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The Fastest Military Jets in History

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The Lockheed YF-12

Lockheed YF-12
U.S. Air Force

If seeing a picture of the YF-12 elicits feelings of deja vu, you’re not alone. This was the experimental Lockheed Martin aircraft that would go on to influence the design of the highly successful and versatile SR-71 Blackbird. Designed back in the early 60s, it proved to be an “out of the box” platform that absolutely smashed all previously held records for flight speed. Shrouded in secrecy, many people forget that the origins of this program were the very first for actual stealth technology. Capable of high altitude missions at an incredible Mach 3.35 speed, this supersonic jet fighter was meant to bring futuristic sci-fi capabilities to the contemporary present. Though the program was defunded, Lockheed would take all the lessons learned from its brief lifespan to influence the production of the SR-71. The SR-71 would go on to serve quite famously as a high altitude reconnaissance aircraft.

    • Top Speed: 2,275 mph
    • Max Flight Distance: 3,000 miles