The 9 fastest piloted planes in the world

Maximum speed: 2,170 miles per hour
Maximum range: 1,599 miles
First flight: March 6, 1964

The Soviet MiG-25, which was first introduced in 1970, was built as a supersonic interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft. Due to the aircraft's large wings, the US assumed it was a highly maneuverable fighter; instead, the Foxbat needed the large wings due to its weight.

The MiG-25's maximum speed of Mach 3.2 is not sustainable without causing engine damage. It's top sustainable speed is 1,920 miles per hour (Mach 2.83).

Maximum speed: 2,170 miles per hour
Maximum range: 1,599 miles
First flight: March 6, 1964

The Soviet MiG-25, which was first introduced in 1970, was built as a supersonic interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft. Due to the aircraft's large wings, the US assumed it was a highly maneuverable fighter; instead, the Foxbat needed the large wings due to its weight.

The MiG-25's maximum speed of Mach 3.2 is not sustainable without causing engine damage. It's top sustainable speed is 1,920 miles per hour (Mach 2.83).

Maximum speed: 2,170 miles per hour
Maximum range: 1,599 miles
First flight: March 6, 1964

The Soviet MiG-25, which was first introduced in 1970, was built as a supersonic interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft. Due to the aircraft's large wings, the US assumed it was a highly maneuverable fighter; instead, the Foxbat needed the large wings due to its weight.

The MiG-25's maximum speed of Mach 3.2 is not sustainable without causing engine damage. It's top sustainable speed is 1,920 miles per hour (Mach 2.83).

Maximum speed: 2,170 miles per hour
Maximum range: 1,599 miles
First flight: March 6, 1964

The Soviet MiG-25, which was first introduced in 1970, was built as a supersonic interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft. Due to the aircraft's large wings, the US assumed it was a highly maneuverable fighter; instead, the Foxbat needed the large wings due to its weight.

The MiG-25's maximum speed of Mach 3.2 is not sustainable without causing engine damage. It's top sustainable speed is 1,920 miles per hour (Mach 2.83).

Maximum speed: 2,170 miles per hour
Maximum range: 1,599 miles
First flight: March 6, 1964

The Soviet MiG-25, which was first introduced in 1970, was built as a supersonic interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft. Due to the aircraft's large wings, the US assumed it was a highly maneuverable fighter; instead, the Foxbat needed the large wings due to its weight.

Maximum speed: 2,170 miles per hour
Maximum range: 1,599 miles
First flight: March 6, 1964

The Soviet MiG-25, which was first introduced in 1970, was built as a supersonic interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft. Due to the aircraft's large wings, the US assumed it was a highly maneuverable fighter; instead, the Foxbat needed the large wings due to its weight.

The MiG-25's maximum speed of Mach 3.2 is not sustainable without causing engine damage. It's top sustainable speed is 1,920 miles per hour (Mach 2.83).

Maximum speed: 2,200 miles per hour
Maximum range: 3,682 miles
First flight: December 22, 1964

The SR-71, designed by Lockheed Martin, was a marvel of a plane. It flew at altitudes of over 80,000 feet at speeds greater than 2,000 miles an hour. The plane, engineered for surveillance, flew for more than 30 years and it was capable of outrunning anti-aircraft missiles lobbed at it.

For perspective, on its retirement flight from Los Angeles to Washington, DC, the SR-71 flew coast to coast in only 67 minutes.

Maximum speed: 4,520 miles per hour
First flight: June 8, 1959

The world's fastest manned aircraft is part rocket, part jet. NASA's X-15 flew for the first time on June 8, 1959 after successfully deployed at 45,000 feet from another aircraft. A few years later, on October 3, 1967, the X-15 pulverized all flight speed records with a stunning 4,520 miles per hour or Mach 6.72 speed.

The X-15 flew a total of 199 flights over a course of 30 hours and 13 minutes.