How long would it take the fastest jet to fly around the world? This question involves more than a simple calculation of speed versus distance. Real-world factors and logistical challenges significantly extend the actual flight time. Answering this requires considering both the raw speed of the fastest aircraft and the practical limitations of such a journey.
Understanding Jet Speed
Defining the “fastest jet” involves distinguishing between experimental and operational aircraft. The North American X-15, a hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft, holds the record for the highest speed ever recorded by a crewed, powered aircraft, reaching Mach 6.72 (4,520 mph or 7,274 km/h) in 1967. However, the X-15 was an experimental vehicle with very limited flight duration, making it unsuitable for sustained long-distance flight.
The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is recognized as the fastest operational jet aircraft, capable of sustained flight at Mach 3.2 (over 2,200 mph or 3,500 km/h). It was designed for long-range strategic reconnaissance and could maintain high speeds and altitudes. The SR-71’s sustained high-speed capability makes it a practical, though challenging, candidate for circumnavigation.
The Global Route
The Earth’s equatorial circumference measures approximately 40,075 kilometers (24,901 miles). For long-distance travel, aircraft typically follow a “Great Circle Route.”
A Great Circle Route represents the shortest distance between two points on the surface of a sphere. These routes appear as curved lines on a flat map but are the most direct paths across the Earth’s curved surface. Following such a path minimizes flight time and fuel consumption.
Real-World Flight Considerations
Flying a jet around the world involves significant challenges beyond just speed and distance. Refueling is a primary concern, as no jet can carry enough fuel for a full circumnavigation. Military jets like the SR-71 rely on aerial refueling, a process that requires coordination and adds time. Ground refueling stops necessitate landing, servicing, and taking off, collectively adding hours.
Pilot endurance dictates flight segments, requiring rest periods or multiple crews for extended flights. This means scheduled stops for crew changes, extending the overall duration. Air traffic control and airspace restrictions globally pose additional hurdles, as pilots must navigate designated flight paths and avoid restricted zones, which can lead to detours and delays.
Weather conditions significantly impact flight efficiency and safety. Headwinds can reduce ground speed, prolonging flight times, and avoiding severe weather often necessitates rerouting, adding distance and time. Operational limitations, including pre-flight checks, routine maintenance, and unexpected technical issues, can also cause delays.
Calculating the Circumnavigation
A purely theoretical calculation for circumnavigating the Earth at the equator (approximately 40,075 km) by a jet like the SR-71 (cruising at about Mach 3.2, or 3,500 km/h) would suggest a flight time of roughly 11.45 hours. This figure does not account for real-world constraints, assuming continuous flight at maximum speed without stops or deviations.
Integrating real-world factors dramatically increases this estimate. Even with aerial refueling, the process adds time due to rendezvous with tanker aircraft and slower transfer speeds. Ground stops for maintenance, crew rest, and navigating complex global airspace add substantial hours, if not days. For instance, the fastest non-stop, non-refueled circumnavigation by an airplane, the Rutan Voyager, took over 9 days. The fastest circumnavigation by a passenger aircraft (Concorde with stops) was around 32 hours, and a recent record via both poles in a Gulfstream G650ER jet, including stops, took over 46 hours.
Given the need for multiple refueling operations, crew changes, and navigating global air traffic and weather, a realistic estimate for the fastest jet to circumnavigate the world would likely be in the range of several days. The SR-71’s limited range without refueling means numerous stops would be necessary. A journey of this magnitude would likely take 2 to 4 days, depending on the number and duration of stops and logistical support efficiency.