In 2023, an errant aircraft flew over the Washington, D.C. metro area. The aircraft’s captain failed to respond to Air Traffic Control. In response, Air Traffic Control deployed a supersonic Air National Guard F-16 fighter jet to control the issue. Supersonic aircrafts can travel faster than the speed of sound. This is known as Mach 1, which different sources say ranges from 717 mph to 767 mph. Either way, these supersonic aircraft’s speed makes them a valuable and appealing resource for military use. (Check out the next generation of military fighter jets.)
Countries across the world use supersonic military jets because of the many benefits of these aircraft. Supersonic aircraft allow for easier getaways, are harder to detect, and can cover more space in a shorter area of time, allowing the military to adequately combat enemies. These supersonic aircraft are not just used for attacking or bombing. Militaries may also use these jets for research or spying. While additional aircrafts are being developed, supersonic jets are often expensive. The cheapest warplane on the list cost $10 million to produce, and the most expensive cost $750 million. (Here is the weapon the US military spends the most money on.)
24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the aviation resource Jetifyto determine the warplanes that can fly faster than the speed of sound. All jets listed fly at Mach 2 or faster, which is double the speed of sound. Costs listed are the US dollar amount at the time of production.
Why This Matters
Governments, regardless of their global location, often invest heavily in their militaries to strengthen national security. Defense spending creates job opportunities across a range of industries, and military wages are used to buy products that drive economic development in communities. Some of the supersonic warplanes on this list were developed by military contracts with multi-billion dollar companies such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, BAE Systems, and General Dynamics.
Here are the fastest supersonic military jets on Earth.
16. Sukhoi Su-57
- Speed: 1,320 mph
- Country: Russia
- Cost: $42 million
15. Eurofighter Typhoon
- Speed: 1,320 mph
- Country: Multi-national
- Cost: $105 million
14. F-22 Raptor
- Speed: 1,355 mph
- Country: USA
- Cost: $150 million
13. Dassault Mirage 2000
- Speed: 1,400 mph
- Country: France
- Cost: $31 million
12. Chengdu J-10
- Speed: 1,445 mph
- Country: China
- Cost: $28 million
11. MiG-29 Fulcrum
- Speed: 1,520 mph
- Country: Russia
- Cost: $22 million
10. Su-27 Flanker
- Speed: 1,553 mph
- Country: Russia
- Cost: $41 million
9. F-111 Aardvark
- Speed: 1,650 mph
- Country: USA
- Cost: $10 million
8. F-15 Eagle
- Speed: 1,650 mph
- Country: USA
- Cost: $30 million
7. MiG-31 Foxhound
- Speed: 1,864 mph
- Country: Russia
- Cost: $33 million
6. XB-70 Valkyrie
- Speed: 2,056 mph
- Country: USA
- Cost: $750 million
5. Bell X-2 Starbuster
- Speed: 2,094 mph
- Country: USA
- Cost: N/A
4. MiG-25 Foxbat
- Speed: 2,190 mph
- Country: Russia
- Cost: $60 million
3. Lockheed YF-12
- Speed: 2,275 mph
- Country: USA
- Cost: $18 million
2. SR-71 Blackbird
- Speed: 2,500 mph+
- Country: USA
- Cost: $34 million
1. NASA/USAF X-15
- Speed: 4,520 mph
- Country: USA
- Cost: N/A
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