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The two fastest aircraft in the world are drones and manned aircraft, with the North American X-15 being the fastest manned aircraft ever made, reaching a speed of Mach 6.7. The X-43A drone, with a scramjet engine, holds the title for the fastest aircraft ever made, reaching Mach 10. The Lynx AH Mk.1 helicopter holds the world record for the fastest helicopter, reaching 249 mph.
Although technology is constantly changing and new and improved models of aircraft are being developed, the world currently has two types of aircraft that can be considered the fastest aircraft ever made. These types include drones, meaning remotely controlled aircraft, and manned aircraft, in which at least one pilot flies the aircraft. These aircraft are made and flown for scientific purposes only.
The fastest aircraft controlled by a pilot and cockpit crew was the North American X-15. The X-15 was developed to help scientists explore hypersonic flight, and was flown between 1959 and 1968. Hypersonic speed is considered to be anything in excess of Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound. The X-15 reached a speed of Mach 6.7. In order to achieve speeds great enough to be considered the fastest aircraft in the world, the X-15 had to be launched from another aircraft already in flight.
A few X-15s remain intact and can be seen on display at the US Air Force Museum in Ohio, as well as in Washington DC at the National Air and Space Museum. Neil Armstrong was one of the pilots who flew the North American X-15, helping to make history once again, this time as a pilot of one of the fastest planes in the world. The X-15 made 199 total flights during its years of operation.
Although some very fast aircraft are unmanned, they are still of great importance and utility to the scientific community as well as aircraft enthusiasts. In 2004, NASA released the X-43A, which was an experimental drone. This aircraft reached a speed of 6,600 miles per hour (10,621.7 kilometers per hour), or Mach 10.
The X-43A is different from other aircraft because of its engine. NASA installed a scramjet engine, which helped reduce the plane’s overall weight by eliminating the need for oxygen in flight. During the flight, the plane collects oxygen, which helps it travel faster due to its lighter weight, easily propelling it to the title of fastest plane in the world.
Although it doesn’t compare to airplanes in speed, the fastest helicopter in the world falls under the category of airplanes and deserves mention. Helicopters not only serve an important purpose for entities such as military and rescue missions, but are also developed for demonstrations and tests. The US Army Air Corps, in cooperation with the Qatari government, developed the Lynx AH Mk.1. This helicopter was used for demonstration flights until 1986, when it officially set the world record at 249 mph (400.7 kilometers per hour).
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