Fastest plane in the world

The word ‘speed’ has always fascinated mankind. Irrespective of whether it’s the fastest car or the fastest animal on Earth, the word ‘fastest’ does trigger and adrenaline rush in our body. One can think how fast the fastest plane of the world is. In the fastest categories, the “Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird” has made to be the fastest manned plane in the world.
The Lockheed SR-71 is an advanced, long range, Mach 3++ plane developed by the Lockheed Skunk Works. The word ‘Mach 3++’ means the ability of this aircraft to clock speed that is three times the speed of sound. It was designed by famous aircraft engineer Clarence “Kelly” Johnson. The plane took its first flight on 22nd December 1964. Over the period of time, those aircrafts were manufactured, which were primarily used by the United States Air Force (USAF) and the NASA. In fact, it was used for defense by USAF due to its high speed and operating altitude. It created history with record of an amazing speed of 2,193.167mph over a straight course. It was finally retired from the service in 1988. But none of the plane could meet its speed.
The NASA’s aircraft called X-43 was the top speed in unmanned plane section. It does not take off from the land like other planes. It is launched at an altitude of around 40,000 feet. It became fastest unmanned plane in 16th November 2004, by clocking the unbelievable speed of Mach 9+ (9 times greater speed than the speed of sound). The plane was powered by scramjet engine and had reached speed of Mach 9.8 during test.
Now-a-days, the technology of the fastest manned plane in the world is being used in other planes, which now gives the speed of Mach 2+. But, there is no other fastest aircraft than Lockheed SR-71, till today, as manned aircraft.