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In the mid-1950s, the USAF required a jet trainer with higher
performance than the T-33
to better prepare student pilots for the latest tactical
aircraft that were then coming into service. The aircraft chosen
was the T-38A which offered high performance with low
maintenance and operating costs. The T-38A became the USAF's
first supersonic trainer. The T-38A prototype first flew on 10
April, 1959, and production continued until 1972. A total of
1,189 T-38As were built. Some were later modified into AT-38Bs
with external armament for weapons training purposes.
Jacqueline Cochran set eight performance records in the fall
of 1961 flying a production T-38A and in February 1962 a T-38A
set four international time-to-climb records. The USAF
Thunderbirds used T-38As from 1974 to 1982 because of their
economic operation and high performance. Other users of the
T-38A include the U.S. Navy in their Top Gun combat simulation
program and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA).
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