it has been in service since the 1960s. Besides being used by the US, the T-38 Talon is still being operated by Germany, Turkey and the US space agency - NASA. Previously, the T-38 had been operated for a long time by South Korea, Portugal and Taiwan.
From its history, the T-38 Talon is a jet trainer aircraft developed by Northrop Corporation. The aircraft first flew on April 10, 1959 and has been used by the United States Air Force (USAF) as a primary trainer aircraft for more than six decades.
Initially, the T-38 Talon was designed as a light fighter that could be used for air combat and also as a training aircraft. However, later the USAF decided to use these aircraft only as training aircraft and abandoned plans to use them in air combat.
The T-38 Talon aircraft has been produced over 1,100 units, despite its age, the USAF still uses the aircraft as its primary trainer today and is expected to remain in service for many years to come.
The USAF relies on the T-38 Talon as its main training aircraft because this aircraft has several advantages that make it very suitable for training fighter pilots. Some of the reasons why the USAF relies on the T-38 Talon are:
1. Speed and Maneuverability
The T-38 Talon is capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 1.3 and has excellent maneuverability. This makes the aircraft ideal for training fighter pilots in maneuvering and controlling aircraft at high speeds.
2. Cost Efficiency
The T-38 Talon is a relatively inexpensive training aircraft in terms of maintenance and operating costs. This makes it very economical to use as the primary training aircraft for the USAF.
3. Can Be Equipped with the Latest Avionics
Despite its old age, the T-38 Talon aircraft can still be equipped with the latest avionics and the latest technology. This allows pilots to be trained using the latest technology before using advanced fighter aircraft.
4. Proven Reliable and Safe
The T-38 Talon has been used by the USAF for more than six decades and has proven to be a highly reliable and safe trainer aircraft. This made it the right choice for use as the primary training aircraft for USAF pilots.
With these advantages, it is not surprising that the USAF still relies on the T-38 Talon as its primary training aircraft to date. However, the USAF is seeking a replacement for the more modern and sophisticated T-38 Talon to meet its future fighter pilot training needs. (Glang Prime)
Specifications of the T-38 Talon
- Length: 14.14 meters
- Wingspan: 7.7 meters
- Height: 3.9 meters
- Empty weight: 3,386 kg
- Maximum weight at takeoff: 5,443 kg
- Maximum speed: Mach 1.3 (1,584 km/h)
- Maximum range: 3,314 km
- Maximum altitude: 15,240 m
- Engine: 2x General Electric J85-GE-5A turbojets
- Crew: 2 (an instructor and a student)
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