What's the fastest airplane in the world?

If having a pilot on board is not a criteria, then the X-43 is said to be the fastest airplane in the world. The X-43 is an unmanned scramjet which launches not from the ground but from a B-52 at about 40,000 feet (12.2 kilometers) in the air. On November 16, 2004 the X-43 reached Mach 9.6 (7,000 miles or 11,265 kilometers per hour) according to NASA. Some claim that it reached Mach 9.8. If the type of engine is not limited to say, jet powered engines, then the North American X-15 is the fastest airplane in the world. Powered by a rocket engine, the X-15 is said to have reached speeds of Mach 6.85, or 4,520 miles per hour (7,274 kilometers per hour). Like the X-43, it too is launched mid-air from a B-52. The X-15 has also achieved altitude records by reaching 67 miles (107.8 kilometers) on August 22, 1963, earning some of its pilots the designation of "astronaut" by the United States Air Force (USAF). Because the X-15 is powered by a rocket engine however, it is technically half rocket, arguably eliminating it from the running of fastest airplane in the world. When discussing the world's fastest airplane, Lockheed's SR-71 often comes up. Also referred to as the Blackbird, the SR-71 made its maiden flight on December 22, 1964. It's a jet powered and piloted airplane which is said to have reached Mach 3.2 (2,094 miles or 3,370 kilometers per hour) making it the fastest airplane in the world. Some speculate, that its true top speed and other capabilities were never revealed. The SR-71 is said to have reached an altitude of 16.1 miles (25.9 kilometers).

Was the SR-71 Black Bird. Official top speed was Mach 3.5. It could go much faster. Flew between New York and London in less than two hours. And this was with slowing to be refueled by a KC-135 tanker in mid-air. There are many rumors about an aircraft called the Aurora. If it exists, it is much faster than the SR-71. Keep in mind that they kept the SR-71 secret for many years. So it is quite possible that the Aurora or something like it. Maybe they retired the SR-71 because they have something much faster and more modern. The SR-71 was actually designed way back in the 50s.

X-43. the fastest manned vehicle is the X-15 David S: the XB-70 was not designed for hypersonic flight, but rather, mach 3. and only one was destroyed, the other was retired

The SR-71 Blackbird was the fastest airplane in existence. It was retired several years ago. On it's last flight, it flew coast to coast in one hour.

Wonder Woman's invisible plan. That thing can book and you can't see it. Wow... that chick is smart.

defining airplane: flying craft powered by piston or jet engine with wings as means of lift and landing gear as means of landing AND taking off. that being said, the SR71 OFFICIAL top speed was mach 3.2. It has gone up to mach 3.5 when in service with NASA but heated up too much. (and probably also while in service with USAF but they won't admit it) The MiG 25 Foxbat has gone up to mach 3.6 officially but it's engines were totaled afterwards, so I dunno if you're going to count that. If the MiG 25 was ever fitted with some american engines it could probably sustain flight at mach 3.6 without junking the engines. the XB70 was an experimental aircraft supposed to be able to go up to mach 6. Two were produced and both were lost during flight evaluations.Neither got the chance to do high speed runs. The Avro Arrow, a Canadian 50s design, could've gone up to mach 3 according to official performance evaluations also but the project was scrapped during the prototype stage. If you allow unmanned airplanes into your question's category, then you must also include the new drone, the X43 that flies at mach 8+. And even more will go into your list if you allow rocket powered airplanes. like the X-15 (manned) which flew at mach 6+ (aircraft like these were usually air-launched by another airplane however) might also want to include the space shuttle which upon reentry, reaches Mach 25 if you're considering the X15 PS: second XB70 actually did suffer a problem during flightevals and that's why it got retired early. my mistake, XB70 was supposed to do mach 3. no more.

The SR-71, which is capable of a maximum speed of mach 3.2. The declassified pilots operating handbook clearly states that the aircraft is limited to mach 3.2 due to the temperature limitation of 427 degrees Celsius. The POH is easily available online if youd like to read more. The X-15 is not considered an airplane, and it does not hold the record because it cannot take off or land under its own power.

1. X-15, Mach 6.72, 354,200 feet It Is The Fastest Plane In The World

i have to go with the blackbird