what is the fastest fighter aircraft in the world?

Answer 1

It is not really a fighter but officially, the world's fastest jet-powered aircraft remains the SR-71 Blackbird. Although the official record is about Mach 3.3 (or 3.3 times the speed of sound), many believe the aircraft could actually fly much faster. However, it seems unlikely that the SR-71 could go much faster than about Mach 3.5, with a very slim chance of Mach 4, due to propulsion and structural limitations. By Mach 3.6 or 3.8, shock waves generated by the nose of the aircraft are formed at an angle such that they impact the engine nacelles and cause the engines to unstart. In addition, heat generated by the aircraft's high speed increases to the point that certain portions of the plane's structure begin to fail by about Mach 3.5.

unmaned air craft would be NASA's X-43 Hyper-X experimental aircraft. This unmanned vehicle was designed to test an experimental engine called a scramjet at speeds ranging from Mach 7 to Mach 10. At the X-43's cruising altitude of 100,000 ft (30,510 m), these Mach numbers correspond to speeds of approximately 4,750 mph (7,640 km/h) to 6,750 mph (10,855 km/h).

Some believe the SR-71's speed record has already been bested by its supposed replacement dubbed the Aurora. If this mysterious new spy plane does indeed exist, it is believed to cruise at speeds ranging from Mach 5 to Mach 8 at 100,000 ft (30,510 m). These Mach numbers correspond to speeds of 3,380 mph (5,435 km/h) to 5,400 mph (8,685 km/h). The Aurora may use scramjets, pulse-detonation wave engines, or some other exotic form of propulsion to reach these speeds. However, we should stress that there is no conclusive evidence that this plane ever existed.


The fastest fighter planes to ever enter service are the MiG-25 developed in the Soviet Union during the 1960s and the related MiG-31 that followed in the 1970s. The MiG-25 began as an experimental project called the Ye-155 and was built by the Mikoyan Gurevich design bureau with research assistance from the Central Aerodynamics and Hydrodynamics Institute (CASI or TsAGI). The goal of the effort was to build a high-speed interceptor capable of speeds near Mach 3 that could defend the Soviet Union from the threat posed by America's XB-70 Valkyrie bomber and A-12 reconnaissance/attack plane.


SR-71 Blackbird 2,275 mph (3,660 km/h) 80,000 ft (24,385 m) Mach 3.35
MiG-25 2,110 mph (3,390 km/h) 42,650 ft (13,000 m) Mach 3.2
F-15 Eagle 1,650 mph (2,655 km/h) 36,000 ft (10,975 m) Mach 2.5
Su-24 1,590 mph (2,560 km/h) 36,090 ft (11,000 m) Mach 2.4
F-14 Tomcat 1,565 mph (2,515 km/h) 36,000 ft (10,975 m) Mach 2.37
MiG-23 1,555 mph (2,500 km/h) 36,000 ft (10,975 m) Mach2.35
Su-27 1,555 mph (2,500 km/h) 36,090 ft (11,000 m) Mach 2.35
MiG-29 1,520 mph (2,445 km/h) 36,090 ft (11,000 m) Mach 2.3
J-8 1,450 mph (2,340 km/h) 36,090 ft (11,000 m) Mach 2.2
Mirage 2000 1,455 mph (2,340 km/h) 36,090 ft (11,000 m) Mach 2.2
Tornado 1,450 mph (2,335 km/h) 36,090 ft (11,000 m) Mach2.2
F-16 Fighting Falcon 1,350 mph (2,175 km/h) 40,000 ft (12,190 m) Mach 2.05
MiG-21 1,355 mph (2,175 km/h) 42,650 ft (13,000 m) Mach 2.05 Tu-160 1,380 mph (2,220 km/h) 40,000 ft (12,200 m) Mach 2.05
F-22 Raptor 1,355 mph (2,180 km/h) 30,000 ft (9,150 m) Mach 2.0
Gripen 1,320 mph (2,125 km/h) 36,000 ft (10,975 m) Mach 2.0
Rafale 1,320 mph (2,125 km/h) 36,090 ft (11,000 m) Mach 2.0
Typhoon 1,320 mph (2,125 km/h) 36,090 ft (11,000 m) Mach 2.0
Tu-22M 1,240 mph (2,000 km/h) 36,090 ft (11,000 m) Mach 1.88
F-18 Hornet 1,190 mph (1,915 km/h) 40,000 ft (12,190 m) Mach 1.8
B-1B Lancer 1,000 mph (1,600 km/h) 36,090 ft (11,000 m) Mach 1.5
B-2 Spirit 630 mph (1,010 km/h) 40,000 ft (12,190 m) Mach 0.95
Tu-95 575 mph (925 km/h) 40,010 ft (12,205 m) Mach 0.87

