Human Wonder – Aircraft Ranked by Max Flying Speed [Infographic]

What Is the Fastest Jet in the World?

The title of the fastest plane in the world goes to the North American X-15, which can reach an incredible maximum speed of 4,520 miles per hour. This aircraft was used by both the U.S. Air Force and NASA, with its first flight occurring in 1959. Throughout the 1960s, the X-15 set numerous speed and altitude records, reaching its highest speed on October 3, 1967.

The jet completed a total of 199 manned flights, with U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Robert A. Rushworth holding the record for the most flights—34. Of the 12 pilots who flew the X-15, 8 exceeded an altitude of 50 miles, earning them astronaut status.

Following the X-15 is the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the second-fastest jet, which can hit a top speed of 2,500 miles per hour. Developed in the 1960s as a secret project based on Lockheed’s A-12 aircraft, the SR-71 was primarily used by the U.S. Air Force and NASA. It was retired by both organizations in 1998 and 1999, respectively, with a total of 32 units built.

In third place is another Lockheed aircraft, the YF-12, with a maximum speed of 2,274 miles per hour. First flying in 1963, this jet was used by both the U.S. Air Force and NASA.

Only three were ever built, with the first aircraft being revealed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.

The Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-25, known by NATO as the Foxbat, ranks fourth at 2,190 miles per hour. This supersonic interceptor, designed by the Soviet Union’s Mikoyan Gurevich bureau in the 1960s, was used by the Soviet and later Russian Air Force.

Fifth place belongs to the Bell X-2, nicknamed the Starbuster, which can reach speeds of 2,094 miles per hour. This rocket-powered aircraft was developed in 1945 by the Bell Aircraft Corporation, the U.S. Air Force, and the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.

How Fast Is Mach Speed?

Mach is a unit of measurement in aviation that compares an aircraft’s true airspeed to the speed of sound. To put it simply, an aircraft’s Mach number is the ratio of its velocity to the speed of sound at a given altitude. So, how fast is Mach 1? While the precise calculation can be complex, Mach 1 is approximately 767 miles per hour.

Fastest Private Aircraft

While government and commercial jets often make headlines for their speed, private jets are also impressively fast. The fastest private jet is the Bombardier Global 8000, reaching a top speed of 721 miles per hour. The Cessna Citation X+ comes in second, with a speed of 717 miles per hour. In third place are several jets, all capable of reaching 709 miles per hour: the Gulfstream G700, Gulfstream G650, Bombardier Global 7500, and Gulfstream G500. Here is a full table, aircraft ranked by max flying Speed.

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Summary

Lets look at the top 5 again, the fastest jet in the world is the North American X-15, used by the U.S. Air Force and NASA, it set multiple speed and altitude records during the 1960s. The second-fastest is the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, followed by the Lockheed YF-12. The Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-25 comes in fourth, and the Bell X-2 rounds out the top five.

Mach speed refers to an aircraft’s speed relative to the speed of sound, with Mach 1 being approximately 767 miles per hour. In the realm of private aircraft, the fastest is the Bombardier Global 8000 at 721 miles per hour, with the Cessna Citation X+ close behind at 717 miles per hour. Other fast private jets include the Gulfstream G700 and Bombardier Global 7500, all reaching speeds of 709 miles per hour. Reveiw the inforgaphic velow for the full list “Aircraft Ranked by Max Flying Speed”.