When aerial combat is on the horizon, velocity reigns supreme. Whether it’s an air superiority fighter engineered to dominate the skies, an interceptor optimized for rapid ascent, or a versatile multirole aircraft, swift arrival at the scene is paramount. The question, How Fast Can A Fighter Jet Fly, is not just about bragging rights; it’s a critical aspect of mission success and survivability.
On paper, the Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-25 stands out as the theoretical fastest fighter jet in 2025, boasting a speed of Mach 2.83. Closely following is its sibling, the MiG-31. However, these titans of speed are nearing obsolescence, with only a handful of MiG-25s reportedly still in active service.
For contemporary, widely deployed fighter jets ready for theater operations, the F-15 Eagle takes the crown. With over 900 units in service globally, this aircraft continues to undergo modernization, with its latest iteration, the F-15EX, designed to push speed boundaries even further.
Top 10 Fastest Fighter Jets Ranked
| Rank | Aircraft | Max speed (Mach) | Max speed (mph) | Max altitude (service ceiling) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 | Mach 2.83 | 1,900 mph | 80,000 ft |
| 2 | Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-31 | Mach 2.83 | 1,900 mph | 67,000 ft |
| 3 | McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle | Mach 2.5 | 1,650 mph | 60,000 ft |
| 4 | Sukhoi Su-27 family | Mach 2.35 | 1,600 mph | 59,000 ft |
| 5 | Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 | Mach 2.35 | 1,553 mph | 60,000 ft |
| 6 | Grumman F-14 Tomcat | Mach 2.3 | 1,544 mph | 55,000 ft |
| 7 | Mikoyan MiG-29 | Mach 2.3 | 1,520 mph | 59,000 ft |
| 8 | IAI Kfir | Mach 2.3 | 1,520 mph | 58,000 ft |
| 9 | Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor | Mach 2.25 | 1,500 mph | 65,000 ft |
| 10 | McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II | Mach 2.23 | 1,470 mph | 62,000 ft |
USAF
Understanding Fighter Jet Speed Measurement
When we talk about the speed of an aircraft, the quoted maximum speed often doesn’t represent real-world operational performance. The speeds listed are typically achieved by test aircraft in “clean” configurations – devoid of weapons or external fuel tanks. These trials demonstrate the aircraft’s peak capability under ideal circumstances. In everyday missions, fighter jets generally fly at considerably lower speeds.
Furthermore, top speeds are usually recorded at optimal altitudes, typically exceeding 30,000 feet (9,000 meters). Many of these high-speed aircraft are significantly slower at lower altitudes due to denser air resistance.
Let’s delve into the world’s fastest fighter jets, exploring each aircraft’s speed and characteristics in detail.
10. McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
Mach 2.23 (1,470 mph / 2,370 kph / 1,280 kts at 40,000 ft / 12,000 m)
| F-4 Phantom II specifications |
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The F-4 Phantom is an iconic symbol of the Cold War era. While largely retired, it continues to serve in the air forces of Turkey, Greece, and Iran, as per the 2025 World Air Forces directory. South Korea recently retired its F-4E Phantoms in 2024.
Despite its less-than-aerodynamic design, the F-4 achieves impressive speeds thanks to the sheer power of its General Electric J79 engines. This led to the famous saying among Phantom pilots and enthusiasts: “A brick can fly if you stick a big enough engine on it.”
Image alt text: A McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighter jet in flight, showcasing its iconic twin-engine and swept-wing design.
Interestingly, the F-4 was initially designed without an internal gun. Intelligence at the time suggested that close-range dogfights were obsolete, and the aircraft’s primary role would be fleet defense. Air-to-air missiles were believed to have rendered guns unnecessary, as the Phantom could engage bombers from beyond visual range and utilize heat-seeking Sidewinder missiles at closer distances.
However, as aerial combat tactics evolved and the significance of dogfighting re-emerged, the F-4 was modified to accommodate external gun pods. Guns could be mounted on any of its hardpoints, theoretically allowing it to carry up to five, though this configuration was never actually implemented.
9. Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
Mach 2.25 (1,500 mph / 2,414 kph / 1,303 kts at 40,000 ft / 12,000 m)
| F-22 specifications |
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The F-22 Raptor is the pioneering 5th generation fighter and the sole stealth aircraft on this list. With fewer than 200 Raptors ever produced, it remains an exclusive asset, never exported and operated only by the US Air Force (USAF).
USAF
While many older jets on this list struggle to break the sound barrier at low altitudes, the F-22 is exceptional. It can exceed Mach 1.2 at sea level and maintain high speeds even when fully armed. Its internal weapons bays minimize drag, unlike external stores.
The Raptor also boasts supercruise capability, sustaining speeds over Mach 1.8 without engaging fuel-intensive afterburners. Supercruise enhances fuel efficiency and extends operational range.
8. IAI Kfir
Mach 2.3 (1,520 mph / 2,440 kph / 1,320 kts at 36,000 ft / 11,000 m)
| Kfir specifications |
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The Kfir, an Israeli upgrade of the Dassault Mirage 5, is currently operated by Colombia and Textron’s Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC) for tactical flight training.
Key upgrades include the General Electric J79-J1E turbojet engine, significantly more powerful than the Mirage 5’s original SNECMA Atar 9C.
Image alt text: An IAI Kfir fighter jet parked on the tarmac, highlighting its delta wing design and single engine configuration.
Some sources suggest a more conservative top speed of Mach 2 for the Kfir. Given the age of existing Kfir airframes, achieving original top speeds might be challenging.
However, most available data indicates a top speed of Mach 2.3 for the Kfir. AeroTime includes it in this ranking based on substantial evidence suggesting it has reached this speed in the past.
7. Mikoyan MiG-29
Mach 2.3 (1,520 mph / 2,450 kph / 1,320 kts at 36,000 ft / 11,000 m)
| MiG-29 specifications |
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Developed in the Soviet Union as a lighter counterpart to the Sukhoi Su-27 and a response to the F-16, the MiG-29 has been widely exported. It currently serves in the inventories of Russia, Ukraine, North Korea, Poland, India, and numerous other nations.
IanC66 Shutterstock
Often compared to the F-16, the MiG-29 primarily served as a point-defense interceptor, characterized by a relatively short range and high speed.
While it has limitations, such as being unable to go supersonic with a fuel tank, a “clean” MiG-29 can reportedly reach Mach 1.2 at sea level.
Nicknamed ‘Fulcrum,’ the MiG-29 is renowned for its exceptional maneuverability, partly attributed to its widely spaced engines. It ranks as the fifth most used fighter jet globally, with 788 active units reported in the 2025 World Air Forces directory.
6. Grumman F-14 Tomcat
Mach 2.3 (1,544 mph / 2,485 kph / 1,342 kts at 40,000 ft / 12,000 m)
| F-14 specifications |
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Considered the world’s first 4th generation fighter jet, the F-14 was primarily designed for the US Navy. Replaced by the F/A-18 in US Navy service, the F-14 is currently operated only by the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, with 41 units in service according to the 2025 World Air Forces directory.
Image alt text: A Grumman F-14 Tomcat with its wings swept back in high-speed configuration, emphasizing its variable-sweep wing design.
Known as the ‘Tomcat,’ the F-14 is a carrier-capable, twin-engine supersonic fighter with a variable-sweep wing. It entered US Navy service in 1974 aboard the USS Enterprise, replacing the F-4 Phantom II, and was retired by the US Navy on September 22, 2006.
During the Iran-Iraq war, Iran claimed its F-14s shot down at least 160 Iraqi aircraft with only 16 Tomcats lost (seven in accidents). While Iran maintains a fleet of 41, many are likely not combat-ready due to sanctions hindering spare part acquisition.
Tomcat pilots consistently reported reaching its advertised Mach 2.3 speed in active duty, even when fully loaded. It is believed a “clean” F-14 could achieve even greater speeds, often pushed to its limits by enthusiastic pilots. Dave Andersen, a former F-14 Tomcat Radar Intercept Officer for the US Navy, recounted on Quora:
“That jet accelerated like it was blasted out of a cannon. In maybe 50 seconds we went from about 400 knots and reached the advertised top speed of Mach 2.34, and the jet was still accelerating. I’m sure she would’ve gone past 2.5 Mach if we’d let her, but backed off at that point because we were getting close to “bingo” fuel state.”
5. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23
Mach 2.35 (1,553 mph / 2,499 kph / 1,349 kts at 36,000 ft / 11,000 m)
| MiG-23 specifications |
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Another swing-wing fighter, the MiG-23 was designed in the early 1960s and remains operational in North Korea, Syria, Kazakhstan, Libya, and several African nations. The 2025 World Air Forces directory indicates 187 remain in service worldwide.
Wikimedia
Built as an interceptor, the MiG-23 is less maneuverable than newer 4th generation jets and has limited low-altitude performance. Nevertheless, it was a highly advanced aircraft for the late 1960s and is a prominent Soviet Cold War aircraft.
Known as the ‘Flogger,’ the MiG-23’s variable wing sweep enables takeoff from short, remote runways and aerodynamic optimization for supersonic or cruise flight. Its advanced radar and fire control systems allow engagement of targets beyond visual range.
4. Sukhoi Su-27
Mach 2.35 (1,600 mph / 2,500 kph / 1,300 kts at 36,000 ft / 11,000 m)
| Su-27 specifications |
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The Su-27 was a significant late-Cold War fighter, spawning a family of aircraft including the Su-30, Su-34, Su-35, J-11, and J-16.
It is among the most widely operated aircraft globally. Various Su-27 derivatives are often cited with top speeds between Mach 2 and Mach 2.35, although newer variants may not reach the same speeds. The reasons for this are explored later in this article.
Image alt text: A Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker performing a high-speed pass during an airshow, showcasing its agility and powerful engines.
Unlike some 4th generation jets, the Su-27 cannot reach Mach 1.2 at sea level, and external ordnance significantly reduces its top speed. However, it was not designed as a dedicated interceptor. High altitude speed is a byproduct of its powerful engines, designed for substantial payload capacity and acceleration.
The Su-27/30/34/35 family is the second most prevalent in-service fighter jet type in 2025, only surpassed by the F-16. The 2025 World Air Forces directory lists 1,284 in service, with major operators including China, India, and Russia.
3. McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
Mach 2.5 (1,650 mph / 2,655 kph / 1,434 kts at 40,000 ft / 12,000 m)
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The F-15, a renowned US-made aircraft, is operated by the USAF, Israel, Japan, Qatar, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore. It is the third most widely used fighter jet globally, with 919 in service according to the 2025 World Air Forces directory.
USAF
Developed as a counter to the MiG-25 interceptor (featured later), the Eagle, while slightly slower, compensates with exceptional low-speed maneuverability.
It is also the only fighter jet to ever shoot down a space satellite and uniquely boasts over 100 aerial victories without any air-to-air losses.
Despite the base model being over 50 years old, the F-15 remains in production as the significantly upgraded F-15EX, or F-15 Eagle II.
2. Mikoyan MiG-31
Mach 2.83 (1,900 mph / 3,000 kph / 1,600 kts at 70,538 ft / 21,500 m)
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The MiG-31, derived from the MiG-25, was intended as its replacement. Performance is similar, but the MiG-31 features enhanced sensors, electronics, and armament.
Kazakhstan retired its MiG-31s in 2024, leaving Russia as the sole operator. The Russian Air Force operates 128 active units, according to the 2025 World Air Forces directory.
Image alt text: A Mikoyan MiG-31 Foxhound interceptor in flight, highlighting its large size and tandem seating configuration.
Initially designed for greater adaptability than the MiG-25, the MiG-31 offered variants including multirole fighter, bomber, and reconnaissance aircraft, though these were ultimately scrapped. However, these plans contributed to the MiG-31’s decent low-level performance, reaching Mach 1.25 at sea level, a feat earlier interceptors couldn’t achieve.
