The fastest jet planes. The fastest hypersonic aircraft in the world. Russian hypersonic aircraft

Airplanes are among the fastest air vehicles, capable of reaching speeds of over 1,500 km/h. Speed ​​is of great importance primarily for military aircraft, which must react instantly and carry out dangerous, highly complex tasks. They are capable of exceeding speeds of 2000 km/h, which is more than Mach 2.

The top 10 included fastest fighter planes in the world, which are currently in service with many states.

Speed ​​1,900 km/h

The French military aircraft "" (Rafale) opens the list of the fastest fighters in the world. The aircraft is capable of performing a wide range of missions, both at close and long distances. Its tasks also include defeating sea and ground targets, reconnaissance, gaining air superiority, and delivering a high-precision strike. The maximum speed at high altitude is 1900 km/h (Mach 1.8). The Rafale was specially developed for the French Navy and Navy by Dassault Aviation. The fighter was adopted by the French Navy in 2004. A total of 145 air units were produced.

Speed ​​2,200 km/h

"(Saab JAS 39 Gripen) ranks ninth among the fastest multi-role fighters in the world, developed by the Swedish company SAAB Avmonix in 1988. It entered service in 1997 and entered service with the Swedish Air Force. The modification is also used abroad: Gripen is in service with the Air Forces of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Thailand and South Africa. The military aircraft can be used as an attack aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft and fighter aircraft. At high altitudes, it is capable of reaching a maximum speed of up to 2,200 km/h (Mach 2.0). The company has produced about 270 JAS 39 aircraft, 204 of which are operated exclusively by the Swedish Air Force.

Speed ​​2,415 km/h


The multi-role military aircraft is one of the fastest Soviet fighters. The maximum speed of the aircraft at high altitude is about 2415 km/h (Mach 2.3). The fighter is capable of taking off and landing at unprepared airfields with poorly developed infrastructure to support flights. The MiG-29 has been used in many military conflicts and has proven itself as a defender of the skies. The fighter can conduct active combat and at the same time perform active maneuvers. It is capable of intercepting reconnaissance aircraft even at very low altitudes. Production of the MiG-29 continues to this day. In total, more than 1,500 air units were produced.

Speed ​​2,445 km/h


Among the fastest fighters in the world, the Soviet military aircraft ranks seventh. The multi-role fighter with a variable sweep wing took part in many armed conflicts in the 1980s. Its maximum speed at high altitude is about 2445 km/h, which is approximately Mach 2.35. The MiG-23 was introduced into service in the 70s and is still in service in countries such as India, Syria and Libya. A total of 3,630 fighter modifications were produced.

Speed ​​2,450 km/h


The sixth position was taken by the German "" (Typhoon), introduced into service with the German Air Force in 2003. The maximum speed of the aircraft at altitude is 2450 km/h or Mach 2.0. The aircraft is invisible to radars due to the use of stealth technologies. Part of the aircraft body is covered with special materials that do not reflect electromagnetic waves. The combat radius in fighter mode is 1390 km. The multi-role fighter is also in service with the UK, Italy, Austria, Spain and Saudi Arabia. At the moment, about 500 Typhoon air units have been produced.

Speed ​​2,875 km/h


Fifth place goes to the Soviet military vessel. The fourth generation Soviet multi-role all-weather fighter, designed to gain air superiority, was designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau in 1977. In 1985, the aircraft entered service with the USSR Air Force. It is now in service with the Russian Air Force as the main fighter aircraft. Modifications of the Su-27 are in service with China, Ukraine, India and other countries. The maximum speed the aircraft is capable of is 2876.4 km/h (Mach 2.35). In total, about 809 of these air units were produced.

Speed ​​2,485 km/h


(Grumman F-14 Tomcat) is one of the fastest fighter aircraft in the world. It was developed in the 70s of the last century by the American company Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation. The fighter was retired from service by the US Navy in 2006. Currently supplied to Iran, where it is in service with the state. The fourth generation fighter-interceptor has a system that allows it to track 24 targets, as well as capture and launch 6 of them simultaneously at various altitudes and ranges. A total of 712 airborne units were produced. The Tomcat's cruising speed is 2485 km/h (Mach 2.34).

