The fastest passenger aircraft. The fastest planes in the world

Over time, aviation has advanced far ahead by leaps and bounds. More and more new aircraft models are being designed with such a high speed that it is capable of several times higher than the speed of sound at an unimaginable height. Today we will share with you our Top 10 rating fastest planes in the world... We will tell you about some of the features of these aircraft, who worked on their creation, when the first flights took place, and much more. This will be interesting, so let's get started. Let's fly!

10.Su-27

• Country: USSR / Russia
• Developer: Sukhoi Design Bureau
• Type of: Multipurpose fighter
• Production start year: 1981
• Maximum speed: 2876.4 km / h

Opens the top ten fastest aircraft in the world Su-27 - a fighter with two engines, built in the former USSR, in an effort to outperform similarly advanced American aircraft. The aircraft made its maiden flight in May 1977 and officially entered service with the USSR Air Force in 1985. It can reach a maximum supersonic speed of Mach 2.35 (1550 mph or 2876.4 km / h).

The Su-27 gained a reputation as one of the most capable fighters of its time. These aircraft are still in service with Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

• Country: USA
• Developer: General dynamics
• Type of: Fighter bomber, strategic bomber
• Production start year: 1967
• Maximum speed: 3060 km / h

The large aerospace company General Dynamics completed the development of the F-111 Aardvark tactical attack aircraft about half a century ago. According to calculations, the F-111 Aardvark should accommodate two crew members. 1967 and the aircraft was the first to go into service with the US Air Force. It was used in strategic bombing companies, in reconnaissance operations, and also with its help, electronic warfare was carried out. This aircraft can reach speeds of Mach 2.5 with particular ease. And this exceeds the speed of sound by about 2.5 times.

• Country: USA
• Developer: McDonnell Douglas, Boeing Defense, Space & Security
• Type of: Interceptor fighter
• Production start year: 1976
• Maximum speed: 3065 km / h

In the late 60s, McDonnell Douglas completed its work on the development of a tactical twin-engined fighter. Its immediate purpose is to capture and maintain its superiority during air battles. July 1972, the first flight was successfully completed. A few years later, in 1976, the US Air Force adopted the F-15 Eagle into service.

This plane is one of those who are successful. His speed is impressive, exceeding Mach 2.5. The US Air Force plans to keep this aircraft in service for a long time, at least until 2025. It has been exported overseas, namely Israel, Japan and Saudi Arabia, Turkey.

• Country: USSR / Russia
• Developer: OKB MiG
• Type of: Interceptor fighter
• Production start year: 1975-1994
• Maximum speed: 3463.92 km / h

The Mikoyan design bureau completed the production of a large, twin-engined supersonic aircraft, and already in 1975, in September, the first flight of the aircraft took place. In 1982 he was adopted by the USSR Air Force.

The speed of the MiG-31 can reach Mach 2.83. Its unique ability is that it is able to develop supersonic speed and fly it even low above the ground. Years go by, and the MiG-31 continues to serve the Russian Aerospace Forces faithfully. This aircraft is one of the best in its class and is rightfully ranked with the best and fastest aircraft in the world.

• Country: USA
• Developer: North American Aviation
• Type of: Strategic bomber, exploration aircraft
• Production start year: 1964-1969
• Maximum speed: 3794.4 km / h

In the late 1950s, North American Aviation developed the XB-70, which has six engines. The goal of the creators was to design an aircraft that would serve as a prototype for a strategic bomber with a stock of nuclear bombs.

In 1965, the XB-70 reached its peak of speed when it flew in California over Edwards Air Force Base. The height above the ground reached 21,300 meters, and the speed was Mach 3.1.

Between 1964 and 1969, two XB-70 models were built and used for test flights. In 1966, one of the models crashed in a mid-air collision. And the second model is in Dayton, it is on display at the National Museum of the US Air Force.

