The fastest aircraft tried to create many countries in the world. Some developers managed to achieve and overcome supersonic speed, along with excellent maneuverability parameters of the machine. The development of aviation does not stand still, moving further and further in improving the performance characteristics. Most supersonic models are used for military and intelligence purposes, but there are some developments in the civilian industry that surprise with their abilities. Consider the top 10 fastest aircraft with a brief description of their capabilities.
Modification of SU-27
Let's start the review with one of the most famous Soviet-made models. The multi-role fighter was developed at the Sukhoi Design Bureau (beginning of production - 1981). The aircraft has a speed of up to 2877 km/h.
The machine is equipped with a pair of improved power units, the first tests took place in 1977. The fighter was officially adopted in 1985. The SU-27 earned an excellent reputation in the military sphere, and is still in service with many post-Soviet countries.
MiG-31
Let's continue the study of thefastest aircraft among domestic analogues. Mikoyan's design bureau completed development of a large twin-engine supersonic fighter-interceptor in 1975. Literally immediately, the first flight tests were carried out. Equipment entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1982
The speed of the car reaches 3463 km/h. The uniqueness of the technique lies in its ability to achieve supersonic parameters, and the movement can be carried out at low altitude. In fairness, this fighter is one of the best and fastest modifications of its kind.
MiG-25
Another Soviet or Russian fastest aircraft designed by engineers named Gurevich, Seletsky and Matyuk. Production period - from 1969 to 1985
Brief characteristics of the aircraft:
- Destination - reconnaissance, breakthrough, interception of various kinds of air targets.
- Speed - 3916 km/h.
- Use - to collect intelligence and intercept enemy vehicles at supersonic speed.
Equipment is in service in Russia, CIS countries, Algeria, Syria.
F-111 Aardvark
The top fastest aircraft includes this model, developed by General Dynamics. The strategic fighter-bomber began to be produced in 1967. Its speed threshold reaches 3060 km/h.
According to the plans of the designers, the aircraft was to be served by two crew members. He is the firstwas adopted by the US Air Force, was used for strategic bombing, as well as reconnaissance operations. Exceeding the speed of sound at the maximum position was 2.5 times.
F-15 Eagle
Basic information about one of the fastest aircraft is given below:
- Variation of the machine - fighter-interceptor.
- Manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, Boeing Defense, Space & Security (United States of America).
- Beginning of production - 1976
- The speed limit is 3065 km/h.
The design of the aircraft in question was completed back in the sixties of the last century. The device is a twin-engine fighter, which is designed to capture and maintain combat superiority during air battles. The unit was adopted by the US Army in 1976, where it remains to this day. In addition, the equipment is used by the armies of Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey.
The fastest XB-70 Valkyrie aircraft
In this series of strategic bombers, this particular model is distinguished by its high-speed qualities and the possibility of using the device for the operational study of airspace.
The aircraft was developed back in the fifties of the 20th century by the American company North American Aviation. The main production lasted from 1964 to 1969. The speed threshold of the car is 3795 km / h. The main purpose of the unit was to be able to transport a stock of bombs fromnuclear charge.
In 1965, the glider was tested, when it was possible to achieve a record speed of Mach 3.1, with a flight altitude of 21.3 kilometers. One of the modifications of the device in question crashed in 1966, and the second copy is in the National Museum of the US Air Force.
Bell X-2 Starbuster
The list of the 10 fastest aircraft includes the specified modification. The aircraft was produced in the USA as an experimental model (1955-1956). It could reach speeds of up to 3911 km/h.
A whole group of designers from the American Air Force and the National Advisory Committee, together with the Bell Aircraft Corporation, worked on the creation of the machine. Work on the creation of a jet aircraft was completed already in 1945. The main purpose of the technique is to study the properties of aerodynamics in a flight with a supersonic regime. At the end of the autumn of 1955, the apparatus made its first flight, as a result of which a speed threshold of the order of Mach 3.19 was reached at an altitude of 19.8 km. Unfortunately, after that, the equipment lost control and crashed to the ground. After that, the program for the development of this machine was suspended.
SR-71 Blackbird
Another jet aircraft was developed by Lockheed Corporation and Scunk Works between 1966 and 1999. The main task of this technique is to conduct strategic aerial reconnaissance. The speed of the fastest aircraft of this class was 4039 km/h.
In addition to reconnaissance, the machine is focused on repelling threats from the enemy, the maximum climb is 29 kilometers. It is worth noting that in translation the name of the fighter sounds like "blackbird".
YF-12 Lockheed
This aircraft is manufactured in the USA by Lockheed Corporation. The interceptor was produced between 1963 and 1965. The maximum speed of the car was just over 4100 km / h. At that time, the prototype showed an extraordinary result.
The main purpose of the equipment was to intercept similar types of enemy aircraft. The first test of the aircraft was carried out at the US test site, known as the "YF-12 Test Area". Soon it was decided to stop the development of this program due to insufficient technical and maneuverability performance. The complete production of units ended at the end of the seventies of the last century.
The fastest plane in the world
With a maximum speed of 8225 km/h, the Kh-15 jet rocket glider is virtually unparalleled. It was produced in the USA by North American Aviation Corporation (1959-1968). The experimental modification has the highest speed for a manned aircraft.
Work on the design of this machine was suspended in the seventies of the 20th century, but during the tests, many famous people were able to participate in the program, including Neil Armstrong. The maximum ascent height was more than 100 kilometers, which is already closer to space research.
Passenger record holders
The leader of civil aviation in terms of speed is definitely the Soviet-made aircraft under the name TU-144. He was able to gain 2430 km / h. It is worth noting that the technique was developed in the sixties of the last century. The first flight of the car took place on 1968-31-12. Designers from the USSR managed to get ahead of the competitors of the famous Concorde by several months.
The fastest passenger plane in 1969 set another record. The device rose to a height of 11 kilometers, while developing supersonic speed. Such models were created 16 units, the total number of sorties was over 2, 5 thousand.
Interesting facts
There are tragic moments in the history of the Tu-144 supersonic passenger aircraft. In 1973, the brainchild of the Tupolev design bureau performed a demonstration flight. As a result of a sharp maneuver, the car fell. This killed six crew members and 8 observers who were on the ground.
There are several versions of the origin of the tragedy. According to one of them, the TU-144 pilots were disoriented by the French Mirage, from which photography was carried out. Another reason is indicated in the key of the inaccuracy of the pilots of the Soviet apparatus, one of whom dropped the video camera, which led to the jamming of the control system.
In any case, the transportation of passengers on the specified liner was unprofitable due to the high cost of maintenance and fuel and lubricants.materials. Continuation of work on this model was suspended. After that, the French Concorde was the fastest aircraft in civil aviation for a long time.
Conclusion
Among the fastest aircraft in the world, American and Russian (Soviet) models predominate. Most versions of these machines are used for military and intelligence purposes. As practice has shown, passenger transportation at supersonic speeds is unsafe and requires large financial investments.
