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

VaselineOctober 8, 2024

0 5 minutes read

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.