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What are the Highest Performing Aircraft?

Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov

What we call the world's highest performing aircraft depends on what category of performance we are looking at: size, speed, or stealth. All of these qualities may be the most useful depending on application.

The world's largest passenger aircraft is the Airbus A380, which can carry up to 853 people in economy class configuration. The Airbus is so huge that the nickname "Superjumbo" was made for it, and it can only land in specially-designed airports. So far, the vehicle has only flown for test and show flights, but it is ready to enter service in late 2007 or early 2008.

Though slow and capable of only low altitude flight, crop dusters are among the most maneuverable aircraft types.
Though slow and capable of only low altitude flight, crop dusters are among the most maneuverable aircraft types.

There are several extremely fast aircraft. Which you call the fastest depends on your definition of "aircraft," but generally an aircraft must 1) be able to take off unassisted, 2) work in the lower atmosphere, and 3) land unassisted. The fastest craft, scramjets that operate high in the atmosphere, do not meet this definition, however they can be extremely fast. The fastest scramjet yet flown is the Boeing X-43A, which set a speed record of 7,546 mph (12,144 km/h), or Mach 9.8, on 16 November 2004. The fastest true aircraft is the SR-71 Blackbird, which reached a speed of 2,188 mph (3,521 km/h), or Mach 2.8, on 28 July 1976. Various rockets have reached speeds in the Mach 5-7 range, but these cannot take off or land on their own. The fastest aircraft is technically the Space Shuttle, but again, it cannot take off on its own, and achieves its top speeds out of the earth's atmosphere.

Though not the world's absolute fastest aircraft, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor can accelerate to supersonic speeds without the need to use its afterburners.
Though not the world's absolute fastest aircraft, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor can accelerate to supersonic speeds without the need to use its afterburners.

The title of world's stealthiest aircraft is a toss-up between the F-22 Raptor and the B-2 Spirit bomber. One could argue that the F-22 Raptor is stealthier because it is smaller and therefore probably harder to detect. Both are extremely advanced and expensive aircraft used by the United States military. They do not appear on radar, but must be spotted visually. The Joint Strike Fighter, currently under development by the US and UK, will also be a highly stealthy craft, and its updated design will probably make it even harder to detect than either the F-22 Raptor or the B-2 Spirit.

Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov

Michael is a longtime WikiMotors contributor who specializes in topics relating to paleontology, physics, biology, astronomy, chemistry, and futurism. In addition to being an avid blogger, Michael is particularly passionate about stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and life extension therapies. He has also worked for the Methuselah Foundation, the Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and the Lifeboat Foundation.

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Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov

Michael is a longtime WikiMotors contributor who specializes in topics relating to paleontology, physics, biology, astronomy, chemistry, and futurism. In addition to being an avid blogger, Michael is particularly passionate about stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and life extension therapies. He has also worked for the Methuselah Foundation, the Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and the Lifeboat Foundation.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon22401

As to fastest, is there any confirmation, anywhere of the Aurora - the supposed replacement for the SR-71?

anon6695

It's my guess that the B-2 will remain a stealthier craft than the F-22. The B-2 was designed almost completely, if not completely with stealth in mind. Speed was sacrificed to a ridiculous degree (it's about as fast as an A-10) and maneuverability is compromised for lack of tail. By comparison, stealth is A) not the prime concern with the F-22, whose mission is air superiority and thus self-protection and B) harder to achieve with afterburning engines, twin tails, and an overall more angular shape. The A-12 would have rivalled the B-2 had it been built.

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    • Though slow and capable of only low altitude flight, crop dusters are among the most maneuverable aircraft types.
      By: Sly
      Though slow and capable of only low altitude flight, crop dusters are among the most maneuverable aircraft types.
    • Though not the world's absolute fastest aircraft, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor can accelerate to supersonic speeds without the need to use its afterburners.
      By: dreamnikon
      Though not the world's absolute fastest aircraft, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor can accelerate to supersonic speeds without the need to use its afterburners.
    • The F-16 Fighting Falcon is so maneuverable that it can actually turn at rates that generate more G-forces than a human pilot can survive.
      By: McCarthys_PhotoWorks
      The F-16 Fighting Falcon is so maneuverable that it can actually turn at rates that generate more G-forces than a human pilot can survive.
    • The fastest aircraft is technically the space shuttle, though it achieves its top speed in orbit and acts as an unpowered glider during descent.
      By: Albo
      The fastest aircraft is technically the space shuttle, though it achieves its top speed in orbit and acts as an unpowered glider during descent.