• Country: USA
• Developer: Bell aircraft
• Type of: Experimental aircraft
• Production start year: 1955-1956
• Maximum speed: 3911.904 km / h

A whole group worked on the creation of this aircraft. This group included the United States Air Force, the National Advisory Committee, and the Bell Aircraft Corporation. In 1945, work on the development of an aircraft with a rocket engine was completed. The purpose of the aircraft was: to study the properties of aerodynamics when flying at supersonic speed, with a range of Mach 2 and 3.

1955, November, X-2 made its maiden flight. A year later, Captain Milburn managed to achieve a speed of Mach 3.196, while the height was 19,800 meters. Alas, after reaching its peak speed, the plane got out of control and crashed to the ground. Of course, this tragedy did not go unnoticed, and the X-2 program stopped its work.

• Country: USSR / Russia
• Developer: OKB MiG
• Type of: Interceptor, reconnaissance plane, breakout plane
• Production start year: 1969-1985
• Maximum speed: 3916.8 km / h

Legendary designers - Seletsky, Gurevich and Matyuk worked on the production of this technical miracle. Its main purpose is to collect reconnaissance data and intercept enemy aircraft at speeds exceeding supersonic. 1964, the first flight took place, and in the 70s the Soviet Air Force actively used it.

The MiG-25's speed is incredible - Mach 3.2. Therefore, it is one of the fastest aircraft in the world and is still used for service in the Russian Aerospace Forces and beyond. Other countries such as Syria and Algeria use the MiG-25 in their air forces.

• Country: USA
• Developer: Lockheed Corporation, Scunk Works
• Type of: Strategic scout
• Production start year: 1966-1999
• Maximum speed: 4039.2 km / h

Reconnaissance tasks, or rather their implementation - here the main task this aircraft. In addition, it easily repels enemy threats. The maximum speed is Mach 3.3, and the height is 29 thousand meters. It is worth noting that according to some sources, the speed of the "Blackbird" is indicated at Mach 3.5, but this is not confirmed data. Nevertheless - the third line in the ranking of the fastest aircraft in the world is honorable.

• Country: USA
• Developer: Lockheed corporation
• Type of: Interceptor
• Production start year: 1963-1965
• Maximum speed: 4100.4 km / h

About half a century ago, Lockheed Corporation completed development of a prototype aircraft. The purpose of creating such an aircraft is to intercept enemy aircraft. Area 51 was the site of the YF-12's testing. This location is a top secret training ground for the United States Air Force. 1963, altitude 27,600 meters, YF-12 makes its maiden flight. Its speed is Mach 3.35. But over time, the US Air Force terminated the YF-12 flight program. However, the YF-12 managed to conduct several flights in the field of scientific research for NASA and the Air Force. In the late 70s, the flights of the aircraft were finally completed.

1.X-15

• Country: USA
• Developer: North American Aviation
• Type of: Experimental high-speed research rocket plane
• Production start year: 1959-1968
• Maximum speed: 8225.28 km / h

This device has no equal in speed - the world's fastest aircraft... It is capable of accelerating to Mach 6.72, which is the fastest speed for a manned aircraft. In the 70s, the flights of this rocket plane ended, but during its service, many famous personalities, such as Neil Armstrong, were able to take part in the program. The height to which the pilots climbed was over 100 kilometers. Such pilots can be safely called astronauts.

Su-27 - 2500 km / h

The Su-27 is a fourth generation Soviet / Russian multipurpose highly maneuverable all-weather heavy fighter developed by Sukhoi Company. Intended as a direct competitor to large fourth-generation fighters built in the United States, such as the Grumman F-14 Tomcat and F-15 Eagle. The first flight of the prototype Su-27 took place on May 20, 1977, and in 1985 it entered service with the Soviet Air Force. Today it is one of the main fighters in Russia, its modifications are in service with India, China and many other countries.

General Dynamics F-111 - 2655 km / h

The General Dynamics F-111 is a supersonic American tactical bomber, aerial reconnaissance and electronic warfare aircraft developed in the 1960s by General Dynamics. It made its first flight on December 21, 1964, and on July 18, 1967 it was put into service. He took a wide part in the hostilities in Vietnam. In total, 562 copies were produced for the US Air Force and the Australian Air Force during production.

McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle - 2665 km / h

The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is an all-weather tactical fighter developed in the early 70s by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing), commissioned by the United States Air Force to achieve air superiority. Its first flight took place in July 1972. In 1974 it was put into operation. Exported to Israel, Japan, Singapore and Saudi Arabia.

MiG-31 - 3000 km / h

The MiG-31 is a two-seater supersonic heavy interceptor fighter. Work on its creation began in 1968 at PJSC RSK MiG. The first flight took place on September 16, 1975. The aircraft was built on the basis of a single-seat MiG-25, primarily to cover the territory of the USSR from being hit by cruise missiles from the Arctic, where there was no continuous radar field. It is the first Soviet fourth generation fighter.

North American XB-70 Valkyrie - 3309 km / h

The North American XB-70 Valkyrie is a prototype of the American strategic bomber, which was supposed to fly at an altitude of 21 thousand meters at a speed three times the speed of sound. In total, two copies were built. The first experimental aircraft, the XB-70 Valkyrie, took off for the first time on September 21, 1964, and the second on July 17, 1965. One of the aircraft is now in the National Air Force Museum near Dayton, Ohio. The second on June 8, 1966, during a flight in the formation of several aircraft, collided in the air with a Lockheed F-104 Starfighter fighter, fell to the ground and completely collapsed.

Bell X-2 - 3370 km / h

Bell X-2 is an American experimental aircraft designed to study aerodynamic and thermodynamic characteristics during flight at speeds from 2 to 3 M (Mach number). Its development began in 1945 by Bell Aircraft Corporation in partnership with NACA and the US Air Force. The X-2 was completed in 1952, and trials began in 1953. In total, two copies were built. Both suffered disasters, after which the research was discontinued.

MiG-25 - 3470 km / h

The MiG-25 is a supersonic Soviet / Russian fighter and reconnaissance aircraft, the world's first serial fighter to reach speeds of over 3,000 km / h. It was developed by JSC "RSK" MiG "" in the early 1960s. It is the last aircraft designed by Mikhail Gurevich before his retirement. The first flight of the prototype took place in 1965, and in 1970 it was put into operation. A total of 1190 copies were produced.

Lockheed YF-12 - 3661 km / h

The third place in the list of the fastest manned aircraft in the world is occupied by the Lockheed YF-12, an American prototype interceptor developed by the famous aircraft designer Clarence Johnson on the basis of the Lockheed A-12 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. This aircraft is the world's largest manned interceptor. He took off for the first time on August 7, 1963. A total of three YF-12s were produced, each valued at approximately $ 18 million. After a series of flight tests, the project was canceled.

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird - 3818 km / h

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is an American strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed in the late 1950s by Lockheed based on the Lockheed A-12 aircraft. It is the first aircraft created using stealth technology. Its first flight took place on December 22, 1964. It was in service with the United States from 1964 to 1998 and was actively used for espionage. A total of 32 aircraft were produced, 12 of which crashed as a result of accidents (none were shot down).

North American X-15 - 7274 km / h

The North American X-15 is a hypersonic experimental rocket plane that set a number of world speed and altitude records (107.96 km). Work on its creation began in 1955 and was entrusted to North American Aviation. A total of three prototype... On March 10, 1959, the car took off for the first time. For nine years - from 1959 to 1968, of the planned 200 test flights, the X-15 made 199. The record was the flight of the pilot Joe Walker on August 22, 1963.

Fly around the Earth in a couple of hours. This is not a myth, it is a reality if you are a passenger on a super-fast plane.

Boeing X-43

The X-43A was designed and built by specialists from NASA, Orbital Sciences Corporation and MicroCraft Inc. It took about ten years of research in the field of supersonic ramjet engines, which are capable of accelerating aircraft to supersonic speeds, for the record holder to be born. The project took a quarter of a billion dollars.

