List of military aircraft of the United States

United States military aircraft
Active aircraft Future aircraft
Airships Anti-submarine aircraft Bomber aircraft Attack aircraft Command and control aircraft Electronic warfare aircraft Experimental aircraft Fighter aircraft Patrol aircraft Reconnaissance Tankers Trainers Transport aircraft Utility aircraft Military helicopters UAVs

This list of military aircraft of the United States includes prototype, pre-production, and operational types. For aircraft in service, see the List of active United States military aircraft. Prototypes are normally prefixed with "X" and are often unnamed (note that these are not the same as the experimental X-planes, which are not generally expected to go into production), while pre-production models are usually prefixed with "Y".

The United States military employs a designation and naming system to provide identifications to all aircraft types. Until 1962, the United States Army, United States Air Force (formerly Army Air Force), and United States Navy all maintained separate systems. In September 1962,^[1] these were unified into a single system heavily reflecting the Air Force method. For more complete information on the workings of this system, refer to United States Department of Defense Aerospace Vehicle Designations.

This list does not include aircraft used by the U.S. military services prior to the establishment of a numerical designation system. For these aircraft, see List of military aircraft of the United States (1909–1919). It also does not include aircraft designated under the pre-1962 United States Navy designation system. For these aircraft, see List of military aircraft of the United States (naval).

A collection of NASA experimental aircraft, including (clockwise from left) the X-31, F-15 ACTIVE, SR-71, F-106, F-16XL, X-38, Radio Controlled Mothership, and X-36.

Prior to 1919

Main article: List of military aircraft of the United States (1909-1919)

Prior to 1919, all planes flown by the Army Air Service and the Navy were referred to by the designation given to them by their manufacturer. A variety of both domestic and foreign types were operated, with the latter being the primary front-line types during the First World War.

Army Air Service, 1919–1924

Curtiss PW-8

In September 1919, the Army Air Service decided that it needed an organized designation sequence, and adopted fifteen classifications, designated by Roman numerals. Several other unnumbered designations were added later. Each designation was assigned an abbreviation, and each design a number within that abbreviation. Variants were designated by alphabetically appending letters to the design number.

Type O: Foreign-Built Pursuit Aircraft

Fokker D.VII – Fokker
Fokker D.VIII – Fokker

Type I: Pursuit, water-cooled

PW-1 – Engineering Division
PW-2 – Loening
PW-3 – Orenco
PW-4 – Gallaudet
PW-5 – Fokker
PW-6 – Fokker
PW-7 – Fokker
PW-8 – Curtiss
PW-9 – Boeing

Type II: Pursuit, night

PN-1 – Curtiss

Type III: Pursuit, air-cooled

PA-1 – Loening

Type IV: Pursuit, ground attack, 1922

PG-1 – Aeromarine

Type V: Two-seat pursuit

TP-1 – Engineering Division

Type VI: Ground attack, 1920–1922

GA-1 – Boeing
GA-2 – Boeing

Type VII: Infantry liaison

IL-1 – Orenco

Type VIII: Night observation

NO-1 – Douglas
NO-2 – Douglas

Type IX: Artillery observation

AO-1 – Atlantic

Type X: Corps observation

CO-1 – Engineering Division
CO-2 – Engineering Division
CO-3 – Engineering Division
CO-4 – Atlantic
CO-5 – Engineering Division
CO-6 – Engineering Division
CO-7 – Boeing
CO-8 – Atlantic

Type XI: Day bombardment

DB-1 – Gallaudet

Type XII: Night bombardment, short range

NBS-1 – Martin (originally designated MB-2)
NBS-2 – Lowe-Willard-Fowler
NBS-3 – Elias
NBS-4 – Curtiss

Type XIII: Night bombardment, long range

NBL-1 – Witteman-Lewis
NBL-2 – Martin

Type XIV: Trainer, air-cooled

TA-1 – Elias
TA-2 – Huff-Daland
TA-3 – Dayton-Wright Aircraft
TA-4 – Engineering Division
TA-5 – Dayton-Wright Aircraft
TA-6 – Huff-Daland

Type XV: Trainer, water-cooled

TW-1 – Engineering Division
TW-2 – Cox-Klemin
TW-3 – Dayton-Wright Aircraft
TW-4 – Fokker
TW-5 – Huff-Daland

Ambulance, 1919–1924

A-1 – Cox-Klemin
A-2 – Fokker

Messenger

M-1 – Engineering Division/Sperry

Pursuit, special

PS-1 – Dayton-Wright

Racer

Verville-Sperry R-3

R-1 – Alfred V. Verville
R-2 – Thomas-Morse
R-3 – Verville-Sperry
R-4 – Loening
R-5 – Thomas-Morse
R-6 – Curtiss
R-7 – Engineering Division
R-8 – Curtisss

Seaplane

S-1 – Loening

Transport

T-1 – Martin
T-2 – Fokker
T-3 – Lowe-Willard-Fowler

Army Air Corps/Army Air Forces/Air Force 1924–1962

A-3 Falcon

Attack, 1924–1948

A-1 – skipped to prevent confusion with Cox-Klemin XA-1
A-2 – Douglas
A-3 Falcon – Curtiss
A-4 Falcon – Curtiss
A-5 Falcon – Curtiss
A-6 Falcon – Curtiss
A-7 – Fokker
A-8 – Curtiss
A-9 – Lockheed
A-10 Shrike – Curtiss
A-11 – Consolidated
A-12 Shrike – Curtiss
A-13 – Northrop
A-14 – Curtiss
A-15 – Martin
A-16 – Northrop
A-17 Nomad – Northrop
A-18 Shrike – Curtiss
A-19 – Vultee
A-20 Havoc – Douglas (redesignated as B-20 in 1948)
A-20 Havoc
A-21 – Stearman
A-22 – Martin (assigned but none served with AAF)
A-23 Baltimore – Martin
A-24 Banshee – Douglas (redesignated as F-24 in 1948)
A-25 Shrike – Curtiss
A-26 Invader – Douglas (redesignated as B-26 in 1948, then as A-26 in 1966)
A-27 – North American
A-28 Hudson – Lockheed
A-29 Hudson – Lockheed
A-30 – Martin (assigned to allow supply to the UK under Lend-lease)
A-31 Vengeance – Vultee
A-32 – Brewster
A-33 – Douglas
A-34 – Brewster
A-35 Vengeance – Vultee
A-36 Apache/Invader – North American
A-37 – Hughes
A-38 Grizzly – Beechcraft
A-39 – Kaiser-Fleetwings
A-40 – Curtiss
A-41 – Vultee
A-42 Mixmaster – Douglas
A-43 Blackhawk – Curtiss-Wright
A-44 – Convair
A-45 – Martin

Bomber

Huff-Daland LB-1

Until 1926, the Army Air Service had three sequences for bombers. Light bombers were indicated by the LB- prefix, medium bombers by the B- prefix, and heavy bombers by the HB- prefix. In 1926, the three-category system was scrapped and all bombers subsequently built were placed in the B- sequence.