Speed ​​2,650 km/h


The American all-weather tactical fighter (McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle) opens the top three fastest aircraft in its class. It was commissioned in 1976. Currently in service with the US Air Force, where it will remain until 2025. This modification was created by an American company to gain air superiority. The maximum speed that the McDonnell-Douglas F-15 Eagle is capable of at maximum altitude is 2,650 km/h (Mach 2.5+). In total, about 1,500 air units were produced. In addition to the United States, fighter jets are operated by Israel, Japan and Saudi Arabia.

Speed ​​2,700 km/h


ranks second among the fastest fighters in the world. The record performance that was recorded while flying on a military vessel was 2,700 km/h (Mach 3.2). The third generation Soviet supersonic fighter was created to intercept American reconnaissance vessels. The speed of sound of the MiG-25 is 3.2 times the speed of sound, which allows it to hit targets at an altitude of up to 25 km. The military aircraft actively took part in many military conflicts. The fighter is now in service with the Russian and Ukrainian Air Forces. In total, about 1,200 air units were produced.

Speed ​​3,000 km/h

The all-weather fighter-interceptor tops the ranking of the fastest in the world. Its main purpose is to intercept and destroy air targets at extremely low, low, medium and high altitudes when the enemy uses active and passive radar jamming, as well as false thermal targets. The aircraft entered service with the USSR Air Force in 1981. The MiG-31 is currently operated by the Russian Air Force. The fighter's maximum speed at high altitude is 3000 km/h (Mach 2.82). A total of 519 air units were produced.

Over time, aviation has advanced by leaps and bounds. More and more new aircraft models are being designed with such high speeds that they can exceed the speed of sound at unimaginable heights by several times. Today we will share with you our Top 10 ranking fastest planes in the world. We will tell you about some of the features of these aircraft, who worked on their creation, when the first flights took place, and much more. This will be interesting, so let's get started. Let's fly!

10.Su-27

  • A country: USSR/Russia
  • Developer: Sukhoi Design Bureau
  • Type: Multi-role fighter
  • Production start year: 1981
  • Maximum speed: 2876.4 km/h

Opening the top ten fastest planes in the world is the Su-27, a twin-engine fighter built in the former USSR in an attempt to outperform similarly advanced American aircraft. The aircraft made its first flight in May 1977 and officially entered service with the USSR Air Force in 1985. Can reach a maximum supersonic speed of Mach 2.35 (1,550 mph or 2,876.4 km/h).

The Su-27 gained a reputation as one of the most capable fighters of its time. These aircraft are still in service with Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

  • A country: USA
  • Developer: General Dynamics
  • Type: Fighter-bomber, strategic bomber
  • Production start year: 1967
  • Maximum speed: 3060 km/h

The large aerospace company General Dynamics completed the development of the F-111 Aardvark tactical strike aircraft about half a century ago. According to calculations, the F-111 Aardvark should accommodate two crew members. 1967 and the aircraft was the first to enter service with the US Air Force. It was used in strategic bombing campaigns, in reconnaissance operations, and also with its help in electronic warfare. This aircraft can reach speeds of Mach 2.5 with extreme ease. And this exceeds the speed of sound by about 2.5 times.

  • A country: USA
  • Developer: McDonnell Douglas, Boeing Defense, Space & Security
  • Type: Interceptor fighter
  • Production start year: 1976
  • Maximum speed: 3065 km/h

In the late 60s, McDonnell Douglas completed its work on the development of a tactical twin-engine fighter. Its immediate purpose is to seize and maintain its superiority during periods of air combat. July 1972 The first flight was successful. A few years later, in 1976, the US Air Force accepted the F-15 Eagle into service.

This plane is one of those that cannot be successful. Its speed is impressive, exceeding Mach 2.5. The US Air Force plans to keep this aircraft in its service for a long time, at least until 2025. It was exported abroad, namely Israel, Japan and Saudi Arabia, Turkey.

