The world of aviation marvels, knowing the fastest planes that have ever soared through the skies. From military jets to experimental aircraft, these speed air crafts represent the aerodynamic engineering. Some can travel incredibly fast, much faster than the sound itself! This amazing technology allows people and cargo to travel across vast distances in a very short time.
We all love things that go fast, and aeroplanes are no exception! But how do we measure how speedy a plane really is? Here’s what we’ll be looking at to rank the top 10 fastest planes in the world. This is the plane’s absolute fastest flying speed, often measured in Mach (a unit comparing speed to the speed of sound) or kilometres per hour (km/h). Some planes are built for pure speed, while others prioritize things like passenger capacity or long-distance travel. We’ll consider if the plane is a military jet, a research aircraft, or something else entirely.
This article will explore the Top 10 fastest planes, ranking them by their incredible speed. Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast or simply curious about how fast we can push the boundaries of flight, join us as we journey through the record-breaking speeds of the world’s quickest aircraft. From NASA X- 43A to Eurofighter Typhoon, we have covered all.
We’re looking for the fastest planes that can truly break the sound barrier and become supersonic machines:
Fastest Planes in the World Ranked
This table showcases the Top 10 fastest airplanes ever created! with speed. These incredible machines can soar through the skies at supersonic speeds, some reaching a staggering Mach 9.62, which is over 9 times the speed of sound, let’s take a look at the Top 10 fastest planes in the world in 2024:
| Rank | Plane | Speed |
| 1 | NASA X-43A | Mach 9.6 |
| 2 | Lockheed SR-72 | Mach 6 |
| 3 | North American X-15A-2 | Mach 6.7 |
| 4 | MiG-31 Foxhound | Mach 3.5 |
| 5 | Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird | Mach 3.4 |
| 6 | X-43 | Mach 7+ |
| 7 | F-22 Raptor | Mach 2.25 |
| 8 | Sukhoi Su-35S | Mach 2.25 |
| 9 | Dassault Rafale | Mach 1.8 |
| 10 | Eurofighter Typhoon | Mach 2.0 |
List of 10 Fastest Planes in The World
- 10. Eurofighter Typhoon – Mach 2.0:
- 9. Dassault Rafale – Mach 1.8:
- 8. Sukhoi Su-35S – Mach 2.25:
- 7. F-22 Raptor – Mach 2.25:
- 6. X-43 – Mach 7+:
- 5. Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird – Mach 3.4:
- 4. MiG-31 Foxhound – Mach 3.5:
- 3. North American X-15A-2 – Mach 6.7:
- 2. Lockheed SR-72 – Mach 6:
- 1. NASA X-43A – Mach 9.6:
10. Eurofighter Typhoon – Mach 2.0:
- Role: Multirole fighter
- Introduced: 2003
- Operators: Primarily used by the air forces of the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain
- Features: Highly agile, designed for both air superiority and ground attack missions
- Technology: Equipped with advanced avionics, stealth features, and capable of carrying a wide range of weapon
- Maximum Speed: Mach 2.0.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a multi-role fighter jet developed by a consortium of European countries. It is known for its agility, advanced avionics, and aerodynamic design. With a top speed of Mach 2.0, the Typhoon is capable of carrying a variety of weapons and is widely used by several air forces for air superiority and ground attack missions.
9. Dassault Rafale – Mach 1.8:
- Type: Multirole fighter aircraft
- Manufacturer: Dassault Aviation
- Top Speed: Mach 1.8 (approximately 1,390 mph or 2,237 km/h)
- First Flight: July 4, 1986
- Introduction into Service: December 18, 2000
- Countries in Use: France, India, Egypt, Qatar, Greece, and others
- Role: Air superiority, ground support, aerial reconnaissance, nuclear deterrence
- Features: Advanced avionics, stealth capabilities, and capable of carrying a wide range of weapons
- Engine Type: 2 × Snecma M88-2 turbofans.
The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine multirole fighter. It has a top speed of Mach 1.8 and is known for its versatility, capable of performing air-to-air combat, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions. The Rafale is equipped with advanced avionics and a fly-by-wire control system, making it a formidable platform in modern aerial warfare and one of the Top 10 fastest planes in the world.