Light Bomber, 1924–1926

LB-1 – Huff-Daland (later Keystone)
LB-2 – Atlantic Aircraft Corporation (Fokker Aircraft Corp after 1925)
LB-3 – Keystone
Martin LB-4 – serial number assigned but prototype not built
LB-5 – Keystone
LB-6 – Keystone
LB-7 – Keystone
LB-8 – Keystone
LB-9 – Keystone
LB-10 – Keystone
LB-11 – Keystone
LB-12 – Keystone
LB-13 – Keystone
LB-14 – Keystone

Medium Bomber, 1924–1926

B-1 – Huff-Daland
B-2 Condor – Curtiss

Heavy Bomber, 1924–1926

HB-1 – Huff-Daland
HB-2 – Atlantic/Fokker
HB-3 – Huff-Daland

Unified bomber sequence, 1926–1962

Martin B-10B

B-1 – Huff-Daland/Keystone
B-2 Condor – Curtiss
B-3 – Keystone
B-4 – Keystone
B-5 – Keystone
B-6 – Keystone
B-7 – Douglas
B-8 – Fokker
B-9 – Boeing
B-10 – Martin
B-11 – Douglas
B-12 – Martin
B-13 – Martin
B-14 – Martin
B-15 – Boeing
B-16 – Martin
B-17 Flying Fortress – Boeing
B-18 Bolo – Douglas
B-19 – Douglas
B-20 – Boeing
B-20 Havoc – Douglas (designation of A-20 Havoc from 1948 to 1949)
B-21 – North American
B-22 – Douglas
B-23 Dragon – Douglas
B-24 Liberator – Consolidated
B-24 Liberator
B-25 Mitchell – North American
B-26 Marauder – Martin
B-26 Invader – Douglas – designation of A-26 Invader from 1948 to 1966
B-27 – Martin
B-28 Dragon – North American
B-29 Superfortress – Boeing
B-30 – Lockheed
B-31 – Douglas
B-32 Dominator – Consolidated
B-33 Super Marauder – Martin
B-34 Lexington – Lockheed
B-35 – Northrop
B-36 Peacemaker – Convair
B-37 – Lockheed
B-38 Flying Fortress – Boeing
B-39 Superfortress – Boeing
B-40 Flying Fortress – Boeing
B-41 Liberator – Consolidated
B-42 Mixmaster – Douglas
B-43 Jetmaster – Douglas
B-44 Superfortress – Boeing
B-45 Tornado – North American
B-46 – Convair
B-47 Stratojet – Boeing
B-48 – Martin
B-49 – Northrop
B-50 Superfortress – Boeing
B-51 – Martin
B-52 Stratofortress – Boeing
JB-52E Stratofortress
B-53 – Convair
B-54 – Boeing
B-55 – Boeing
B-56 – Boeing
B-57 Canberra – Martin
B-58 Hustler – Convair
B-59 – Boeing
B-60 – Convair
B-61 Matador – Martin (redesignated as TM-61, then MGM-1)
B-62 Snark – Northrop (redesignated as SM-62)
B-63 RASCAL – Bell (redesignated as GAM-63)
B-64 Navaho – North American (redesignated as SM-64)
B-65 Atlas – Convair (redesignated as SM-65)
B-66 Destroyer – Douglas
B-67 Crossbow – Radioplane (redesignated as GAM-67)
B-68 – Martin
B-68 Titan – Martin (redesignated as SM-68)
B-69 Neptune – Lockheed
B-70 Valkyrie – North American
SR-71 Blackbird – Lockheed^[2]

Beginning with #69, the "M-" (missile) and "B-" (bomber) series diverged. The missiles designated M-69 to M-92, some of which are incorrectly labeled as "formerly designated B-xx" in some sources, never used a "B-" series designation.

Bomber, long range, 1935–1936

A short-lived designation used from 1935–1936 to refer to three long-range bomber projects commissioned by the Army Air Corps. Most of the bombers were night bombers.

BLR-1 – Boeing (redesignated as XB-15)
BLR-2 – Douglas (redesignated as XB-19)
BLR-3 – Sikorsky

Cargo, 1924–1962

Douglas C-1 refueling Fokker C-2

C-1 – Douglas
C-2 – Fokker
C-3 – Ford
C-4 – Ford
C-5 – Fokker
C-6 – Sikorsky
C-7 – Fokker
C-8 – Fairchild
C-9 – Ford
C-10 Robin – Curtiss-Wright
C-11 Fleetster – Consolidated
C-12 Vega – Lockheed
C-13 – not used
C-14 – Fokker
C-15 – Fokker
C-16 – Fokker
C-17 Super Vega – Lockheed
C-18 Monomail – Boeing
C-19 Alpha – Northrop
C-20 – Fokker
C-21 Dolphin – Douglas
C-22 Fleetster – Consolidated
C-23 Altair – Lockheed
C-24 – American/Fairchild
C-25 Altair – Lockheed
C-26 Dolphin – Douglas
C-27 Airbus – Bellanca
C-28 – Sikorsky
Sikorsky C-28
C-29 Dolphin – Douglas
C-30 Condor – Curtiss-Wright
C-31 – Kreider-Reisner
C-32 – Douglas
C-33 – Douglas
C-34 – Douglas
C-35 Electra – Lockheed
C-36 Electra – Lockheed
C-37 Electra – Lockheed
C-38 – Douglas
C-39 – Douglas
C-40 Electra – Lockheed
C-41 – Douglas
C-42 – Douglas
C-43 Traveller – Beechcraft
C-44 – Messerschmitt
C-45 Expeditor – Beechcraft
C-46 Commando – Curtiss-Wright
C-47 Skytrain – Douglas
C-47 Skytrain
C-48 Skytrain – Douglas
C-49 Skytrain – Douglas
C-50 Skytrain – Douglas
C-51 Skytrain – Douglas
C-52 Skytrain – Douglas
C-53 Skytrooper – Douglas
C-54 Skymaster – Douglas
C-55 Commando – Curtiss-Wright
C-56 Lodestar – Lockheed
C-57 Lodestar – Lockheed
C-58 Bolo – Douglas
C-59 Lodestar – Lockheed
C-60 Lodestar – Lockheed
C-61 Forwarder – Fairchild
C-62 – Waco
C-63 Hudson – Lockheed
C-64 Norseman – Noorduyn
C-65 Skycar – Stout
C-66 Lodestar – Lockheed
C-67 Dragon – Douglas
C-68 – Douglas
C-69 Constellation – Lockheed
C-70 Nightingale – Howard
C-71 Executive – Spartan
C-72 – Waco
C-73 – Boeing
C-74 Globemaster – Douglas
C-74 Globemaster
C-75 – Boeing
C-76 Caravan – Curtiss-Wright
C-77 – Cessna
C-78 Bobcat – Cessna
C-79 – Junkers
C-80 – Harlow
C-81 Reliant – Stinson
C-82 Packet – Fairchild
C-83 Coupe – Piper
C-84 – Douglas
C-85 Orion – Lockheed
C-86 Forwarder – Fairchild
C-87 Liberator Express – Consolidated
C-88 – Fairchild
C-89 – Hamilton
C-90 – Luscombe
C-91 – Stinson
C-92 – Akron-Funk
C-93 Conestoga – Budd
C-94 – Cessna
C-95 Grasshopper – Taylorcraft
C-96 – Fairchild
C-97 Stratofreighter – Boeing
C-97 Stratofreighter
- KC-97 Stratofreighter – Boeing
C-98 Clipper – Boeing
C-99 – Convair
C-100 Gamma – Northrop
C-101 Vega – Lockheed
C-102 Sportster – Rearwin
C-103 – Grumman
C-104 – Lockheed
C-105 – Boeing
C-106 – Cessna
C-107 Skycar – Stout
C-108 Flying Fortress – Boeing
C-109 Liberator Express – Consolidated
C-110 – Douglas
C-111 Super Electra – Lockheed
C-112 – Douglas
C-113 Commando – Curtiss-Wright
C-114 Skymaster – Douglas
C-115 Skymaster – Douglas
C-116 Skymaster – Douglas
C-117 Super Skytrain – Douglas
C-118 Liftmaster – Douglas
C-119 Flying Boxcar – Fairchild
C-120 Packplane – Fairchild
C-121 Constellation – Lockheed
- YC-121F Constellation – Lockheed
C-122 Avitruc – Chase
C-123 Provider – Fairchild
- XC-123A – Chase
C-124 Globemaster II – Douglas
From left to right: C-141, C-130, and C-124 with Mt. St. Helens in the background
C-125 Raider – Northrop
C-126 – Cessna
C-127 – Boeing
C-128 Flying Boxcar – Fairchild
C-129 Super Skytrain – Douglas
C-130 Hercules – Lockheed
C-131 Samaritan – Convair
C-132 – Douglas
C-133 Cargomaster – Douglas
C-134 – Stroukoff
C-135 Stratolifter – Boeing
- KC-135 Stratotanker – Boeing
C-136 – Fairchild
C-137 Stratoliner – Boeing
- C-138 – reserved for Fokker F27, but never assigned
C-139 – Lockheed
C-140 Jetstar – Lockheed
C-141 Starlifter – Lockheed
C-142 – Vought
- C-143 – reserved for what would become the X-19, but never officially assigned
C-143 MRC2A – Bombardier Challenger CL-604 for US Coast Guard Medium Range Command and Control Aircraft^[3]
C-144 Ocean Sentry – CASA CN-235 300CG for US Coast Guard Medium Range Surveillance Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MRS MPA)^[3]
C-145 Skytruck - PZL M28 for special operations.
C-146 - Dornier 328 for special operations.