Answer 2

That we know about? Probably still the MiG 25.

The MiG was developed to give a missile a good enough running start to take down an SR-71, missile engagement envelope has a lot to do with launch platform performance and the Russians didn't like having Blackbirds flying all over the USSR.

SR71 never was the absolute fastest and isn't in service any more. It was the fastest thing to take off and land under power.

X15 was the fastest short of spacecraft, you could exclude it because it was rocket powered, but that's really not a good reason.

The space shuttle is the lastest thing with wings, but where do you draw the line?

Then there's the persistent tales of Aurora. No solid evidence, but far too many clues pointing in the same direction. Too many officially connected people going to too much trouble to deny it too. I sometimes wonder if it's the red muleta that the matador shows the bull, while we watch that everything else can go on without scrutiny.

Answer 3

This is a tricky question. While the MiG-25 is the fastest combat aircraft, it is technically an Interceptor, not a fighter. The role of the interceptor is just to be up there to stop the bomber from delivering and thats why the MiG-25 is so fast. The fastest FIGHTER would be the F-15 Eagle, but just as the MiG-25, the records set are by a stripped down Eagle. Eagle a superplane? A magnificent aircraft, but superplane?

Answer 4

The French and Russians probably have this covered. The US tends to look at better mid range tactical and Fighter/ Attack. After the SR 71 (the Fastest anything) We realized that speed was not the thing it is survivability. Multi platform Hi tech yet easy to maintain and produce. Fast cannot out run faster SAM configurations. We did the faster thing.

Answer 5

MiG-25 "Foxbat"

INFORMATION:
Designation: MiG-25 Foxbat
Type: Interceptor and Reconnaissance Aircraft
Contractor: Mikoyan-Gurevich
Origin: Soviet Union
Service Date: 1973
Accommodation: 1 or 2

DIMENSIONS:
Length: 23.82 m (78 ft 2 in)
Wingspan: 14.02 m (46 ft 0 in)
Height: 6.10 m (20 ft 0 in)

Weight (Empty): NA
MTOW: 36,720 kg (80,950 lbs)


PERFORMANCE:
Powerplant: 2 x 109.8kN (24,690 lbs) with afterburning Tumansky R-15BD-300 Turbojets.

Max Speed: Mach 2.8 or 3,000 km/h (1,620 kts)
Max Range: 1,730 km (933 nm)
Service Ceiling: 67,915 ft
Rate of Climb: NA

ARMAMENT:
4 x Underwing Hardpoints can carry a total of 4,000 kg (9,635 lbs) or stores.
2 x R-40 (AA-6 Acrid) AAMs
4 x R-60 (AA-8 Aphid) AAMs
2 x R-23 (AA-7 Apex) AAMs
4 x R-73A (AA-11 Archer) AAMs
4 x Kh-58 (AS-11 Kilter) Anti-Radiation Missiles

Known Operators:
Algeria, India, Iraq, Libya, Russia and Syria.

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 (Russian: Микоян и Гуревич МиГ-25) (NATO reporting name "Foxbat") is a very high-speed interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft designed by the Soviet Union's Mikoyan-Gurevich bureau. First flown as a prototype in 1964, it entered service in 1970. With a claimed top speed of Mach 3, a powerful radar and four air-to-air missiles, the Foxbat initially caused panic among Western observers and military analysts. The aircraft's true capabilities were not discovered until 1976 when a Soviet MiG-25 pilot defected to Japan. Subsequent analysis revealed a simple-yet-functional design with vacuum-tube electronics, two massive turbojet engines, and sparing use of advanced materials such as titanium. This allowed for a production run of 1,190 aircraft.[citation needed] The MiG-25 flew with a number of Soviet allies and former Soviet republics and it remains in limited service in Russia and several other nations.