8. Sukhoi Su-35S – Mach 2.25:
- Type: Advanced multirole air superiority fighter
- Country of Origin: Russia
- Top Speed: Mach 2.25 (approximately 1,726 mph or 2,778 km/h)
- Engine: Features two Saturn AL-41F1S afterburning turbofan engines
- Avionics: Equipped with a sophisticated avionics suite including a phased array radar for enhanced target acquisition
- Armament: Capable of carrying a wide range of missiles and bombs, including air-to-air, air-to-ground, and anti-ship weapons
- Maneuverability: Highly agile with supermaneuverability capabilities due to its thrust vectoring engines
- Operational Role: Designed for air superiority missions with significant ground attack and multirole capabilities
- Service Entry: Entered service with the Russian Air Force in 2014
The Sukhoi Su-35S is one of the top 10 fastest planes in the world, a Russian heavy-class multirole fighter known for its agility and advanced avionics. With a top speed of Mach 2.25, the Su-35S is equipped with a powerful radar system, and advanced electronic warfare capabilities, and is capable of carrying a wide range of missiles and bombs. It is designed for both air superiority and ground attack missions.
7. F-22 Raptor – Mach 2.25:
- Type: The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation, stealth tactical fighter aircraft.
- Speed: Capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 2.25.
- Stealth: Designed with advanced stealth technologies to reduce radar detectability.
- Roles: Primarily serves in air superiority missions but is versatile in ground attack, electronic warfare, and signal intelligence.
- First Flight: Made its first flight in September 1997.
- Service Entry: Entered U.S. Air Force service in December 2005.
- Manufacturer: Developed by Lockheed Martin and Boeing as a part of the U.S. Air Force’s Advanced Tactical Fighter program.
- Technology: Features sophisticated avionics, supercruise ability (supersonic flight without afterburners), and highly integrated computer systems for enhanced situational awareness.
The F-22 Raptor is an American fifth-generation fighter known for its stealth and advanced technology. With a top speed of Mach 2.25, the F-22 is designed primarily for air superiority missions. It is 10 fastest planes in the world and features highly advanced radar systems, supercruise capability, and manoeuvrability that give it a significant edge in aerial combat.
6. X-43 – Mach 7+:
- Type: The X-43 is an experimental unmanned hypersonic aircraft developed by NASA.
- Speed: Achieved speeds greater than Mach 7, making it one of the fastest aircraft in the world.
- Technology: Utilizes scramjet (supersonic combustion ramjet) technology for propulsion.
- Record: Set a world record for the fastest speed by a jet-powered aircraft in 2004.
- Purpose: Designed to test and validate the performance of scramjet engines at high speeds.
- Launch Method: Launched from a B-52 Stratofortress, accelerated by a rocket booster before engaging its scramjet engine.
- Materials: Constructed with materials capable of withstanding extreme high-temperature conditions caused by hypersonic flight.
The X-43 is an experimental unmanned hypersonic aircraft developed by NASA. With a top speed exceeding Mach 7, the X-43 set records for being one of the fastest aircraft. It was part of research into hypersonic flight and was crucial in understanding the challenges and possibilities of flying at extremely high speeds within the Earth’s atmosphere.
5. Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird – Mach 3.4:
- Max Speed: Mach 3.4 (approximately 2,200 mph or 3,540 km/h).
- Role: Strategic reconnaissance aircraft operated by the USAF.
- First Flight: December 22, 1964.
- Service Period: 1966 to 1998.
- Record: Holds the record for the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft.
- Design: Features a distinctive black titanium skin and sleek design for stealth and high-speed performance.
- Engines: Powered by two Pratt & Whitney J58 turbojet engines.
- Altitude: Capable of flying at altitudes over 85,000 feet (25,900 meters).
- Cooling System: Uses its fuel as a heat sink for radar emissions and engine heat, reducing radar signature.
- Legacy: No aircraft has surpassed its speed record among operational air-breathing manned aircraft as of its retirement.
The SR-71 Blackbird is an iconic American reconnaissance aircraft known for its speed and altitude capabilities. With a top speed of Mach 3.4, it was designed for high-speed, high-altitude reconnaissance missions. The SR-71 featured a unique design, advanced materials, and powerful engines, making it one of the fastest planes ever built.
4. MiG-31 Foxhound – Mach 3.5:
- Model: MiG-31 Foxhound
- Speed: Mach 3.5 (approximately 2,685 mph or 4,320 km/h)
- Role: Interceptor aircraft
- Introduced: 1981
- Origin: Soviet Union
- Features: Capable of flying at high altitudes; designed to intercept and destroy high-speed aerial targets.
- Notable: One of the fastest combat jets in the world; continues to be in service with the Russian Air Force.
The MiG-31 Foxhound is renowned as the fastest plane in the world, a Russian interceptor aircraft designed to counter high-speed and high-altitude threats. With a top speed of Mach 3.5, the MiG-31 is one of the fastest military aircraft in service. It has a powerful radar system and is capable of carrying a variety of air-to-air missiles, making it an effective platform for defending airspace against fast and agile targets.
