What was the top speed of the F-100?
The top speed of the F-100 Super Sabre in level flight was about Mach 1.25, roughly 1,320 mph (2,120 km/h). Higher speeds could be reached in dives or with afterburner under testing, but sustained speeds were generally around that level in operational use.
Context and what determines top speed
The F-100 was the United States Air Force’s first purpose-built, production supersonic fighter, entering service in the mid-1950s. Its top speed varied slightly by variant (A through F), payload, altitude, and whether afterburners were used. For consistency, most official speed references quote level-flight, high-altitude performance in Mach terms, with mph and km/h as conversions. The following figures summarize the commonly cited maximums and the conditions under which they were achieved.
Before listing the key figures, note that speed records and specifications can differ slightly by source due to testing methods and flight profile.
- Official level-flight top speed: Mach 1.25 (about 1,320 mph or 2,120 km/h) at high altitude.
- Potential higher speeds in dives: reports from test flights and some pilots indicate the aircraft could approach Mach 1.3–1.4 in steep or controlled dives, though this was not typical for standard operations and was limited by airframe stresses and engine limits.
Before the list: The most widely cited figure for sustained level-flight speed is around Mach 1.25, with approximate conversions provided for common reference altitudes.
Concluding the list-based portion: In practice, pilots operated the F-100 at roughly Mach 1.25 in normal combat and training missions, with brief, tested excursions into higher Mach ranges when conditions allowed.
Variants and speed characteristics
Across its A through F designations, the F-100 family shared a broadly similar ceiling for level-flight speed. The more common performance notes emphasize the level-flight top speed around Mach 1.25, while acknowledging that afterburner-enabled acceleration and dives could yield higher indicated speeds under test conditions.
Key takeaways by condition
The following summarizes how speed is commonly understood for the F-100 in practical terms:
- The F-100’s commonly cited level-flight top speed: approximately Mach 1.25 (about 1,320 mph / 2,120 km/h) at altitude.
- Possible higher speeds: in dives or under afterburner, some test profiles reported near Mach 1.3–1.4, though not representative of normal combat operation.
In context, these figures reflect the F-100’s role as an early supersonic fighter, bridging a gap between subsonic interceptors and more modern supersonic jet fighters. The numbers convey the aircraft’s performance envelope and its era’s flight-testing norms.
Summary
In short, the F-100 Super Sabre could reach about Mach 1.25 in standard level flight, equivalent to around 1,320 mph (2,120 km/h). While dives and afterburner-assisted bursts could push speeds higher in testing, sustained operational speed hovered near the Mach 1.25 mark. The F-100’s speed was a key milestone in the transition to true supersonic air combat for the US Air Force.
How many F-100 were lost in Vietnam?
242 F-100s
242 F-100s of various models were lost over Vietnam. Several F-100As were rebuilt into RF-100A aerial reconnaissance aircraft.
Was the F-100 used in Vietnam?
It had several roles during the Vietnam and Cold War days. In the Vietnam conflict, the warhorse F-100 flew over 360,000 close air support sorties which was more than all other USAF Fighters combined.
Is the SR-71 still the fastest plane ever?
No, the SR-71 is not the fastest plane in service, but it still holds the official world record for the fastest air-breathing, crewed jet aircraft ever flown. Its speed record of 2,193 mph (3,530 km/h) remains unbroken, even though the aircraft was retired in 1999. Other aircraft have been developed since, but the SR-71's speed and altitude records for a crewed, air-breathing jet still stand today.
This video explains how fast the SR-71 was and why it was so fast: 59sWIONYouTube · Jul 14, 2025
- Official records: The SR-71's official speed record was set in 1976 at 2,193 mph, and its altitude record was 85,069 feet.
- Crewed air-breathing jet: The record applies to the fastest crewed, air-breathing jet. Other vehicles, such as experimental and unmanned aircraft or rocket-powered planes, may have reached higher speeds.
- Retirement: The SR-71 was retired in 1999, with its duties being largely taken over by satellites and other reconnaissance methods.
- Enduring legacy: Even after retirement, the SR-71's performance remains a benchmark, and its record-setting speed has not been officially surpassed.
