How fast can a fighter jet fly?

Without fighter jets, the French Air Force wouldn't exist! These super-powerful aircraft first appeared during the First World War. The first air combat took place at Reims on October 5, 1914. Since then, fighter jets have been indispensable to air supremacy. Fighter jets are among the fastest in the world, exceeding the speed of sound.

Technical characteristics of fighter planes, units of measurement... What is the speed of a fighter plane? We tell you!

Fighter aircraft: technical characteristics of a good fighter plane

Fighter jets are the fastest aircraft in the world. They're also known as fighters or air supremacists. To reach such speeds, breaking the sound barrier, these aircraft have unique characteristics. The specifications for fighter jets have changed enormously since the first models!

Technical characteristics include excellent aircraft maneuverability, speed in climb, level-off and dive, firing speed and power, flight endurance and strike resistance. In addition, today's fighter aircraft must be equipped with excellent radar and electronic countermeasures.

Fighter planes are used not only for their speed, but also for their excellent weapons. Here again, their weapons have evolved since the first models to adapt to the needs of armies. Chronologically, here are the weapons used by fighter planes:

• From early machine guns to the Second World War,
• Guns during the Second World War,
• Rockets between the end of the Second World War and the 1960s,
• Air-to-air missiles,
• Air-to-sea missiles,
• and air-to-ground missiles.

Fighter planes: how to calculate their speed?

The speed of a fighter jet is measured using an instrument known as an anemometer. This measures the speed of the aircraft in relation to the surrounding air. Several types of anemometer exist, but the most popular is the dynamic pressure anemometer. Thedynamic pressure anemometer uses a probe on the aircraft to measure the pressure difference between the incoming air and the air flowing around the probe. This difference is then converted into Mach using a mathematical equation.

Mach is the unit of measurement used to calculate the speed of a fighter jet. This unit of measurement assumes that the speed of sound in air is 1225km/h, and therefore that a plane flying at this speed flies at Mach 1. A fighter plane flying at a speed greater than Mach 1 flies at supersonic speed.

Today's fighter jets fly at an average speed of between Mach 1.5 and Mach 2, i.e. 1.5 or 2 times the speed of sound!

The different speeds of fighter aircraft

As with conventional aircraft, there are several types of speed in fighter jets. Here are the different speeds of fighter jets!

The cruising speed of a fighter jet

The cruising speed of a fighter jet is the same as that of a conventional aircraft: it's the speed at which the plane flies steadily over a long period of time. This cruising speed varies according to weather conditions and external factors. On average, fighter jets cruise at speeds between Mach 0.8 and Mach 1.2.

The top speed of a fighter jet

Top speed is the maximum speed reached by a fighter jet in flight. Fighter planes have a top speed of Mach 1.5 to Mach 2. 5 on average! This top speed depends on the aircraft and its engine power. The fastest fighter jets have a top speed of 2.5 Mach, or around 3,000 km/h!

The maximum speed of a fighter jet

Different from top speed, top speed is the highest speed (hence the name) that a fighter can reach, but only under specific conditions. The fastest and most powerful fighter jets have a top speed of Mach 2.5, or even Mach 3.5 for the fastest.

The climb speed of a fighter jet

You may have guessed it from the name: rate-of-climb is the speed of an aircraft as it climbs through the air. This time, the speed is not calculated in Mach, but in feet per minute. Fighter jets generally reach climb speeds of several thousand feet per minute.

Fighter aircraft: the fastest fighter planes in the world!

Fighter jets are the fastest military aircraft in the world, exceeding the speed of sound. Here are the 5 fighter jets most famous for their speed!

The Mirage 2000D

The Mirage 2000D is one of the world's best-known fighter jets. It is used by the French Air and Space Force. This French fighter, built by Dassault Aviation, reaches a speed of Mach 1.4, or around 2336km/h!

Rafale F4

Like the Mirage 2000D, theRafale F4 fighter is used by the French Air Force. This fighter is renowned for its striking speed and technical strengths (its radar is excellent). Its top speed is Mach 1.8, or 1.8 times faster than the speed of sound.

The Lockheed Martin F22 Raptor

The Lockheed Martin F22 Raptor is an American fighter jet. Used by the US Navy, it is one of the fastest fighter jets in the world. Its top speed is 2410km/h or Mach 2.5! It is themost powerful military aircraft for aerial combat.

Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet

The Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet is a fighter jet used by the US Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. Similar to the Rafale F4 fighter, it achieves the same top speed of Mach 1.8.

The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle

The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is as fast as the Lockheed Martin F22 Raptor! Used by the US Navy, this fighter reaches a top speed of Mach 2.5, 2.5 times faster than the speed of sound. A variant of this fighter, specialized for ground attacks, is theMcDonnell Douglas F-15 Strike Eagle.

These fighter jets are among the fastest in the world. If you're interested in military aircraft, check out our article on the world's most beautiful military aircraft!

Read our article on the world's most beautiful military helicopters !

Become a fighter pilot: fly one of the world's fastest aircraft

Want to become a fighter pilot? It's a wonderful vocation! This military profession is not easy to get into, and requires ambition and a strong commitment. If you'd like to find out how to become a fighter pilot, read our article on becoming a fighter pilot!