How Fast Can A Fighter Jet Fly Across The US?

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Individuals even slightly knowledgeable about the capabilities of a fighter jet are aware of its exceptional speed. Contemporary fighter jets can operate at speeds of Mach 1.8 and higher, rapidly traversing the sky. Recognizing that every fighter jet has unique specifications, numerous factors come into play in determining the time required for a fighter jet to fly across the country. When calculating travel time, it is more practical to consider a specific distance, such as from New York City to Los Angeles.

Those cities are 2,788 miles apart by car, but aircraft can take a more direct route. The distance a fighter jet would need to fly from New York to LA is 2,445 miles. However, that's not the whole story because none of the US' fighter jets can make that distance without refueling - although, stopping to refuel isn't always necessary, as many American military aircraft can refuel in the air.

When we examine the capabilities of a few fighters and compare them, it becomes evident that each has its own unique requirements in terms of time to travel a certain distance, including the need to refuel, and they all have slightly varying capabilities. Legacy aircraft from the 20th century, such as the F-15 Strike Eagle, are exceptionally fast, but how do they compare to newer fighters like the F-22 and F-35?

The 14 Greatest Fighter Planes and Jets of All Time

The F-15E Strike Eagle

The F-15 fighter jets, which have been involved in many campaigns, are superior planes. Although their numbers have substantially decreased in recent years, they remain fast, agile, and highly capable, with impressive abilities.

The F-15E is powered by two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 or 229 engines, which can accelerate the fighter to speeds greater than Mach 2.5 (1,875 mph). However, this top speed is not sustainable for an entire cross-country flight. Instead, the F-15E typically cruises at 575 mph, a speed more typical of long-distance flights. With additional fuel tanks installed, the F-15E can travel 2,400 miles, but running low on fuel, so an aerial refueling would be required to complete a 2,450 mile flight.

That process takes five to ten minutes, so conservatively, refueling will add 10 minutes to the flight duration. To cover the distance, plus the extra time for refueling, an F-15E would have to fly for four hours and 25 minutes. Our calculation doesn't take into account other aircraft in the area, nor does it factor in wind speed, the time to take off and land, or other external factors – it's just the minimum amount of time the aircraft needs to cover the distance from New York to Los Angeles.

The F-22 Raptor

The two aircraft have a significant operating differentiator due to their respective eras. The F-22 is a fifth-generation supersonic twin-engine stealth fighter designed to perform a variety of missions, including ground attack and air superiority, as well as electronic warfare and intelligence gathering. The F-22 is equipped with two Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan engines, each capable of producing 35,000 pounds of thrust.

At its top speed, the F-22 can fly up to Mach 2.25 (1,726 mph), which is slightly slower than the F-15E Strike Eagle's speed. However, the F-22 has a feature called supercruise, which allows it to cruise at a speed of Mach 1.5 or higher (over 1,150 mph). This is much faster than what most fighters can maintain as a cruise speed, allowing for quicker travel over long distances - although needing to stay in supercruise mode for a longer time would consume more fuel.

The F-22 Raptor with two external fuel tanks can fly approximately 1,850 miles. Aerial refueling is also an option, and it typically takes around 10 minutes to completely refuel the plane. In theory, the F-22 could cover the distance across the country in 2 hours and 17 minutes at its top sustained speed. However, maintaining that speed for such a long period is unfeasible due to the excessive fuel consumption. If the F-22 flies at its standard cruising speed of 690 mph, it would realistically take approximately 3 hours and 42 minutes to make the trip.

The F-35A Lightning II

It's also relatively new, having been introduced to inventories in 2015, and there are multiple versions. The Marines operate the F-35B, the Navy flies the F-35C, and the Air Force uses the F-35A, which is the fastest configuration. These variants meet each service's specific challenges, but as a group the F-35 has quickly become the predominant fighter jet flown by the U.S. and its allies.

The F-35A is equipped with a single Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 turbofan engine, which is also used in other variants. This engine produces 43,000 pounds of thrust, enabling the fighter to reach speeds higher than Mach 1.6, or over 1,227.63 mph. In cruising mode, the aircraft flies at Mach 0.86, which is about 659 mph, similar to the speed it would travel to cross the country. The F-35A's capabilities include a range of 1,350 miles, achieved solely through the use of internal fuel tanks, as American-made F-35s do not have external tanks.

Refueling time is around the same as other fighter jets, adding about 10 minutes to the total flight time. So, the F-35A would need 3 hours and 52 minutes to fly from New York to Los Angeles. Its single engine is offset by its advanced F135-PW-100, which is the most advanced single-engine used in a modern fighter, enabling it to cover distances quickly despite the handing challenges.

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