Drone

Culver PQ-8A

Aerial Target

1922–1935

GL-1 Unmanned Coastal Artillery Target Glider - McCook Field Engineering Section
GL-2 Manned Aerial Target Glider - McCook Field Engineering Section
GL-3 Unmanned Aerial Target Glider (also known as "G-3") - McCook Field Engineering Section

1940–1941

A-1 – Fleetwings
A-2 – Radioplane
A-3 – Curtiss
A-4 – Douglas
A-5 – Boeing
A-6 – Douglas
A-7 Airacobra – Bell
A-8 Cadet – Culver

1942–1948

PQ-8 Cadet – Culver
PQ-9 – Culver
PQ-10 – Culver
PQ-11 – Fletcher
PQ-12 – Fleetwings
PQ-13 – ERCO
PQ-14 Cadet – Culver
PQ-15 – Culver

Aerial Target (Model Airplane), 1942–1948

Radioplane OQ-2A

OQ-2 – Radioplane
OQ-3 – Radioplane/Frankfort
OQ-4 – Brunswick-Balke-Collender
OQ-5 – contractor unknown
OQ-6 – Radioplane
OQ-7 – Radioplane
OQ-11 – Simmonds Aerocessories
OQ-12 – Radioplane
OQ-13 – Radioplane
OQ-14 – Radioplane/Frankfort
OQ-16
OQ-17 – Radioplane
OQ-18
OQ-19 Quail – Radioplane

Controllable bomb, 1942–1945

BQ-1 – Fleetwings
BQ-2 – Kaiser-Fleetwings
BQ-3 – Fairchild
BQ-3 – Fairchild
BQ-4 – Interstate
BQ-5 – Interstate
BQ-6 – Interstate
BQ-7 Aphrodite – Boeing
BQ-8 Liberator – Consolidated^[4]

Target Control, 1942–1948

CQ-1 – Fletcher
CQ-2 – Stinson
CQ-3 Expeditor – Beechcraft
CQ-4 Flying Fortress – Boeing

Unified sequence, 1948–1962

Q-1 – Radioplane
Q-2 Firebee – Ryan
Q-3 – Radioplane
Q-4 – Northrop
Q-5 Kingfisher – Lockheed
Q-6 – Wright Air Development Center
- Q-7 – skipped: request for redesignation of QB-17 not approved
Q-8 Cadet Culver
- Q-8 – request for redesignation of QF-80 not approved
Q-9 – WADC
Q-10 – Radioplane
Q-11 – WADC
Q-12 – Beechcraft
Q-14 Cadet – Culver

Glider

Assault Glider, 1942–1944

AG-1 – Christopher
AG-2 – Timm

Bomb Glider, 1942–1944

BG-1 – Fletcher
BG-2 – Fletcher
BG-3 – Cornelius

Cargo Glider, 1941–1948

Waco CG-4A

CG-1 – Frankfort
CG-2 – Frankfort
CG-3 – Waco
CG-4 Hadrian – Waco
CG-5 – St. Louis
CG-6 – St. Louis
CG-7 – Bowlus-DuPont/Douglas
CG-8 – Bowlus-DuPont/Douglas
CG-9 – AGA Aviation
CG-10 Trojan Horse – Laister-Kauffman
CG-11 – Snead
CG-12 – Read-York
CG-13 – Waco
CG-14 – Chase
CG-15 Hadrian – Waco
CG-16 – General Airborne Transport
CG-17 – Douglas
CG-18 – Chase
CG-19 – Douglas
CG-20 – Chase

Fuel Glider, 1930–1948

FG-1 – Cornelius

Powered Glider, 1943–1948

PG-1 – Northwestern
PG-2 – Ridgefield
PG-3 – Waco

Training Glider, 1941–1948

Schweitzer TG-3A

TG-1 – Frankfort
TG-2 – Schweizer
TG-3 – Schweizer
TG-4 – Laister-Kauffman
TG-5 Grasshopper – Aeronca
TG-6 Grasshopper – Taylorcraft
TG-7 Orlik – Kocjan
TG-8 Grasshopper – Piper
TG-9 – Briegleb
TG-10 – Wichita Engineering
TG-11 – Schempp-Hirth
TG-12 – Bowlus-DuPont
TG-13 – Briegleb
TG-14 – Stiglmeier
TG-15 – Franklin-Stevens
TG-16 – Schultz
TG-17 – Franklin
TG-18 – Midwest Sailplane
TG-19 – Jacobs-Schweyer
TG-20 – Laister-Kauffman
TG-21 – Notre Dame
TG-22 – Mehlhose
TG-23 – Harper-Corcoran
TG-24 – Bowlus-Dupont
TG-25 Plover – Wolcott
TG-26 – Universal
TG-27 – Schneider
TG-28 Hawk Junior – Haller
TG-29 – Volmer Jensen
TG-30 Bluebird – Smith
TG-31 – Aero Industries
TG-32 – Pratt-Read
TG-33 – Aeronca

Unified sequence, 1948–1955

G-2 – Ridgefield
G-3 – Waco
G-4 Hadrian – Waco
G-10 Trojan Horse – Laister-Kauffman
G-13 – Waco
G-14 – Chase
G-15 Hadrian – Waco
G-18 – Chase
G-20 – Chase

Sailplane, 1960–1962

S-1 – Schweizer
S-2 – Schweizer

Gyroplane, 1935–1939

G-1 – Kellett
G-2 – Pitcairn

Liaison, 1942–1962

L-1 Vigilant – Stinson
L-2 Grasshopper – Taylorcraft
L-3 Grasshopper – Aeronca
L-4 Grasshopper – Piper
L-5 Sentinel – Stinson (redesignated as U-19 in 1962)
L-6 Grasshopper – Interstate
L-7 – Universal
L-8 Cadet – Interstate
L-9 – Stinson
L-10 – Ryan
L-11 – Bellanca
L-12 Reliant – Stinson
L-13 – Stinson/Convair
L-14 Cub – Piper
L-15 Scout – Boeing
L-16 Champion – Aeronca
L-17 Navion – North American/Ryan (redesignated as U-18 in 1962)
L-18 Super Cub – Piper
L-19 Bird Dog – Cessna (redesignated as O-1 in 1962)
L-20 Beaver – de Havilland Canada (redesignated as U-6 in 1962)
L-21 Super Cub – Piper (redesignated as U-7 in 1962)
L-22 Navion – Ryan
L-23 Seminole – Beechcraft (redesignated as U-8 in 1962)
L-24 Courier – Helio (redesignated as U-24 in 1962)
L-25 – McDonnell (redesignated as XH-35, then XV-1)
L-26 Commander – Aero Design (redesignated as U-4 and U-9 in 1962)
L-27 – Cessna (redesignated as U-3 in 1962)
L-28 Super Courier – Helio (redesignated as U-10 in 1962)

Pursuit, 1924-1948/Fighter, 1948–1962

P-3 Hawk

Designated P- for "pursuit" until 1948, when the United States Air Force was founded. After this, all P- designations were changed to F- ("fighter"), but the original numbers were retained.

