Capable of flitting through the air at multiple times the speed of sound, these planes take both pilot and aircraft both to the fringe of science fiction.
Although a number of these aircraft have since been retired from use, they continue to be the fastest manned aircraft in human history.
The designs and advances achieved with these planes have also left an immense impact upon the development of the planes that succeeded them.
Here's a look at the world's nine fastest manned aircraft ever flown.