Throughout history, mankind has been in search of new ways to traverse large distances in less time, often breaking speed records and making headlines. In the realm of aeronautics, the need for speed has developed and sustained a number of aircraft models and designs which are able to outrun the wind and set remarkable records. Some of these high-speed marvels include the Eurofighter Typhoon, the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark, Lockheed Blackbird, and many more. In this article, we dive deeper into understanding the world’s fastest planes and the allure that they have. From air force jets to fighter planes, here is a comprehensive look at the top fastest planes in the world.
The SR-71 Blackbird – Fastest Plane That’s In Active Service
The SR-71 Blackbird is the fastest plane that is currently in active service. It is also the fastest plane in official air force operations records, known to have reached speeds of up to 3,530 km/hour.
Design
The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is a foot-long, twin-engined, strategic reconnaissance aircraft. It has an unpainted, black exterior to facilitate the protection from the heat generated from its high speeds. The aircraft has an “edge-shaped” design, functioning like a wedge, which allows for minimal air drag, facilitating great speeds.
Performance
The SR-71 Blackbird is powered by two Pratt & Whitney J58 engines, these engines were very special since they had a top-secret metallurgic alloy that could withstand the intense heat from sustained high speeds. The Blackbird could accelerate from a slow mph to maximum mph in just one minute, meaning it can reach top speeds in extremely short time periods.
Advantages
The SR-71 Blackbird had a great advantage over other planes in its time because of its durable design and the fact that it was extremely hard to detect on radar. Being able to reach such high speeds, the Blackbird could fly missions undetected and complete them before enemies could react. Even if it was detected, its speed gave it great advantage since no other aircraft in the sky was capable of keeping up with it.
The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark – Second Fastest Plane in Active Service
The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark is the second fastest plane in active service, following the SR-71 Blackbird. It has a top speed of Mach 2.5 and is a tactical warplane which entered service in 1967.
Design
The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark is a two-seat, variable-sweep-wing fighter-bomber, designed to have both land attack and air-to-air capabilities. It has a length of 21.7 meters, a wingspan of 11.2 meters and a height of 5.2 meters. Its design enables it to handle its high speeds with ease and it has a spacious internal weapons bay which can accommodate a wide range of weapons depending on mission needs.
Performance
The F-111 Aardvark is powered by two TF30-P-3 turbofan engines, each with a thrust of 18.610 N. With these engines, it can accelerate from 0 to Mach 2.5 in less than two minutes.
Advantages
The F-111 Aardvark is considered to be one of the most advanced fighter planes due to a number of features it has. It is equipped with four fuel tanks for extra range, the ability to fly at high supersonic speeds and to Low-Level-Supersonic speeds, as well as an array of sophisticated radar systems, ECM (electronic countermeasures), and self-defense systems.
The North American X-15A -2- Highest Speed Ever Achieved by an Airplane
The North American X-15A-2 is the fastest aircraft, with an absolute top speed of 4320 km/hour (Mach 6.7). It is the fastest speed ever achieved by an airplane.
Design
The North American X-15A-2 is a rocket-engine powered aircraft designed to operate in a suborbital fashion. It is a high-speed research plane with a length of 15 meters, a wingspan of 8.4 meters and a height of 2.8 meters. The plane has two aerodynamic rudders and a ventral fin on the fuselage which are used to control the craft when in flight.
Performance
The X-15A-2 is powered by two rocket engines. The first one is a XLR-99, a liquid-fuelled rocket engine, which is capable of producing up to 5,500 kg of thrust. The second engine is for the rocket boosters, which can generate an additional 7,500 kg of thrust.
Advantages
The North American X-15A-2 was designed to operate in a very specific environment, namely that of the upper atmosphere, which is a very hostile and challenging area to fly in. Its aerodynamic shape and specially designed propulsion systems help the craft maintain controllability as it travels at high speeds. This enabled the craft to reach Mach 6.7 under its own power, making it the fastest airplane ever to reach such a speed.
The Eurofighter Typhoon – Fastest Supersonic Aircraft
The Eurofighter Typhoon is the fastest supersonic aircraft, with a maximum speed of Mach 2 (2193 km/hour). It is a multirole fighter plane developed by the Eurofighter consortium which entered service in 2003.
Design
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multirole fighter plane. It has a length of 16 meters, a wingspan of 11 meters, and a height of 6 meters. Its delta-canard design allows for a high degree of maneuverability, enabling it to turn sharply at high speeds and make instantaneous changes in its trajectory.
Performance
The Eurofighter Typhoon is powered by two Eurojet EJ200 turbofan engines, each capable of delivering a thrust of 90 kN. It can accelerate in a short span of time, reaching its maximum speed of Mach 2 in 45 seconds.
Advantages
The Eurofighter Typhoon has a number of advantages, such as being lightweight, agile and having an advanced electronic attack suite. It is highly maneuverable and can engage in air-to-air combat with great success. It is also equipped with an array of powerful weapons, such as air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, and laser-guided bombs. The aircraft is also highly reliable and has an excellent record of performance.
The yakovlev Yak-141 Freestyle – Fastest V/STOL Aircraft
The Yakovlev Yak-141 Freestyle is a Russian-made supersonic Vertical/Short Takeoff Aircraft (V/STOL). It has a maximum speed of Mach 1.6 and is the fastest V/STOL in the world.
Design
The Yak-141 Freestyle has a length of 16 meters, a wingspan of 8.9 meters and a height of 4.3 meters. Its design consists of an inverted-V take-off system which uses four lift fans with an extended nose, which provide an additional thrust. This allows the craft to make vertical take-offs and hover capabilities.
Performance
The Yak-141 Freestyle is powered by two turbofan engines, producing a combined 73.1 kN of thrust. This enables it to reach speeds of up to Mach 1.6 and make vertical take-off and landing in a span of two and a half minutes.
Advantages
The Yak-141 Freestyle has a number of advantages due to its unique V/STOL capabilities. It can engage in long-range patrols over difficult terrain and take off from a variety of surfaces. It also has the ability to make short landings, hover, and transition to conventional flight in a short span of time. This gives it added flexibility in aerial operations.
The world of aviation is packed with high-speed marvels that have pushed the boundaries of speed in flight. From the SR-71 Blackbird to the Yak-141 Freestyle, these aircraft have been designed to be able to traverse large distances with incredible speed. Every one of these planes has something unique to offer, be it extra range, maneuverability, or stealth capabilities. While some of these planes have been retired, their innovation and spirit will remain, always inspiring new designs and speed records.
