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]
