An airplane is a fairly fast means of transportation, but among airplanes there are also some of the fastest machines ever built.
1 MiG-25 3.2M — the fastest aircraft.
A fighter pilot friend of mine once said over a cigarette: “This aircraft has no speed limit; it’s only on paper.” Of course, that’s an exaggeration, but here before you is the fastest aircraft in the world.
A Soviet single-seat supersonic high-altitude interceptor designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau.
A legendary aircraft that set several world records, including a speed record. However, as was often the case in the USSR, much of the information was kept secret. According to chief designer R. A. Belyakov, exceeding Mach 3 reduced the service life of the MiG’s airframe, but did not result in damage to the aircraft or its engines. According to pilots familiar with the aircraft, it repeatedly exceeded Mach 3.5, although no such record was officially registered.
On September 6, 1976, a MiG-25 was hijacked to Japan by Soviet Air Force pilot Viktor Belenko. The aircraft was eventually returned, but only after being completely dismantled for inspection. New aircraft were modified and received the MiG-25PD designation, while all aircraft already in service were upgraded and redesignated MiG-25PDS.
At Hakodate Airport, Belenko fired a pistol to prevent the “Japanese” from approaching the MiG and demanded that the aircraft be covered. However, the commission investigating the incident concluded that the flight had been deliberate, although there was no clear evidence that he intended to commit treason.
2 Lockheed SR-71 3.2M
A strategic supersonic reconnaissance aircraft of the U.S. Air Force. It was unofficially known as the “Blackbird.” The aircraft became notorious for its poor reliability; 12 of the 32 aircraft built were lost over 34 years.
The aircraft’s main maneuver for escaping missiles was to climb and accelerate. In 1976, the SR-71 “Blackbird” set the absolute speed record for manned aircraft powered by turbojet engines — 3,529.56 km/h.
3 MiG-31 2.82M
A two-seat supersonic, all-weather, long-range interceptor. It was the first Soviet fourth-generation combat aircraft. The MiG-31 is designed to intercept and destroy airborne targets at low, extremely low, medium, and high altitudes, day and night, in both simple and adverse weather conditions, while operating in the presence of active and passive radar jamming and heat-seeking countermeasures. A group of four MiG-31s can control an airspace sector 800–900 km wide.
Maximum permitted speed at altitude: 3,000 km/h (Mach 2.82).
4 McDonnell Douglas F-15 “Eagle” 2.5M
An American fourth-generation all-weather tactical fighter. Designed to achieve air superiority. It entered service in 1976.
Maximum speed at high altitude: 2,650 km/h (Mach 2.5+).
5 General Dynamics F-111 2.5M
A two-seat long-range tactical bomber and tactical support aircraft with variable-sweep wings.
Maximum speed at altitude: 2,655 km/h (Mach 2.5).
6 Su-24 2.4M
A Soviet front-line bomber with variable-sweep wings, designed to carry out missile and bomb strikes in both simple and adverse weather conditions, day and night, including at low altitudes, against ground and surface targets with precision-guided weapons. According to pilots familiar with the aircraft, it was equipped with an autopilot system capable of controlling the aircraft at extremely low altitudes, maintaining, for example, an altitude of 120 meters above the ground. However, not many pilots could psychologically handle the autopilot’s operation: at high speed, the aircraft would approach rising terrain, cliffs, and other obstacles, and then, exactly 120 meters above the ground, perform a climb maneuver.
7 Grumman F-14 “Tomcat” 2.37M
A fourth-generation jet interceptor and fighter-bomber with variable-sweep wings. Developed in the 1970s to replace the “Phantom.”
8 Su-27 2.35M
A Soviet multi-role, highly maneuverable, all-weather fighter developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and designed to achieve air superiority.
Thanks to thrust-vectoring control, the aircraft is capable of performing spectacular maneuvers such as the “Cobra” and the “Frolov Chakra.” These aerobatic maneuvers demonstrate the ability to keep the aircraft from stalling at angles of attack exceeding the critical angle.
9 MiG-23 2.35M
A Soviet multi-role fighter with variable-sweep wings. MiG-23 fighters took part in numerous armed conflicts during the 1980s.
Maximum permitted speed: Mach 2.35.
10 Grumman F-14D “Tomcat” 2.34M
The F-14D variant differed from earlier versions by featuring the more powerful Hughes AN/APG-71 radar, which could track 24 targets and simultaneously lock onto and launch missiles against 6 of them at different altitudes and ranges. It also featured improved avionics and a redesigned cockpit. A total of 37 aircraft of this type were built, while another 104 were converted from previously produced F-14As and designated F-14D(R).
