Planes are the fastest mode of transport. Apart from passenger planes, war jets have great speed, as measured in Mach. These planes are a symbol of technology, power, and pride. But what is the fastest plane ever? Aviation researcher and historian Peter Merlin shares insights on the development of supersonic and hypersonic planes, their impact on military strategy, and the future of high-speed flight technology.
Top five fastest planes ever. Photo: Robyn Beck, Brettmann, Universal History, Armstrong Roberts, Aviation images/Getty Images (modified by author)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
We strive to provide our readers valuable insights and information through our various rankings and lists. For this list of the fastest planes, we have compiled data from multiple sources, including NASA, the National Air and Space Museum, and the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The speed is calculated in Mach, which is the ratio of an object’s speed in a given medium to the speed of sound in the same medium.
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Development of supersonic and hypersonic planes
During an interview, Peter Merlin, an aviation researcher and historian, shed light on the idea that the advent of supersonic and hypersonic aircraft marked a pivotal moment in the history of aviation, both offering groundbreaking opportunities and significant challenges. He shared:
Supersonic aircraft:
Merlin said the development of supersonic planes reduced travel time over great distances, offering “revolutionary changes” to military and civil aviation. However, he said:
Sadly, the application of such technology to commercial airliners proved largely unprofitable because of the inherent loud shockwaves (‘sonic booms’). It was also beset by legislative proscriptions against supersonic flight over populated areas.
Hypersonic aircraft:
Merlin said hypersonic flight operates at speeds above Mach 5, a concept conceived over a century ago. He explains:
Since then, the history of hypersonics has been fraught with promise and frustration. Progress has been sporadic and primarily driven by advances in space technology because hypersonics is the only true integrator of air and space development into genuine aerospace.
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Since any significant hypersonic system must operate in the transatmospheric realm, all practical applications have ranged from intercontinental ballistic missiles to spacecraft. The US space shuttle entered Earth’s atmosphere at a blistering 27,359 km/hr before decelerating and touching the runway at a mere 400 km/hr.
How did military demands shape fast aircraft?
Merlin said military needs have been a significant driving force behind advances in aircraft speed. He mentioned:
Early supersonic airplanes:
Merlin said these aircraft were experimental and jointly developed by civilian and military researchers who sought to explore the transonic and supersonic flight regime “logically and incrementally.”
The first of these, dubbed X-1, exceeded the speed of sound (Mach 1) for the first time in October 1947. Rapid advances in aerodynamics and propulsion allowed the following milestones of Mach 2 and Mach 3 to be reached within less than a decade.
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The US military quickly adopted and applied the lessons to designs for fighters, bombers, and reconnaissance planes. A few supersonic airliners—the Anglo-French Concorde and the Russian Tu-144—saw limited service for several decades before retiring.
Hypersonic milestones:
Merline said military innovations extended to hypersonics in the early 1960s with groundbreaking projects like the X-15, which could fly to the edge of space while achieving speeds above Mach 6.
An unmanned Boost-Glide Reentry Vehicle, lofted by an Atlas rocket, completed a maneuvering Mach 18 reentry in 1968. Over the next two decades, a series of unmanned craft called SWERVE (Sandia Winged Energetic Reentry Vehicle) performed flights ranging from Mach 12 to Mach 14 to develop a maneuvering missile warhead.
Plans for a hypersonic commercial passenger transport were abandoned in the 1990s for technical and budgetary reasons.
How does aircraft speed impact military defense?
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Merlin also mentioned that aircraft speed has been critical in shaping military strategies and global defense systems. He gave an instance of the Cold War era and the challenges faced in this modern age. He said:
During the Cold War, speed allowed US aircraft such as the SR-71 and B-58 to outrun threats, providing surveillance and global strike options.
Eventually, these platforms were replaced by stealth aircraft and space-based capabilities. Still, more than these is needed to counter the prompt global strike threats posed by the latest Russian and Chinese hypersonic missiles. US military strategists continue developing and testing weapon systems to counter these threats.