  • A country: USSR/Russia
  • Developer: OKB MiG
  • Type: Interceptor fighter
  • Production start year: 1975-1994
  • Maximum speed: 3463.92 km/h

Mikoyan's design bureau completed the production of a large, twin-engine supersonic aircraft, and already in 1975, in September, the first flight of the aircraft took place. In 1982, it was adopted by the USSR Air Force.

The speed of the MiG-31 can reach Mach 2.83. His unique ability is that he is able to develop supersonic speed and fly at it even low above the ground. Years go by, and the MiG-31 continues to faithfully serve the Russian Aerospace Forces. This aircraft is one of the best representatives of its class and is rightfully ranked with the best and fastest aircraft in the world.

  • A country: USA
  • Developer: North American Aviation
  • Type: Strategic bomber, exploration aircraft
  • Production start year: 1964-1969
  • Maximum speed: 3794.4 km/h

In the late 50s, North American Aviation developed the XB-70, which has six engines. The goal of the creators was to design an aircraft that would serve as a prototype for a strategic bomber with a supply of nuclear bombs.

In 1965, the XB-70 reached its peak speed while flying over Edwards Air Force Base in California. The height above the ground reached 21,300 meters, and the speed was Mach 3.1.

Between 1964 and 1969, two XB-70 models were built and used for test flights. In 1966, one of the models crashed during a mid-air collision. And the second model is in Dayton, it is on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

  • A country: USA
  • Developer: Bell Aircraft
  • Type: Experimental aircraft
  • Production start year: 1955-1956
  • Maximum speed: 3911.904 km/h

A whole group worked on the creation of this aircraft. This group included the United States Air Force, the National Advisory Committee, and the Bell Aircraft Corporation. In 1945, work on developing an aircraft with a rocket engine was completed. The purpose of creating the aircraft was to study the properties of aerodynamics when flying at supersonic speeds, with a range of Mach 2 and 3.

1955, November, X-2 made its first flight. A year later, Captain Milburn managed to reach a speed of Mach 3,196, while the altitude was 19,800 meters. Unfortunately, after reaching peak speed, the plane went out of control and crashed to the ground. Of course, this tragedy did not go unnoticed, and the X-2 program stopped its work.

  • A country: USSR/Russia
  • Developer: OKB MiG
  • Type: Interceptor, reconnaissance aircraft, breakthrough aircraft
  • Production start year: 1969-1985
  • Maximum speed: 3916.8 km/h

Legendary designers - Seletsky, Gurevich and Matyuk worked on the production of this technical miracle. Its main purpose is to collect intelligence data and intercept enemy aircraft at speeds exceeding supersonic. 1964, the first flight took place, and in the 70s the Soviet Air Force actively used it.

The speed of the MiG-25 is incredible - Mach 3.2. Therefore, it is one of the fastest aircraft in the world and is still used for service in the Russian Aerospace Forces and beyond. Other countries such as Syria and Algeria use the MiG-25 in their air forces.

  • A country: USA
  • Developer: Lockheed Corporation, Scunk Works
  • Type: Strategic intelligence officer
  • Production start year: 1966-1999
  • Maximum speed: 4039.2 km/h

Reconnaissance missions, or rather their implementation, are the main task of this aircraft. In addition, he easily repels enemy threats. The maximum speed is Mach 3.3, and the altitude is 29 thousand meters. It is worth noting that according to some sources, the speed of the Blackbird is indicated at Mach 3.5, but this is not confirmed data. Nevertheless, third place in the ranking of the fastest aircraft in the world is an honor.

  • A country: USA
  • Developer: Lockheed Corporation
  • Type: Interceptor
  • Production start year: 1963-1965
  • Maximum speed: 4100.4 km/h

About half a century ago, Lockheed Corporation completed development of a prototype aircraft. The purpose of creating such an aircraft is to intercept enemy aircraft. Area 51 became the site for testing the YF-12. This place is a top secret US Air Force training ground. 1963, altitude 27,600 meters, YF-12 makes its first flight. Its speed is Mach 3.35. But over time, the US Air Force stopped the YF-12 flight program. However, the YF-12 was able to conduct several scientific research flights for NASA and the Air Force. At the end of the 70s, the aircraft's flights were finally completed.

