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You won’t believe how fast these stealth military jets fly

Stealth aircraft are highly valued by the US military. These aircraft are capable of flying over areas undetected, usually for reconnaissance, long-range strike missions and air superiority. Without these technologically advanced craftThe United States could not fly under cover because enemies would spot the planes on radar.

Although stealth aircraft are primarily focused on operating without detection, they are also known for their speed, with some of these aircraft capable of flying faster than Mach 1 (also known as the speed of sound). That’s over 768 mph! Modern stealth aircraft they are updated with top data sensors and highly efficient engines.

To identify the fastest stealth aircraft in the world’s militaries, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the report 2023 World Air Force from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry website, as well as other sources. We’ve ranked stealth aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles, by top speed. Additional data on aircraft type, top speed, manufacturer and armament have come Military Factory. Data on notable countries operating these aircraft came from FlightGlobal. At the time of publication, this data remains current and accurate.

Why are we covering this?

France+military+aircraft | Dassault Rafale C

Stealth aircraft have redefined and continue to define modern warfare. These aircraft not only offer enhanced capabilities such as improved speed and firepower, but are manufactured by national and global leaders such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing. Because stealth aircraft can be expensive, these aircraft must live up to expectations in achieving military priorities. By looking at the fastest stealth aircraft, you can better understand which countries prioritize defense and how each aircraft’s abilities are uniquely suited to their specific needs.

Take a deeper look at the world’s fastest stealth planes:

20. WZ-10 Cloud Shadow

  • Type: Stealth Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
  • Year of entry into service: 2016
  • Maximum speed: 390 mph
  • Notable countries: China
  • Producer: Chengdu Aviation Industry Group
  • Armament: Air-to-surface missiles, light cruise missiles, precision-guided bombs

19. AQM-91 Fireflies

  • Type: Reconnaissance drone
  • Year of entry into service: 1968
  • Maximum speed: 505 mph
  • Notable countries: United States
  • Producer: Ryan Aeronautical / Teledyne-Ryan
  • Armament: None

18. CH-7

  • Type: High-altitude, long-duration stealth combat drone
  • Year of entry into service: 2022
  • Maximum speed: 550 mph
  • Notable countries: China
  • Producer: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
  • Armament: Air-to-surface missiles, anti-radiation missiles, precision-guided bombs, conventional bombs

17. Tupolev PAK YES

  • Type: Fifth generation strategic stealth bomber
  • Year of entry into service: Expected in 2032
  • Maximum speed: 559 mph
  • Notable countries: Russia
  • Producer: Tupolev / United Aircraft Corporation
  • Armament: Air Launched Cruise Missiles, Precision Guided Bombs, Conventional Drop Bombs, Nuclear Munitions

16. RQ-170 Sentinel

  • Type: Unmanned aerial vehicle
  • Year of entry into service: 2007
  • Maximum speed: 590 mph
  • Notable countries: United States
  • Producer: Lockheed Martin
  • Armament: Undisclosed

15. RQ-180

  • Type: Reconnaissance Stealth Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
  • Year of entry into service: 2015
  • Maximum speed: 590 mph
  • Notable countries: United States
  • Producer: Northrop Grumman
  • Armament: None

14. B-21 Raider

  • Type: Sixth generation strategic stealth bomber
  • Year of entry into service: Expected in 2028
  • Maximum speed: 621 mph
  • Notable countries: United States
  • Producer: Northrop Grumman
  • Armament: Precision-guided drop bombs, conventional drop bombs, nuclear munitions

13. GJ-11 Gongji

  • Type: Stealth Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle
  • Year of entry into service: 2019
  • Maximum speed: 621 mph
  • Notable countries: China
  • Producer: State Factories
  • Armament: Laser-guided bombs, conventional bombs, air-to-ground missiles

12. B-2 Spirit

  • Type: Stealth Heavy Strategic Bomber
  • Year of entry into service: 1997
  • Maximum speed: 628 mph
  • Notable countries: United States
  • Producer: Northrop Grumman
  • Armament: Air-Launched Cruise Missiles, Free-Fall Nuclear Bombs, Conventional Drop Bombs, Common Direct Attack Munitions, Air-to-Surface Missiles

