The Fastest Military Jets in History

F-15 Eagle

Two F-15 Eagles fly together after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker over Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve July 8, 2016. The KC-135 provides the core aerial refueling capability for the U.S. Air Force and has excelled in this role for more than 50 years.

The “Scourge of the Sky” during Operation Desert Storm, the F-15 has been around since the late 1970s but just hadn’t seemed to find an equal match since then. Super fast, this twin-engine fighter-bomber third generation jet aircraft could pull off deft, high-G maneuvers and still have fuel left over to hit all its objectives. At high altitude, it can travel at an amazing Mach 2.5 and still maintain a combat effective range of 1,222 miles.

The F-15 is still available and in service after undergoing major upgrades in 2008 and 2009. This Eagle is far from being grounded even while next gen multirole fighters like the F-35 eye its coveted role in USAF air superiority. In fact, with the F-22 program currently doing loops on the ground, the F-15 is projected to remain in the fleet for quite some time. With precisely zero losses due to enemy air activity, it’s a multirole fighter that has withstood the test of time.

• Top Speed: 1,650 mph
• Max Flight Distance: 1,222 miles or 3,450 miles with external tanks