Airplanes are among the fastest air vehicles, capable of reaching speeds of over 1,500 km/h. Speed is of great importance primarily for military aircraft, which must react instantly and carry out dangerous, highly complex tasks. They are capable of exceeding speeds of 2000 km/h, which is more than Mach 2.
The top 10 includes the fastest fighters in the world , which are currently in service with many countries.
Raphael | Speed 1,900 km/h
The French military aircraft " Rafale " opens the list of the fastest fighters in the world. The aircraft is capable of performing a wide range of missions, both at close and long distances. Its tasks also include defeating sea and ground targets, reconnaissance, gaining air superiority, and delivering a high-precision strike. The maximum speed at high altitude is 1900 km/h (Mach 1.8). The Rafale was specially developed for the French Navy and Navy by Dassault Aviation. The fighter was adopted by the French Navy in 2004. A total of 145 air units were produced.
Saab JAS 39 Gripen | Speed 2,200 km/h
" Saab JAS 39 Gripen " (Saab JAS 39 Gripen) is the ninth fastest multi-role fighter in the world, developed by the Swedish company SAAB Avmonix in 1988. It entered service in 1997 and entered service with the Swedish Air Force. The modification is also used abroad: Gripen is in service with the Air Forces of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Thailand and South Africa. The military aircraft can be used as an attack aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft and fighter aircraft. At high altitudes, it is capable of reaching a maximum speed of up to 2,200 km/h (Mach 2.0). The company has produced about 270 JAS 39 aircraft, 204 of which are operated exclusively by the Swedish Air Force.
Prospects for modernization
Considering the prospects for the active development of the global aircraft industry, we can reasonably assume that the current appearance of the Su-35S is most likely not the last.
Almost all fourth-generation Western-made fighters have undergone modernization to replace radar stations with modern analogues and multifunctional phased array antennas. Thus, the latest radars and AFAR increase the efficiency of finding a target and divide them by the number of accompanying aircraft.
An interesting idea is being considered to install functional radar blockers in the air intake, and install additional weapons between the air channels. The AL-41F1S engine used is ready to move into the fifth generation with minor modifications. The prospects for the Su-35S are very enviable; in addition to the domestic market, it is of undisguised interest among potential buyers abroad.
MiG-29 | Speed 2,415 km/h
The MiG-29
multi-role military aircraft is one of the fastest Soviet fighters. The maximum speed of the aircraft at high altitude is about 2415 km/h (Mach 2.3). The fighter is capable of taking off and landing at unprepared airfields with poorly developed infrastructure to support flights. The MiG-29 has been used in many military conflicts and has proven itself as a defender of the skies. The fighter can conduct active combat and at the same time perform active maneuvers. It is capable of intercepting reconnaissance aircraft even at very low altitudes. Production of the MiG-29 continues to this day. In total, more than 1,500 air units were produced.
Types of takeoff
Classification depending on aircraft takeoff:
- Classic speed dial. Acceleration involves moving along the runway and gradually gaining speed.
- Off the brakes. The method is most often used when the runway is insufficient. The plane stands on the brakes while the engines are running and reaches the required thrust mode.
- Vertical take-off. This can only be done if the vessel has special engines. We are not talking about passenger aircraft, but about some models of military aircraft.
- With the help of additional funds. This refers to take-off ramps and catapults. Not used in civil aviation. Springboards and catapults compensate for the insufficient length of the runway, since thanks to it the ship gains thrust in a matter of seconds.
It is logical that at any airport there is a runway, with the help of which the plane accelerates and takes off. The second method is practiced less frequently, and the last two are not used in civil aviation. Vertical take-off and acceleration using a springboard or catapult is something that is relevant exclusively for military aviation.
MiG-23 | Speed 2,445 km/h
Among the fastest fighters in the world, the Soviet military aircraft MiG-23 ranks seventh. The multi-role fighter with a variable sweep wing took part in many armed conflicts in the 1980s. Its maximum speed at high altitude is about 2445 km/h, which is approximately Mach 2.35. The MiG-23 was introduced into service in the 70s and is still in service in countries such as India, Syria and Libya. A total of 3,630 fighter modifications were produced.
XB-70 Valkyrie
This is a unique creation, born during a cold and ruthless war. Six engines should accelerate a vehicle weighing 240 tons. up to a speed of Mach 3. The incredible speed heated the structure to 330 °C. This speed is necessary for the aircraft to evade interceptors from the Soviet side, and most importantly, to evade the consequences of a nuclear explosion, since the XB-70 is a bomber aircraft that was created to carry nuclear weapons. Its large enough size made it possible to increase the fuel supply in order to penetrate the territory of the Soviet Union and return without additional refueling in the air. The first flight of this aircraft took place in 1964. There were 2 inventions in total.
