The fastest jet in history is the NASA X-43A, an experimental hypersonic aircraft.
The X-43A reached a record-breaking speed of Mach 9.6, which is approximately 7,366 miles per hour (11,854 kilometers per hour). This incredible speed was achieved during an uncrewed flight test on November 16, 2004, over the Pacific Ocean.
Key Features of the NASA X-43A:
- Hypersonic Flight: The X-43A was designed to explore hypersonic flight, which is flight at speeds of Mach 5 or higher.
- Scramjet Engine: Unlike traditional jet engines, the X-43A used a scramjet (supersonic combustion ramjet) engine. A scramjet engine uses the aircraft's forward motion to compress air for combustion, eliminating the need for rotating parts.
- Unmanned Aircraft: The X-43A was an unmanned vehicle, meaning it was remotely controlled and did not carry a human pilot.
- Experimental Vehicle: The X-43A was an experimental aircraft, meaning it was built for research purposes and not intended for operational use.
Why is the X-43A so fast?
The X-43A's impressive speed is attributed to its scramjet engine technology. Scramjets are more efficient at hypersonic speeds compared to traditional jet engines or even rocket engines. However, scramjets require the aircraft to be traveling at high speeds before they can operate, meaning they typically need a booster rocket to reach their operational speed.
While other aircraft, like the SR-71 Blackbird, have held speed records for crewed jets, the X-43A's unmanned, experimental nature and scramjet engine gave it the edge in achieving the highest recorded airspeed.
