Tupolev Tu-123 Yastreb
Overview π· Photo: Sergey Ryabtsev, via Wikimedia Commons (GFDL 1.2) The Tupolev Tu-123 Yastreb (“Hawk”), officially designated DBR-1, was a […]
1960s-1970s: Cold War Speed Race
The raw speed race: Mach 3 interceptors, the SR-71 and MiG-25 staring each other down, variable-sweep wings, and the first supersonic airliners.
Lockheed D-21
Overview π· Photo: U.S. Air Force / National Museum of the United States Air Force (public domain) The Lockheed D-21
Lockheed A-12 OXCART
The CIA’s single-seat, Mach 3.35 predecessor to the SR-71. Flew operational reconnaissance over North Vietnam in 1967β68 before being retired in favour of the Air Force’s SR-71.
Mitsubishi T-2
Japan’s first indigenous supersonic aircraft β a 1970s supersonic trainer that became the basis for the F-1 strike fighter and re-established Japanese fighter manufacturing.
Northrop YF-17 Cobra
The F-16’s losing rival in the Lightweight Fighter program β but in losing, it became the F/A-18 Hornet and one of the most successful carrier fighters in history.
Lockheed Have Blue
The classified proof-of-concept demonstrator that proved faceted stealth worked. Two were built, both crashed, but the program led directly to the F-117.
Mitsubishi F-1
Overview π· Photo: Wikimedia Commons / JASDF The Mitsubishi F-1 was Japan’s first domestically designed and built supersonic combat aircraft.
Dassault Mirage 5
Overview π· Photo: Wikimedia Commons The Dassault Mirage 5 is a French supersonic attack aircraft and fighter-bomber designed by Dassault
HAL HF-24 Marut
Overview π· Photo: Wikimedia Commons The HAL HF-24 Marut (“Spirit of the Tempest”) holds the distinction of being India’s first
Dassault Mirage 4000
Overview π· Photo: Wikimedia Commons The Dassault Mirage 4000 (sometimes called the Super Mirage 4000) is a French prototype twin-engine