Lucas Beaumont
What are the world’s fastest planes? It may surprise you to learn that there are several jets on the list of fastest airplanes. In this article, we’ll discuss the XB-70 Valkyrie, General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark, Boeing 777, and the Sukhoi Su-27. These aircraft are capable of speeds up to Mach 3.2. To find out more, check out Fast Planes.
XB-70 Valkyrie
North American Aviation designed the XB-70 Valkyrie, the world’s fastest bomber, in the late 1950s. This aircraft is a prototype version of the B-70 nuclear strategic bomber. Its six General Electric J93-GE 3 turbojet engines have a thrust capacity of 28,800 pounds and cruised at 2,000 miles per hour at 72,000 feet.
Despite its incredible speed, the XB-70 Valkyrie was never built. The Air Force pitched the Valkyrie as a supersonic refueler, ICBM launch platform, and spacecraft recovery platform. But it never went into production. The design, though, had a long history of innovation. And it remained one of the fastest planes ever built.
Sukhoi Su-27
The Sukhoi SU-27 Flanker is the world’s fastest military aircraft, capable of Mach 2.35. With a thrust-to-weight ratio of over one, the Su-27 is a versatile combat aircraft that can perform a bewildering array of maneuvers. It has impressed air show audiences all over Europe and Asia. In addition to its incredible speed, the Su-27 Flanker can carry eight air-to-air missiles and perform a bewildering array of maneuvers.
The SU-27 is the primary backdrop for Russian fighter jets. It can reach speeds of up to 1600 MPH and has been in service with Russian forces since 1985. Meanwhile, the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark is capable of reaching Mach 2.5 in flight and can reach 3,600 miles of range. In its active service, it has exceeded its Mach 2.5 speed. However, its flight range has been restricted to less than half that of the SU-27.
General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark
The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark was a supersonic mid-range interdictor, tactical attack fighter jet, and strategic nuclear bomber. Developed during the 1960s, the F-111 entered service with the US Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force in the 1970s. It was the world’s fastest plane until its retirement in 1996. The F-111 was named after an animal from Africa with a long, snout.
The F-111’s advanced avionics allowed it to fly at low altitudes during day and night and in changing terrain. Its radar system also allowed it to maintain altitude and handle system failures by climbing out of the way. The crew compartment served as an ejection seat, and floatation bags protected the pilots’ heads when they landed on water.
Boeing 777
The Boeing 777 is the world’s fastest airliner, and the company hopes to develop a faster version. This hypersonic jet would be able to reach Mach 5 – five times the speed of sound. If the plane could fly this fast, the flight between New York and London would take only two hours – much quicker than the current seven-hour flight. This jet would be used by airlines to help them navigate the Atlantic.
The Boeing 777 is the workhorse of the airline industry. The planes range up to 8,730 nautical miles and fly at Mach 0.84. The planes can hold up to 426 passengers. Major carriers including American Airlines and United Airlines fly the 777. They are also one of the most fuel efficient aircraft. For a flight to the United States, the Boeing 777 is your best bet.
Cessna 172
The Cessna 172 was the first airplane designed with a tricycle gear design. Its marketing mavens named it Land-O-Matic and boasted about its ability to drive into the ground and up into the sky. In practice, the gears were not as easy to design as they are portrayed in commercials, and the 172’s handling habits were not the smoothest.
The engine of the Cessna 172 was produced from 1955 to 1967. After that, the Cessna 172 used a Lycoming O-320 engine. Its instruments and equipment were analog, but they were to be replaced with a Garmin G1000 glass cockpit. Its competition included the Beechcraft Musketeer, Diamond DA-40, and Cirrus SR-22.