Despite modernizations, speed limitations exist. In 2013 parliamentary hearings, Victor Bondarev, head of the Russian Aerospace Forces, stated that the MiG-31’s new cockpit glass, while improving visibility, reduced its top speed to Mach 1.5.
“Those 2.83 Mach that this plane produced are limited; it no longer flies at 2.83 Mach, it flies at only 1.5 Mach, for one simple reason – the glass can’t handle it. It turns out that we can’t produce glass in Russia.”
However, the MiG-31’s modern armament, including the Kinzhal hypersonic missile, reduces its reliance on speed alone.
1. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25
Mach 2.83 (1,900 mph / 3,000 kph / 1,600 kts at 70,538 ft / 21,500 m)
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Designed in the late 1960s, the MiG-25 – codenamed ‘Foxbat’ – was arguably the Cold War’s most feared fighter jet and prompted the US to develop the F-15. However, its operational status is questionable.
Wikimedia
Retired by nearly all operators, the MiG-25 officially remains in the arsenals of only two countries. The 2025 World Air Forces directory lists just four active – two in Syria and two in Libya, with their combat readiness being uncertain.
Yet, theoretically, the MiG-25 remains the world’s fastest fighter jet. It broke numerous records and achieved speeds unmatched by any other air-breathing jet except for the SR-71 and its derivatives.
The MiG-25 was primarily designed as a high-altitude interceptor. Like many aircraft of this type, it had limited maneuverability and could not break the sound barrier at sea level while carrying missiles.
The Fastest Deployed Fighter Jet
The MiG-25 is effectively retired in practical terms. The MiG-31, exclusive to Russia, has speed limited by cockpit glass. Therefore, considering actively deployed aircraft, the F-15 is the fastest operational fighter jet.
Image alt text: A McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle soaring through the sky, emphasizing its role as a leading air superiority fighter with high speed capabilities.
Its latest variant, the F-15EX, is even quicker. Aviation Week quoted Boeing’s Rob Novotny, a former Air Force F-15 test pilot and F-15 Business Development executive director, stating a clean F-15EX could reach Mach 2.9. However, this is a theoretical maximum, not publicly demonstrated in tests.
The War Zone reported a Boeing spokesperson clarifying that the F-15EX’s fastest test speed in a clean configuration was Mach 2.497. With twin General Electric F110-GE-129 engines producing 29,500 pounds of thrust each in full afterburner, the airframe and powerplants are capable of exceeding Mach 2.5. However, paintwork, antennas, and fuel consumption at such speeds become significant limitations.
Boeing
Nevertheless, continuous F-15 upgrades have maintained its relevance for over fifty years.
Why Aren’t Fighter Jets Being Designed to Fly Faster?
Most jets on this list are older designs. Newer generations, except for the F-22, often don’t even reach Mach 2.
Speed is no longer a primary focus for aircraft manufacturers. Newer aircraft prioritize maneuverability, stealth, and fuel efficiency, among other factors, over sheer speed.
Image alt text: A modern Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor fighter jet, representing the shift towards stealth and advanced avionics over extreme top speed in contemporary fighter design.
Studies indicate that fighter jets rarely exceed Mach 1.2 in actual air combat. Higher speeds are primarily relevant for long-range interceptions, a role fulfilled by high-speed aircraft like the F-15 and MiG-31.
Advancements in medium- and long-range missiles further diminish the necessity for extreme speed. Consequently, Cold War-era interceptors remain the fastest jets ever designed, while newer aircraft are comparatively slower. Even projected sixth-generation fighters are expected to have maximum speeds of Mach 2.2 – 2.5, proving that they “don’t make them like they used to.”
Honorary Mentions: Mach 2.05-2.2 Fighters
Several popular aircraft reach speeds slightly above Mach 2 but didn’t quite make our top ten list. These include:
- General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
- Mikoyan-Gurevich Mig-21
- Dassault Mirage 2000
- Dassault Mirage F1
Honorary Mentions: Mach 2 Fighters
Many currently operational jets have a top speed of Mach 2 (between 1,300-1,360 mph / 2,100-2,200 kph / 1,100-1,150 knots). These include:
