TOP 10 Fastest Fighter Jets
Channel: THE 10
Date: 20/06/2020

Subscribe for more!

The evolution of the speeds of combat aircraft in general and combat aircraft in particular were a direct result of the experiences of various air-forces in combat situations over the years.

The main reason for the stress on speed of combat aircraft (at least in initial cases) was due to the lessons learned in the WWII, where extra speed can make the difference between life and death.

After the jets went supersonic, the main reason to have high speeds is for the purpose of interception of enemy aircraft. Speed was the most important requirement in case of combat aircraft (interceptors) half a century ago as the interceptor had to bring the intruder under its range (whether guns or guided missiles). However, the (interceptor) aircraft rarely flew supersonic and as the radars and missiles became advanced, the importance of speed diminished.

Another important reason was to escape from the missiles, especially the surface to air missiles. The idea was that the aircraft can outrun the missile, at least at an altitude.