The fastest plane on the planet is not very large. Its wingspan is only one and a half meters, while its length is only 3.6 meters. The fastest aircraft was equipped with an experimental Supersonic Combustion Ramjet (SCRamjet) ramjet engine for supersonic combustion. And its main feature is that there are no rubbing parts. Well, the fuel on which the record holder flies is a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen. The creators did not allocate space for special tanks for oxygen, it is taken directly from the atmosphere. This made it possible to reduce the weight of the aircraft. As a result, as a result of the use of oxygen with hydrogen, the engine emits ordinary water vapor.

The world's fastest aircraft Boeing X-43 flies at a speed of 11,230 km / h

It is worth noting that the fastest aircraft in the world was developed specifically to test the latest technology, namely a hypersonic alternative to modern turbojet engines. Scientists believe that hypersonic aircraft will be able to reach anywhere on Earth in just 3-4 hours.

Orbital Sciences Corporation X-34

We first tested this fastest aircraft in the world in the spring of 2001. And it took 7 years and $ 250 million to build and test the Hyper-X engine. The tests of the Kh-34 ended in success only in the spring of 2004. Then, during the launch over the Pacific Ocean near the island of St. Nicholas, the car accelerated to 11 thousand kilometers per hour. This plane is more than a record holder. The length of the aircraft is 17.78 meters, the wingspan is 8.85 meters, the height is already 3.5 meters. Although the aircraft flies quickly, its weight is an impressive 1270 kilograms. The maximum height it can climb is 75 kilometers.

North American X-15

However, despite the impressive speed, the plane weighs quite well - more than 15 thousand kilograms. But this is taking into account the mass of the fuel. When landing, the aircraft weighs half the weight. The height to which the X-15 can rise is almost 110 kilometers. Well, the flight range is 543.4 kilometers.

SR-71 ("Blackbird")

MiG-25 ("The Bat")

Fighter-interceptor MIG-25 - the fastest aircraft in Russia

MiG-31

McDonnell-Douglas F-15 ("Eagle")

General Dynamics F-111 ("Aardvark" or "Pig")

Our age of speed and competition sometimes makes you wonder, but what of all the existing ones?

In this article, we will try to answer this question as fully and impartially as possible. First you need to define the terms.

For an aircraft we will take a serial product controlled by a pilot and having two wings, stabilizers and other attributes of the aircraft fuselage. NASA in 2004 tested an experimental project X-43A with a jet engine, which developed a speed of 11,230 km / h, according to NASA test results, together with the Guinness book, they rushed to name it the fastest plane in the world... In fact, this is a drone, released in several copies, launched from the side of another aircraft and using a rocket launcher as an engine, so it cannot be called an aircraft.

Of the modern military manned aircraft, the fastest is the American strategic supersonic reconnaissance aircraft SR-71 Blackbird blackbird, named so because of the dark blue color of the fuselage. This futuristic facility was operated until 1998, due to high operating costs and low reliability, in total 12 out of 32 aircraft were lost, then the operation ceased. The maximum recorded speed of the SR-71 Blackbird developed - 3540 km / h. Which is a record for today. Thus, we can say that today it is 3540 km / h.

SR-71 Blackbird

It should be noted that the Soviet fighter MIG-25, according to the pilots, could well develop a speed, albeit short-term, up to 3600 km / h, which is almost 200 km / h more than the SR-71. But since, according to international rules, the speed was not officially recorded, the record was held by the SR-71 Blackbird.

Next on the list is the Russian SU-31 long-range interceptor fighter. This aircraft was developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau back in 1979 and was put into service in 1981, and has been successfully operated to this day. The maximum speed of the SU-31, in accordance with the technical documentation, is 3000 km / h. But according to the assurances of the pilots, he is capable of more.

This bomber was developed back in 1960. Its main purpose was to carry out reconnaissance and electronic warfare. The maximum speed of this vehicle is 2655 km / h.

Fastest passenger plane

From civil aviation, the palm in speed was shared by the Soviet TU-144 and the Franco-English Concorde project. The design speed of the T-144 was 2500 k / h against 2300 km /, at the Concorde, but due to the fact that the TU-144, practically did not carry out passenger traffic, the nomination most fast passenger plane necessary , to hand over to the Concorde, which performed regular air travel for many years, until its operation was banned in 2000.