P-1 Hawk – Curtiss
P-2 Hawk – Curtiss
P-3 Hawk – Curtiss
P-4 – Boeing
P-5 Hawk – Curtiss
P-6 Hawk – Curtiss
P-7 – Boeing
P-8 – Boeing
P-9 – Boeing
P-10 – Curtiss
P-11 Hawk – Curtiss
P-12 – Boeing
P-13 Viper – Thomas-Morse
P-14 – Curtiss
P-15 – Boeing
P-16 – Berliner-Joyce
P-17 Hawk – Curtiss
P-18 – Curtiss
P-19 – Curtiss
P-20 – Curtiss
P-21 – Curtiss
P-22 Hawk – Curtiss
P-23 Hawk – Curtiss
P-24 – Lockheed
P-25 – Consolidated
P-26 Peashooter – Boeing
Boeing P-26
P-27 – Consolidated
P-28 – Consolidated
P-29 – Boeing
P-30 – Consolidated
P-31 Swift – Curtiss
P-32 – Boeing
P-33 – Consolidated
P-34 – Wedell-Williams
P-35 – Seversky
P-36 Hawk – Curtiss
P-37 – Curtiss
P-38 Lightning – Lockheed
P-39 Airacobra – Bell
- P-400 - Royal Air Force Airacobra put into U.S. service before export
P-40 Warhawk – Curtiss
P-41 – Seversky
P-42 – Curtiss
P-43 Lancer – Republic
P-44 Rocket – Republic
P-45 – Bell
P-46 – Curtiss
P-47 Thunderbolt – Republic
P-48 – Douglas
P-49 – Lockheed
P-50 – Grumman
P-51 Mustang – North American
P-51H Mustang
P-52 – Bell
P-53 – Curtiss
P-54 Swoose Goose – Vultee
P-55 Ascender – Curtiss
P-56 Black Bullet – Northrop
P-57 Peashooter – Tucker
P-58 Chain Lightning – Lockheed
P-59 Airacomet – Bell
P-60 – Curtiss
P-61 Black Widow – Northrop
P-62 – Curtiss
P-63 Kingcobra – Bell
P-64 – North American
P-65 – Grumman
P-66 Vanguard – Vultee
P-67 Bat – McDonnell
P-68 Tornado – Vultee
P-69 – Republic
P-70 Nighthawk – Douglas
P-71 – Curtiss
P-72 – Republic
P-73 – Hughes (officially never assigned)
P-74 – skipped
P-75 Eagle – Fisher
P-76 – Bell
P-77 – Bell
P-78 – North American
P-79 – Northrop
F-80 Shooting Star – Lockheed
P-81 – Convair
F-82 Twin Mustang – North American
P-83 – Bell
F-84 Thunderjet – Republic
F-85 Goblin – McDonnell
F-86 Sabre – North American
F-86F Sabre
F-87 Blackhawk – Curtiss
F-88 Voodoo – McDonnell
F-89 Scorpion – Northrop
F-90 – Lockheed
F-91 Thunderceptor – Republic
F-92 – Convair
F-93 – North American
F-94 Starfire – Lockheed
F-95 – North American
F-96 – Republic
F-97 Starfire – Lockheed (redesignated as F-94C Starfire)
F-98 Falcon – Hughes (redesignated as GAR-1, then AIM-4)
F-99 BOMARC – Boeing (redesignated as IM-99, then CIM-10)
F-100 Super Sabre – North American
F-101 Voodoo – McDonnell
F-102 Delta Dagger – Convair
F-103 – Republic
F-104 Starfighter – Lockheed
F-105 Thunderchief – Republic
F-106 Delta Dart – Convair
F-107 – North American
F-108 Rapier – North American
F-109 – designation was reserved for the X-13 Vertijet, F-101B,^[5] and Bell D-188A, but never officially assigned
F-110 Spectre – McDonnell Douglas (redesignated as F-4 in 1962)
F-111 Aardvark – General Dynamics
General Dynamics F-111
Unofficial designations YF-112 and up were later assigned to "black" projects – see Fighter series in Unified System.

Fighter, Multiplace

FM-1 Airacuda – Bell
FM-2 – Lockheed

Pursuit, Biplace

PB-1 – Berliner-Joyce
PB-2 – Consolidated
PB-3 – Lockheed

Observation

Observation, 1924–1942

O-1 Falcon – Curtiss
O-2 – Douglas
O-3 Mohawk – Dayton-Wright
O-4 – Martin
O-5 – Douglas
O-6 – Thomas-Morse
O-7 – Douglas
O-8 – Douglas
O-9 – Douglas
O-10 – Loening
O-11 Falcon – Curtiss
O-12 Falcon – Curtiss
O-13 Falcon – Curtiss
O-14 – Douglas
O-15 – Keystone
O-16 Falcon – Curtiss
O-17 Courier – Consolidated
O-18 Falcon – Curtiss
O-19 – Thomas-Morse
O-20 – Thomas-Morse
O-21 – Thomas-Morse
O-22 – Douglas
O-23 – Thomas-Morse
O-24 – Curtiss
O-25 – Douglas
O-26 – Curtiss
O-27 – Fokker
O-28 Corsair – Vought
O-29 – Douglas
O-30 – Curtiss
O-31 – Douglas
O-32 – Douglas
O-33 – Thomas-Morse
O-34 – Douglas
O-35 – Douglas
O-36 – Douglas
O-37 – Keystone
O-38 – Douglas
O-39 Falcon – Curtiss
O-40 Raven – Curtiss
O-41 – Thomas-Morse
O-42 – Thomas-Morse
O-43 – Douglas
O-44 – Douglas
O-45 – Martin
O-46 – Douglas
O-47 – North American
O-48 – Douglas
O-49 Vigilant – Stinson (redesignated as L-1 in 1942)
O-50 – Bellanca
O-51 Dragonfly – Ryan
YO-51 Dragonfly
O-52 Owl – Curtiss
O-53 Havoc – Douglas
O-54 – Stinson
O-55 – ERCO
O-56 Ventura – Lockheed
O-57 Grasshopper – Taylorcraft (redesignated as L-2 in 1942)
O-58 Grasshopper – Aeronca (redesignated as L-3 in 1942)
O-59 Grasshopper – Piper (redesignated as L-4 in 1942)
O-60 – Kellett
O-61 – Pitcairn
O-62 Sentinel – Stinson (redesignated as L-5 in 1942)
O-63 Grasshopper – Interstate (redesignated as XL-6 in 1942)

Observation amphibian, 1925–1948

OA-1 – Loening
OA-2 – Loening
OA-3 Dolphin – Douglas
OA-4 Dolphin – Douglas
OA-5 – Douglas
OA-6 – Consolidated
OA-7 – Douglas
OA-8 – Sikorsky
OA-9 Goose – Grumman
OA-10 Catalina – Consolidated
OA-11 – Sikorsky
OA-12 Duck – Grumman
OA-13 Goose – Grumman
OA-14 Widgeon – Grumman
OA-15 Seabee – Republic

Reconnaissance

Photographic reconnaissance, 1930–1948 / Reconnaissance, 1948–1962

F-1 – Fairchild
F-2 Expeditor – Beechcraft
F-3 Havoc – Douglas
F-4 Lightning – Lockheed
F-5 Lightning – Lockheed
F-6 Mustang – North American
F-7 Liberator – Consolidated
F-8 Mosquito – de Havilland
F-9 Flying Fortress – Boeing
F-10 Mitchell – North American
F-11 – Hughes
F-12 Rainbow – Republic
F-13 Superfortress – Boeing
F-14 Shooting Star – Lockheed
F-15 Reporter – Northrop
R-11 – Hughes
R-12 Rainbow – Republic
R-16 Stratofortress – Boeing^[6]

Reconnaissance-strike, 1960–1962

Both of the following aircraft are numbered in the B- (bomber) sequence.