Top 10 fastest planes
The world has seen planes that can reach great velocities after breaking through the sound barrier. Most of these planes are used for military purposes, and almost all superpower countries have them. If you are an aviation and speed enthusiast, check out the 10 fastest planes below.
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RankPlaneSpeed (Mach)1NASA X-43 9.82North American X-15 6.72 3Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird 3.34Lockheed YF-12 35MiG-25 Foxbat 2.83 6MiG-31 Foxhound2.837F-15 Eagle 2.4978 Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker 2.359MiG-23 Flogger 2.3510 F-14 Tomcat 2.341. NASA X-43 — Mach 9.8 (7365.78 mph)
A B-52B launch aircraft lifts off with NASA’s X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket attached under its right wing. Photo: Robyn Beck
Source: Getty Images
The NASA X-43 is the fastest plane in the world. Its design enables it to reach a speed of Mach 9.6 (7365.78 mph). The first three experimental NASA X-43s were manufactured but did not work. Boeing must first drop the jet to be able to fly. Still, this is the most impressive aircraft.
2. North American X-15 — Mach 6.72 (5140.7 mph)
The sleek black NASA X-15 comes in for a smooth landing at a dry lake bed in the Mojave desert under the control of Joe Walker, test pilot for NASA.Photo: Brettmann
Source: Getty Images
The North American X-15 is second among the world’s fastest aircraft. It was developed in the 1950s and 1960s and is designed to reach Mach 6.7 (5140.7 mph) speeds. During the initial launch, pilots had to wear pressure suits and rely on stability augmentation systems and reaction control in thin air.
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3. Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird — Mach 3.3 (2531.99 mph)
U.S. Air Force Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird from the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing near Beale Air Force Base, California. Dated 1988. Photo: Universal History Archive
Source: Getty Images
The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is an enduring symbol of technological prowess and speed. Designed in 1966 as a reconnaissance jet, it moves at Mach 3.3 (2531.99 mph) and can reach altitudes of 85,000 feet. Out of 35 planes, only 12 crashed, and none were lost in combat.
4. Lockheed YF-12 — Mach 3 (2455.26 mph)
A view of the 1960s 1970s Lockheed YF-12A Military Jet Aircraft plane in the sky. Photo: H. Armstrong Roberts (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
The Lockheed YF-12 is closely related to the SR-71 Blackbird. Lockheed’s Skunk Works division developed it in the 1960s. It cruises at Mach 3.2 (2455.26 mph), among the fastest planes, and its high-speed interceptor has astonishing capabilities.
5. MiG-25 Foxbat — Mach 2.83 (2163.699 mph)
Russian Air Force Mikoyan MiG-25PU Foxbat is taking off in the flying display at the 1999 MAKS Airshow. Photo: Aviation images
Source: Getty Images
The MiG 25 Foxbat is also known as the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG 25 in full. It has a speed of Mach 2.82 (2163.699 mph) and can reach Mach 3.2 (2455.26 mph). It is used mainly by the Air Force, but its use is limited today. Few countries use it, including Russia, Algeria, Turkmenistan, and Syria.
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6. MiG-31 Foxhound — Mach 2.83 (2171.372 mph)
Russian Mikoyan MIG-31 (NATO reporting name: Foxhound) jet fighter aircraft during the MAKS-2021 International Aviation and Space Salon, on July 20, 2021, in Zhukovskiy, Russia. Photo: Mikhail Svetlov
Source: Getty Images
The MiG-31 Foxhound, also known as Mikoyan Gurevich-31 Foxhound, is one of the oldest operating planes. It is easy to handle, making it more user-friendly. These jets are also easy to find radar with. They can fly at lower and higher altitudes and cruise at a top speed of Mach 2.83 (2171.372 mph).