3. North American X-15A-2 – Mach 6.7:
- Type: Experimental aircraft
- Speed: Mach 6.7 (approximately 4,520 mph or 7,274 km/h)
- Record Achieved: October 1967
- Purpose: High-speed and high-altitude research
- Engine: Rocket engine, specifically the XLR99, providing 57,000 pounds of thrust
- Materials: Made with heat-resistant alloys to withstand extreme temperatures
- Notable Feature: Equipped with an external fuel tank to extend its flight duration and speed capability
- Achievements: Holds the record for the highest speed ever reached by a manned, powered aircraft.
The X-15A-2 was an experimental aircraft operated by NASA and the U.S. Air Force in the 1960s. With a top speed of Mach 6.7, the X-15 set numerous speed and altitude records for manned aircraft. It was a rocket-powered aircraft designed for research in hypersonic and spaceflight, contributing significantly to the understanding of high-speed flight and one of the 10 fastest planes in the world.
2. Lockheed SR-72 – Mach 6:
- Designation: Lockheed SR-72
- Speed: Mach 6 (approximately 4,600 mph or 7,400 km/h)
- Type: Unmanned, experimental hypersonic aircraft
- Developer: Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works
- Purpose: Intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and strike missions
- Announcement: Publicly disclosed in 2013
- Technology: Features advanced hypersonic technology, including a potential combined cycle engine that merges a turbojet and a scramjet
- Status: In development, with expectations for a first flight in the late 2020s
- Nickname: “Son of Blackbird,” referencing its predecessor, the SR-71 Blackbird, known for its high-speed reconnaissance capabilities.
The Lockheed SR-72 is a proposed hypersonic unmanned aircraft intended for reconnaissance and strike missions. With a projected top speed of Mach 6, the SR-72 represents cutting-edge technology in the realm of hypersonic flight. While still incredibly fast, the title of one of the fastest jet fighter plane in the world goes to another aircraft on this list It is envisioned as a successor to the iconic SR-71 Blackbird, capable of rapid and high-altitude reconnaissance.
1. NASA X-43A – Mach 9.6:
- Designation: NASA X-43A
- Speed: Mach 9.6 (approximately 7,000 mph or 11,265 km/h)
- Type: Unmanned, experimental hypersonic aircraft
- Developer: Developed by NASA as part of the Hyper-X program
- Purpose: To demonstrate advanced scramjet (supersonic combustion ramjet) technology at hypersonic speeds
- Announcement: First flight took place in 2001
- Technology: Utilizes scramjet technology, allowing it to achieve speeds far beyond traditional jet engines by compressing and igniting air at supersonic speeds without the need for moving parts
- Status: Completed its test flights; the record-setting flight occurred on November 16, 2004
- Nickname: Not commonly known by a nickname, but renowned for being the fastest aircraft powered by a jet engine
The NASA X-43A holds the record as the First fastest plane in the ever built, reaching a top speed of Mach 9.6. This experimental unmanned aircraft was part of NASA’s research into hypersonic flight. The X-43A was air-launched from a B-52 bomber and demonstrated the feasibility of sustained, controlled flight at extremely high speeds, paving the way for future advancements in hypersonic technology and one of the 10 fastest planes in the world.
In Conclusion
In the ever-evolving world of aviation, speed remains a captivating aspect that pushes the boundaries of human engineering and technology. The Top 10 fastest planes in the world of 2024 showcase a spectrum of capabilities, from hypersonic experimental aircraft to iconic military jets. Each aircraft on this list represents a leap forward in aeronautical achievement, emphasizing the ongoing pursuit of faster and more advanced flight.
From the groundbreaking NASA X-43A, with its astonishing Mach 9.6 speed, to the proposed Lockheed SR-72, heralding the next era of hypersonic unmanned flight, these planes not only break the sound barrier but also contribute significantly to the understanding of high-speed flight and advanced reconnaissance capabilities.
Top 10 Fastest Planes in the World (2024) – FAQs
What is Mach speed?
Mach speed is a unit used to measure the speed of an object in relation to the speed of sound in the surrounding medium. Mach 1 is the speed of sound, and any speed greater than Mach 1 is considered supersonic.
Which is the fastest plane in the world?
The fastest plane in the world is the NASA X-43A, reaching a speed of Mach 9.62. That’s an incredible feat, traveling over 9 times the speed of sound!
Who has the fastest fighter jet?
Fastest overall: NASA X-43 (Mach 9.6) ,Fastest in service: MiG-25 Foxbat (Mach 3.2)
What is the maximum speed of fighter jet?
Max speed of fighter jets:
- Ever built: Mach 9.6 (X-43)
- In service: Mach 3.2 (MiG-25 Foxbat)
How fast can a 777 fly?
A Boeing 777 cruises at around Mach 0.84, which is roughly 560 mph (905 km/h).