The fastest jet aircraft in the world is the SR71 Blackbird. The real top speed of this aircraft was never revealed. If another aircraft set a record they would would simply exceed it but not reveal the true max. I have read that mach 4 may have been possible. The SR71 is the most amazing aircraft ever built. Of the 32 built 20 survived. No one lost their lives in the 12 that crashed. One is still in use by NASA. If the military has replaced with a faster plane they haven't gone public with it yet.
This example is on display at Castle Air Museum in Atwater, CA.
Note the photo of the cockpit is from the SR-71 at Hill AFB Museum.
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The fastest, highest flying manned jet aircraft ever to take flight, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird aircraft had an outer skin that heated to temperatures in excess of 2,000 degrees F. The effect of this was the strengthening of aircraft components with age.
Interestingly the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird fuselage shape and radar absorbing paint would make it hard to detect on radar were it not for its exhaust. The aircraft was never hit by missiles due to its speed, not stealth capabilities.
To better withstand high temperatures, the outer skin of the aircraft was made of titanium. Conventional aircraft usually have aluminum skins.
Due to extreme operating temperatures, the Blackbird lacked sealed fuel cells. The aircraft would seep fluids when cold. It would be fueled on the ground just sufficiently to be able to take off, warm up the air frame, and then meet with a refueling air tanker to take on sufficient fuel for its mission.
The first flight of the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird was on Dec. 22, 1964. It became operational in March of 1968 and was retired in 1998.
The aircraft used a special alloy of titanium that could be worked at lower temperatures to reduce costs.
Fuel was used for cooling the leading edge of the wings.
The shock wave from compression coming off of its nose flowed into the engines, making them more efficient.
Movable cones, called "spikes" in front of the engine air inlets directed incoming air at maximized angles to achieve the greatest efficiency. A jack screw controlled by a computer actuated the spikes. A spike could move as much as 26 inches in total.
To reduce the pressures to the engines at high speeds, bleed holes and bypass doors were incorporated.
Chines, originally intended to lower the radar signature, were found to significantly increase lift. This aided in maneuverability and slowed landing speeds.
A corrugated titanium sheeting was used on the inner portions of the wings. It expands and contracts better than other materials used on conventional aircraft.
The unique engines used on the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird had a two stage design. Turbojet engines, inside of ram jets, enabled the aircraft to fly at slower speeds.
The J58 engines could operate continuously on afterburner; the only military engines that were ever designed to do so.
Two 455 cid General Motors engines turning a single shaft were mounted on a cart and used to start the aircraft engines. The noise was deafening. This was eventually changed and the aircraft were later started with a conventional start cart adapted for the J58 engines.
ASARS (Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar System) were the high-resolution mapping systems used in all Blackbird aircraft.
The original designation of the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird was the Lockheed RS-71. That stood for reconnaissance/strike. However, the Air Force brass recommended changing the designation.
A total of 32 of the aircraft were manufactured. Accidents claimed 12 with no lives taken.
Specifications
Primary Function:
Crew:
Engines:
Thrust:
Weight Empty:
Fuel Capacity:
Max. Weight:
Length:
Wingspan:
Cruise Speed:
Max. Speed:
Max. Fuel Burned:
Takeoff Distance:
Landing Distance:
Landing Speed:
Climb Rate:
Ceiling:
Range:
Year Deployed:
Year Retired:
reconnaissance
two
Pratt & Whitney J-58
2 x 32,500 lbs.ea.
67,500 lbs.
12,219 U.S. gallons
172,000 lbs.
107' 3"
55' 7"
1,848 mph
2,193 mph
8,000 gph
5,400 feet
3,600 feet
173 mph
11,810 fpm
85,000 feet +
3,250 miles
1968
1998