RS-70 Valkyrie – North American
RS-71 Blackbird – Lockheed

Rotary wing 1941–1948 and helicopter 1948–present

In 1941, the category letter R- was allotted for "rotary wing" aircraft, and this designation was used until the founding of the United States Air Force in 1947, at which point the category letter was changed to H-, for "helicopter". However, the original numbering sequence was retained.

In 1962 when the Unified Designation System was adopted, six former Navy and Army types received new designations in the H-1 to H-6 series, which can be found here. However, the original sequence was also continued, and remains in use to the present, with the next designation available being H-73.

R-1 – Platt-LePage
R-2 – Kellett
R-3 – Kellett
R-4 Hoverfly – Sikorsky
R-5/H-5 Dragonfly – Sikorsky
R-6 Hoverfly II – Sikorsky
R-7 – Sikorsky
XR-8 Kellett
R-9/H-9 – Firestone
R-10/H-10 – Kellett
R-11/H-11 – Rotorcraft
R-12/H-12 – Bell
R-13/H-13 Sioux – Bell
R-14 – Firestone
R-15/H-15 – Bell
R-16/H-16 – Piasecki
XR-17/XH-17 – Hughes/Kellett
YH-18 – Sikorsky
H-19 – Sikorsky
XH-20 Little Henry – McDonnell
H-21 – Piasecki
H-22 – Kaman
OH-23 Raven – Hiller
YH-24 – Seibel
H-25 – Piasecki
XH-26 Jet Jeep – American Helicopter
YH-27 Transporter – Piasecki
XH-28 – Hughes
H-29 – McDonnell
YH-30 – McCulloch
YH-31 – Doman
YH-32 – Hiller
XH-33 – Bell (redesignated as XV-3)
H-34 Choctaw – Sikorsky
XH-35 – McDonnell (redesignated as XV-1)
H-36 – reserved for secret project LONG EARS
H-37 Mojave – Sikorsky
H-38 – reserved for secret project SHORT TAIL
XH-39 – Sikorsky
XH-40 – Bell
YH-41 Seneca – Cessna
XH-42 – Hughes
H-43 Huskie – Kaman
H-44 – reserved for secret project BIG TOM
H-45 – reserved for secret project STEP CHILD
H-46 Sea Knight – Boeing Vertol
H-47 Chinook – Boeing Vertol
XH-48 – Bell (redesignated as UH-1F)
XH-49 – Boeing Vertol (redesignated as XCH-46B)
H-50 DASH – Gyrodyne

Lockheed XH-51

XH-51 – Lockheed
H-52 Sea Guard – Sikorsky
H-53 – Sikorsky
- MH-53 Pave Low
- CH-53E Super Stallion
  - CH-53K Super Stallion^[3]
H-54 Tarhe – Sikorsky
H-55 Osage – Hughes
H-56 Cheyenne – Lockheed
H-57 Sea Ranger – Bell
H-58 Kiowa – Bell
XH-59 – Sikorsky
H-60 Black Hawk – Sikorsky
- SH-60 Seahawk
- HH-60 Pave Hawk
- HH-60 Jayhawk
YH-61 – Boeing Vertol
XH-62 – Boeing Vertol
YH-63 Kingcobra – Bell
H-64 Apache – Hughes
H-65 Dolphin – Aérospatiale
H-66 Comanche – Boeing/Sikorsky
H-67 Creek – Bell
H-68 Stingray – Agusta^[3]
H-69 – skipped
H-70 – Bell^[3]
H-71 Kestrel – Lockheed Martin^[3]
H-72 Lakota – Eurocopter^[3]

Supersonic/special test, 1946–1948

XS-1 – Bell
XS-2 – Bell
XS-3 Stiletto – Douglas
XS-4 Bantam – Northrop
XS-5 – Bell
- This series was continued as the X (Experimental) series after 1948 – see X-series in Unified System.

Trainer

Advanced Trainer, 1925–1948

AT-1 – Huff-Daland
AT-2 – Huff-Daland
AT-3 – Boeing
AT-4 Hawk – Curtiss
AT-5 Hawk – Curtiss
AT-6 Texan – North American (redesignated as T-6 in 1948)
AT-7 Navigator – Beechcraft (redesignated as T-7 in 1948)
AT-8 Bobcat – Cessna
AT-9 Jeep – Curtiss-Wright
AT-10 Wichita – Beechcraft
AT-11 Kansan – Beechcraft (redesignated as T-11 in 1948)
AT-12 Guardsman – Republic
AT-13 Gunner – Fairchild
AT-14 Gunner – Fairchild
AT-15 Crewmaker – Boeing
AT-16 – Noorduyn
AT-17 Bobcat – Cessna
AT-18 Hudson – Lockheed
AT-19 Reliant – Stinson
AT-20 Anson – Avro/Federal
AT-21 Gunner – Fairchild
AT-22 Liberator – Consolidated
AT-23 Marauder – Martin
AT-24 Mitchell – North American

Basic Combat, 1936–1940

BC-1 – North American
BC-2 – North American
BC-3 – Vultee

Basic Trainer, 1930–1948

BT-1 – Douglas
BT-2 – Douglas
BT-3 – Stearman
BT-4 – Curtiss
BT-5 – Stearman
BT-6 – Consolidated
BT-7 – Consolidated
BT-8 – Seversky
BT-9 – North American
BT-10 – North American
BT-11 – Aircraft Research
BT-12 – Fleetwings
BT-13 Valiant – Vultee
BT-14 – North American
BT-15 Valiant – Vultee
BT-16 Valiant – Vultee
BT-17 – Boeing-Stearman

Primary Trainer, 1925–1948

PT-1 Trusty – Consolidated
PT-2 Trusty – Consolidated
PT-3 Trusty – Consolidated
PT-4 Trusty – Consolidated
PT-5 Trusty – Consolidated
PT-6 – Consolidated
PT-7 Pinto – Mohawk
PT-8 – Consolidated
PT-9 – Stearman
PT-10 – Verville
PT-11 – Consolidated
PT-12 – Consolidated
PT-13 Kaydet – Boeing-Stearman
PT-14 – Waco
PT-15 – St. Louis
PT-16 – Ryan
PT-17 Kaydet – Boeing-Stearman
PT-18 Kaydet – Boeing-Stearman
PT-19 Cornell – Fairchild
PT-20 – Ryan
PT-21 Recruit – Ryan
PT-22 Recruit – Ryan
PT-23 Cornell – Fairchild
PT-24 Tiger Moth – de Havilland
PT-25 – Ryan
PT-26 Cornell – Fairchild
PT-27 Kaydet – Boeing-Stearman

Unified sequence, 1948–present

The AT-6 Texan, AT-7 Navigator, and AT-11 Kansan, were retroactively given T- designations. The new sequence began at 28, continuing the "PT-" numbering sequence.

