The early Cold War era saw a focus on high-speed design priorities, but post-Vietnam War records revealed that speeds over Mach 1.8 were rarely used. This is because high-speed flight reduces an aircraft's combat radius by burning fuel and making it less maneuverable.
Even so, some fighter jets still in service boast top speeds of over Mach 2.0, with the MiG-25 Foxbat being the fastest ever made at around Mach 3.1 at altitude.
The Lockheed Martin F-16 family is one of the most successful modern fighter jets, with a proven track record of capability and cost-effectiveness.
Today, the F-16 remains in production as the upgraded F-16 Block 70/72 variant, which offers significant improvements over its predecessors.
Russia's attempts to enter the lower-end fighter jet market have been unsuccessful, with the MiG-35 failing to attract a buyer and the Su-75 appearing to be stalled.
The Saab Gripen is arguably the main F-16 competitor in markets like Thailand, Peru, Brazil, Ukraine, and others.
The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor set the definition of what it meant to be a fifth-generation fighter jet, with its top speed of around Mach 2.25 making it one of the fastest operational jets in service.
Despite being slightly slower than the F-15 Eagle, the F-22 benefits from supercruise capabilities that allow it to fly faster for longer periods.
The development of supersonic fighter jets has significant implications for military strategy and logistics, particularly with regards to range and maneuverability.
The development of supersonic fighter jets has significant implications for military strategy and logistics.
