An aircraft is a fascinating piece of machinery that can be customized for a variety of purposes, including transportation, combat, or intelligence gathering. However, in this piece, we will take a look at the top five fastest aircraft.
1 – The SR-71 BlackBird
The American Lockheed Corporation produced only 32 copies of the BlackBird aircraft. Its first flight was in December 1964, from 1968 to 1998. During the Cold War, it was built for intelligence operations to spy on the Soviet Union.
This aircraft can fly at 20,000 meters and a speed of 3,540 km/h, or Mach 3.32, a record it reached on July 28, 1976.
2 – The MiG-25 Foxbat
The Foxbat is a Russian aircraft produced in roughly 1,200 copies by Mikoyan-Gourevitch. Despite its initial flight in March 1964, the MiG-25 is still in service with the Syrian Air Force today.
The Foxbat was initially designed for the Soviet Air Force to counter the American XB-70 (see point n°4), then created, and just like the BlackBird, it provides reconnaissance missions. The MiG-25 can reach a speed of 3,492 km/h, or Mach 3.2.
3 – The XB-70 Valkyrie
The Valkyrie is more of a prototype than an aircraft, having been employed in the military setting and manufactured in only two copies by North American Aviation. The goal was to create a bomber that combined autonomy, speed, and high altitude.
The XB-70 made its initial flight in September 1964, but technical issues mounted, and an accident in 1966 signaled the end of the Valkyrie program.
The XB-70 can reach 3,275 km/h or Mach 3.08 thanks to its extraordinary qualities (almost 56 meters in length, 32 meters in wingspan, six reactors, and an empty weight of 93 tonnes).
4 – The MiG-31 Foxhound
The Foxhound is a Russian fighter aircraft by Mikoyan-Gourevitch, modified from the MiG-25 (point n°2) and produced in approximately 500. Its first flight occurred in September 1975, and service began in 1981.
Armed with a 23mm cannon and long, medium, or short-range missiles, the MiG-31 can intercept missions. The Foxhound holds two crew members and is equipped with an electronically scanned array radar compared to the Foxbat.
Today, only Russia and Kazakhstan have MiG-31 Foxhounds in their aviation forces. This aircraft can fly at 3,200 kilometers per hour, or Mach 3.01.
5 – The F-15 Eagle
The F-15 Eagle is a single- or two-seater aircraft manufactured by more than 1,600 copies by the American company McDonnell Douglas. Its maiden voyage occurred in July 1972. The aircraft has been in service since 1976, primarily with the United States Air Force, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, and Singapore.
The F-15 has been deployed in several operational locations, including Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya… Among the offensive roles of the Eagle is the use of an ASM-135 missile to attack satellites.
The highest speed of the F-15 is 2660 km/h, or Mach 2.5.
