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Top 10 Fastest Fighters

No 4. Mikoyan MiG-31

Maximum speed High altitude: Mach 2.83 (3,000 km/h, 1,860 mph)

Low altitude: Mach 1.2 (1,500 km/h, 930 mph)

Combat radius 720 km (450 mi) at Mach 2.35
Ferry range 3,300 km (2,050 mi)
Service ceiling 20,600 m (67,600 ft)
Rate of climb 208 m/s (41,000 ft/min)
Wing loading 665 kg/m² (136 lb/ft²)
Thrust/weight 0.85
Maximum loading 5 g

This aircraft was designed to replace the the MiG-25 and still is in service in many countries. About 500 MiG-31s were produced. With a top speed of Mach 2.83 this is one of the fastest fighters on the planet. Although a MiG-31 was observed flying at Mach 3.2 flying over Israel in 1973, it’s the official speed, that counts here.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kONvXlWX5Q[/youtube]

No 3. XB-70 Valkyrie

Maximum speed Mach 3.1 (2,056 mph, 3,309 km/h)
Cruise speed Mach 3.0 (2,000 mph, 3,200 km/h)
Range 4,288 mi, 6,900 km combat
Service ceiling 77,350 ft (23,600 m)
Wing loading 4.93 lb/ft² (414.7 kg/m²)
Lif-to-drag about 6 at Mach 2
Thrust/weight 0.314

This one actually was a prototype for the B-70 nuclear bomber for the US Air Force introduced in the late 1950s. A six engine aircraft with a top speed of Mach 3.1, flying at an altitude of 21,000 m avoiding interceptors, it was the only effective anti-bomber aircraft at that time. Only 2 of the type were produce,d with one destroyed in a mid-air collision and the other being at display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Ohio.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vPvr29wJ80[/youtube]

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