Traveling in the air is the fastest mode of travel in the world. The speed is an important aspect of any aircraft. Some of the aircraft included in this list are research aircraft, some are military and some are simply flying for surveillance purposes.
Nowadays a lot of aircraft have a speed of more than 2.0 Mach. In this list, we will be talking about the fastest aircraft ever recorded. So without any further delay let's get started with the Top 10 Fastest Aircraft Ever Recorded.
Number 10 aircraft from our list is Sukhoi Su-27. The Sukhoi Su-27 is a Soviet-origin twin-engine super maneuverable fighter aircraft. This aircraft is designed by Sukhoi, and it was introduced on 22 June 1985.
Context
- Fastest Aircraft Ever Recorded
- Sukhoi Su-27
- General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark
- McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
- Mikoyan MiG-31
- North American XB-70 Valkyrie
- Bell X-2
- Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25
- Lockheed YF-12
- Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
- North American X-15
- Conclusion
Fastest Aircraft Ever Recorded
10. Sukhoi Su-27
Number 10 aircraft from our list is Sukhoi Su-27. The Sukhoi Su-27 is a Soviet-origin twin-engine super maneuverable fighter aircraft. This aircraft is designed by Sukhoi, and it was introduced on 22 June 1985.
The Su-27 was designed for air superiority missions. Its primary users are the Russian Air Force, People's Liberation Army Air Force, Uzbekistan Air, and Air Defence Forces. This fighter jet is powered with 2 × Saturn AL-31F afterburning turbofan engines. A Russian-made fighter jet that is compared with the F-15 Eagle jet Sukhoi Su-27 can reach a top speed of Mach 2.35.
Number 9th aircraft from our list is General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark. The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark is an American supersonic, medium-range interdictor and tactical attack aircraft manufactured by General Dynamics.
- National origin: Soviet Union / Russia
- Status: In-Service
- Number built: 809
- Engine: 2 × Saturn AL-31F afterburning turbofan
- Max Speed: Mach 2.35
9. General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark
Number 9th aircraft from our list is General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark. The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark is an American supersonic, medium-range interdictor and tactical attack aircraft manufactured by General Dynamics.
It was introduced on 18 July 1967; 52 years ago. In its various versions, it was also appointed the roles of strategic nuclear bomber, aerial surveillance, and electronic-warfare aircraft. Its primary users were the United States Air Force (USAF) and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). It is powered with 2 × Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-100 afterburning turbofan engines and can reach a top speed of Mach 2.5.
Number 8 from our list is McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. It is an American twin-engine, air superiority fighter and multirole combat aircraft designed by McDonnell Douglas (now part of Boeing). This fighter jet has been claimed to be one of the most successful aircraft ever built and is still in service.
- National origin: United States
- Status: Retired
- Number built: 563
- Engine: 2 × Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-100 afterburning turbofan
- Max Speed: Mach 2.5
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8. McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
Number 8 from our list is McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. It is an American twin-engine, air superiority fighter and multirole combat aircraft designed by McDonnell Douglas (now part of Boeing). This fighter jet has been claimed to be one of the most successful aircraft ever built and is still in service.
It was introduced on 9 January 1976; 44 years ago. The primary users of this fighter jet are the United States Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Royal Saudi Air Force, and Israeli Air Force. The Eagle is powered with 2 × Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 afterburning turbofans engines and has a maximum speed of Mach 2.5 at high altitude.
Moving on to number 7, we have Mikoyan MiG-31 also known as Foxhound. This is an Interceptor aircraft and attack aircraft manufactured by Mikoyan-Gurevich/Mikoyan. It was introduced on 6 May 1981, and its primary users are the Russian Aerospace Forces and Kazakhstan Air Force.
- National origin: United States
- Status: In-service
- Number built: N/A
- Engine: 2 × Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 afterburning turbofans
- Max Speed: Mach 2.5 at high altitude
7. Mikoyan MiG-31
Moving on to number 7, we have Mikoyan MiG-31 also known as Foxhound. This is an Interceptor aircraft and attack aircraft manufactured by Mikoyan-Gurevich/Mikoyan. It was introduced on 6 May 1981, and its primary users are the Russian Aerospace Forces and Kazakhstan Air Force.
This fighter jet has the characteristic of being one of the fastest combat jets in the world. MiG-31 is unique because it can fly at supersonic speeds in both high and low altitudes. It has 2 × Soloviev D-30F6 afterburning turbofan engines, and at high altitudes, it can do Mach 2.83 and at low, it can do Mach 1.23.
Coming up next we have the North American XB-70 Valkyrie. The Xb-70 Valkyrie is a Strategic bomber, Supersonic research aircraft manufactured by North American Aviation. Its primary users were United States Air Force and NASA. Only 2 XB-70 Valkyrie has ever been built, and it was retired on 4 February 1969.
- National origin: Soviet Union
- Status: In-service
- Number built: 519
- Engine: 2 × Soloviev D-30F6 afterburning turbofan
- Max Speed: Mach 2.83
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6. North American XB-70 Valkyrie
Coming up next we have the North American XB-70 Valkyrie. The Xb-70 Valkyrie is a Strategic bomber, Supersonic research aircraft manufactured by North American Aviation. Its primary users were United States Air Force and NASA. Only 2 XB-70 Valkyrie has ever been built, and it was retired on 4 February 1969.
This aircraft is powered with 6 × General Electric YJ93-GE-3 afterburning turbojet engines and can cruise for thousands of miles at Mach 3+ while flying at 70,000 feet.
