Military aircraft have the ability to fly at great altitudes, but their limits depend on the type of aircraft and whether they are in flight or not. The SR-71 “Blackbird,” X-15, and MiG E-266M are all contenders for the title of fastest and highest-flying manned aircraft in the world. These records were set during the Cold War arms race of the 1960s and 1970s and have yet to be broken.
However, flying higher isn’t necessarily the primary focus of military aviation. According to PhysLink.com, most US military aircraft can exceed an altitude of 15,240 m, although their exact limits are classified information. Commercial jets typically have altitude limits of around 13,106 m, requiring pressurization at higher altitudes. As aircraft ascend into the atmosphere, oxygen levels decrease, necessitating pressurization for both the aircraft and the pilot.
The U2 reconnaissance aircraft is known to fly at altitudes above 21,366 m and possibly even up to 27,432 m. Stealth bombers typically cruise at 15,240 m, while the Russian MiG-31 has the highest altitude limit of any fighter aircraft currently in operation, at 25,000 m.
The X-15 holds records for both speed and altitude and remains