1.X-15

  • A country: USA
  • Developer: North American Aviation
  • Type: Experimental high-speed research rocket plane
  • Production start year: 1959-1968
  • Maximum speed: 8225.28 km/h

This device has no equal in speed - the world's fastest plane. It is capable of accelerating to Mach 6.72, the fastest speed for a manned aircraft. The rocket plane ended its flights in the 70s, but during its service, many famous personalities, such as Neil Armstrong, were able to take part in the program. The altitude to which the pilots rose was over 100 kilometers. Such pilots can already be safely called astronauts.

With the advent of jet engines, a unique opportunity arose to make the aircraft fast enough, and therefore less vulnerable to enemy weapons. A fast aircraft takes less time to intercept an enemy target. The race for speed continued until about the beginning of the 80s of the last century. It cannot be said that the speed of military aircraft has faded into the background, but at the moment it is not decisive in the effectiveness of the use of combat qualities.

This is explained by the fact that 5th generation fighters are capable of hitting targets with missiles at considerable distances, and the quality and characteristics of the missile come to the fore here. Also coming to the fore is the detection of enemy targets and the preparation of information for destruction - that is, the formulation of the correct command to the missile. The stealth of a fighter to radar is also of decisive importance.

Listed below are the fastest military aircraft of all time. Speed ​​is given in Mach number. Mach number is the speed of sound at a certain altitude. The speed of sound in the earth's atmosphere depends on altitude. So at the surface of the earth - the speed of sound is 340 m/s, but at an altitude of 10,000 meters, the speed of sound is 300 m/s.

10. F-14D Super Tomcat - 2.34 Mach

F-14D Super Tomcat - made its first flight in 1987. It was designed as a night fighter capable of simultaneously detecting and engaging up to 6 targets.

In 2008, the aircraft was discontinued because it was obsolete. A total of 712 of these aircraft were built. Currently, the aircraft are still in service in the United States, but are gradually being disposed of by shredding.

9. MiG - 23 - 2.35 Max

The MiG-23 is the first aircraft in the USSR with a variable sweep wing. He is recognized as one of the best fighters in the world. The fighter made its first flight in 1967, entered service in 1973, and was withdrawn from service in 1994. The aircraft was produced until 1985, at which time 769 twin and 4,278 single-seat fighters were produced. Currently, the MIG-23 is in service in 11 countries in Africa and Asia. The main armament of the aircraft were 4 guided missiles.

8. Su-27 - 2.35 Max

The Su-27 was created in response to the creation of the F-15 and F-16 aircraft in the United States. The first flight took place in 1977. Serial production of the aircraft began in 1981. At one time it was the most modern fighter in the world, it successfully competed with the F-15 and F-16. Currently, according to various sources, Russia has about 450 aircraft in service. Ukraine has about 80 aircraft and Belarus has 20 aircraft.

The fighter has 10 suspensions to accommodate various missiles, and the total mass of ammunition reaches 6000 kg.

7. F-14 Tomcat - Mach 2.37

The aircraft began production in the early 1970s. It was designed as a long-range fighter-bomber. At the beginning of operation, problems with the engine were identified. The engines were modernized, which increased the fuel supply. Serial production of the aircraft ceased in 1996. These aircraft are currently in use in Iran, since a batch of aircraft was delivered to this country in 1976. A distinctive feature of the aircraft was its armament - missiles could suppress targets at a distance of up to 100 km. They were used to protect aircraft carriers.

6. Su-24 - 2.4 Mach

The plane made its first flight in 1967. Adopted into service in 1974. The aircraft is a medium-range bomber, its combat radius is 560 km. The main advantage of the aircraft is its laser-guided missiles. These are precision weapons that make the aircraft very effective at hitting targets.

In total, about 1,400 Su-24 aircraft were produced. Currently, the aircraft are being withdrawn from service and are being replaced by more modern Su-34s (based on the Su-27), which began entering service in 2014.

