Supposing you had any military aircraft at your disposal what is the fastest you could get from NYC to LAX?

Question

taking into account the range of each aircraft given its fuel capacity and its max speed.

Answer 1

This quote from an SR71 pilot,

"If you shot a 30.06 rifle and could sustain the speed of the bullet, the SR71 could beat it to LA from New York."

Out.

Answer 2

The SR-71 actually did this.  It flew from LAX to Washington Dulles airport in 90 minutes, including one inflight refuel.  It was delivered to the new National Air and Space Museum complex near Dulles Airport.  If you flew to New York, it would probably add just a few minutes to the flight.

No other air breathing aircraft could ever come close to that.

Answer 3

The SR71, Blackbird, holds most/all of the jet aircraft speed records. It flew out of Beale AFB in northern CA until about 15 years ago. It cruised at 70-80,000 ft at about 2200mph. So NYC to LAX which is about  2440 direct miles would take about 1hr, 6min assuming they started the speed run at altitude which most of these speed records do AND that there is no wind. I guess when you get to 80,000ft you are above most of the winds. Most speed runs go west to east to take advantage of the jet stream which flows in that direction.

Answer 4

The Fastest Military Airplane is the MiG-25 (Foxbat-R) It holds the record at 2.193.6 MPH. The fuel capacity is about 5270 Kg, enough for about 1900 miles (not very sure if at that speed) the distance from LAX to JFK (NY) is about 2500 miles. You would proably refuel once, that would put you back 20-30 minutes if you want to do it really fast. So I would say you could fly from LAX to JFK in a straight line in about. 1 hour 30 min. This is a pure (maybe far off) estimate.

Answer 5

Hmmm. No jet steam at 70,000 feet me thinks.

Answer 6

An hour or so because you can't have a sonic boom over land. But if you went over the speed of sound in a fighter jet gonig for KJFK to KLAX, probally 23-29 minutes. Ive done it in 25 on a simulation in a F-14. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

Quote: "An hour or so because you can't have a sonic boom over land. But if you went over the speed of sound in a fighter jet gonig for KJFK to KLAX, probally 23-29 minutes. Ive done it in 25 on a simulation in a F-14. Hope this helps."

My God...this is a good example of what not to say when you really have no clue.  First, if you made it in an hour, you'd be traveling far faster than the SR-71 was capable of...fighter or not.  This guy has no clue.  Let him have his simulation.  You most definately can have sonic booms over land and at high altitude no damage will occur.