The Mig-25 Foxbat was initially developed to counter the American XB-70 Valkyrie bomber project, which was cancelled after poor developmental tests (One XB-70 was lost).

The Mig-25 Foxbat's airframe is mainly nickel steel with some titanium used in the leading edges (for high-altitude supersonic flight).

The Mig-25 Foxbat prototype first flew in 1964 and is still in service with the Russian and Libyian airforces among others.

Expanding on knowledge gained in the interceptor version of the "Foxbat", the Soviets realized that the MiG-25 would make an ideal reconaissance platform. Still often deployed along the Russian borders, the aircraft is tasked with looking deep into NATO countries to monitor military excersises and the like. Cameras were used at first; later versions employ a large side-looking airborne radar (SLAR).

Highly regarded as a Soviet Mach-3 fighter, the "Foxbat" first flew in its reconaissance variant six months before the interceptor. The most noticable change was a longer, slimmer nose, the fighter's radome having been removed. Other modifications were shorter span wings and the addition of a constant leading-edge taper to improve handiling.

Following a protracted developed phase, two main variants by the West. The "Foxbat-B" version employed five oblique cameras and a small side-looking airborne radar (SLAR), whilst the "Foxbat-D" has no cameras fitted and relies on a much larger SLAR panel. Since the apperance of these aircraft, numerous upgrades of the type's reconaissance systems have led to a host of sub-types becoming operational within the Soviet and Russian air forces. These have included reconaissance/bomber versions. Requests for the aircraft from Soviet client states were initally turned down, but after a covert deployment to the Middle East in the 1970s the type became available for export. Algeria, India, Syria and Lybia are all believed to continue operating MiG-25R/RB ("Foxbat-B") aircraft with assistance from Russian advisors or even Russian pilots.

Developed from the interceptor variant, the MiG-25RBF is the latest of a number of reconaissance versions, many of which have been brought up-to-date with the addition of more sophisticated equipment.

Answer 6

The Mig-25 although the Mig-31 has demonstrated faster speeds (amost 2000MPH albiet with severe engine damage afterwards).

The YF-12A (SR-71 fighter) was potentially the fastest fighter, but never entered service.

Answer 7

well my answer would be the SR-71 blackbird or the YF-22

Answer 8

YF 23?

Answer 9

It's top secret! You can probably see it flying around Area 51. :D

Answer 10

The fastest fighter Aircraft in the world is the MiG-25 Foxbats

Here the explaintations:

General characteristics

* Crew: One
* Length: 19.75 m (64 ft 10 in)
* Wingspan: 14.01 m (45 ft 11.5 in)
* Height: 6.10 m (20 ft 0.25 in)
* Wing area: 61.40 m² (660.93 ft²)
* Empty weight: 20,000 kg (44,080 lb)
* Loaded weight: 36,720 kg (80,952 lb)
* Powerplant: 2× Tumansky R-15B-300 afterburning turbojets
o Dry thrust: 73.5 kN (16,524 lbf)
o Thrust with afterburner: 100.1 kN (22,494 lbf) each

Performance

* Maximum speed: Mach 2.83, 3,000 km/h (1,865 mph) at 13,000 m (42,650 ft), limited by engine redline
* Range: 1,730 km (1,075 mi) with internal fuel
* Service ceiling: 20,700 m (with 4 missiles) (67,915 ft)
* Wing loading: 598 kg/m² (122.5 lb/m²)
* Thrust/weight: 0.41

* Time to altitude: 8.9 min to 20,000 m (65,615 ft)

Armament

* 2x radar-guided R-40R (AA-6 'Acrid') air-to-air missiles
* 2x infrared-guided R-40T missiles

Avionics

* RP-25 Smerch radar



A true understanding of the strengths and failings of the MiG-25 came in 1976. On 6 September, a PVO pilot, Lt. Viktor Belenko, defected to the West, landing his MiG-25P 'Foxbat-A' at Hakodate Airport in Japan. Although Belenko's aircraft was eventually returned to the USSR, it was first carefully dismantled and analyzed by the Foreign Technology Division (now the National Air and Space Intelligence Center) of the United States Air Force, at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio. After 67 days, the aircraft was returned to the Soviets in pieces. The analysis showed some surprising facts:

* Belenko's particular aircraft was brand new, representing the very latest Soviet technology.

