This Fighter From the 1970s Is the Fastest Jet in the US Air Force

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24/7 Wall St. Insights:

• The F-15 Eagle and Strike Eagle variant are some of the most iconic and successful fighter jets in the world
• With a top speed over Mach 2, the F-15 can outrun almost anything in the sky.
• Since its introduction, the F-15 has claimed more than 100 air-to-air victories without a single loss in combat
• Also: Dividend legends to hold forever

Developed by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) in the 1970s, the F-15 Eagle and Strike Eagle variant stand as some of the most iconic and successful fighter jets in the world. Not to mention, these are some of the fastest jets in the world, building on a design that dates back roughly half a century. ( Exploring the fastest and most powerful fighter jets in existence. )

With a top speed over Mach 2, the F-15 can outrun almost anything in the sky. Its twin-engine design provides serious thrust, allowing some variants to carry over 16,000 pounds of ordnance, including air-to-air missiles and bombs.

One thing that stands out with this jet is its combat record. Since its introduction, the F-15 has claimed more than 100 air-to-air victories without a single loss in combat.

The F-15 has been used in several conflicts, including Operation Desert Storm, where it proved its air superiority by downing numerous Iraqi aircraft. The Strike Eagle has seen extensive combat as well, especially in ground-attack operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.

Today, both the F-15 and the Strike Eagle remain key components of U.S. air power. However, these are just a couple of the fighter jets that the U.S. Air Force has to offer. Newer fifth-generation aircraft like the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II, are marked by their impressive performance as well. ( This country is buying the most F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, and it's not even close. )

Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the arsenal of the U.S. Air Force. To identify the fastest aircraft in the U.S. Air Force, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication. We ordered these aircraft by top speed. We also included supplemental data on the type of aircraft, armament, and more. We excluded trainer aircraft.

Here is a look at the fastest aircraft in the U.S. Air Force: Why Are We Covering This?

Understanding the aircraft in the US Air Force is important because these aircraft play a pivotal role in maintaining national security and global stability. Each aircraft is designed for specific missions, from air superiority to strategic bombing and reconnaissance, which are essential for defending the country and projecting power abroad. Also knowing which aircraft are in service give context to military capabilities and a better understanding of national defense.

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