Typhoon | Speed 2,450 km/h
The sixth position was taken by the German Typhoon , introduced into service with the German Air Force in 2003. The maximum speed of the aircraft at altitude is 2450 km/h or Mach 2.0. The aircraft is invisible to radars due to the use of stealth technologies. Part of the aircraft body is covered with special materials that do not reflect electromagnetic waves. The combat radius in fighter mode is 1390 km. The multi-role fighter is also in service with the UK, Italy, Austria, Spain and Saudi Arabia. At the moment, about 500 Typhoon air units have been produced.
Engines
The Su-35 aircraft is equipped with two AL-41F1S aircraft engines with UVT thrust vector control. The dual-circuit design of the turbojet power plant has high reliability and thrust. These models of aero engines serve as prototypes for fifth-generation fighters, after appropriate modernization. Afterburner and non-afterburner thrust are reduced so as not to reduce the working life.
Supersonic speed is achieved without switching to afterburner mode. The service life of aircraft engines is 4000 hours, scheduled maintenance is carried out every 1000 hours. The twin-engine power plant is controlled in electronic-mechanical mode.
Su-27 | Speed 2,875 km/h
Fifth place goes to the Soviet military vessel Su-27 . The fourth generation Soviet multi-role all-weather fighter, designed to gain air superiority, was designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau in 1977. In 1985, the aircraft entered service with the USSR Air Force. It is now in service with the Russian Air Force as the main fighter aircraft. Modifications of the Su-27 are in service with China, Ukraine, India and other countries. The maximum speed the aircraft is capable of is 2876.4 km/h (Mach 2.35). In total, about 809 of these air units were produced.
Grumman F-14 Tomcat | Speed 2,485 km/h
The Grumman F- 14 Tomcat is one of the fastest fighter aircraft in the world. It was developed in the 70s of the last century by the American company Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation. The fighter was retired from service by the US Navy in 2006. Currently supplied to Iran, where it is in service with the state. The fourth generation fighter-interceptor has a system that allows it to track 24 targets, as well as capture and launch 6 of them simultaneously at various altitudes and ranges. A total of 712 airborne units were produced. The Tomcat's cruising speed is 2,485 km/h (Mach 2.34).
The history of the creation of generation 4++
The base model for the creation of the fourth generation +/+ aircraft was the Su-27 multirole fighter.
The airframe of this model showed excellent flight qualities and had significant reserves for modernization, which led to the creation of a new aircraft based on it.
The designers consistently solved the following problems:
- deep modernization of the airframe;
- automated tail control;
- active safety system;
- super maneuverability;
- multifunctionality.
It was decided to leave much of the useful equipment of the Su-27. However, serious modernization could not be avoided. The first quarter of 2006 was marked by the start of work on the first batch of prototypes. Su-35 fighters began their journey in the city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur at the aviation enterprise named after Yu. A. Gagarin. This organization is a branch.
According to the designers' plan, flight tests were to begin by mid-2007. The scheduled date for test flights was violated for good reasons and had to be extended until 2008. The forced postponement did not prevent the Su-35S from being shown without flights at the MAKS-2007 international air show.
McDonnell-Douglas F-15 Eagle | Speed 2,650 km/h
The American all-weather tactical fighter Douglas F- 15 Eagle opens the top three fastest aircraft in its class. It was commissioned in 1976. Currently in service with the US Air Force, where it will remain until 2025. This modification was created by an American company to gain air superiority. The maximum speed that the McDonnell-Douglas F-15 Eagle is capable of at maximum altitude is 2,650 km/h (Mach 2.5+). In total, about 1,500 air units were produced. In addition to the United States, fighter jets are operated by Israel, Japan and Saudi Arabia.
MiG-25 | Speed 2,700 km/h
The MiG-25 ranks second among the fastest fighters in the world. The record performance that was recorded while flying on a military vessel was 2,700 km/h (Mach 3.2). The third generation Soviet supersonic fighter was created to intercept American reconnaissance vessels. The speed of sound of the MiG-25 is 3.2 times the speed of sound, which allows it to hit targets at an altitude of up to 25 km. The military aircraft actively took part in many military conflicts. The fighter is now in service with the Russian and Ukrainian Air Forces. In total, about 1,200 air units were produced.
MiG-31 | Speed 3,000 km/h
The all-weather fighter-interceptor MiG-31 tops the ranking of the fastest in the world. Its main purpose is to intercept and destroy air targets at extremely low, low, medium and high altitudes when the enemy uses active and passive radar jamming, as well as false thermal targets. The aircraft entered service with the USSR Air Force in 1981. The MiG-31 is currently operated by the Russian Air Force. The fighter's maximum speed at high altitude is 3000 km/h (Mach 2.82). A total of 519 air units were produced. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsYL4qvIKag
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