There are a few planes that the U.S. Air Force has banned or retired due to their superfast capabilities, safety concerns, or the need for more advanced technologies. These planes may have been incredibly fast, but certain factors led to their retirement or prohibition from active service. Here are a few examples:
1. Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
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Top Speed: Over Mach 3 (around 2,200 mph or 3,540 km/h)
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Reason for Ban: The SR-71 was one of the fastest aircraft ever built, capable of outrunning most threats. However, it was retired in 1998 due to its high operating costs, the advent of new reconnaissance satellites, and the development of newer, more cost-effective technologies. Despite its speed, the SR-71 was banned from active service for these reasons, not because of its performance in the air.
2. North American X-15
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Top Speed: Mach 6.72 (about 4,520 mph or 7,274 km/h)
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Reason for Ban: The X-15 was a rocket-powered aircraft used for experimental purposes. While it set numerous speed and altitude records, it was eventually retired due to its limited practical applications and the risks involved. It was a testbed for high-speed flight and advanced technologies but wasn’t a sustainable military aircraft.
3. Lockheed YF-12
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Top Speed: Mach 3.35 (around 2,275 mph or 3,660 km/h)
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Reason for Ban: The YF-12 was a prototype interceptor based on the SR-71 Blackbird. While it was incredibly fast and capable of high-altitude flight, it was never fully adopted for active service. The U.S. Air Force preferred the development of missile defense systems and phased out the YF-12 in favor of other technologies.
4. McDonnell Douglas F-111
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Top Speed: Mach 2.5 (about 1,650 mph or 2,656 km/h)
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Reason for Ban: The F-111 was a versatile supersonic bomber that faced reliability and maintenance issues throughout its service life. While it was fast, it was eventually retired in favor of newer aircraft like the B-1B Lancer. The F-111’s high maintenance costs and inconsistent performance led to its phased-out status in the Air Force.
5. Concorde (Though not used by the U.S. Air Force, it was banned in U.S. airspace)
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Top Speed: Mach 2.04 (around 1,354 mph or 2,180 km/h)
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Reason for Ban: While not a military aircraft, Concorde was a supersonic passenger jet that had restrictions on flying over U.S. territory due to noise concerns. The sonic boom produced by flying at supersonic speeds over land led to it being banned in U.S. airspace for commercial flights, though military supersonic jets are not subjected to the same restrictions.
These planes were banned or retired primarily for reasons related to cost, safety, technological advancements, or a shift in military priorities, even though they were among the fastest aircraft ever built.
