Speed has always been an important part of aviation, and the race to build the fastest jets has pushed technology and human creativity to new heights.
Even though technology has advanced, the fastest jets we know today come from an earlier time. Studies found that aircraft speed was one of the important factors in combat.1
Here are the fastest jets ever recorded in history—aircraft from a time when speed was a key factor in ruling the skies.
1. McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
The F-15 Eagle is a highly maneuverable twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing). First introduced in the 1970s, the F-15 is known for its exceptional acceleration, thrust-to-weight ratio, and agility.
It has a top speed of approximately Mach 2.5 (1,875 mph). It has proven itself in air superiority missions, boasting an undefeated air combat record.
2. Mikoyan MiG-31 Foxhound
A Russian-built supersonic interceptor, the MiG-31 Foxhound was designed to counter high-speed, high-altitude threats like bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. It can reach speeds of up to Mach 2.83 (about 2,170 mph).
Introduced in the 1980s, the MiG-31 is an advanced evolution of the MiG-25 and is equipped with long-range radar systems, making it one of the fastest and most capable interceptors.
3. Mikoyan MiG-25 Foxbat
The MiG-25 Foxbat is a Soviet-era interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft developed in the 1960s to counter American high-speed aircraft such as the SR-71 Blackbird. It can reach a maximum speed of Mach 3.2 (2,190 mph), although sustained speeds at that level could damage its engines.
Built primarily out of stainless steel to withstand the intense heat of high-speed flight, the MiG-25 was one of the fastest combat jets ever produced. Its high-altitude capabilities allowed it to perform reconnaissance and interception missions effectively.
4. Lockheed YF-12
The YF-12 was an experimental interceptor prototype developed by Lockheed in the 1960s, based on the same platform as the SR-71 Blackbird. It was designed as a long-range, high-speed interceptor capable of speeds exceeding Mach 3.35 (2,275 mph).
The YF-12 never entered mass production but set several speed and altitude records during its testing phase.
5. Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
Perhaps the most iconic of all high-speed aircraft, the SR-71 Blackbird is a long-range, advanced, strategic reconnaissance aircraft. Designed for stealth and speed, it could reach speeds of over Mach 3.3 (2,200+ mph).
The Blackbird’s titanium construction allowed it to handle extreme temperatures at high altitudes. It was in service from the 1960s until the 1990s and was renowned for being nearly impossible to intercept.
6. NASA/USAF X-15
The X-15 is the fastest manned aircraft ever built, and unlike the others, it was designed specifically for experimental high-speed research rather than military purposes.
With rocket propulsion, the X-15 set the current world record for the fastest flight, reaching Mach 6.72 (4,520 mph) in 1967. Its flights helped gather data for future spacecraft design and high-altitude research.
7. F-111 Aardvark
The F-111 Aardvark was a multipurpose tactical strike aircraft developed by General Dynamics in the 1960s. It featured variable-sweep wings and was capable of flying at high speeds and low altitudes, making it suitable for long-range bombing, tactical strikes, and reconnaissance.
Its top speed of Mach 2.5 (1,650 mph) made it one of the fastest jets of its time. It saw extensive service with the U.S. Air Force, especially in Vietnam, and was retired in the 1990s.
8. Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker
The Su-27 Flanker is a Russian air superiority fighter developed in the 1970s to counter advanced Western fighters such as the F-15 Eagle. Known for its exceptional agility, long-range capabilities, and advanced avionics, the Su-27 has a top speed of Mach 2.35 (1,553 mph).
It can carry a wide range of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, and its design has spawned numerous variants, including the Su-30 and Su-35, which remain in service today.
9. Bell X-2 Starbuster
The Bell X-2 Starbuster was an experimental rocket-powered aircraft developed by the U.S. in the 1950s to explore high-speed flight characteristics. It was designed to study thermal and aerodynamic effects at speeds over Mach 3.
In 1956, the X-2 achieved a top speed of Mach 3.2 (2,094 mph), setting speed records. However, the aircraft was difficult to control at such high speeds, and it was eventually retired after a fatal crash during one of its test flights.
10. North American XB-70 Valkyrie
The XB-70 Valkyrie was a strategic bomber prototype developed by North American Aviation in the 1960s for the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft was designed to fly at Mach 3.02 (2,056 mph) at high altitudes, making it nearly invulnerable to enemy interceptors.
The Valkyrie’s large size, delta-wing design, and supersonic capabilities were ahead of their time, but the project was canceled due to advances in missile technology, which made high-speed bombers less viable. Only two prototypes were built, and one was lost in a mid-air collision.
These planes not only broke records but also played a key role in shaping aviation history, reflecting the remarkable achievements of their era.
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Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
