In the high-stakes world of military aviation, speed is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity. But it comes at a cost! These aircrafts can be as much of hundreds of millions of dollars. Crazy thinking that some never see the light of day!
So read on and explore the fastest aircrafts with speeds exceeding Mach 2 that push the boundaries of technology and human capability. Buckle up; it’s going to be a thrilling ride!
Jets are listed in order of slowest (if you can call any of these slow) to fastest.
Chengdu J-20 (China, Mach 2)
China’s first fifth-generation stealth fighter, designed for air superiority and strike missions, is often called the Mighty Dragon. It features a large internal weapons bay and advanced avionics. There are roughly 300 in service with a top estimated speed of Mach 2 or 1,534 mph.
The J-20 is in active service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force.
Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor (USA, Mach 2.25)
Stealthy air superiority fighter with super cruise capability and thrust vectoring for extreme maneuverability. It can conduct supersonic attacks without using afterburners.
F-22s are exclusively operated by the US Air Force, with some on static display at air force bases. The top speed reached was 1,500 mph at a high altitude.
Grumman F-14 Tomcat (USA, Mach 2.34)
Variable-sweep wing fighter famous for its role in the movie “Top Gun.” It could track up to 24 targets simultaneously with its advanced radar. The top speed of 1,544 mph at high altitudes makes it one of the fastest jets on record.
Retired F-14s can be seen in various museums, including the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City.
McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle (USA, Mach 2.5+)
Air superiority fighter with an impressive combat record of over 100 victories and zero losses. It can accelerate while flying straight up and reach speeds up to 1,650 mph.
Many F-15s are still in active service, with some on display in various air museums.
Mikoyan MiG-31 Foxhound (Soviet Union/Russia, Mach 2.83)
Long-range interceptor designed to intercept cruise missiles and other high-speed targets. It can climb to its maximum altitude in only 7.5 minutes and reach top speeds of roughly 1,900 mph.
The MiG-31 remains in service with the Russian Air Force.
XB-70 Valkyrie (USA, Mach 3.1)
Experimental high-altitude supersonic bomber that could “surf” on its own shock wave. The XB-70 reached a speed of 2,020 mph in 1966 and had a sustained Mach 3 of 32 minutes. Only two were built, with one lost in a crash.
The sole surviving XB-70 is on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
Mikoyan MiG-25 Foxbat (Soviet Union, Mach 3.2)
Interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft built to counter the perceived threat of American supersonic bombers. Its engines would melt at top speed, limiting its Mach 3+ capabilities to short bursts. It’s top speed is 1,900 mph and roughly 1,200 were produced over its 20 year span.
Some MiG-25s are on display in various museums around the world.
Bell X-2 Starbuster (USA, Mach 3.2)
Rocket-powered research aircraft used to explore flight characteristics at high speeds and altitudes. It was the first aircraft to fly at three times the speed of sound. It reached a speed of 2,094 mph at 65,500 ft.
The only surviving X-2 is displayed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
Lockheed YF-12 (USA, Mach 3.2)
Interceptor variant of the A-12, predecessor to the SR-71 that was able to scale to 2,070 mph. Only three were built, serving as prototypes and research aircraft. The sole surviving YF-12A is on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Ohio.
Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird (USA, Mach 3.4)
The SR-71 may seem slow compared to the X-15, but with a record speed of 2,193 mph, it holds its own records. It also does it without a rocket powered engine! It was used as a spy plane used during the Cold War. It could outrun missiles and leak fuel on the ground due to expansion joints.
One of its major selling points was the unique ability to fly for sustained periods and cruise at high altitudes. Several SR-71s are on display in museums across the USA, including the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
North American X-15 (USA, Mach 6.7)
This experimental rocket-powered aircraft set speed and altitude records in the 1960s. The highest speed of 4,520 mph makes it the fastest jet on this list.
It reached the edge of space and provided data for future spacecraft designs. Only three were ever built and they ran 199 test flights. One X-15 is displayed at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. While we have included it in this list, some say the rocket power puts it in a different category altogether!
NASA X-43A (USA, Mach 9.6)
The NASA X-43 is an experimental hypersonic aircraft designed to explore the capabilities of air-breathing scramjet engines. It achieved remarkable speeds, reaching Mach 9.6, which is approximately 7,310 miles per hour.
The primary purpose of the X-43 was to investigate the performance of these engines at hypersonic speeds and to gather data that could inform future aerospace technologies. Its successful flights represented a significant milestone in the pursuit of faster and more efficient air travel.
All data in this article has been researched and verified to the best of our ability. If you find an error, please let us know.
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