NASA begins search for replacement for T-38 Talon jets

NASA has initiated market research to identify potential successors for its aging fleet of T-38 Talon jets. The Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, issued a contracting notice seeking information on modern high-performance aircraft that could meet the agency’s Spaceflight Readiness Training (SFRT) requirements for astronauts.

NASA currently maintains an inventory of 25 T-38N jets, a variant specific to the agency. The move to find replacements is driven by the aging status of the current fleet and increasing challenges regarding sustainment and supportability. This transition is further necessitated by the U.S. Air Force’s plans to retire its own T-38 fleet between 2030 and 2035 as it shifts toward the T-7A Red Hawk.