5. F-111 Aardvark - 2.5 Mach

The F-111 Aardvark is a long-range fighter-bomber that made its first flight in 1964. Initially, it was planned to use the aircraft on aircraft carriers, but due to its large dimensions and significant weight, this idea was not realized. During the Vietnam War, a significant number of aircraft were shot down. In 1998, the aircraft was withdrawn from service.

4. F-15 Eagle - Mach 2.5

The F-15 began development in 1965. The task was set to develop a long-range fighter. The plane made its first flight in 1979. This aircraft is still in service with the US Air Force. The F-15 is considered one of the most successful aircraft ever created. The F-15 is also in service with the air forces of Israel, Japan and Saudi Arabia.

3. MiG-31 - 2.83 Mach

The MiG-31 replaced the MiG-25, and made its first flight in 1975. The aircraft is designed to intercept high-speed aircraft and cruise missiles. Adopted into service in 1981. The aircraft was the first in the world to use a passive phased array radar. Until 2000, it was the only one in the world with such a radar. Currently in service with the Russian Air Force. The plane is not being produced.

2. MiG-25R 3.2 Mach

The MiG-25R was created not only as a fighter, but also as a reconnaissance aircraft. The MiG-25R prototype made its first flight in 1964. Serial production of reconnaissance aircraft was established in the period from 1982 to 1985. The aircraft is still in use today. Basic reconnaissance is optical reconnaissance.

1. SR-71 Blackbird 3.2 Max

1 SR-71 Blackbird - out of production and service, but its speed record has still not been broken by production aircraft, including the most modern ones. The first flight took place in 1964. The task was to create a reconnaissance aircraft that would be less vulnerable to interception than the U-2. A total of 32 aircraft were produced, 12 of them crashed due to technical failure. In 1998, 1 SR-71 Blackbird was retired from service and has since ceased flying.

1.Boeing X-43

X-43- an unmanned experimental hypersonic aircraft built under the NASA “Hyper-X” program - the development of an aircraft with a ramjet engine. For acceleration (bringing it to the required speed and altitude), the upper stage of the Pegasus rocket was used. The goal of developing the world's fastest aircraft is to test the latest technology that provides a hypersonic alternative to modern turbojet engines. According to scientists, in the future hypersonic aircraft will be able to reach any point on the globe in just three to four hours.
The X-43A aircraft is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the fastest aircraft in the world.

Brief characteristics of the fastest aircraft in the world:
- Aircraft length, m - 3.6
- Wingspan, m - 1.5
- Height, m ​​- 0.6
- Weight, kg - approximately 1270
- Powered by a ramjet engine
- Maximum Mach number – 10.6
- Maximum speed, km/h – 11230

2. Orbital Sciences Corporation X-34

X-34- the fastest aircraft in the world, capable of reaching speeds of up to 12,144 km/h. However, in the top it is in second place, since at the moment during the experiments a speed of less than 11,230 km/h was achieved. The aircraft is accelerated using a Pegasus solid fuel rocket attached to it. The first tests of the fastest aircraft in the world took place in the spring of 2001. It took 7 years and 250 million dollars to create and test the engine of the device (Hyper-X). The tests of the X-34, carried out only in the spring of 2004, became successful, when during a launch in the Pacific Ocean near the island of St. Nicholas, the device was able to reach a speed of 11,000 km/h.

A brief description of:
- Aircraft length, m - 17.78
- Wingspan, m - 8.45
- Height, m ​​- 3.5
- Weight, kg - approximately 1270
- Power plant - Fastrac rocket engine
- Maximum height reached, km - 75
- Maximum Mach number – 11.5
- Maximum speed, km/h – 12,144

3. North American X-15

X-15- experimental US rocket plane equipped with rocket engines. The first and for 40 years the only manned hypersonic aircraft in history to perform suborbital manned space flights. The main task of the X-15 is to study the conditions of flight at hypersonic speeds and atmospheric reentry of winged vehicles, to evaluate new design solutions, heat-protective coatings, and psychophysiological aspects of control in the upper layers of the atmosphere. The general concept of the project was approved in 1954. During the flight, an unofficial altitude record was achieved, which lasted from 1963 to 2004. The maximum speed was 7274 km/h.

