Designed by Northrop in the 1950s, the T-38 was the world’s first supersonic trainer aircraft. Now, after serving for over half a century, the US Air Force is looking for a replacement. Northrop’s internally-funded T-X prototype is one of four options under consideration.
The defense giant has kept details of the project under wraps. But a photo that surfaced on Friday provides some idea of the new trainer.
— David Kern (@David_Kern) August 19, 2016
The photo, taken during high-speed taxi trials at Mojave Air and Space Port, shows a design that doesn’t stray too far from the T-38. The model is a twin-seat aircraft with wings fixed low on the fuselage, but features a single engine, unlike the twin-engine T-38.
The prototype was built by Northrop subsidiary Scaled Composites, despite earlier plans to work with partner BAE Systems.
The T-X will compete with trainer aircraft designs from Raytheon-Leonardo, Lockheed Martin-Korean Aerospace Industries, and Boeing-Saab. The US Air Force is expected to make a decision by the end of 2017, with plans to purchase 450 of the aircraft.
The photo was taken ahead of the T-X’s highly-anticipated first test flight.
"Obviously we’re trying to hold on to the uniqueness of the design, but we will be flying that airplane probably in the first half of 2016."
Whichever company the US government ultimately settles on, the new trainer will play a critical role in preparing future pilots for the F-35 Joint Strike fighter.
