WASHINGTON — The Air Force has lifted the grounding of the T-38 Talon after some aircraft were able to clear an inspection process, according to an Air Force spokesperson.
Inspections began last week, the spokesperson confirmed to Breaking Defense today. It’s not clear how long it will take for the entire fleet to be inspected and resume normal operations.
The Air Force announced May 19 it was grounding the fleet of training jets “[o]ut of an abundance of caution” after a T-38 crashed in Mississippi on May 12. Both pilots safely ejected.
The cause of the Mississippi mishap has not been disclosed. When the aircraft was subsequently grounded, the Air Force said T-38s would have to be individually inspected and receive any necessary corrective maintenance before they could resume flying.
An “operational pause” for the Talon fleet was formally lifted May 29 after that inspection process was finalized. “Collaborative engineering and maintenance teams across the joint force have finalized the inspection procedures to be accomplished to ensure a safe and thorough return to flight,” the Air Force said in a press release.
Affected aircrews have been instructed to maximize simulator training in the meantime. T-38 builder Northrop Grumman referred comment to the Air Force.
The T-38 entered service in 1961 and remains a critical tool for Air Force pilot training, which young aviators use to learn the ropes before moving on to platforms like fighter jets and bombers. Given its age, the T-38 has become increasingly difficult to maintain.
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The Air Force plans to replace the legacy Talon with the new T-7 Red Hawk built by Boeing. The Red Hawk’s more modern design, officials say, can better prepare pilots for next-generation aircraft. The Air Force last month approved the T-7 for production, and expects the jet will be ready to fly new pilots in 2028.