There are times when it’s hard to directly compare or pit different fighter jets from various manufacturers against each other. Specifications often have many similarities, and only a few minor details may make the crucial difference.
However, when speed is the only factor considered and all other aspects are ignored, comparisons become much easier. Today, let’s explore with Thefactsofwar the list of the world’s fastest military aircraft – whether they’ve been used throughout different periods or only remained in prototype stages, speed has always been the outstanding factor to celebrate.
Let’s begin the rankings!
General Dynamics F-111, USA – Speed: 2,650 km/h
The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark is a twin-engine fighter aircraft developed in the USA during the Cold War. It was the first aircraft in the world to be produced in mass with a wing design that could rotate. The nickname “Aardvark” was initially used informally when the F-111 was still in service, but by the time of its retirement from the U.S. Air Force (USAF), it became official. The only customer to purchase the F-111 outside of the U.S. was the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), where it was nicknamed “Pig.”
The F-111 served as a fighter-bomber from 1967 to 1997, with the final version being the F-111F. The electronic reconnaissance version, the EF-111A, was retired in 1999. In Australia, the RAAF used the F-111 from 1973 until it was completely phased out in 2010.
McDonnell Douglas F-15, USA – Speed: 2,654 km/h
The F-15 Eagle (meaning “eagle” in German) is a superior air-to-air fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas (now part of Boeing since 1997). True to its name, the F-15 was designed to ensure and maintain air superiority in the event of a conflict. Over time, it has almost completely replaced the role of the F-4 Phantom II. However, the F-15 has also been partially replaced by the F-22 Raptor, which was produced until 2011.
An important modification of the F-15 series is the F-15E Strike Eagle, equipped with a diverse array of ground-attack weaponry. This improvement transformed the F-15 from a purely air superiority fighter into a modern multirole aircraft.
Mikoyan MiG-31, Russia – Speed: 3,000 km/h
The Mikoyan MiG-31 is an interceptor aircraft developed from the MiG-25 model in the Soviet Union in 1967. The first aircraft entered service in 1981 and was officially combat-ready by 1983.
Though it looks quite similar to the MiG-25, the MiG-31 is a completely new aircraft with a different structure, improved flight performance, and a redefined mission. In the 1970s, the Soviet air defense system had many limitations due to radar gaps. The Tu-126 early warning aircraft (based on the Tu-114) was only available in limited quantities and with limited capabilities. This made intercepting low-flying targets, such as the U.S. Air Force’s Rockwell B-1 bomber, extremely difficult.
Soviet interceptor aircraft, including the Su-15 and Tu-128, performed poorly, mainly due to their reliance on ground radar and command centers. The earlier version, the MiG-25, was severely limited in data processing capabilities because it used an analog system.
The West first became aware of the MiG-31’s development when Soviet Lieutenant Viktor Belenko defected with a MiG-25 to Hakodate, Japan, on September 6, 1976. He provided information about a “Super MiG-25” capable of flying supersonic even at low altitudes, equipped with more powerful engines, advanced electronics, and at least six long-range missiles. By 1977, NATO began referring to this aircraft as the MiG-31, code-named “Foxhound” in 1982. In 1985, the MiG-31 was first intercepted and photographed by Norwegian fighters.
SR-71 Blackbird, USA – Speed: 3,700 km/h
The Lockheed SR-71 (SR stands for Strategic Reconnaissance) is a twin-engine reconnaissance aircraft capable of supersonic flight at Mach 3 speeds at extremely high altitudes. Operated by the U.S. Air Force from 1966 to 1998, it is the most famous aircraft in its class produced by Lockheed Corporation, developed by Lockheed’s Skunk Works unit at the CIA’s request.
In the U.S. Air Force inventory, the aircraft was officially named Blackbird. When stationed at Kadena Air Base, the SR-71 was nicknamed Habu, after a venomous snake native to the Ryukyu Islands, where Okinawa is located. A total of 32 SR-71s were built, with 12 lost in accidents, but none were shot down. The reason is that the SR-71 flew at such speed and altitude that surface-to-air missiles could not reach it.