A brief description of:
- Total weight of the refueled aircraft, kg - 15195
- Weight of fuel consumed, kg - 6577
- Weight after landing, kg - 6260
- Maximum height reached, km - 107.96
- Flight range, km - 543.4
- Duration of the active flight segment: 85.8 seconds
- Mach number: 5.58
- Maximum speed, km/h - 7274
- Carrier: NB-52A bomber

4. SR-71 (“Blackbird”)

SR-71- strategic supersonic reconnaissance aircraft of the US Air Force. It is currently the fastest and highest-flying production aircraft in the world and has remained for 25 years.

Aircraft dimensions:
- Length, m - 32.76
- Height, m ​​- 5.64
- Wingspan, m - 16.95
- Wing area, m² - 167.22
- Sweep angle - 60°

Aircraft weight
- Maximum take-off weight, kg - 77111
- Empty weight, kg - 27216
- Power plant - 2 turbojet engines J-11D-20B thrust, kg - 14750

Flight data
- Maximum Mach number – 3.5
- Maximum speed, km/h - 3715
- Cruising speed, km/h - 3187
- Practical ceiling, m - 30480
- Ferry flight range, km - 4818

5. Mig-25 (“Bat”)

The world's fastest military jet. It set 29 world records. There are two main types of this aircraft: reconnaissance and interceptor.

Aircraft dimensions
- Length, m - 23.82
- Height, m ​​- 5.64
- Wingspan, m - 13.95 (14.015 m - interceptor)
- Wing area, m² - 61.4
- Sweep angle - 41° 02′ (42° 30′-interceptor)

Aircraft weight
- Maximum take-off weight, kg - 41200
- Empty weight, kg - 18800
- Power plant - 2 × TRDF R15BD-300, kg - 14750

Flight data
- Maximum Mach number – 3.2
- Maximum speed, km/h - 3,395
- Cruising speed, km/h - 3000
- Practical ceiling, m - 23000
- Ferry range, km – 2400 (maximum for MiG-25RB)

6. MiG-31

MiG-31- two-seat supersonic all-weather long-range fighter-interceptor. The first Soviet fourth generation combat aircraft. The MiG-31 is designed to intercept and destroy air targets at extremely low, low, medium and high altitudes, day and night, in simple and adverse weather conditions, when the enemy uses active and passive radar jamming, as well as false thermal targets. A group of four MiG-31 aircraft is capable of controlling airspace with a front length of 800-900 km.

Aircraft dimensions
- Length, m - 21.62
- Height, m ​​- 6.5
- Wingspan, m - 13.45
- Wing area, m² - 61.6
- Sweep angle - 41°

Aircraft weight
- Maximum take-off weight, kg - 46,750
- Empty weight, kg - 21,820
- Power plant - TRDDF D-30F6

Flight data
- Maximum Mach number – 2.8
- Maximum speed, km/h - 3000
- Cruising speed, km/h - 2500
- Practical ceiling, m - 20 600
- Ferry flight range, km – 3000

7. McDonnell-Douglas F-15 (Eagle)

McDonnell-Douglas F-15 Eagle- American all-weather tactical fighter of the fourth generation. Designed to gain air superiority. Adopted into service in 1976. There are 22 modifications of this aircraft. F-15 fighters have been used in the Middle East, the Persian Gulf and Yugoslavia.

Aircraft dimensions
- Length, m - 19.44
- Height, m ​​- 5.63
- Wing span, m - 13
- Wing area, m² - 56.6
- Sweep angle - 45°

Aircraft weight

- Empty weight, kg - 12700
- Powerplant - turbofan Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-100

Flight data

- Maximum speed, km/h - 2650
- Cruising speed, km/h - 917

- Ferry flight range, km – 5750

8. General Dynamics F-111 (“Aardvark” or “Pig”)

General Dynamics F-111- two-seat long-range tactical bomber, tactical support aircraft, with a variable sweep wing. On July 27, 1996, they were withdrawn from combat service by the US Air Force.