* The aircraft was assembled very quickly, and was essentially built around its massive Tumansky turbojets.

* Welding was done by hand and construction was relatively crude. As in many Soviet aircraft, rivet heads were left exposed in areas that would not adversely affect aerodynamic drag.

* The aircraft was built of a nickel-steel alloy and not titanium as was assumed (though some titanium was used in heat-critical areas). The steel construction contributed to the craft's massive 64,000 lb (29 ton) unarmed weight.

* The majority of the on-board avionics were based on vacuum-tube technology, not solid-state electronics. Seemingly obsolete, the use of vacuum tubes was ingenious because they were far less susceptible to EMP in case of nuclear warfare and were more tolerant of temperature extremes, thereby removing the need for providing complex environmental controls inside the avionics bays. In addition, the vacuum tubes were easy to replace in remote northern airfields where sophisticated transistor parts may not have been readily available. As with all Soviet aircraft, the MiG-25 was designed to be as rugged as possible.

* Thanks to the use of vacuum tubes, the MiG-25P's original Smerch-A (Tornado, NATO reporting name 'Foxfire') radar had enormous power — about 500 kilowatts — rendering enemy ECM largely useless.[citation needed] Pilots were forbidden to engage the radar on the ground, and legend held that it was powerful enough to kill rabbits near runways. [citation needed]

* The airspeed indicator was redlined at Mach 2.8, and pilots were required not to exceed Mach 2.5 in order to extend the service life of the engines. In 1973 the Americans had witnessed a MiG-25 flying over Israel at Mach 3.2, but Belenko said that the flight had resulted in the total destruction of its engines.[citation needed]

* Maximum acceleration (g-load) rating was just 2.2 g (21.6 m/s²) with full fuel tanks, with an absolute limit of 4.5 g (44.1 m/s²). One MiG-25 withstood an inadvertent 11.5 g (112.8 m/s²) pull during low-altitude dogfight training, but the resulting deformation made the airframe worthless.

* Combat radius was 186 miles (300 km), and maximum range on internal fuel (at subsonic speeds) was only 744 miles (1,200 km). In fact, Belenko had only just made it to Japan without running out of fuel — without sufficient fuel for a carefully planned landing, he narrowly missed a commercial airliner taking off, and overran the available runway on landing.

* Most MiG-25s used the KM-1 ejector seat; the last versions, though, used an early variant of the famous K-36 seat. The speed record for the fastest successful ejection (Mach 2.67) is held by a KM-1-equipped MiG-25.

A-5A

When the existence of the Foxbat became known to the West, it was alleged that the design was based on the North American A-5 Vigilante [citation needed]. Both aircraft have the same general layout (the A-5 was also initially designed with twin tailfins). Some claim the Foxbat has its origins in the MiG-21, rather than the Vigilante, but it shares little with the much slower single-engine MiG-21.

As the result of Belenko's defection and the compromise of the MiG-25P's radar and missile systems, beginning in 1978 the Soviets developed an advanced version, the MiG-25PD ('Foxbat-E'), with a new RP-25 Sapfir look-down/shoot-down radar, infrared search and track (IRST) system, and more powerful engines. About 370 earlier MiG-25Ps were converted to this standard and redesignated MiG-25PDS.

About 1,190 MiG-25s were produced before production ended in 1984, and the type was exported to Algeria, Bulgaria (3 MiG-25R and 1 MiG-25RU until 1992), India (until 2006), Iraq, Libya, and Syria. Modest numbers remain in service.