Northrop Grumman,
Aircraft, in Service Since 1961, to Go on Permanent Display in El Segundo
WHAT
Members of the electronic and print media are invited to welcome home NASA T-38A trainer aircraft N963, the first T-38 trainer to be put into service. Designed and built in Hawthorne, Calif. by Northrop Grumman, the recently retired aircraft is scheduled to be put on permanent display at the headquarters of the company's Integrated Systems sector in El Segundo.
WHEN
Monday, Nov. 5, 2007
Media Arrival: 1:00 p.m. (Sign in, camera set up, background discussions with T-38 subject matter experts) Ceremony: 1:30 p.m.
Aircraft Gate Arrival: Approximately 2:00 p.m.
Media Availability: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
WHERE
Flight Path Learning Center & Museum LAX Imperial Terminal
6661 W. Imperial Avenue
El Segundo, Calif.
WHO
Roy Martin, Northrop Grumman T-38 Test Pilot
Ron Gibb, Northrop Grumman F-5, T-38 Chief Engineer
VISUALS
T-38A (N) trainer, tail number 963 on final approach, touchdown, taxiing into gate area adjacent to museum; on-camera interviews with Northrop Grumman test pilot using aircraft, LAX as a backdrop. T-38 Historical, Landing B-roll will be provided.
DIRECTIONS
Take I-405 to I-105 W I-105W terminates and becomes W. Imperial Ave. Turn right at California St. Make immediate left turn onto frontage road Flight Path Museum (red building) will be on the right Park in any open space and enter museum on south side (away from tarmac)
Background Information
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FILE PHOTO — The T-38 Talon is a twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer used in a variety of roles because of its design, economy of operations, ease of maintenance, high performance and exceptional safety record. It is used primarily by Air Education and Training Command for undergraduate pilot and pilot instructor training. Air Combat Command, Air Mobility Command and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration also use the T-38 in various roles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Steve Thurow)
More Military Pictures
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The T-38 Talon is a twin-engine, twin-seat, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer designed and built by Northrop Grumman Corporation. When it entered service in 1961, it was the world's first supersonic trainer. Its sleek design, economy of operations, ease of maintenance, high performance and exceptional safety record make it a preferred trainer for Air Forces throughout the world, including the U.S. Air Force. It is used to train pilots to fly front line fighter and bomber aircraft such as the F-15E Strike Eagle, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the B-1B Lancer and the F/A-22 Raptor.
T-38 Talons are also used today by NASA to maintain pilot proficiency, to train astronauts and to serve as observer and chase planes on programs such as the Space Shuttle. An estimated 80,000 military pilots have trained in T-38s since the aircraft entered service.
Northrop Grumman produced nearly 1,200 T-38 Talons for the Air Force between 1959 and 1972 at its manufacturing facilities in Hawthorne, Calif. Every Talon was delivered on time, at or below the contract price. Today, more than 500 remain operational with the Air Force and NASA. T-38 replacement wings produced by Northrop Grumman will allow the aircraft to remain in service until at least 2025.
