Over the hundred years that have passed since the day when the Wright brothers first lifted a winged car into the air, the aircraft industry took a giant step forward. Of course, the speed of sound depends on many conditions and can fluctuate slightly. We will use these numbers to simplify the perception (thanks to all those who care about the inaccuracy - Ed.).
Bell x-2
The first aircraft to reach Mach 3.0 (3370 km / h) in flight was the experimental Bell Aircraft X-2. The main task of the X-2 developers was to study the aerodynamics of the airframe at high altitudes and speeds. Strictly speaking, the X-2 can be considered a military aircraft at a stretch - just because it was not tested by civilian pilots. The maximum flight speed of the X-2 science laboratory is 3911.9 km / h.
North american x-15
The highest speed (8225.28 km / h) developed rocket plane X-15 designed by North American engineers. This result was achieved thanks to the use of the XLR-99 rocket engine, which operated on alcohol and liquid nitrogen. Pilots who took part in the program of development and development of the aircraft, climbed it to a height of 80-100 km.
At speeds up to Mach 6.72, the X-15 performed a suborbital controlled flight. The purpose of the program is 1959-1968. was a study of changes in the physical condition of a person. It can be argued that the introduction of the X-15 was more scientific than military.
Lockheed YF-12
Before the pilots of the prototype YF-12, designed in 1963 by Lockheed engineers, the US Department of Defense set the only task - to develop a record speed. During test flights, the aircraft showed a result of Mach 3.35, or 4100.4 km / h, at an altitude of 27.6 km. For testing, a secret training ground “Zone 51” (now Edwards Air Base) was used.
For the Air Force, these studies had only practical value: not a single missile could bring down a reconnaissance aircraft at such speed and altitude. In addition to the military department, the customer of the test flights on the YF-12 was the NASA space agency. The research program, during which three prototypes were built, was closed in 1979.
Lockheed SR-71A
On July 28, 1976, two U.S. Air Force pilots, Major J.T. Morgan and Captain E.V. Jorsh, lifted a unique SR-71A Blackbird aircraft from the Beale Air Force Base in California. On a closed 25-kilometer route, the Blackbird high-altitude strategic reconnaissance aircraft set an official speed record for serial military aircraft with once-through engines - 3529.56 km / h.
The body of the machine was made of titanium alloy. However, this did not save from record heating at high speeds. Therefore, the operational base was limited in total 32 built aircraft. Yes, and the plane, commissioned in 1964, was fantastically expensive. The decision to decommission was made after the commissioning of the Soviet high-altitude interceptor MiG-31.
North American XB-70 Valkyrie
One of the most notable aircraft in US strategic aviation history is the XB-70 six-engine bomber. It was developed as a prototype of a nuclear bomb carrier. The aircraft needed high speed to quickly leave the affected area after dropping the ammunition. Responsible structural elements of the aircraft are made of unique tool steel N-11. Nickel, titanium, and molybdenum were also used.
In 1965, at an altitude of 21,300 m above Edwards Air Base, the prototype reached Mach 3.0 - 3,672.0 km / h. From 1964 to 1969, only two units were operated. The first plane was lost in a plane crash on June 8, 1966. The second side is an exhibit of the National Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.
MiG-25
MiG-25 - the fastest combat aircraft in the history of aircraft manufacturingintended for direct contact with the vehicles of a potential enemy.Tracking radars once spotted a Foxbat reconnaissance mission (NATO classification) B at a speed of 3395 km / h.
The technical description of the aircraft contains data that it can reach a speed equal to 3.2 Max - 3916.8 km / h. On the E-266 (design code Mig-25P) set many records. One of the achievements remains unsurpassed to this day. On August 21, 1977, the test pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union A.V. Fedotov lifted the interceptor without cargo to height 37650 meters.
MiG-31
The MiG-31 made its first test flight on September 16, 1975. The uniqueness of the aircraft lies in its ability to fly at supersonic speed, not only at altitude, but also near the ground.
MiG-31 interceptors are the basis of the Russian Air Defense Forces. Maximum flight speed is 2.83 Mach (3463.9 km / h). The focus of its development was not speed, but maneuverability. The 31st is capable of performing combat missions, regardless of weather conditions.
McDonnell Douglas F-15
This aircraft is, without exaggeration, the most popular tactical fighter in the world. Since 1975, he participated in all military conflicts where the US Army was involved. It is in service with the Israeli Air Force, Saudi Arabia, and Japan. Maximum speed - Mach 2.5 (3065.0 km / h).
Over forty years of operation, the multi-purpose aircraft has undergone modifications 15 times. His fantastic maneuverability forced the Soviet leadership to intensify the development of an adequate response - a fourth-generation fighter. F-15 Eagle - one of the most reliable American aircraft. One catastrophe occurs in 50 thousand flight hours. A total of 117 units were lost.
General Dynamics F-111
Among the fastest military aircraft there are bombers. One of the most popular is the F-111. It easily develops a speed of Mach 2.5 (3060.0 km / h). It can be used as a strategic (interdictor), or tactical close-range aircraft and electronic warfare. At the same time, he is able to lift an impressive combat load of 15 tons into the air.
A distinctive feature of the F-111 is its low reliability. Of the 563 built boards, at least 123 (21.8%) crashed at different times. At least fifty companies - manufacturers of various equipment took part in the design and construction of the aircraft.
Su-27
Talking about the fastest military aircraft, you can not do without a look at the Su-27. He is the first-born of the fourth-generation Soviet military aircraft industry. Its speed is no different from that developed by almost all modern military aircraft. She is limited 2.35 Mach (2876.4 km / h). The highlight of the Su-27 is that it became the founder of a series of unique Soviet and Russian military aircraft of generations 4+ and 4 ++.
The pilot, Nikolai Sadovnikov, lifted the lightest aircraft under the marking P-42 on October 27, 1986, to a height of 3,000 m in just 25 seconds. Not a single serial military aircraft in the world has reached comparable climb rates. Despite its venerable age, the Su-27 in various modifications is in service in the combat air units of the Russian Air Force.
Tu-160
Among modern bombers, the superiority not only in speed but also in combat capabilities belongs to the strategic missile carrier Tu-160. Its operation of the USSR Air Force began in 1987. The most important characteristics of the aircraft are:
- flight range - 13950 km .;
- thrust of NK-32 engines on afterburner - 4x25000 kgf .;
- combat load - 45 tons
- The maximum flight speed is 2300 km / h.
Updated Black Jack (NATO classification), aka: “White Swan”, Tu-160M, received a digital avionics system, new electronic equipment. The first test flight of the new car took place in January 2018. The combat load kit was supplemented by OFAB-500U half-ton high-precision bombs. The emphasis is on a fundamentally new technical base inside an exceptionally successful glider. The next modification, Tu-160M2, should be equipped with a strapdown inertial navigation system. Other important components of the aircraft will be equipped with digital control: control of fuel consumption; arms control; EW.
By the power of thought, a person constantly pushes the boundaries of knowledge further and further. At what speed he stops - no one knows. Military aircraft today rarely fly at speeds in excess of 2500 km / h. Therefore, the above list will be updated extremely rarely.
