Military fighter aircraft are designed to be fast and agile, allowing them to take on some of the most extreme combat missions. The fighter jet’s capability lies in its top speed, allowing it to defeat its enemies in almost any combat situation. This article explores some of the fastest combat aircraft ever built.
1
SR-71 Blackbird
The fastest manned aircraft ever built
- Crew: 2
- Length: 107 ft 5 in (32.74 m)
- Wingspan: 55 ft 7 in (16.94 m)
- Height: 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m)
- Max takeoff weight: 172,000 lb (78,018 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 12,219.2 US gal (10,174.6 imp gal; 46,255 L) in 6 tank groups (9 tanks)
- Maximum speed: Mach 3.3
The SR-71 Blackbird is a long-range, high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft designed and developed by Lockheed Corporation in the early 1960s. The strategic aircraft is designed to fly at Mach 3+ speeds and has a minimal radar cross-section for stealth power.
Photo: USAF
The SR-71 Blackbird is powered by two Pratt & Whitney J58 turbojet engines, each producing up to 34,000 lbf (151.24 kN) thrust with two-position inlet guide vanes. The Blackbird can reach a speed of Mach 3.3, making it the fastest manned aircraft ever built. The aircraft can carry out long-range reconnaissance missions with an operational range of nearly 3,000 NM (5,500 km).
According to the Flight Test Historical Foundation,
“The first SR-71 flight took place at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, on 22 December 1964. The SR-71 reportedly reached a top speed of Mach 3.4 during flight testing, with its most efficient cruise speed being Mach 3.2.”
2
F-15 EX
Capable of speeds up to Mach 2.5
- Crew: 1 to 2
- Length: 63 ft 9.6 in (19.446 m)
- Wingspan: 42 ft 9.6 in (13.045 m)
- Height: 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m)
- Max takeoff weight: 81,000 lb (36,741 kg)
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.5, 1,650 mph
- Combat range: 687 NM (791 mi, 1,272 km)
The Boeing F-15EX Eagle II is an all-weather strike fighter and a derivative of the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle. The F-15EX was designed to replace the F-15C/D in performing air defense missions. The first aircraft was delivered in 2021 and introduced into service in July 2024.
Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying
The F-15EX is powered by two General Electric F-110-GE-129 engines, each producing 17,155 lbf (76.31 kN) thrust dry and 29,500 lbf (131 kN) with an afterburner. The F-15EX can reach a speed of Mach 2.5, making it one of the world’s fastest fighter jets. The aircraft can strike deep targets with a combat range of nearly 700 NM (1,300 km).
3
F-22 Raptor
Supercruise capabilities allow sustained speeds over Mach 2
- Crew: 1
- Length: 62 ft 1 in (18.92 m)
- Wingspan: 44 ft 6 in (13.56 m)
- Height: 16 ft 8 in (5.08 m)
- Max takeoff weight: 83,500 lb (38,000 kg)
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.25, 1,500 mph (2,414 km/h) at high altitude
- Combat range: 595 NM (685 mi; 1,102 km) clean subsonic
The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is an all-weather twin-engine stealth fighter aircraft developed for the United States Air Force (USAF) in the mid-1990s. Designed as an air superiority fighter, the F-22 is used in various missions, including ground attack, electronic warfare, and intelligence.
Photo: USAF
The F-22 Raptor is powered by two Pratt & Whitney F-119 augmented engines, each producing 26,000 lbf (116 kN) thrust dry and 35,000 lbf (156 kN) with an afterburner. The aircraft can reach a speed of Mach 2.25, making it one of the fastest fighter jets. The aircraft can strike deep targets with a combat range of nearly 600 NM (1,100 km).
4
F-16 Fighting Falcon
It can reach speeds of Mach 2 at altitude
- Crew: 1
- Length: 49 ft 5 in (15.06 m)
- Wingspan: 32 ft 8 in (9.96 m)
- Height: 16 ft (4.9 m)
- Max takeoff weight: 42,300 lb (19,187 kg)
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.05, 1,176 kn (1,353 mph; 2,178 km/h) at 40,000 feet, clean
- Combat range: 295 NM (339 mi, 546 km) on a hi-lo-hi mission with 4 × 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine supersonic fighter designed and developed by General Dynamics for the USAF. Originally designed as an air superiority day fighter, the F-16 evolved with multi-role all-weather capabilities. It is one of the most popular military fighters used by nearly 30 global air forces.
Photo: BlueBarronPhoto | Shutterstock
The F-16 is powered by a single General Electric F-110-GE-129 engine, producing 17,155 lbf (76.31 kN) thrust dry and 29,500 lbf (131 kN) with an afterburner. The F-16 can reach a speed of Mach 2.05, making it one of the fastest fighter jets. The F-16 has a combat range of nearly 300 NM (550 km) and can carry four 1,000-lb (454 kg) bombs.
5
F/A-18 Hornet
Capable of speeds over Mach 1.8
- Crew: 1 or 2
- Length: 56 ft 1 in (17.1 m)
- Wingspan: 40 ft 4 in (12.3 m)
- Width: 27 ft 7 in (8.4 m) wing folded
- Height: 15 ft 5 in (4.7 m)
- Max takeoff weight: 51,900 lb (23,541 kg)
- Maximum speed: Mach 1.8
- Range: 1,089 NM (1,253 mi, 2,017 km)
- Combat range: 400 NM (460 mi, 740 km) air-air mission
The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a carrier-capable supersonic aircraft designed as a fighter and attack aircraft. The F/A-18 is powered by two General Electric F-404-GE-402 engines, each producing 11,000 lbf (49 kN) thrust dry and 17,750 lbf (79 kN) with an afterburner. The F/A-18 can reach a speed of Mach 1.8 and fly a range of 1,100 NM (2,020 km).
Photo: BlueBarronPhoto l Shutterstock
According to the Naval Air Systems Command,
“The F/A-18 Hornet remains the workhorse of Marine Corps tactical aviation and supports operational deployments around the globe. It will serve as the Marine Corps’ primary bridging platform to the F-35 until its planned sundown in 2030.”