10 of the World's Fastest Fighter Jets for 2022

The fastest fighter jets are designed to travel at speeds over Mach 2 (2,200 km/h). They are also known as supersonic jets because they reach speeds faster than sound.

With the development of new technologies, the performance of these planes has improved significantly. Some of them even exceed the speed of sound.

1. Su-27

The Su-27 has been in service since 1980 and is considered to be one of the most advanced combat aircraft ever built. Its design incorporates several innovations, such as thrust vectoring nozzles, fly-by-wire flight controls, and a glass cockpit.

This plane is capable of carrying various types of missiles and bombs. It also has sophisticated avionics systems and a powerful radar system. In addition, its stealth capabilities allow it to evade detection from enemy radars.

The Su-27 was modernized and improved, which made it possible to approach the Mach 2.35 line.

It is a fighter jet with a maximum speed of 2876.4 km/h. In the following years, the Su-27 was repeatedly modernized and improved, which made it possible to approach the Mach 2.35 line.

It has two jet engines. It should be said that the Soviet designers managed to create an aircraft that not only corresponds to the characteristics of the American counterpart but also surpasses it in many respects.

The Su-27 has powerful firearms, and 10 missiles for air combat at medium and short ranges.

The changes made the aircraft a dangerous competitor to any fighter aircraft of other countries.

2. General Dynamics F-111

The maximum speed of the F-111 is 3060 km/h. In second place in the list of the fastest aircraft is not a fighter, but a bomber designed to perform tactical missions. The F-111 was in operation until the end of the 90s. To perform combat missions, the aircraft is capable of carrying 14.3 tons of bombs, including nuclear ammunition.

The main weapon also includes a cannon and 9 missiles. This model was classified as a pioneer in aircraft construction because the F-111 was the first model to be mass-produced with variable-sweep wings, which provided many advantages, including high-speed ones.

3. McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle

The maximum speed of the F-15 aircraft can reach up to 3065 km / h.

An all-weather American fighter aircraft that made its debut in the mid-seventies. Despite its venerable history, this combat vehicle is considered one of the most successful. Their production continues today.

4. MiG-31

This vehicle reaches a speed of 3463.92 km/h thanks to two powerful engines. The MiG-31 is a special aircraft that can fly at supersonic speeds at various altitudes. During its development, the machine was equipped with the then-innovative radar systems.

These planes were produced until the mid-90s. There is no exact data on the number produced. An estimated 500 units were produced during its entire period.

5. XB-70 Valkyrie

This model can reach speeds of up to 3672 kilometers per hour.

The Cold War-era served as a good catalyst for the development of technical progress and the birth of unique design ideas.

One of them was the XB-70 aircraft. Its mass was 240 tons. Thanks to six powerful engines, it was possible to reach record speeds compared to other aircraft. Some structural elements of the aircraft rose to temperatures over 300 degrees after reaching a high flight speed.

Also, the main task of high speed was a lightning-fast escape from the blast wave after the explosion of a nuclear bomb. The refueling of the aircraft allowed it to penetrate deep into the territory of the Soviet Union and return without additional refueling.

The plane carrying 14 nuclear bombs posed a very serious danger.

The high cost of building the aircraft and significant operating costs for its maintenance made it possible to serialize only two bombers, one of which took to the skies in 1964.

6. Bell X-2 Starbuster

The Bell X-2 Starbuster has tested and studied operating conditions at top speeds.

Aircraft with a speed of 3911.9 km / h. Increasing speed would be impossible without experimental research and development.

For these purposes, the United States created this aircraft. The Bell X-2 Starbuster was used to test and examine operating conditions at top speeds.

Research began in 1954 but was phased out a few years later.

During the tests, the pilot of the plane that broke the barrier at Mach 3.196 made a mistake that caused the vehicle to disappear. However, the speed achieved during this period remains one of the fastest to date.

7. MiG-25

The uniqueness of the MiG-25 is that it can hit air targets at an altitude of 25 kilometers at high speed.

The aircraft is capable of flying at a speed of 3916.8 km/h.

Any military aircraft is created to solve certain problems and counter enemy aircraft. This is how the MiG-25 appeared, created to fight American reconnaissance aircraft, specifically the SR-71.

The uniqueness of the MiG-25 is that it can hit air targets at an altitude of 25 kilometers at high speed.

During the years of production, 1100 aircraft were produced, some of which are still in service in several countries.

8. Lockheed YF-12

The YF-12 has a top speed of 4100.4 km/h.

This aircraft is one of the three leaders in the aviation industry, whose speed exceeds 4000 km/h. The model became a prototype of the more famous American high-speed aircraft. The aircraft testing program was short-lived, and this did not prevent the aircraft from receiving several titles.

9. SR-71 Blackbird

Initially, the SR-71 Blackbird was actively used by the military for reconnaissance flights over the Soviet Union and its allies.

Its speed is 4102.8 km/h and this is exactly the Lockheed YF-12 advanced model. Initially, the SR-71 Blackbird was actively used by the military for reconnaissance flights over the Soviet Union and its allies.

Due to its speed, it easily separated from the pursuers and missiles.

In fact, Stealth technology was first applied to it. Later, space explorers became interested in aircraft. The aircraft used a special type of fuel that could only be refueled in the air. A total of 32 aircraft were produced.

10. North America X-15

The top speed is 820.8 km/h, which defies the human imagination.

North American X-15 was used for scientific research examining the behavior of mechanisms at hypersonic speeds.

The flight altitude reaches 107 km, equivalent to suborbital space flights.