Fastest Fighter Jets Ever Made; Metal Monsters!

Although setting a speed record in the aircraft world is challenging, it brings dominance. This text is on the fastest fighter jets ever made.

In the world of fighter jets having the top speed is a green card, as it will help the pilot(s) a lot, especially in dogfights. Piloting a plane with the practical fastest speed possible not only challenges the enemy pilots through mind games but also helps the pilots to do better maneuvers. If you are interested in fighter jets and want to learn more about them, this article of Tech Trends about the fastest fighter jets in the world will help you.

Fastest Fighter Jets Ever Made; Top Beasts!

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird – Mach 3.4 (2,500 mph or more)

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird - Mach 3.4 (2,500 mph or more)
Source: flyjetify.com

Despite having a top speed that is only half that of the X-15, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the king of the fastest aircraft in the world, is still one of only five aircraft that have ever been produced capable of exceeding Mach 3.0. Given that the X-15 was more rocket-based and the fastest fighter jet ever produced and used in service, the SR-71 is the fastest fighter jet ever. The SR-71 was developed in the 1960s for reconnaissance missions and is utilized by NASA and the USAF. NASA retired the last SR-71 in 1999 because satellites now perform many reconnaissance tasks.

The Blackbird was capable of sustained high flight in addition to rapid flight. The SR-71 could easily fly at heights of 25,000 meters, making it ideal for safe-distance reconnaissance. While some jets can climb high, others cannot cruise at high altitudes. The SR-71 flew from New York to London in just 1 hour, 54 minutes, and 56.4 seconds, whereas Concorde took 2 hours and 52 minutes at the time.

Lockheed YF-12 – Mach 3.2 (2,275 mph)

The Lockheed YF-12 was the ancestor and model of the SR-71 Blackbird. Three YF-12s were built as prototype interceptor aircraft toward the end of the 1960s to replace the F-106 Delta Dart. The USAF was shifting funding toward the Vietnam War and other military priorities at the time of development. The YF-12, known as one of the fastest aircraft ever made, served as a research aircraft for NASA after the USAF retired it, and it later served as the foundation for the SR-71, which was produced and served with the USAF.

MiG-25 Foxbat – Mach 3.2 (2,190 mph)

The MiG-25 Foxbat is the only military aircraft capable of speeds greater than Mach 3.0 that is in use today. The MiG-25, developed in the 1960s, quickly established itself as one of the fastest aircraft of all time, and it has held that record for over 50 years. While more recent variants like the MiG-31 and MiG-29 have been adopted, the MiG-25 continues to be used by a few air forces worldwide as an interceptor and for reconnaissance missions. Around 1,200 were created, despite the fact that creation has finished. There will be no other jets capable of Mach 3.0 or faster in service anywhere in the world when the MiG-25 finally retires.

Bell X-2 Starbuster

Bell X-2 Starbuster
Source: NASA

The Bell X-2 Starbuster, a research aircraft developed in the 1940s and 1950s, was another rocket-wing aircraft similar to the X-15. It reached Mach 3.2 (2,094 mph). The “thermal thicket” heating problem brought on by aerodynamic friction was the primary focus of the X-2’s research on flight characteristics in the Mach 2-3 range. Counted as one of the fastest fighter jets in the history, the Bell X-2 was built to be faster and fly at higher altitudes than the Bell X-1, delivering valuable research. The X-15 would enter development three years later and significantly outperform the X-2’s speeds.

XB-70 Valkyrie – Mach 3.02 (2,056 mph)

The North American XB-70 Valkyrie was a supersonic strategic bomber and the only bomber to ever travel at these speeds, hence known as one of the fastest fighter jets ever made. It was built as a prototype for the planned B-70 nuclear bomber. The XB-70, developed toward the end of the 1950s, could travel 21,000 meters or 70,000 feet at Mach 3+.

