Top Speeds....

[Coors9]

Hello all, I was wondering if anyone knew of a sight that posts top speeds of the 14, 15, 16, 18, and the super 18. Something that looks or is official. This guy I work with says the Tomcat tops out faster than the Eagle (NOT) and the Super Hornet goes .....are you ready.....Mach 3. Mean or not, i'd like to rub it in his face.

[evangilder]

Boeing's website lists the top speed of the F-18 and the super hornet as 1.8+ mach. The F-15 is listed as Mach 2.5

F-18
Boeing: F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Home
the PDF overview lists the top speed.

F/A-18
Boeing: Logistics Support Systems - F/A-18 - F/A-18 Home

F-15E
Boeing: F-15E Strike Eagle

F-15K
Boeing: F-15K Republic of Korea - F-15 Specifications

[evangilder]

F-16 specs from Lockheed
Specifications | Lockheed Martin

[evangilder]

Navy fact file on the F-14
The US Navy -- Fact File

[Coors9]

Thanks , that helps alot. You are the man.....

[evangilder]

You're welcome.

[tail end charlie]

Hello all, I was wondering if anyone knew of a sight that posts top speeds of the 14, 15, 16, 18, and the super 18. Something that looks or is official. This guy I work with says the Tomcat tops out faster than the Eagle (NOT) and the Super Hornet goes .....are you ready.....Mach 3. Mean or not, i'd like to rub it in his face.

Coors

I am not an expert but the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird did mach 3.2+ and concorde cruised mach 2, look at those two airplanes and then look at a super hornet. I am sure it is a great aeroplane but "mach 3" I dont think so. Just imagine if it could do mach 3 off a carrier and having to perform combat manouvers how fast it would be if it was just designed for max speed?

[Civettone]

MiG-25 doesn't look like it could do Mach 3 either but the truth is a different matter. Looks don't tell the whole story.


Kris

[Matt308]

There are many accounts of the SR-71 doing M3.6+ in operational missions. I wish I had my AvWeek quotes of Blackbird pilots where they not they pushed that envelope fairly often. I specifically recall a Nicaragua mission where they did exactly that.

[Matt308]

MiG-25 doesn't look like it could do Mach 3 either but the truth is a different matter. Looks don't tell the whole story.


Kris

and many of those accounts indicate that the MiG also destroyed its engines and was subsequently grounded. I recall reading specifically about a MiG-25 flight over Isreal from Syria that landed in Egypt prematurely.

[FLYBOYJ]

I believe that the MiG-25s that flew these missions exceeded engine EGT and were operating in excess of 105% RPM.

[Matt308]

Yeah as I recall the supposition was they literally melted their first stage.

[mikewint]

I recall an experimental high altitude bomber in the '60s the Valkyrie that was well over mach 3. never in production it was cancelled after the U-2 incident proved Russia had high altitude SAMs and i'm pretty sure the X-15 still holds the speed record though that's a rocket engine

[Civettone]

and many of those accounts indicate that the MiG also destroyed its engines and was subsequently grounded. I recall reading specifically about a MiG-25 flight over Isreal from Syria that landed in Egypt prematurely.

I am quite aware of that, Matt. But my point was merely that aircraft like the MiG-25 may not appear fast but sure are.

Nice to see you again btw Hope you're fine!
Kris

[evangilder]

I recall an experimental high altitude bomber in the '60s the Valkyrie that was well over mach 3. never in production it was cancelled after the U-2 incident proved Russia had high altitude SAMs and i'm pretty sure the X-15 still holds the speed record though that's a rocket engine

Yes, the XB-70 was quite an achievement for the time, but the improved SAMs of the Soviets, rising costs in the program and the relative affordability of ICBMs put an end to it. Shame too, it was a beauty.