7. F-15 Eagle — Mach 2.497 (1915.8711)
A U.S. Air Force F-15C fighter jet taking off from the Kadena Air Base in Japan’s southern island prefecture of Okinawa on Dec. 11, 2023. Photo: Kyodo News
Source: Getty Images
McDonnell Douglas’s F-15 fighter aircraft is one of the fastest jets in the world. It was developed over 50 years ago and is available worldwide. The aircraft has a speed of March 2.497 (1915.8711) thanks to its high wings and low weight, which allow it to rotate in the air. The jet is used in the Air Force, and to date, the F-15 Eagle has over 100 victories in combat and zero losses.
8. Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker — Mach 2.35 (1803.082 mph)
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Sukhoi SU-27 Flanker 39 of the Ukrainian Air Force with blue digital camo livery seen flying at Kleine Brogel Military Air Base EBBL airport in Belgium. Photo: Nicolas Economou
Source: Getty Images
The Sukhoi Su 27 Flanker is multipurpose and used for many purposes worldwide. Its speed of Mach 2.35 (1803.082 mph) makes it one of the fastest planes ever, and its climbing speed of 12 kilometres per mile is impressive. The plane’s features allow it to participate in various military missions. Other aircraft related to the Su-27 include the Su-30, Su-33, and Su-34.
9. MiG-23 Flogger — Mach 2.35 (1803.082 mph)
The MIG 23 Flogger is among the most populous planes ever. Its variable-sweep light wings are ideal for dogfight situations. The maximum top speed of the MIG 23 Flogger is Mach 2.35 (1803.082 mph). The plane is almost 60 years old, and thanks to its speed and sweep wings, it is still in service.
10. F-14 Tomcat — Mach 2.34 (1795.41 mph)
A Grumman F-14 Tomcat does a low-level fly-by during a military exhibition at Blythe Air Show, November 2, 1985 in Blythe, California. Photo: Bob Riha, Jr.
Source: Getty Images
The F-14 Tomcat is widely recognized for appearing in the 1986 hit movie Top Gun. The plane has two cockpits for the fighters and is taken into the air by another aircraft. Once airborne, it is released to perform its assignments. The F-14 Tomcat has an impressive speed of 2.34 (1795.41 mph).
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The aerospace expert also highlighted three standout aircraft that represent the pinnacle of speed:
NameTypeTop speedDateSR-71A Turbojet-powered, mannedMach 3.32 (3,529 km/hr)July 28, 1976X-15A-2Rocket-powered, mannedMach 6.70 (7,274 km/hr)October 3, 1967X-43AScramjet-powered, unmannedMach 9.64 (10,240 km/hr)November 16, 2004
Are there any future aircraft to break records?
Merline said that while current records remain unbroken, efforts to advance hypersonic technology continue. He explains:
X-43A Scramjet:
This unmanned aircraft remains the fastest air-breathing at Mach 9.64 (10,240 km/hr), maintaining this speed for less than 12 seconds.
Bringing hypersonics to an operational maturity level will require substantial funding and a willingness to take technological risks. Military requirements will likely drive such an undertaking.
Commercial prospects:
The US government and aviation industry researchers are revisiting plans to develop commercial supersonic and hypersonic airliners.
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The technology is available, but whether these plans are economically practical remains to be seen.
What is the fastest plane speed?
The fastest plane speed is Mach 9.8 (7365.78 mph), derived by NASA X-43. However, Boeing must drop the plane before it can fly and fulfill its tasks.
Has Mach 10 been reached?
An aircraft has not reached Mach 10 speed. However, the NASA X-43A spacecraft’s highest speed reached Mach 10.
Is the SR-71 the fastest plane?
The SR-71 Blackbird is the fastest jet in the world, with an of Mach 3.3. It is four times as fast as a commercial airliner.
The fastest plane in the world is NASA X-43, which reached Mach 9.8. Other aircraft with incredible speeds are found around the world. If you are an aviation enthusiast, the above is a list of the top 10 fastest planes in the world.
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