The B-70 was thought to be immune to interceptor aircraft because it was too fast for other aircraft at the time to catch up to it and challenging for radars to see it at this altitude and speed. However, the XB-70 developed a flaw as surface-to-air missile technology advanced, so the USAF began carrying out lower-level test flights. Nonetheless, the XB-70 lacked significant performance advantages over the B-52, which it was intended to replace but was ultimately scrapped.

MiG-31 Foxhound – Mach 2.83 (1,864 mph)

The MiG-31 Foxhound is a supersonic interceptor aircraft developed in the 1970s and is still in use today. It was designed as a replacement for the older but faster MiG-25 Foxbat. The MiG-31 is still the second fastest fighter jet currently in service and is anticipated to continue in service for several years, despite its limited top speed of Mach 2.83, which means it could theoretically reach Mach 3.2 without the possibility of engine damage. The MiG-31 was designed to be far more agile and simpler to fly, despite being slightly slower than the MiG-25, which was faster but challenging to maneuver and fly at lower altitudes. If you are making a list of the fastest fighter jets in the world open a spot for this one.

F-15 Eagle – Mach 2.5 (1,650 mph)

F-15 Eagle - Mach 2.5 (1,650 mph)
Source: flyjetify.com

With a top speed of Mach 2.5, the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is not only one of the fastest aircraft in the world, but the fastest multi-role fighter in the world. The F-15 is still in use and used by many air forces. It has many different versions, like the F-15E Strike Eagle and the F-15N Sea Eagle, to meet different needs. The F-15, which debuted in the 1970s, is still one of the world’s fastest and most diverse fighter aircraft. The initial requirement for its development was Mach 3.0, which was reduced to Mach 2.5 to save money. As a result, the F-15 places less emphasis on speed and altitude and more on air superiority. This is because the faster a jet can travel, the more compromises it must make elsewhere, like maneuverability. The F-15 currently holds over 100 victories and zero losses in air combat.

F-111 Aardvark – Mach 2.5 (1,650 mph)

Introduced in the late 1960s, the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark is a supersonic medium-range tactical aircraft used primarily as a fighter bomber or strategic bomber. Though has a place among the fastest aircraft ever made, it is no longer in service, and the United States Air Force has replaced it with the F-15E Strike Eagle for strike missions and the B-1B Lancer for the role of a supersonic bomber. The F-111 was the first jet to use many technologies, including variable-sweep wings and afterburning turbofan engines.

Su-27 Flanker – Mach 2.35 (1,553 mph)

The Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker, with a top speed of Mach 2.35, is one of the contenders of our list of the fastest aircraft of all time. The Su-27, which was first introduced in the 1980s and is still in use today, was designed to compete directly with the F-15 Eagle and F-14 Tomcat, both of which have since retired. In addition to the Su-30, Su-33, and Su-34, all related developments of the Su-27, the Shenyang J-11 is a Chinese license-built version of the Su-27. When developing the Su-27 as a response to the F-15, the Soviet Union, like the United States Air Force, prioritized maneuverability over sheer speed and altitude.

Grumman F-14 Tomcat – Mach 2.34 (or 1544 mph)

Grumman F-14 Tomcat – Mach 2.34 (or 1544 mph)
Source: aerocorner.com

The Grumman F-14 was developed using information gathered during the Vietnam War when American fighters fought MiG fighters. As a replacement for the F-4 Phantom, the F-14 first entered service with the U.S. Navy in 1974. The F-14 proved to be a versatile fighter jet that could perform various functions, the most important of which was air superiority fighter and interceptor. The aircraft’s 32 years of service with the U.S. Navy, from 1974 to 2006, speak volumes about its success on its own.

The model is still in use by the air forces of other nations, particularly the Iranian Air Force. Russian bombers were reportedly escorted by Iranian F-14s during air strikes in Syria in 2015. Iran is the last nation to continue using F-14s because it upgraded them with its own domestic avionics, allowing them to continue using them until 2030. If you are interested in the fastest fighter jets in the history, you going to love this monster.

