This US Fighter Jet Soars at Mach 2.5

US combat aircraft have widely varying technologies and uses. For example, the slowest US combat aircraft, the AT-802U, manufactured by Air Tractor, is designed to support special operations personnel, such as counter-drug operations. However, the fastest fighter jet can very nearly reach speeds of mach 3 with a top speed of 1,875 miles per hour. (Also see the most widely used fighter jets in the world.)

To identify the fastest and slowest U.S. combat aircraft, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication. We included data on the top speed of these aircraft from Military Factory and ranked them according to this. We also included supplemental data on how many of these aircraft are on order and in active service, as well as what military branches they serve in. We excluded helicopters from this list.

Why We’re Covering This

When it comes to the military, both fast and slow combat aircraft play their parts. Faster aircraft allow more air power and rapid strikes, while slower aircraft are better for support and endurance in battle. Looking at the speed of U.S. combat aircraft reflects the strategic needs and diverse missions of the nation’s military.

Here is a look at the fastest and slowest U.S. combat aircraft:

14. AT-802U

AT-802 (CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED) by Mztourist

• Top speed: 221 mph
• Active aircraft: 0
• Aircraft on order: 75
• Military branches in service: United States Air Force

13. AC-130W

• Top speed: 300 mph
• Active aircraft: 3
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Military branches in service: United States Air Force

12. AC-130J

• Top speed: 416 mph
• Active aircraft: 29
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Military branches in service: United States Air Force

11. A-10C

• Top speed: 439 mph
• Active aircraft: 270
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Military branches in service: United States Air Force

10. B-52H

• Top speed: 595 mph
• Active aircraft: 72
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Military branches in service: United States Air Force

9. B-21

• Top speed: 621 mph
• Active aircraft: 0
• Aircraft on order: 100
• Military branches in service: United States Air Force

8. B-2

• Top speed: 628 mph
• Active aircraft: 17
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Military branches in service: United States Air Force

7. AV-8B/+

• Top speed: 665 mph
• Active aircraft: 87
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Military branches in service: United States Marine Corps

6. B-1B

• Top speed: 833 mph
• Active aircraft: 42
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Military branches in service: United States Air Force

5. F/A-18 A/C/D/E/F

USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) c... (CC BY 2.0) by Official U.S. Navy Page

• Top speed: 1,190 mph
• Active aircraft: 561
• Aircraft on order: 76
• Military branches in service: United States Navy, United States Marine Corps

4. F-35 A/B/C

• Top speed: 1,199 mph
• Active aircraft: 376
• Aircraft on order: 1,855
• Military branches in service: United States Air Force, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps

3. F-16C

• Top speed: 1,317 mph
• Active aircraft: 738
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Military branches in service: United States Air Force

2. F-22

• Top speed: 1,599 mph
• Active aircraft: 178
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Military branches in service: United States Air Force

1. F-15C/E/EX

• Top speed: 1,875 mph
• Active aircraft: 377
• Aircraft on order: 102
• Military branches in service: United States Air Force