T-6 Texan – North American
T-7 Navigator – Beechcraft
T-11 Kansan – Beechcraft
T-28 Trojan – North American
T-29 Flying Classroom – Convair
T-30 – Douglas
T-31 – Fairchild
T-32 – Convair
T-33 Shooting Star – Lockheed
T-34 Mentor – Beechcraft
T-35 Buckaroo – Temco
T-36 – Beechcraft/Canadair
T-37 Tweet – Cessna
T-38 Talon – Northrop
T-39 Sabreliner – North American
T-40 Jet Star – Lockheed
T-41 Mescalero – Cessna
T-42 Cochise – Beechcraft
T-43 – Boeing
T-44 Pegasus – Beechcraft
T-45 Goshawk – McDonnell Douglas/BAE Systems
T-46 – Fairchild
T-47 – Cessna
T-48 – Cessna
T-48 MPATS^[3]
T-49 – Boeing^[3]
T-50 Golden Eagle – Korean Aerospace Industries (designation reserved, none procured)^[3]
T-51 – Cessna^[3]
T-52 – Diamond Aircraft^[7]
T-53 – Cirrus

Convertiplane, 1952–1962

V-1 – McDonnell Aircraft (Formerly XL-25 and XH-35)
V-2 – Sikorsky Aircraft (Project)
V-3 – Bell Helicopter (Formerly H-33)

Army, 1956–1962

AO-1 Mohawk

In 1956, the U.S. Army adopted a new, and relatively simple, designation system for its aviation assets. Aircraft were divided into three different types – 'A' for fixed-wing aircraft, 'H' for helicopters, or 'V' for V/STOL aircraft, and then were given a mission modifier, which, unlike the USAF system, came after the type code: 'C' for transports, 'O' for observation and reconnaissance aircraft, 'U' for utility types, and 'Z' for experimental aircraft. Aircraft types designated in this system were numbered sequentially.^[8]

Airplane, Cargo, 1956–1962

AC-1 Caribou – de Havilland Canada (redesignated as CV-2 in 1962, then C-7 in 1967)
AC-2 Buffalo – de Havilland Canada (redesignated as CV-7 in 1962, then C-8 in 1967)

Airplane, Observation, 1956–1962

AO-1 Mohawk – Grumman (redesignated as OV-1 in 1962)
AO-2 Inflatoplane – Goodyear
AO-3 Inflatoplane – Goodyear

Flying Platform, 1955–1956

HO-1 Pawnee – Hiller (redesignated as VZ-1 in 1956)
HO-2 – de Lackner Helicopters (redesignated as HZ-1 in 1956)

Helicopter, Cargo, 1956–1962

HC-1A Sea Knight (redesignated as CH-46C in 1962)
HC-1B Chinook (redesignated as CH-47A in 1962)

Helicopter, Observation, 1956–1962

HO-1 – Sud-Ouest
HO-2 – Hughes
HO-3 – Brantly
HO-4 – Bell (redesignated as OH-4A in 1962)
HO-5 – Fairchild Hiller (redesignated as OH-5A in 1962)
HO-6 – Hughes (redesignated as OH-6A in 1962)

Helicopter, Utility, 1956–1962

HU-1 Iroquois – Bell (redesignated as UH-1 in 1962)

Helicopter, Experimental, 1956–1962

HZ-1 Aerocycle – de Lackner Helicopters

Vertical Takeoff and Landing Research, 1956–1962

VZ-9 Avrocar

VZ-1 Pawnee – Hiller
VZ-2 – Vertol
VZ-3 Vertiplane – Ryan
VZ-4 Convertiplane – Doak
VZ-5 Fledgling – Fairchild
VZ-6 – Chrysler
VZ-7-Curtiss-Wright
VZ-8 Airgeep – Piasecki
VZ-9 Avrocar – Avro Canada
VZ-10 Hummingbird – Lockheed (redesignated as XV-4 in 1962)
VZ-11 Vertifan – Ryan (redesignated as XV-5 in 1962)
VZ-12 Kestrel – Hawker Siddeley (redesignated as XV-6 in 1962)

Unified System, 1962–present

Attack

A-1 Skyraider – Douglas (formerly designated AD)
A-2 Savage – North American (formerly designated AJ)
A-3 Skywarrior – Douglas (formerly designated A3D)
A-4 Skyhawk – Douglas (formerly designated A4D)
A-5 Vigilante – North American (formerly designated A3J)
A-6 Intruder – Grumman (formerly designated A2F)
A-7 Corsair II – Ling-Temco-Vought
A-9 – Northrop Losing contender for the AX competition
A-10 Thunderbolt II – Fairchild Republic Winning contender for the AX competition
A-12 Avenger II – McDonnell Douglas / General Dynamics cancelled
F/A-18C/D Hornet – McDonnell Douglas ^[10]
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet – Boeing ^[10]
A-26 Invader – Douglas (redesignated back to WW II-era designation, from B-26 in 1966)
A-29 Super Tucano – Embraer
A-37 Dragonfly – Cessna (originally designated AT-37)

Bomber

B-1 Lancer – Rockwell
B-2 Spirit – Northrop

Cargo

C-1 – Trader Grumman (formerly designated TF)
C-2 – Greyhound Grumman
C-3 Martin 4-0-4 – Martin (formerly designated RM-1Z) Martin 4-0-4 airliners for use by the US Marine Corps and US Coast Guard
C-4 Academe – Gulfstream (Used for training A-6 Intruder Naval Flight Officers.)
C-5 Galaxy – Lockheed
C-6 Ute – Beechcraft (Beechcraft 90 King Air, re-designated U-21 Ute)
C-7 Caribou – de Havilland Canada
C-8 Buffalo – de Havilland Canada
C-9 Nightingale – McDonnell-Douglas
C-10 Jetstream – Handley Page USAF 68-10378/10388 (were to be offset purchase for RAF F-111K, both cancelled)
C-10 – McDonnell-Douglas Winner of the KC-X competition (after cancellation of C-10 Jetstream, C-10 designation re-used)
C-11 Gulfstream II – Gulfstream
C-12 – Beechcraft
C-14 – Boeing (AMST contender)
C-15 – McDonnell-Douglas (AMST contender)
C-17 Globemaster III – Boeing
C-18 Boeing 707–320 – Boeing
C-19 Boeing 747–100 – Boeing
C-20 Gulfstream III – Gulfstream (C-20A/B/C/D/E)
C-20 Gulfstream IV – Gulfstream (C-20F/G/H/J)
C-21 Learjet 35 – Learjet
C-22 Boeing 727 – Boeing (Air National Guard and National Guard Bureau personnel transports)
C-23 Sherpa – Shorts Military logistics transports for use in Europe and the US by the US Air Force and US Army
C-24 DC-8F-54 – Douglas A single DC-8-54F used for avionic trials as the EC-24A
C-25 Boeing 747-200 – Boeing (Presidential VIP transport)
C-26 – Fairchild
C-27 Spartan – Alenia
C-28 Titan – Cessna
C-29 BAe 125-800 – British Aerospace Airways and navaid checker
C-32 Boeing 757-200 – Boeing (VIP transport)
C-35 – Cessna
C-37 Gulfstream V – Gulfstream
C-38 Gulfstream G100 – Gulfstream (formerly IAI Astra SPX)
C-40 Boeing 737-700c – Boeing (replacement for the C-9A Nightingale in USAF and C-9B Skytrain II in USN)
C-41 C-212 series 200 Aviocar – Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA ^[3]
C-45 – EADS (Losing K-X contender^[3])
C-46 – Boeing (Winner of the K-X competition over the EADS KC-45)
KC-767 – Boeing (Out of sequence designation used for multi-role tanker transports exported to Japan and Italy^[3])
UC-880 – Convair (Out of sequence designation used for a single Convair 880 converted to a tanker to support trials from the NATC^[11])

Drone

Q-1 Predator – General Atomics
Q-2 Pioneer – AAI Corporation/Israel Aircraft Industries
Q-3 Dark Star – Lockheed Martin / Boeing
Q-4 Global Hawk – Northrop Grumman
Q-5 Hunter – Israel Aircraft Industries
Q-6 Outrider – Alliant Techsystems
Q-7 Shadow – AAI Corporation
Q-8 Fire Scout – Northrop Grumman
Q-9 Reaper/Altair – General Atomics (Originally "Predator B")
Q-10 SnowGoose – MMIST
Q-11 Raven – AeroVironment
Q-12 – Skipped (Requested for Q-1C)
Q-13 – Skipped
Q-14 Dragon Eye – AeroVironment
Q-15 Neptune – DRS Technologies
Q-16 T-Hawk – Honeywell
Q-17 SpyHawk – MTC Technologies
Q-18 Hummingbird Boeing
Q-19 Aerosonde – AAI Corporation^[3]
Q-20 Puma – AeroVironment
Q-21 Integrator – Boeing Insitu

