Blazing Beyond Mach 2: Inside the World’s Fastest Fighter Jets and the Hypersonic Race
The SR-71 Blackbird set the official world speed record for crewed air-breathing aircraft at 2,193 mph (Mach 3.3) in 1976. The MiG-25 Foxbat reached Mach 3.2 in 1973 but was limited to Mach 2.8 in service. The MiG-31 Foxhound is currently the fastest operational combat aircraft, topping out at Mach 2.83. Modern fighters like the F-22, J-20, Su-57, and Eurofighter Typhoon reach around Mach 2.