The T-38 has been an exceptional tactical trainer jet for six decades, responsible for qualifying thousands of pilots to fly dozens of platforms. But with the advent of fifth-generation fighter jets, a replacement for the beloved Talon is long overdue.
In this episode of The Fighter Pilot Podcast, U.S. Air Force experimental test pilot Jonathan “Gremlin” Aronoff of the 419th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base in California, describes the rigorous testing and development needed to introduce the T-7A Red Hawk trainer, the service’s first new tactical jet trainer in more than half a century.
A graduate of the Air Force Test Pilot School with thousands of hours of flight time in 20 different aircraft, Aronoff previously served as a T-38C instructor pilot and B-52H evaluator pilot. He also flew combat sorties in Southwest Asia and completed deployments to Europe and the Pacific.
“The T-7A is an incredible leap forward compared to legacy trainers, but also brings an entire training system that can revolutionize how [Air Education and Training Command] will train the next generation of combat aviators,” Aronoff recently said.
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