Aircraft dimensions
- Length, m - 22.4
- Height, m ​​- 5.22
- Wingspan, m - 9.47 (19.2 in deployed position)
- Wing area, m² - 48.77 (61.07 in deployed position)
- Sweep angle - 16° with the wing deployed

Aircraft weight
- Maximum take-off weight, kg - 30845
- Empty weight, kg - 12700
- Power plant - 2 double-circuit turbojet Pratt & Whitney TF-30-P-100,2416 kg

Flight data
- Maximum Mach number – 2.5
- Maximum speed, km/h - 2645
- Cruising speed, km/h - 940
- Practical ceiling, m - 17985
- Ferry flight range, km – 5190

9. Su-24

Su-24- a Soviet front-line bomber with a variable sweep wing, designed to carry out missile and bomb strikes in simple and adverse weather conditions, day and night, including at low altitudes with targeted destruction of ground and surface targets.

Aircraft dimensions
- Length, m - 24.594
- Height, m ​​- 6.192
- Wingspan, m - 10,366 (17,638 in deployed position)
- Wing area, m² - 51 (55.16 in deployed position)
- Sweep angle - 16°- 69°

Aircraft weight
- Maximum take-off weight, kg - 39,700
- Empty weight, kg - 22,300
- Power plant - 2 AL-21F-Z turbofan engines, 2416 kg

Flight data
- Maximum Mach number – 2.4
- Maximum speed, km/h - 2540
- Cruising speed, km/h - 1400
- Practical ceiling, m - 11,500
- Ferry flight range, km – 2850

10. TU-144 (“Charger”)

TU-144- Soviet supersonic passenger aircraft developed by the Tupolev Design Bureau in the 1960s. Tu-144 is the world's first supersonic airliner ever used by airlines for commercial transport. The fastest supersonic airliner built for commercial purposes.

Aircraft dimensions
- Length, m - 65.7
- Height, m ​​- 12.5
- Wingspan, m - 28.8
- Wing area, m² - 507
- Sweep angle - 57°

Aircraft weight
- Maximum take-off weight, kg - 207,000
- Empty weight, kg – 98000
- Power plant - 4 DTRDF NK-144A

Flight data
- Maximum Mach number – 2.36
- Maximum speed, km/h - 2500
- Cruising speed, km/h - 2200
- Practical ceiling, m - 20000
- Ferry flight range, km – 4300

Fly around the Earth in a couple of hours. This is not a myth, this is the reality of being a passenger on a super fast plane.

Boeing X-43

The X-43A hypersonic aircraft is the fastest aircraft in the world. The drone showed fantastic results during testing; it flew at a speed of 11,230 kilometers per hour. This is approximately 9.6 times faster than the speed of sound.

The X-43A was designed and created by specialists from NASA, Orbital Sciences Corporation and MicroCraft Inc. For the record holder to be born, it took about ten years of research in the field of supersonic ramjet engines, which are capable of accelerating aircraft to supersonic speeds. The project cost a quarter of a billion dollars.

The fastest plane on the planet is not very large. Its wingspan is only one and a half meters, and its length is only 3.6 meters. The fastest aircraft was equipped with an experimental ramjet supersonic combustion engine Supersonic Combustion Ramjet (SCRamjet). And its main feature is that there are no rubbing parts. Well, the fuel on which the record holder flies is a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen. The creators did not allocate space for special tanks for oxygen; it is taken directly from the atmosphere. This made it possible to reduce the weight of the aircraft. As a result, as a result of using oxygen with hydrogen, the engine emits ordinary water vapor.

The fastest plane in the world, Boeing X-43, flies at a speed of 11,230 km/h

It is worth noting that the fastest aircraft in the world was developed specifically to test the latest technology, namely a hypersonic alternative to modern turbojet engines. Scientists believe that hypersonic aircraft will be able to fly to any point on Earth in just 3-4 hours.

