who holds the record for the highest altitude achieved in a jet airplane and how high is the altitude?

Answer 1

The highest altitude obtained by a manned air-breathing jet propelled aircraft following an uncontrolled ballistic trajectory is 123,523 feet (37,650 m) set by Alexandr Fedotov, in a Mikoyan Gurevitch E-266M (MiG-25M), on 31st August 1977.

The highest altitude obtained by a manned air-breathing jet propelled aircraft in controlled horizontal flight is 85,069 feet (25,929 m) set by Robert C. Helt and Larry A. Elliott, in a Lockheed SR-71, on 27th/28th July 1976.

Answer 2

Because of the nature of the SR-71 I wonder how accurate the official figures are? The official performance is listed at 85,000+ at M3.3+, but it's not like the official figures of a spy plane are guaranteed to be accurate.

From SR-71.org, below: "The estimated maximum altitude is 85,000 feet but some sources say that the SR-71 can fly up to 100,000 feet and can probably go even higher."

If the Mig 25 could really fly as high and as fast as the SR-71 then there would be less SR-71s in this world. For an aircraft that can reach that speed and altitude, and the Mig can certainly do M3, timing a run on the SR-71 shouldn't have been impossible, they aren't stealthy or manoeuverable (you can't turn fast nearly stalled at M3.2) and Russia is a very big country.

Then there's always the speculation about Aurora, one of my friends worked on the F117 for many years before it became public, who knows if Aurora really exists. But the government did spend over $2billion on something. See the very speculative second link. I know, imaginary aircraft don't count ;-)

Answer 3

Chris H, the absolute altitude record was a stunt by a stripped down MiG-25 (Ye-266). Fedotov executed a zoom climb until the engines flamed out, and then coasted up and over to the top of the arc.

The SR-71 lived on because the stripped down Foxbats were no threat to the Blackbird. To be a threat, you need to bring your weapons to the combat and the MiG-25 wasnt all that trisonic and spacebound when it was hauling munitions. The SR-71 could easily outrun a missile of that era if its been fired upon. The Foxbats didnot have the speed or weaponry to intercept the fastest airbreather on earth and so the Blackbirds were not reduced in numbers.

Answer 4

Try August 1977, a MIG 25 Foxbat, to an altitude of 123,524 ft (37,650 m) by Alexander Fedotov...

Answer 5

AURORA as stated by BEN RICH of Lockheed in his book was the Code Name given to Lockheed Design and Prototype in the Stealth Bomber Competition that Northrop Won.

SR-71 and its' short lived sister the A-12 were and still are the Fastest Air Breathing Piloted Aircraft on the planet.

Answer 6

ALEXANDR FEDOTOV, AND AT AN ALTITUDE OF 123,523 FEET.

Answer 7

Try looking here. I'd look for you, but it's blocked at my job.

www.guinnessworldrecords.com