Non-sequential designations

Q-170 Sentinel – Lockheed Martin

Electronic Warfare

E-1 Tracer – Grumman (Formerly WF)
E-2 Hawkeye – Grumman (Formerly W2F)
E-3 Sentry – Boeing
E-4 "Nightwatch" – Boeing (Advanced Airborne Command Post)
E-5 Eagle – Windecker
E-6 Mercury – Boeing (TACAMO)
E-7 – Designation proposed for EC-18B
E-8 Joint Stars – Northrop Grumman
E-9 Widget – de Havilland Canada
E-10 MC2A – Boeing/Northrop Grumman
E-11 – Bombardier/Northrop Grumman
E-767 – Boeing (Out of sequence designation for AEW&C aircraft for the Japanese Self-Defence Forces^[3])

Fighter

F-1 Fury – North American (Previously designated FJ-2, FJ-3 & FJ-4)
F-2 Banshee – McDonnell (Previously designated F2H)
F-3 Demon – McDonnell (previously designated F3H)
F-4 Phantom II – McDonnell Douglas (previously designated F4H and F-110)
F-5 Freedom Fighter – Northrop
F-6 Skyray – Douglas (Previously designated F4D)
F-7 Sea Dart – Convair (Previously designated F2Y)
F-8 Crusader – Vought (Previously designated F8U)
F-9 Cougar – Grumman (previously designated F9F-6)
F-10 Skyknight – Douglas (previously designated F3D)
F-11 Tiger – Grumman (previously designated F11F)
F-12 – Lockheed (Two-seat Fighter version of the A-12 reconnaissance aircraft)
F-13 – Skipped
F-14 Tomcat – Grumman
F-15 A/B/C/D Eagle / F-15E Strike Eagle – McDonnell Douglas
F-16 Fighting Falcon General Dynamics / Lockheed Martin
F-17 Cobra – Northrop
F-18A/B/C/D Hornet / F/A-18E/F Super Hornet – McDonnell Douglas
F-19 – Officially skipped; rumored to be still classified
F-20 Tigershark – Northrop
F-21 Kfir C-2 – Israel Aircraft Industries (for US Navy dissimilar combat training and aggressor training)
F-22 Raptor – Lockheed Martin
F-23 Black Widow II – Northrop / McDonnell Douglas
F-35 Lightning II – Lockheed Martin
YF-110 MiG-21s – Mikoyan-Gurevich
YF-112 Su-22 – Sukhoi
YF-113 MiG-23s – Mikoyan-Gurevich
YF-114 MiG-17 – Mikoyan-Gurevich
YF-115 – Rumored designation of captured Su-7
YF-116 – Rumored designation of captured MiG-25
F-117 Nighthawk – Lockheed
F-117D Tacit Blue – Northrop
YF-118 – Rumored designation of MiG-29

Note: Designations YF-110, YF-112 through YF-116, and YF-118 were captured foreign aircraft used for evaluation and aggressor training. They were given designations in sequence—based on chronology—with "black" project aircraft, continuing the pre-1962 F series.^[12]^[13]

Other Designations

YF-24 – (fictional?) Classified project^[12]^[14]
YF-113G – possible USAF "black project"^[12]
YF-121 – Rumored "black project"^[12]

Glider

Helicopter

Unlike most other categories of aircraft, the introduction of the tri-service designation system in 1962 did not result in a wholesale redesignation of helicopters. While six types received new designations in the unified, "re-started" sequence, the original "H-" series of designations that started in 1948 was also continued, and no further types of rotorcraft have been designated in the "post-1962" system.

H-1 Iroquois / "Huey" – Bell Helicopter (Formerly H-40 / HU-1)
H-1 Cobra / SeaCobra / SuperCobra / Viper – Bell Helicopter
H-2 Seasprite – Kaman Aircraft (Formerly HU2K)
H-3 Sea King / "Jolly Green Giant" – Sikorsky Aircraft (Formerly HSS-2)
H-4 – Bell Helicopter (Formerly HO-4)
H-5 – Fairchild Hiller (Formerly HO-5)
H-6 Cayuse / Little Bird – Hughes Helicopters / McDonnell Douglas / Boeing Helicopters (Formerly HO-6)

Observation

O-1 Bird Dog Cessna Aircraft 14 December 1949 Formerly L-19
O-2 Skymaster Cessna Aircraft January 1967
O-3 "Quiet Star" Lockheed Missiles & Space 1969
O-4 Wren Aircraft 1963
(Wren 460) Not proceeded with.
O-5 ARL de Havilland Canada 27 March 1975
(DHC-7) Formerly RC-7
O-6 ARL Bombardier
OV-10 Bronco North American Aviation 16 July 1965

Patrol

P-1 – Skipped
P-2 Neptune – Lockheed Corporation (Formerly P2V)
P-3 Orion / ARIES Lockheed Corporation (Formerly P3V; See also WP-3D Orion and EP-3 Aries)
P-4 Privateer – Consolidated Aircraft (Formerly PB4Y-2K / P4Y-2K)
P-5 Marlin – Glenn L. Martin Company (Formerly P5M)
P-6 – Skipped
P-7 – Lockheed Corporation
P-8 Poseidon – Boeing

Reconnaissance

R-1 Dragon Lady – Lockheed Corporation
R-2 – Skipped
R-3 – Possibly assigned to a Black Project (Speculated: TR-3 Black Manta or SR-3 Blackstar)

Spaceplane

The only designation in the "Spaceplane" series, the MS-1A shares a designation letter with the anti-submarine warfare category, and is perhaps unique among MDS identifiers as being assigned to a future, and currently not wholly defined, concept, as opposed to a specific project.^[3]^[16]

Tanker

No specialised types have been acquired to receive a stand-alone 'K for Tanker' designation; for aircraft modified for use as tankers, see the parent aircraft in the proper sequence.

Trainer, 1962, 1990–present

Despite the adoption of the unified Mission Designation System in 1962, only two aircraft were designated in the new series, both former Navy types. The old series continued in use until 1990, at which point a new series was started over at T-1, with the previous T-2 still being in use. However, the old series has still seen new designations being assigned. The next designation available in the 'T' series is T-52 or T-7, depending on which series is continued.

1962 Sequence

T-1 SeaStar – Lockheed Corporation (Formerly T2V)
T-2 Buckeye – North American Aviation (Formerly T2J)

1990 Sequence

T-1 Jayhawk – Raytheon / Hawker Beechcraft
T-2 – Skipped (T-2 Buckeye was still in service)
T-3 Firefly – Slingsby Aviation
T-4 – Skipped
T-5 – Skipped
T-6 Texan II – Hawker Beechcraft

Utility, 1955–present

U-1 Otter – de Havilland Canada
U-2 Dragon Lady – Lockheed Corporation
U-3 Blue Canoe – Cessna
U-4 Aero Commander – Aero Design
U-5 Twin Courier – Helio
U-6 Beaver – de Havilland Canada
U-7 Super Cub Piper
U-8 Seminole – Beechcraft
U-9 Aero Commander – Aero Design
U-10 Super Courier – Helio
U-11 Aztec – Piper
U-12 Skipped
U-13 Skipped
U-14 Skipped
U-15 Skipped
U-16 Albatross – Grumman
U-17 Skywagon – Cessna
U-18 Navion – North American/Ryan
U-19 Sentinel – Stinson
U-20 – Cessna
U-21 Ute – Beechcraft
U-22 – Beechcraft
U-23 Peacemaker – Fairchild Hiller/Pilatus
U-24 Courier – Helio
U-25 Guardian – Dassault-Breguet
U-26 Super Skywagon – Cessna
U-27 Caravan – Cessna
U-28 – Pilatus^[3]
U-38 Twin Condor – Schweizer