Orbital Sciences Corporation X-34

The X-34 is also the fastest aircraft. Moreover, it can reach even higher speeds than the previous one, namely 12,144 kilometers per hour. However, he is still in second place in the list of the fastest. This is because in experiments he was able to reach a speed of less than 11,230 kilometers per hour. The aircraft receives acceleration using a solid-fuel Pegasus rocket, which is attached to the aircraft.

This fastest aircraft in the world was first tested in the spring of 2001. And it took 7 years and 250 million dollars to create and test the engine of the Hyper-X device. Tests of the X-34 ended in success only in the spring of 2004. Then, during the launch over the Pacific Ocean near St. Nicholas Island, the car accelerated to 11 thousand kilometers per hour. This plane is more than a record holder. The length of the aircraft is 17.78 meters, the wingspan is 8.85 meters, the height is already 3.5 meters. Although the aircraft flies quickly, it weighs an impressive 1270 kilograms. The maximum height it can rise to is 75 kilometers.

North American X-15

The X-15 is already an experimental American rocket plane; it is equipped with rocket engines. The X-15 is the first and, for forty years, the only manned hypersonic aircraft in history to make suborbital space flights with pilots. This aircraft’s main task is to study flight conditions at hypersonic speeds, as well as to study the conditions for re-entry of winged vehicles into the atmosphere. It is designed to evaluate new design solutions, coatings, and psychophysical aspects of control in the upper atmosphere. The concept of the project was approved in 1954. And during the flight an unofficial altitude record was recorded, which stood from 1963 until 2004. This aircraft is capable of flying at a speed of 7274 kilometers per hour.

However, despite the impressive speed, the plane weighs quite decently - more than 15 thousand kilograms. But this takes into account the mass of fuel. When landing, the aircraft weighs half as much. The height to which the X-15 can rise is almost 110 kilometers. Well, the flight range is 543.4 kilometers.

SR-71 ("Blackbird")

The SR-71 is a strategic supersonic reconnaissance aircraft for the US Air Force. And this is the fastest aircraft, and also the highest-flying production one. It has remained that way for the past 25 years. It has fairly compact dimensions: length 32.76 meters, height 5.64 meters, and wingspan 16.95 meters. Given such data, the weight of the aircraft is impressive; at takeoff it is more than 77 thousand kilograms, however, the empty aircraft weighs about 27 thousand kilograms. Well, the maximum speed at which the SR-71 is capable of flying is 3,715 kilometers per hour.

Mig-25 ("Bat")

But this is the fastest military jet on the planet. It was there that exactly 29 world records were set. Two varieties of this aircraft were developed and built: interceptor and reconnaissance. The length of the aircraft is 23.82 meters, the height is almost 6 meters, the wingspan is 13.95 for the reconnaissance aircraft and 14.015 for the interceptor. The maximum take-off weight of the aircraft is 41,200 kilograms, and upon landing it is 18,800 kilograms. The Mig-25 flies at a speed of 3395 kilometers per hour.

The MIG-25 interceptor fighter is the fastest aircraft in Russia

MiG-31

It is a two-seat supersonic fighter-interceptor that is designed to fly in all weather conditions and is a long-range aircraft. The MiG-31 is the first Soviet 4th generation combat aircraft. It is necessary to intercept and destroy targets in the air at high, medium, low and extremely low altitudes, night and day, in different weather conditions, with active and passive radar interference from the enemy, even false thermal targets. Four MiG-31 aircraft can control an airspace of 800-900 kilometers. One aircraft has a length of 21.62 meters, a height of 6.5 meters and a wingspan of 13.45 meters. A car flies at a speed of 3 thousand kilometers per hour.

McDonnell-Douglas F-15 (Eagle)

And this is an all-weather American tactical fighter of the 4th generation. He is capable of gaining air superiority. The Eagle entered service in 1976. There are 22 modifications of the aircraft in total. F-15s have been used in the Persian Gulf, Yugoslavia and the Middle East. The fighter has a maximum speed of 2,650 kilometers per hour.

General Dynamics F-111 ("Aardvark" or "Pig")

The F-111 is a two-seat tactical bomber. In 1996, he was removed from combat service by the US Air Force. Its speed is 2645 kilometers per hour.
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