[SeeSharp]

Isn’t the T-38 the same as the F-5? And doesn’t Iran make them indigenously now? Or maybe NASA could buy some back from Vietnam.

[Gaffer]

It is. I saw [almost got hit at the end of the runway on a perimeter road] on aborted takeoff and slide off the runway....a Belgian F-5, I think.... [He punched out, but got hurt pretty bad]

[Joe 6-pack]

"Isn’t the T-38 the same as the F-5?"

It's essentially the two-seat trainer version. The F-5, likewise was being upgraded to become the F-20 Tigershark, but the program fell through...

F-20 Tigershark

[pfflier]

The T-38 is a purpose designed and built supersonic jet trainer that first flew around 1959-1960. It was a design spin-off of the Northrop F-5. The T-38 has lower rated engines and a different wing configuration from the F-5. It also accomodates two crewmembers and lacks most of the weapons hardpoints and AAM launch rails the F-5 possesses.

Iran (HESA) has built F-5 conversions.

The USAF still has 450 T-38 variants flying.