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  ALMANAC   Top Ten Lists    Fastest Manned Aircraft in the World

 
 
Fastest Manned Aircraft in the World
Fastest manned aircraft (excluding spacecraft) ranked by top speed

1
 North American X-15   4,520 mph (mach 6.85)

 The North American X-15 rocket plane was perhaps the most important of the USAF/USN X-series of experimental aircraft, after only possibly the Bell X-1. The X-15 set numerous speed and altitude records in the early 1960s, reaching the edge of space and bringing back valuable data that was used in the design of later aircraft and spacecraft.
 

2
 XB-70 Valkyrie   2,360 mph (Mach 3.1)

 The North American XB-70 "Valkyrie" was conceived for the Strategic Air Command in the 1950s as a high-altitude bomber that could fly three times the speed of sound. Two aircraft were built and flew test flights in the 1960s.
 

3
 SR-71 Blackbird   2,200 mph (mach 3.3)

 The Lockheed SR-71, unofficially known as the Blackbird and by its crews as the Habu, was an advanced, long-range, Mach 3 strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed from the Lockheed YF-12A and A-12 aircraft by the Lockheed Skunk Works .
 

4
 Bell X-2   2,094 mph (Mach 3.196)

 The Bell X-2 Starbuster was an American research aircraft built to investigate flight characteristics in the Mach 2-3 range.
 

5
 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25   2,034 mph (Mach 2.83)

 The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 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.
 

6
 Mikoyan MiG-31   1,860 mph (Mach 2.7)

 The Mikoyan MiG-31 is a supersonic interceptor developed to replace the MiG-25. It was the most advanced interceptor fielded by the Soviet Union before its dissolution.
 

7
 F-15 Eagle   1,650 mph (Mach 2.5)

 The Boeing F-15 Eagle is an American-built all-weather tactical fighter designed to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It first flew in July 1972. The F-15E Strike Eagle derivative is an all-weather strike fighter that entered service in 1988.
 

8
 General Dynamics F-111   1,650 mph (Mach 2.5)

 The General Dynamics F-111 is a medium-range strategic bomber, reconnaissance, and tactical strike aircraft designed in the 1960s. The United States Air Force variants were officially named Aardvark, their longtime nickname, at their ceremony of retirement from service in 1996.
 

9
 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23   1,550 mph (Mach 2.35)

 The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 is a variable geometry, swept-wing fighter aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau in the Soviet Union. Produced in large numbers, it remains in limited service with various export customers.
 

10
 Sukhoi Su-27   1,550 mph (Mach 2.35)

 The Sukhoi Su-27 is originally a Soviet fighter aircraft designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau . It was intended as a direct competitor for the new generation of American fighters , with exceptional range, heavy armament, and very high agility. The Su-27 most often flies air superiority missions, but is able to perform almost all combat operations.
 
 
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