Currently, the fastest flying fighter in the world is the American SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft, which has a maximum flight speed of 3Mach 35, about 35295 km hour.
Limits on the flight speed of fighters
The main limiting factors for the flight speed of a fighter jet are as follows:
Aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft: The aerodynamic characteristics of an aircraft are an important factor affecting its flight speed. The more streamlined the aerodynamic shape of an aircraft, the faster it can fly.
The thrust of the engine: The thrust of the engine is an important factor in providing forward momentum for the aircraft. The greater the thrust of the engine, the faster the aircraft will fly.
The structural strength of the aircraft: The structural strength of an aircraft is an important factor that affects its flight speed. The greater the structural strength of the aircraft, the faster the aircraft is able to withstand the flight speed.
The development of the flight speed of fighters
The development of the flight speed of a fighter has mainly gone through the following stages:
The Propeller Era: The flight speed of propeller fighters is generally about 600-700 kilometers per hour.
Jet Age: Jet fighters began to fly at speeds that broke through the speed of sound, reaching up to about Mach 2.
The hypersonic era: A supersonic fighter can fly faster than the speed of sound, up to 2Around Mach 5.
The era of supersonic cruising: The flight speed of a supersonic cruise fighter can be maintained at a supersonic speed for a long time, up to about Mach 3.
The future of fighter flight speed
With the continuous development of aviation technology, the flight speed of fighter jets will be further increased. In the future, the flight speed of the fighter may reach Mach 4 or even more.
The significance of the flight speed of a fighter
The increase in the flight speed of fighters can improve the penetration and attack capabilities of fighters. Fighters flying at high altitudes and high speeds can be more difficult to detect and intercept by enemy radars, thereby increasing survival rate and combat effectiveness.