The Speed Titans: Unmatched Records of the Fastest Planes in History

[Article déjà publié le 16 février 2024]

The history of planes is marked by a fierce competition for the fastest plane title. The military sector, especially during the first and the Second World War, was at the origin of many technological advances allowing to cross speed records while their history barely started at the beginning of the 20ᵉ century.

One objective: to go beyond the limits of sound

After the Second World War, the commercial aviation sector experienced rapid growth with the appearance of line aircraft. Since then, aviation has continued to progress, in particular with the arrival of supersonic planes such as Concorde in the 1960s, as well as planes with high energy efficiency, constantly pushing the borders of aeronautical technology. Among the devices that have marked this historic development, three main categories stand out: fighter planes, tourist planes and commercial aircraft.

X-15 or the fastest plane in the world, here is its impressive speed record

Developed by NASA and US Air Force in the 1960s, the fastest plane in history is the X-15, an experimental plane. Its maximum speed is Mach 6.72 (See the definition below), or about 7,273 kilometers per hour. Today, the X-15 still holds the official speed record for a piloted plane.

What is the machine?

Mach's speed (MA), named after the physicist Ernst Mach, is a comparative measure of the speed of an object with respect to that of the sound in the environment it crosses. This speed is expressed in multiple sound speed, which is approximately 343 meters per second (or 1,235 kilometers per hour). Thus, Mach 1 corresponds to the speed of the sound, and Mach 2 is equivalent to twice this speed.

What are the fastest planes in each category?

Inevitably if a device goes much faster than all the others, some cannot compete with it because of their usefulness. So here are the fastest planes in each category.

Fighter

Hunting planes were developed for the first time during the First World War. Their main mission is to intercept enemy planes and bombers. They are distinguished by their great maneuverability and versatility, as well as by their ability to target, monitor and accomplish various air combat missions.

The MIG-25 and the MIG-31 Foxbat are recognized as the fastest hunting planes ever built. Their maximum speed reaches 2.83 machs, or about 3,500 km/h, and can even reach Mach 3 according to some sources. These planes were designed in the late 1960s during the Cold War by the Soviet Union. Nowadays, they are almost entirely removed from the arsenals, with a few exceptions in Syria and Algeria, according to certain information.

Tourist aircraft

In the field of tourist planes, the Tupolev Tu-144, also known as “Concordski” and developed by the Soviet Union, holds the speed record. This device could reach a maximum speed of Mach 2.15, or about 2,300 kilometers per hour. Although it was mainly used for commercial flights, it was also suitable for high -speed tourist trips. However, due to various technical problems and accidents, its commercial use has been fairly limited.

Commercial aircraft

The Concorde holds the title of the fastest commercial plane ever built. Designed jointly by France and the United Kingdom, it started its commercial flights in 1976. With a maximum speed of Mach 2.04, or about 2,180 kilometers per hour, the Concorde transformed transatlantic trips by significantly reducing the flight durations . However, its exploitation ceased in 2003 due to security concerns, especially after the accident at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport in 2000.

Continuous advances in the use of light and robust materials, as well as in aerodynamic design, suggest the possibility of developing even faster and efficient commercial aircraft. However, these technological innovations must be accompanied by measures to meet environmental challenges. One of the major challenges of current aviation is to ensure a sustainable and responsible future.