Number 5 from our list is Bell X-2 also known as Starbuster. The Bell X-2 Starbuster is a rocket-powered, research aircraft purposely made to discover the effects of flying since 1945. It was manufactured by Bell Aircraft, and its primary users were United States Air Force and National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.
- National origin: United States
- Status: Retired
- Number built: 2
- Engine: 6 × General Electric YJ93-GE-3 afterburning turbojet
- Max Speed: Mach 3+
5. Bell X-2
Number 5 from our list is Bell X-2 also known as Starbuster. The Bell X-2 Starbuster is a rocket-powered, research aircraft purposely made to discover the effects of flying since 1945. It was manufactured by Bell Aircraft, and its primary users were United States Air Force and National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.
The 1 × Curtiss-Wright XLR25 liquid-fuelled rocket engine was used to power this aircraft, and this aircraft was able to achieve the stunning speed of Mach 3.196 and the aircraft was unstable beyond that.
Number 4th fastest aircraft ever recorded is Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 also known as the Foxbat. It is a supersonic interceptor, reconnaissance aircraft, and this unique aircraft is made of stainless steel design.
- National origin: United States
- Status: Retired
- Number built: 2
- Engine: 1 × Curtiss-Wright XLR25 liquid-fuelled rocket
- Max Speed: Mach 3.196
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4. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25
Number 4th fastest aircraft ever recorded is Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 also known as the Foxbat. It is a supersonic interceptor, reconnaissance aircraft, and this unique aircraft is made of stainless steel design.
This aircraft is an example of Soviet superior aircraft technology. Its primary users are Soviet Air Defence Forces (historical), Indian Air Force (historical), and Algerian Air Force. The Foxbat made its first flight in 1964 and a few years later in 1970, it entered the service. With 2 x Tumansky R-15B-300 afterburning turbojet engines the top speed it can do Mach 3.2.
Moving on to number 3, we have Lockheed YF-12. Lockheed YF-12 is an American prototype interceptor aircraft. It is developed and manufactured by the American aerospace company Lockheed Corporation. Its design was based on the top-secret Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft. Its primary users were United States Air Force and NASA.
- National origin: Soviet Union
- Status: In limited service
- Number built: 1,186
- Engine: 2 x Tumansky R-15B-300 afterburning turbojet
- Max Speed: Mach 3.2
3. Lockheed YF-12
Moving on to number 3, we have Lockheed YF-12. Lockheed YF-12 is an American prototype interceptor aircraft. It is developed and manufactured by the American aerospace company Lockheed Corporation. Its design was based on the top-secret Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft. Its primary users were United States Air Force and NASA.
Only three models were made and each cost around 15 to 18 million dollars. This particular aircraft is powered with 2 × Pratt & Whitney J58 (JTD11D-20A) afterburning turbojet with compressor bleed bypass and can achieve a top speed of Mach 3.35.
The second fastest aircraft is Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. The SR-71 Blackbird is a Strategic reconnaissance aircraft manufactured by Lockheed, Skunk Works division. Its main objective was to outrun threats during missions, and its primary users were United States Air Force and NASA.
- National origin: United States
- Status: Canceled
- Number built: 3
- Engine: 2 × Pratt & Whitney J58 (JTD11D-20A) afterburning turbojet
- Max Speed: Mach 3.35
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2. Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
The second fastest aircraft is Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. The SR-71 Blackbird is a Strategic reconnaissance aircraft manufactured by Lockheed, Skunk Works division. Its main objective was to outrun threats during missions, and its primary users were United States Air Force and NASA.
Thirty-two Blackbirds were ever built but unfortunately, twelve of them were lost in accidents. Surprisingly none of them were shot down by the enemies. It was decommissioned in 1998 (USAF), and 1999 (NASA). The SR-71 has 2 × Pratt & Whitney J58 (JT11D-20J or JT11D-20K) continuous-bleed after-burning turbojets engines and can achieve a speed of more than Mach 3.35+.
The fastest aircraft is North American X-15. The North American X-15 is an experimental high-speed rocket-powered research aircraft operated by the United States Air Force and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as a part of the X-plane series of experimental aircraft.
- National origin: United States
- Status: Retired
- Number built: 32
- Engine: 2 × Pratt & Whitney J58 (JT11D-20J or JT11D-20K) continuous-bleed afterburning turbojets
- Max Speed: Mach 3.35+
1. North American X-15
The fastest aircraft is North American X-15. The North American X-15 is an experimental high-speed rocket-powered research aircraft operated by the United States Air Force and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as a part of the X-plane series of experimental aircraft.
It was introduced on 17 September 1959 and manufactured by North American Aviation. This aircraft has the current world record for the fastest manned aircraft. X-15 has a 1 × Reaction Motors XLR99-RM-2 liquid-fuelled rocket engine and can do a maximum speed of Mach 6.7.
- National origin: United States
- Status: Retired
- Number built: 3
- Engine: 1 × Reaction Motors XLR99-RM-2 liquid-fuelled rocket
- Max Speed: Mach 6.7
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our post about the top 10 fastest aircraft. When it comes to travelling the world, nothing beats the speed and convenience of air travel. So if you’re thinking of booking your next flight, you may want to consider booking a private jet like SR20 Aircraft, some of them are capable of travelling faster than some commercial planes.The data provided above may not be 100% accurate, so if you find anything wrong with this list. Please let us know in the comment section.