Military supersonic planes represent the pinnacle of speed, power and capability in aviation technology. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore 15 in-service supersonic military aircraft spanning key roles like air superiority, bombing, and multi-role missions.
Air Superiority Fighters
Air superiority fighters secure control of airspace through speed, agility and advanced armaments. They can swiftly outmaneuver opponents and leverage cutting-edge avionics to gain the tactical edge.
F-22 Raptor
The F-22 Raptor reigns as the US Air Force‘s premier air dominance fighter. Powered by twin F119-PW-100 turbofan engines that enable supersonic cruise without afterburners, the Raptor reaches blistering speeds up to Mach 2.25 (1,500 mph). Advanced thrust vectoring delivers unmatched agility for evading attacks and winning dogfights.
Stealth advantages are monumental – the F-22‘s radar cross section is just 1/40th that of 4th generation fighters like the F-15. Sensor fusion grants Raptor pilots a 360-degree view of the battlespace, enabling them to detect threats and strike before being noticed. Internal bays can conceal 6 AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles along with 2 AIM-9 Sidewinders to control the skies.
Sukhoi Su-57
Russia‘s premier 5th generation stealth fighter, the Su-57 entered active duty in 2020 after lengthy development. Twin Saturn AL-41F1 turbofans push the Su-57 to speeds exceeding Mach 2 even with a full armaments payload.
Cutting-edge avionics like the Sh121 multifunctional integrated radio electronic system and 101KS Atoll infrared search and track system ensure the Su-57 remains aware of threats hundreds of miles out. The 101KS also enables helmet-mounted targeting for close combat. Ten internal weapons bays give flexibility with medium and short-range missiles, guided bombs, and cannons.
Thrust vectoring nozzles paired with advanced flight controls allow the Su-57 to outmaneuver virtually any opposing aircraft. These fused capabilities make the Su-57 a formidable air superiority asset.
Eurofighter Typhoon
The Eurofighter Typhoon delivers superlative speed and agility as Europe‘s largest multinational defense program. Produced by Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo, over 600 Typhoons safeguard European airspace today.
Two Eurojet EJ200 turbofan engines push the Typhoon to Mach 2 speeds without afterburners via supercruise technology. Thrust vectoring and a flight control system attuned to pilot inputs make the Typhoon one of the world’s most maneuverable fighters in dogfights.
Advanced weaponry like the infrared-guided ASRAAM missile along with the radar-guided AMRAAM and air-to-surface weapons enable Typhoons to swiftly neutralize threats. Defensive aids include chaff, flares and towed radar decoys to divert incoming missiles. With these assets, Typhoons dominate patrols across Europe and the Middle East.
Bombers
Strategic bombers specialize in carrying heavy ordnance payloads on long-range sorties measured in thousands of miles. Their speed and armaments make them a cornerstone of nuclear triad deterrence along with flexible conventional strike options.
B-1B Lancer
Originally envisioned to penetrate Soviet airspace for nuclear strikes at high speed, the B-1B Lancer today serves as America’s strategic heavy bomber. Four General Electric F101 turbofan engines push the Lancer to blistering Mach 1.25 speeds at up to 50,000 feet.
Despite lacking stealth, upgraded Lancers remain vital with long loiter times and the RG-111 offensive avionics system to locate targets from standoff distances. A cavernous payload bay carries 75,000 pounds of guided and unguided bombs, far exceeding the capacity of stealth bombers.
Lancers have flown thousands of close air support, interdiction and strategic bombing missions over Serbia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria using smart bombs like the JDAM. Originally built for nuclear gravity bombs, conventional rotary launchers now fill Lancer bays. Modernization will keep the venerable Lancer flying missions until 2040.
Tu-160 Blackjack
The Tu-160 Blackjack represents Russia’s lasting heavy supersonic bomber built for standoff nuclear missile strikes. Production began in 1980 under the Soviet Union – today about 60 upgraded Tu-160M variants remain in service.
Four powerful NK-32 turbofans push the Blackjack to blistering Mach 2.05 speeds – one of the fastest bombers ever mass produced along with the retired B-58 Hustler. Long swept wings spanning 55 meters coupled with aerial refueling deliver global reach up to 14,000 kilometers without entering enemy airspace.
While the original Tu-160 carried nuclear-tipped missiles, upgraded Tu-160Ms today employ long-range precision guided conventional weapons. Radar and optic targeting enable pinpoint strikes from safe standoff distances. With upgrades slated through 2030, Russia‘s Blackjack will continue as a strategic bomber anchor for years to come.
Multi-Role Fighters
Multi-role fighters blend speed and flexibility to achieve both air superiority and ground attack missions. Their balanced capabilities allow engagement of threats wherever they emerge – in the skies or on the ground.
Dassault Rafale
France‘s cutting-edge Rafale brings finessed aerodynamics, advanced avionics and integrated electronic warfare to simultaneously secure air dominance and strike ground targets. Twin Snecma M88 turbofans push the Rafale to Mach 1.8+ speeds with supercruise capability. Thrust vectoring and relaxed stability design make the Rafale one of the most agile modern fighters during dogfights and evasive maneuvers.
Radar-guided weapons like the Mica missile and zero-escapement Meteor missile combined with the Thales SPECTRA defensive suite give Rafales the tools needed to prevail in beyond-visual-range missile duels. Precision guided bombs and cruise missiles take the fight to ground targets when called for during multi-role missions.
Today over 200 Rafales serve France and 8 export customers. Ongoing modernization efforts will see integration of hypersonic missiles along and directed energy weapons to the Rafale’s versatile arsenal throughout the 2030s.
MiG-29
The Soviet-designed MiG-29 has secured airspace as Russia’s mainstay 4th generation air superiority fighter since the 1980s, offering robust speed, electronics and armaments. Over 1,600 have entered service across 3 dozen countries to date.
Twin bypass turbofans push the MiG-29 to Mach 2.3 speeds with an initial climb rate over 330 meters per second. Fly-by-wire controls make the MiG-29 exceptionally agile in short-range swirling dogfights. A modern glass cockpit includes HOTAS functionality to reduce pilot workload.
Modern variants add multi-role ground attack capabilities via air-to-surface missiles and guided bombs while expanding aerial targeting and situational awareness. Ongoing upgrades integrate AESA radar, inertial navigation and digital datalinks. Overhauled MiG-29s will fly missions for Russia and allies through 2040 and beyond.
A Formidable Force
From stealthy air superiority fighters like the F-22 Raptor able to control huge swaths of airspace to versatile multi-role aircraft like the Rafale, military supersonic planes deliver unmatched speed, lethality and capability. Bombers like the Tu-160 Blackjack and B-1B Lancer specialize in heavy ordnance delivery over strategic distances.
Ongoing research by defense contractors will further expand performance thresholds in areas like speed, stealth and computing power. Hypersonic aircraft traveling at over Mach 5 are now under active testing, heralding a new generation to come. But even as cutting-edge platforms emerge, existing supersonic stalwarts will continue anchoring air operations as vital strategic assets for militaries worldwide.
