To determine the 30 fastest modern fighter jets, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed Military Factory’s catalogs of third, fourth, and fifth generation aircraft. We ranked each aircraft by its maximum speed.

In 1976, reconnaissance officer George Morgan, left, and pilot Eldon "Al" Joersz set the world aviation speed record in an Air Force SR-71 Blackbird spy jet. Their record -- 2,193 mph -- still stands.

Private jets have been around for almost as long as jet-powered passenger aircraft have been in the skies. These smaller planes also tend to be faster on the airliners operated by commercial carriers.

On the world stage, the F-22 Raptor is considered one of the most lethal fighter jets. Introduced in 2005, the Raptor ranks as one of the fastest fifth-generation aircraft. 1.

After the F-100 joined the Air Force in 1954, the type was found to offer superior performance to existing U.S. fighters. But the F-100’s aerodynamic deficiencies were also obvious.