Most of the remaining 20 SR-71s are now on display in museums, with the only one outside the U.S. located at the Imperial War Museum Duxford in the UK. Some aircraft were temporarily reused for research flights in the 1990s and were later preserved. The final flight of the SR-71 took place on October 9, 1999.
North American X-15, USA – Speed: 7,300 km/h
The North American X-15 was a test aircraft equipped with rocket engines, designed specifically for high-speed and high-altitude flights. North American Aviation (NAA) built three units of this aircraft. In the 1960s, the X-15 set many records for manned aircraft, with a top speed of 7,274 km/h (Mach 6.72) and an altitude of up to 107.96 km.
Data collected from the X-15 contributed significantly to the U.S. space programs, including the Apollo program. Records for speed and altitude set by the X-15 were only later surpassed by the Space Shuttle in 1981.
Orbital Sciences Corporation X-34, USA – Speed: 11,000 km/h
Continuing the list, the X-34 is an aircraft that resembles a missile more than a plane but is still considered an aircraft due to its control systems and wings. The unique feature of this aircraft is that it has no pilot onboard and is carried aloft by a “mother” aircraft before detaching and operating independently. In 2004 testing in the Pacific, the X-34 reached a speed of 11,000 km/h.
11,000 km/h? Truly astonishing!
Originally, the X-34 was expected to reach a speed of 12,200 km/h, but this goal was not achieved. In terms of design, the X-34 is relatively small, measuring only 17.78 meters in length and 8.85 meters in wingspan. Its solid-fuel rocket engine was the main power source, with a production cost of 250 million USD and a testing period of 7 years.
Although it couldn’t reach very high altitudes, the X-34 could still fly at 75 km, an impressive number in aviation.
Boeing X-43, USA – Speed: 11,230 km/h
The Boeing X-43 is an unmanned experimental aircraft designed as a lifting body for aerodynamic and hypersonic research by NASA.
After DARPA and Rockwell’s failure with the X-30 NASP (National Aero-Space Plane) project in 1993, NASA launched the “Hyper-X” program in 2000 to develop the X-43A, a hypersonic unmanned experimental aircraft. Three versions of the X-43 (named Hyper-X 1 through Hyper-X 3) were designed for single-use only. This aircraft used a ramjet engine capable of supersonic combustion.
Measuring 4.6 meters in length, 1.5 meters in width, and weighing 1,270 kg, the aircraft was designed to reach a maximum speed of Mach 10. It was mounted on an improved version of the Pegasus rocket, then released from an altitude of 12,200 to 13,000 meters by a modified Boeing NB-52. The Pegasus rocket had additional control surfaces and stabilizers to carry the X-43 to a maximum altitude of about 30,000 meters (95,000 feet) from Edwards Air Force Base in California, USA.
Test History
- June 2, 2001: First test of Hyper-X 1 failed.
- March 27, 2004: Hyper-X 2 successfully tested off the coast of California. The ramjet engine fired for 11 seconds, propelling the aircraft to nearly Mach 7 (approximately Mach 6.83) and reached an altitude of 24 km, covering a distance of 24 km.
- November 16, 2004: Hyper-X 3 reached a record speed of Mach 9.66 (10,617 km/h) and an altitude of 34 km.
In the final test, the ramjet engine operated for 12 seconds before melting due to the design lacking an active cooling system. The aircraft then performed pre-programmed maneuvers for several minutes before falling into the Pacific Ocean as planned.
Achievements
The X-43 holds the speed record for air-breathing engine aircraft, achieving exceptional supersonic speeds and playing an important role in NASA’s hypersonic technology research.
Conclusion
Through this article, we’ve explored the list of the world’s fastest military and experimental aircraft, from legendary fighters like the F-15 and MiG-31 to supersonic experimental models like the X-43 and X-15. Each aircraft represents a breakthrough in aviation technology, with incredible speed and contributions that are irreplaceable in the military and space industries.
Thefactsofwar hopes this article has provided you with a comprehensive view of the development and achievements of military aircraft, as well as their immense value in history and the future. Stay tuned to discover more inspiring stories about weapons and warfare!
