Some fighter jets are capable of supercruise but only at high altitudes and in a clean configuration, so the term may imply "a significant increase in effective combat speed with a full weapons load over existing types".
Due to its long service as a commercial airliner, Concorde holds the record for the most time spent supersonic; more than all other western aircraft combined.
On 3 August 1954, a Gerfaut research aircraft powered by an SNECMA Atar 101D2A engine exceeded Mach 1 in level flight without using afterburning.
[7] During development testing at English Electric it was established that the Lightning had a stabilized speed capability in level flight, without afterburning, of about Mach 1.2 and for the T.4 (2-seat trainer) 1.08.
[11] The United States Air Force set supercruise as a core requirement for the Advanced Tactical Fighter program,[12] which resulted in the F-22 Raptor.
[13][2] Supercruise capability provides advantages for stealth aircraft because an afterburner plume reflects radar signals and creates a significant infrared signature.