11. F-117 Nighthawk

  • Type: Stealth strike aircraft
  • Year of entry into service: 1982
  • Maximum speed: 646 mph
  • Notable countries: United States
  • Producer: Lockheed
  • Armament: Laser Guided Bombs, Conventional Launchers, Maverick Missiles, HARM Anti-Radiation Missiles, Sidewinder Missiles

10. XQ-58 Valkyrie

  • Type: Unmanned combat aerial vehicle
  • Year of entry into service: 2020
  • Maximum speed: 652 mph
  • Notable countries: United States
  • Producer: Kratos Unmanned Systems Division
  • Armament: Precision Guided Drop Bombs, Conventional Drop Bombs

9. Su-75 Checkmate

  • Type: Fifth generation multi-role stealth aircraft
  • Year of entry into service: 2026
  • Maximum speed: 808 mph
  • Notable countries: Russia
  • Producer: Sukhoi OKB / Rostek State Corporation
  • Armament: Internal cannon, air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, laser-guided bombs, conventional bombs

8. F-35 Lightning II

  • Type: Fifth generation fighter/bomber aircraft
  • Year of entry into service: 2016
  • Maximum speed: 1,199 mph
  • Notable countries: Canada, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, United States
  • Producer: Lockheed Martin / Northrop Grumman
  • Armament: 25mm GAU-12/U, Sidewinder Missiles, Air-to-Air Missiles, Air-to-Ground Missiles, Paveway II/III Guided Bombs, Rockeye II Cluster Bombs, Common Direct Attack Ammunition

7. J-20 Black Eagle

  • Type: Fifth generation multi-role stealth aircraft
  • Year of entry into service: 2017
  • Maximum speed: 1,305 mph
  • Notable countries: China
  • Producer: Chengdu Aviation Industry Group / China Aviation Industry Corporation
  • Armament: Internal cannon, air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, anti-radiation missiles, laser-guided bombs, conventional bombs

6. J-16 Red Eagle

  • Type: The fourth generation of attack fighters
  • Year of entry into service: 2013
  • Maximum speed: 1,522 mph
  • Notable countries: China
  • Producer: Shenyang Aircraft Corporation / Aviation Industry Corporation of China
  • Armament: GSh-30-1 30mm internal cannon, PL-15, PL-12, PL-9 air-to-air missiles, conventional bombs, laser-guided munitions, missile pods, anti-ship missiles, anti-radiation missiles

5. J-11 Flanker B+

  • Type: The fourth generation of air superiority fighters
  • Year of entry into service: 1998
  • Maximum speed: 1,553 mph
  • Notable countries: China
  • Producer: Shenyang Aircraft Corporation / Aviation Industry Corporation of China
  • Armament: GSh-30-1 30mm internal cannon, air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, laser-guided bombs, conventional launch bombs, cluster bombs, missile pods

4. F-22 Raptor

  • Type: The fifth generation of air dominance fighters
  • Year of entry into service: 2005
  • Maximum speed: 1,599 mph
  • Notable countries: United States
  • Producer: Lockheed Martin / Boeing
  • Armament: 20mm Internal Autocannon, Sidewinder Missiles, AMRAAM Air-to-Air Missiles, Joint Direct Attack Munition, Air-Launched Cruise Missiles, Guided Bombs

3. Su-57 Felon

  • Type: Fifth generation multi-role stealth aircraft
  • Year of entry into service: 2019
  • Maximum speed: 1,616 mph
  • Notable countries: Russia
  • Producer: Sukhoi OKB / United Aircraft Corporation
  • Armament: Internal GSh-20-1 30 mm cannon, air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, guided bombs

2. A-12 Archangel

  • Type: High-altitude strategic reconnaissance stealth aircraft
  • Year of entry into service: 1963
  • Maximum speed: 2,212 mph
  • Notable countries: United States
  • Producer: Lockheed
  • Armament: None

1. SR-71 Blackbird

  • Type: High-altitude, high-speed reconnaissance aircraft
  • Year of entry into service: 1966
  • Maximum speed: 2,274 mph
  • Notable countries: United States
  • Producer: Lockheed
  • Armament: None

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The post You Won’t Believe How Fast These Stealth Military Jets Fly appeared first on 24/7 Wall St.

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