Fastest Fighter Jet | Top 10 Fastest Aircraft Ever & In Service (2024)

What is the fastest fighter jet in the world?

The fastest fighter jet ever created was the NASA/USAF X-15. It was an experimental aircraft that resembled more of a rocket with wings but managed to reach a record 4,520mph. The fastest fighter jet in the world today is the MiG-25 Foxbat, with a top speed of 2,190mph, half the speed of the X-15.

But how do those jets compare with the other fastest fighters ever created, as well as military aircraft still in service today? Every plane mentioned is capable of speeds over Mach 2.0, that’s faster than 1,520mph and means these jets are capable of flying at almost twice the speed of sound or faster.

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. When aircraft travel faster than the speed of sound, they break what is known as the ‘sound barrier’ that can often result in a sonic boom. Once aircraft are capable of travelling faster than the speed of sound, they become incredible fighting machines, intercepting other aircraft and targets over vast distances at great speed.

Watch some jets break the sound barrier and create a sonic boom:

Still in limited service today, the MiG-25 Foxbat is the only aircraft capable of speeds over Mach 3.0 in use by airforces. Developed in the 1960s, the MiG-25 quickly became one of the fastest fighter jets ever and has held that record for over 50 years. While more modern variants have been adopted such as the MiG-31 and MiG-29, the MiG-25 still plays a role as an interceptor and for reconnaissance missions with a few airforces around the world. Almost 1,200 were produced, although production has ended. When the MiG-25 is finally retired, there are currently no other jets capable of Mach 3.0 or faster in service anywhere in the world.

Developed as a prototype to the planned B-70 nuclear bomber, the North American XB-70 Valkyrie was a supersonic strategic bomber and the only bomber ever to travel at these speeds. Developed in the late 1950s, the XB-70 was capable of cruising at Mach 3+ at 70,000 feet or 21,000 metres. At this altitude and these speeds, it was believed the B-70 would be immune to any interceptor aircraft, being too fast for any other aircraft at the time to catch up with it and difficult for radars to see it. However, with the advancement of surface-to-air missiles, the XB-70 developed a weakness, so the USAF started conducting lower-level test flights. But the XB-70 offered little additional performance over the B-52, which it was designed to replace and was subsequently cancelled.

Developed as a replacement for the older, but faster MiG-25 Foxbat, the MiG-31 Foxhound is a supersonic interceptor aircraft developed in the 1970s and still in service today. While the MiG-31 could technically reach speeds of Mach 3.2 with risk of engine damage, it’s limited top speed of Mach 2.83 means the MiG-31 is still the second fastest fighter jet in service today and is expected to remain in service for several years to come. While the MiG-25 was faster, it lacked manoeuvrability and was difficult to fly at lower altitudes, the MiG-31 was developed to be far more agile and easier to fly, albeit slightly slower.

The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is the fastest multirole righter in the world with a top speed of Mach 2.5. Still in service today and adopted by many airforces, the F-15 is available in many different variants including the F-15E Strike Eagle and the F-15N Sea Eagle to suit various requirements. Introduced in the 1970s, the F-15 continues to be one of the most diverse fighter jets in the world, as well as one of the fastest. During its development, the initial requirement was to reach speeds of Mach 3.0, however this was lowered to Mach 2.5 in order to save costs. Subsequently, the F-15 focuses less on speed and altitude and more on air superiority since the faster a jet can go, the more compromises it has to make elsewhere, such as manoeuvrability. Currently the F-15 has over 100 victories and zero losses in air combat.

With a top speed of Mach 2.35, the Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker rounds-off our top 10 fastest jets ever produced. Still in service today after being introduced in the 1980s, the Su-27 is designed as a direct competitor to the retired F-14 Tomcat and the F-15 Eagle as a super manoeuvrable fighter aircraft. There are many related developments of the Su-27 including the Su-30, Su-33 and Su-34, while the Shenyang J-11 is a Chinese license-built version of the Su-27. Much like the USAF, the Soviet Union favoured manoeuvrability over sheer speed and altitude when developing the Su-27 in response to the F-15.

The fourth fastest fighter jet ever is the fastest still in service today. The only faster jets were either experimental or had much larger budgets and were also used by NASA, so taking that into consideration, the MiG-25 is quite special. Not nearly as manoeuvrable as the MiG-31 designed to replace it, the Foxbat is still one of the fastest jets ever and has held this title for over 50 years. Considering its age, and that it is still in limited service, this makes the Foxbat somewhat special.

The fastest French fighter and seventh in the top 10 is the Dassault Mirage 2000, capable of an impressive Mach 2.2. Introduced in the 1980s, the Mirage 2000 is a single-engined, multirole fighter that was designed to replace the Mirage III. Originally developed as a lightweight fighter, the end result was actually a multiple aircraft with several variants that numerous airforces have adopted. Early developed actually focused on a competitor to the Panavia Tornado, but due to increasing complexities and cost, the project was simplified and the Mirage 2000 was the end result.

A highly advanced fighter jet, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is an all-weather stealth tactical fighter aircraft. Introduced in 1996 but with production ending in 2011 after just 195 aircraft, the F-22 is quite a rare sight. What makes the Raptor special is being the first operational aircraft to combine stealth, super cruise, super manoeuvrability, and sensor fusion into a single weapon platform. The F-22 was banned from export due to the stealth technology used as well as other classified features, and due to its high cost and lack of competitors, focus was moved to the more versatile F-35 Lightning II.

Fastest Fighter Jet | Top 10 Fastest Aircraft Ever & In Service (2024)

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