Fastest aircraft, rocket-powered

The greatest speed ever reached by an air-launched manned aircraft is 7,274 km/h (4,520 mph), or Mach 6.7, at an altitude of 31,120 m (102,100 ft). The record was set by the experimental X-15A-2 aircraft flown by USAF test pilot Major William "Pete" Knight over California, USA, on 3 October 1967.

Although this is is nearly twice the official FAI air speed record of 3,529.56 km/h. (2,193.17 mph), held by the Lockheed Martin SR-71 'Blackbird', the X-15 flights are not eligible because they were launched from under B-52 bombers, not from a runway under their own power. The X-15 programme was a joint effort between NASA, North American Aviation Inc, the United States Air Force and Navy.