fasts plane on earth?

Answer 1

sr 71 black hawk

Answer 2

The SR-71 Black Bird holds the official speed record at Mach 3.3 although its actual top speed is still classified. There are rumors of an aircraft known as the Aurora that supposedly replaced the SR-71 when the Black Bird was retired from service in November 1989 the Aurora is rumored to operate in the hypersonic speed range up around Mach 6

Answer 3

I have to agree with most and say the the SR-71 is the fastest CONVENTIONAL airplane. Upon reentry the space shuttle is without a doubt the fast airfoil in the atmosphere. Since the shuttle is unpowered upon reentry it would be classified as a glider. The fastest rocket powered aircraft would be the X-15.

I do have to disagree with some people who have replied in that the SR-71 is not retired. It is no longer used for military purposes but, is used extensively by NASA and the USAF for high speed high altitude research... she may be old and she may leak like a siv but, she is not retired...

Answer 4

The fastest manned aircraft is the Space Shuttle travelling well over mach 10, but these speeds only get so high on Re-Entry into the earth after being in space.

The fastest Manned air-breathing aircraft is the SR-71 reaching speeds of Mach 3.3+ (3 times faster than the speed of sound) its used in the US Air Force, etc,

The fastest UnManned breathing aircraft is the X-43A, but it is dropped in the sky instead of capable of being able to lift off by itself like the SR-71

There is also the X-15 which is manned which can travel at speeds upto Mach 6.72 (6.72 times faster than the speed of sound) which is dropped in mid air just like the X-43A, although I dont know too much about the X-15, you should research it.

So the fastest "Airplane" in the world is the military SR-71 which can take off and land repeadidly like any commercial aircraft.

Also, the fastest "Commercial" aircraft inservice is the Boeing 747 (It use to be the Concorde, travelling at Mach 2.2, with the Tupolev Tu-144 going slightly faster than the Concorde, but the Tupolev Tu-144 was cancelled due to major safety and technical problems.) but other aircraft manufacturers claim to have flown faster than the 747.

Answer 5

X-15

Answer 6

X-99 Jaguar Presario Nexus Lexus

Answer 7

Without question, the space shuttle.
Read Steve D's answer, upon reentering the earths atmosphere, it regains the operating characteristics of a airplane. It just cant take off like a airplane because it needs the thrust to overcome the earth's gravity and speed to achieve and maintain orbit around the earth.

Answer 8

The X-15 was only experimental that is why everywhere you look it shows the SR-71 blackbird as being the fastest but the X-43A seems like it is going to be a great competitor as it made a flight at mach 9.8

Answer 9

Space shuttle...

Added Details:

Without the added specification that the "plane" be self-propelled or handle take-off to landing on its own- sorry to say the A-12 (SR-71) is a relative slowpoke to both the space shuttle and even the self-propelled X15.

And yes, upon re-entry the Shuttle does fly - else why would it have active control surfaces and even "flare" just prior to touchdown.

Read it and weep.

Answer 10

Probobly the X-15
But it was rocket propelled and hit 7274 Kmh (mach8) at high altitude (100,000'+)
When it comes to air breathing jets...hard to say.
Possibly either the Migoyan Gurnovich (MiG) 25 Foxbat. Claimed a short burst speed of Mach 3+ .....Or the SR-71 .top speed never fully disclosed but thought to be mach 3+ for sustained periods.

Answer 11

The fastest military jet plane remains the now-retired SR-71 Blackbird.

The fastest commercial jet plane remains the now-retired Concorde.