MiG-29 Fulcrum – Mach 2.3 (1,520 mph)

Although not quite as fast as the Su-27, the MiG-29 is still popular today despite being older. The MiG-29, lighter and smaller than the Flanker and more comparable to the F-16 Fighting Falcon, compliments the Su-27 well and is among the fastest fighter jets ever made. Since its inception in the 1980s, the MiG-29 has undergone numerous modifications to ensure that it remains as competitive as possible and can be considered a multi-role fighter of “generation 4++.”

Chengdu J-10 – Mach 2.2 (1,445 mph)

The Chengdu J-10 is a multi-role combat aircraft developed in China that was first introduced in 2006. It is sometimes referred to as the “Vigorous Dragon.” The J-10 is a direct rival to the MiG-29, Su-27, F-15, and F-16, let aside being mentioned in any list of the fastest fighter jets in the world. Initially designed as a specialized fighter, it evolved into a multi-role fighter that could carry out ground attacks and air-to-air combat. Due to its recent development, the J-10 only has a few variants, but it is a capable modern fighter with speeds of up to Mach 2.2.

Dassault Mirage 2000 – Mach 2.2 (1,400 mph)

Dassault Mirage 2000 – Mach 2.2 (1,400 mph)
Source: flyjetify.com

The Dassault Mirage 2000 is the fastest French fighter and ranks 13th in our guide to the fastest aircraft in the world. It can reach an impressive Mach 2.2. The single-engined, multi-role Mirage 2000 was designed to replace the Mirage III and was introduced in the 1980s. The aircraft evolved from a lightweight fighter into a multi-role aircraft with multiple variants adopted by numerous air forces. The initial development focused on a Panavia Tornado rival; however, as project complexity and cost increased, the Mirage 2000 was developed instead.

F-22 Raptor – Mach 2.0 (1,355 mph)

The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is an all-weather stealth tactical fighter aircraft and is highly advanced. The F-22 was first introduced in 1996, but only 195 of them produced until 2011, so it is a very rare fighter. The Raptor is unique because it was the first operational aircraft to combine sensor fusion, stealth, supercruise, and super maneuverability into a single weapon platform. Due to its stealth technology and other classified features, the F-22 was banned from export. The focus shifted to the more adaptable F-35 Lightning II because of its high price and lack of competition. It is a shiny star in the sky of the fastest aircraft ever made.

Eurofighter Typhoon – Mach 2.0 (1,320 mph)

The Eurofighter Typhoon is a multi-role fighter adopted by many nations, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain. It was developed by a consortium of defense manufacturers and can reach Mach 2.0 (1,320 mph). To produce the Dassault Rafale on its own, France left the consortium. In the middle of the 1990s, the Typhoon went into production, and it is still being made today. Although it is not the fastest aircraft, it is highly agile. It is utilized as an air defense aircraft by most nations that have adopted it. No list of the fastest fighter jets ever made is complete without this one.

Sukhoi Su-57 – Mach 2.0 (1,320 mph)

Sukhoi Su-57 – Mach 2.0 (1,320 mph)
Source: Wikipedia

As one of the fastest fighter jets ever made, the Sukhoi Su-57 is a fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter built in the late 2000s. It is planned that the Su-27 and MiG-29 will eventually be replaced by it. The Su-57 is significantly more technologically advanced and is comparable to the F-22 Raptor and Eurofighter Typhoon. However, both the MiG-29 and the Su-27 have higher top speeds. Even though requirements shift from velocity and altitude to agility and technological advancements, the newest fighter jet still prioritizes speed.

Fastest Fighter Jets Ever Made: What Is Mach Speed?

Mach speed is relative to the speed of sound. Sound travels at a speed of 332 m/s or 1195 km/hr or 717 miles/hour, otherwise known as Mach 1.0. A sonic boom can occur when aircraft travel faster than the speed of sound, breaking the so-called “sound barrier.” When aircraft can fly faster than the speed of sound, they become incredible fighting machines that can quickly intercept other aircraft and targets over long distances.

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Source: Tech Trends

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