Top 5 Fastest Missiles in the World [2025 Update]

When we think about missiles, a few key features stand out — striking design, unmatched speed, extraordinary range, and immense destructive power. Developing such a missile requires a great deal of technological expertise, advanced materials, and precision engineering.

Missiles are classified based on their speed into three main categories:

• Subsonic missiles: Below Mach 1
• Supersonic missiles: Between Mach 1 and Mach 5
• Hypersonic missiles: Greater than Mach 5

This article focuses on the fastest missiles in the world — those that achieve hypersonic speeds — and highlights the top five based on their speed, range, payload, and technological capabilities.

What Are Hypersonic Missiles

Hypersonic missiles are capable of traveling at speeds greater than Mach 5, which is over 6,174 kilometers per hour. Their extreme velocity, combined with maneuverability, makes them incredibly difficult to detect or intercept. These missiles can either be glide vehicles or ballistic missiles with hypersonic capabilities.

List of Top 5 Fastest Missiles in the World

Here is the current ranking of the fastest missiles in the world, based on available data and performance characteristics.

Avangard Hypersonic Glide Vehicle

• Country of Origin: Russia
• Type: Hypersonic Glide Vehicle
• Speed: Up to Mach 20
• Range: Over 6,000 kilometers
• Payload: Nuclear warhead, up to 2 megatons
• Launch System: Carried by ballistic missiles like SS-19 Stiletto and RS-28 Sarmat
• Status: Limited operational deployment

The Avangard is a hypersonic glide vehicle developed by Russia. It separates from its launch vehicle at high altitude and then glides at hypersonic speeds within the atmosphere. Its maneuverability and speed make it extremely hard to intercept, even by advanced missile defense systems.

DF-41 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

• Country of Origin: China
• Type: Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
• Speed: Estimated up to Mach 25
• Range: 12,000 to 15,000 kilometers
• Payload: Up to 10 nuclear warheads (MIRV capable)
• Launch Platforms: Road-mobile, rail-mobile, and silo-based
• Status: In development

The DF-41 is China’s most powerful and longest-range ICBM. It uses a three-stage solid-fuel propulsion system and can deliver multiple warheads with high accuracy. Its high speed and mobility make it a strategic asset in China’s nuclear deterrence strategy.

Trident II D5 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile

• Country of Origin: United States, United Kingdom
• Type: Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile
• Speed: Up to Mach 24
• Range: Up to 12,000 kilometers
• Payload: Up to 8 MIRV warheads
• Warhead Types: W76 and W88
• Launch Platform: Ohio-class and Vanguard-class submarines
• Status: Operational

The Trident II D5 is a high-precision missile used by both the United States Navy and the Royal Navy. It is launched from submarines and is a critical component of the nuclear triad, offering second-strike capability.

Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

• Country of Origin: United States
• Type: Land-Based Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
• Speed: Up to Mach 23
• Range: Up to 13,000 kilometers
• Payload: One nuclear warhead
• Launch Platform: Silo-based
• Status: Operational

The Minuteman III is the only land-based ICBM currently in service with the United States. Originally developed in the 1970s, it has been upgraded several times and remains a reliable and accurate part of the U.S. nuclear deterrent.

RS-28 Sarmat Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

• Country of Origin: Russia
• Type: Heavy Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
• Speed: Estimated over Mach 20
• Range: 10,000 to 18,000 kilometers
• Payload: Up to 10 tons, including MIRVs or hypersonic glide vehicles
• Launch Platform: Silo-based
• Status: In development

Known as Satan II in NATO terminology, the RS-28 Sarmat is designed to replace the older SS-18 missiles. It has an enormous payload capacity and can carry multiple nuclear warheads or glide vehicles, allowing it to penetrate even the most advanced missile defense systems.