First take-off of the UTX, prototype for all future Sabreliners, in 1958

The very first Sabreliner aircraft were delivered to the U.S. Air Force in 1961-63, consisting of nearly 150 T-39A and T-39B trainers. These were soon followed by almost 50 T-39D training and support aircraft delivered to the U.S. Navy beginning in 1963. Additional Sabreliner aircraft were subsequently ordered by the Navy in 1967 and 1971 and designated the CT-39E and CT-39G.

These military Sabreliners originally were designed and produced by North American Aviation, which, as time passed, became known under the names North American Rockwell and Rockwell International. Today's Sabreliner Corporation is a direct descendant of this lineage, as it was formerly the Sabreliner Division of Rockwell International until purchased by private investors in 1983. Sabreliner still is the official OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) for all Sabreliner aircraft, and maintains current FAA Production Certification and FAA Type Certification for them.

Over the years Sabreliner has performed on numerous Government prime contracts for military Sabreliner support. These services have ranged from routine maintenance; to major modifications providing Structural Life Extension, improved avionics, and other work; to turnkey Contractor Logistics Support at Navy bases.

Using the original certification data, drawings, and master tools, Sabreliner today can manufacture more than 90% of the aircraft's structural parts at Perryville, Mo., and has vendors on line for the remainder. Perryville also has nearly $20 million worth of T-39/Sabreliner airframe parts on hand and available for immediate use. Installations have been developed for current avionics equipment including GPS, GPWS, TCAS, and RVSM, and can be performed with a minimum of downtime.

Sabreliner is now under contract for support of the Navy-owned Sabreliners which are part of the UMFOTS program at Pensacola, Fla. Sabreliner also is ready and able to support all other Government-owned Sabreliners active today, including those now flying at Edwards AFB and China Lake, Calif.