Vertical and Short Take-off and Landing Aircraft

V-3 – Bell Helicopter (Formerly H-33, V-3 in Convertiplane series)
V-4 Hummingbird – Lockheed Corporation (Formerly VZ-10)
V-5 Vertifan – Ryan Aeronautical (Formerly VZ-11)
V-6 Kestrel – Hawker Siddeley
V-7 Buffalo – de Havilland Canada (Formerly AC-2, redesignated as C-8)
V-8 "Fleep" – Ryan Aeronautical (Designation later reused)
V-8 Harrier – Hawker Siddeley
- AV-8B Harrier II – McDonnell Douglas / British Aerospace
V-9 – Hughes Helicopters
V-10 Bronco – Rockwell International / Boeing
V-11 Marvel – Parsons Corporation
V-12 – Parsons Corporation (Cancelled, designation reused)
V-12 – Rockwell International
V-13 – Skipped
V-14 – Skipped to avoid confusion with X-14.^[17]
V-15 – Bell Helicopter
V-16 Advanced Harrier – McDonnell Douglas / British Aerospace (Not built; developed into AV-8B)
V-17 – Assigned to a U.S. Army project but not used.^[17]
V-18 Twin Otter – de Havilland Canada
V-19 – Assigned to a U.S. Navy project but cancelled.^[17]
V-20 Chiricahua – de Havilland Canada
V-21 PACES – Airship Industries (Unconfirmed designation.^[17])
V-22 Osprey – Bell Helicopter / Boeing Helicopters
V-23 Scout – Dominion Aircraft (Skytrader)

Experimental, 1948–present

Main article: List of X-planes

In addition to aircraft intended to support military operations, the unified system includes experimental craft designed to push the boundaries of aeronautical and aerospace knowledge. These aircraft are designated in the "X-series", which led them to become known as "X-planes". Only those with military sponsors are listed here.

X-1 – Bell Aircraft, USAF, NACA
X-2 "Starbuster" – Bell Aircraft, USAF
X-3 Stiletto – Douglas Aircraft, USAF, NACA
X-4 Bantam – Northrop, USAF, NACA
X-5 – Bell Aircraft, USAF, NACA
X-6 – Convair, USAF, AEC
X-7 "Flying Stove Pipe" – Lockheed, Tri-service
X-8 Aerobee – Aerojet, NACA, USAF, USN
X-9 Shrike – Bell Aircraft, USAF
X-10 – North American Aviation, USAF
X-11 – Convair, USAF (Alternate designation for the SM-65 Atlas missile.^[18])
X-12 – Convair, USAF (Alternate designation for the SM-65 Atlas missile.^[19])
X-13 Vertijet – Ryan Aeronautical, USAF, USN
X-14 – Bell Aircraft, USAF, NASA
X-15 – North American Aviation, USAF, NASA
X-16 – Bell Aircraft, USAF
X-17 – Lockheed
X-18 – Hiller Aircraft
X-19 – Curtiss-Wright, Tri-service
X-20 Dyna-Soar – Boeing, USAF
X-21 – Northrop, USAF
X-22 – Bell Aircraft, Tri-service
X-23 PRIME – Martin Marietta, USAF (Note: Designation never officially assigned.^[20])
X-24 – Martin Marietta, USAF, NASA
X-25 – Bensen, USAF
X-26 Frigate – Schweizer, DARPA, US Army, USN
X-27 – Lockheed
X-28 Sea Skimmer – Osprey Aircraft, USN
X-29 – Grumman, DARPA, USAF, NASA
X-30 NASP – Rockwell, NASA, DARPA, USAF
X-31 – Rockwell-MBB
X-32 – Boeing, USAF, USN, RAF
X-35 – Lockheed Martin, USAF, USN, RAF
X-37 – Boeing, USAF, NASA
X-39 – Unknown, USAF (Note: Designation never officially assigned.^[20])
X-40 – Boeing, USAF, NASA
X-41 – Unknown, USAF
X-42 – Unknown, USAF
X-44 MANTA – Lockheed Martin, USAF, NASA
X-45 – Boeing, DARPA, USAF
X-46 – Boeing, DARPA, USN
X-47A/X-47B – Northrop Grumman, DARPA, USN
X-48 – Boeing, NASA
X-49 Speedhawk – Piasecki Aircraft, US Army
X-50 Dragonfly – Boeing, DARPA
X-51 Waverider – Boeing, USAF
X-53 – Boeing Phantom Works, NASA, USAF
X-55 – Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, USAF
X-56 – Lockheed Martin, USAF, NASA

Un-designated foreign aircraft operated by the United States

Airspeed Horsa – Airspeed Ltd
Airspeed Oxford – Airspeed^[21]
Bristol Beaufighter – Bristol Aeroplane Company
Boulton Paul Defiant – Boulton Paul Aircraft
CAC Wirraway – Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
de Havilland Dominie – de Havilland^[21]
de Havilland Moth Minor – de Havilland.
de Havilland Tiger Moth – de Havilland^[21]
Diamond DA20 – Diamond Aircraft
Hawker Hurricane – Hawker Aircraft^[21]
Heinkel HD 22 – Heinkel Flugzeugwerke
Mil Mi-17 – Mil
Miles Master – Miles Aircraft Ltd^[21]
Morane-Saulnier MS-234^[22]
Percival Proctor^[21]
Supermarine Spitfire^[21]
Westland Lysander

References

Citations

↑ AFR 66-11, AR 700-26, BUWEPSINST 13100.7, "Designating, Redesignating, and Naming of Military Aircraft", 18 September 1962
↑ "Lockheed B-71 (SR-71)". National Museum of the United States Air Force. October 29, 2009. Retrieved 2013-10-02.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Parsch 2009, "DOD 4120.15-L"
↑ Andrade 1979, page 60
↑ "HazeGray.org". rec.aviation.military FAQ, Part 4. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
↑ Andrade 1979, p. 162
↑ "Photo essay: Flight of a T-52A" U.S. Air Force.
↑ Chorney, Andrew. Systems of Designation, U.S. Army Aircraft, 1956–1962 System. U.S. Military Aircraft Designations 1911–2004
1 2 DOD 4120.15-L: Model Designation of Military Aerospace Vehicles, Department of Defense, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (AT&L) (Defense Systems), May 12, 2004. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
1 2 Officially, the F/A-18 is designated in both the A-for-attack and F-for-fighter series.
↑ U.S. Military Aircraft Designations 1911–2004
1 2 3 4 Parsch, Andreas (2006-11-27). "Cover Designations for Classified USAF Aircraft". Designation-Systems.Net. Retrieved 2006-12-29.
↑ Fulghum, David A., "MiGs in Nevada", Aviation Week & Space Technology, November 27, 2006
↑ "Edwards AFB website". Col. Joseph A. Lanni, USAF biography. Archived from the original on 2005-03-18. Retrieved 2007-01-07.
1 2 3 4 5 6 94th Flying Training Squadron aircraft
↑ MS-1A, GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 2010-04-08.
1 2 3 4 Parsch, Andreas. ""Missing" USAF/DOD Aircraft Designations". Designation-Systems.Net. Retrieved 2010-04-13.
↑ Jenkins, Landis and Miller 2003, p. 17.
↑ Jenkins, Landis and Miller 2003, p. 18.
1 2 Parsch 2009, "Missing Designations"
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Office of History, Headquarters Third Air Force, United States Air Forces in Europe: Installations and USAAF Combat Units in the United Kingdom 1942–1945, Revised and Expanded Edition. October 1980; reprinted February 1985
↑ Baugher, Joseph F. 1930–1937 USAAS Serial Numbers

Sources

Books

Andrade, John M. (1979). U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials Since 1909. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 978-0-904597-22-6.
Fahey, James C. (1946). U.S. Army Aircraft 1908–1946.
Michael J.H. Taylor, ed. (1991). Jane's American Fighting Aircraft of the 20th Century. New York, NY: Mallard Press. ISBN 978-0-7924-5627-8.

External links

United States Armed Forces

Book
Portal
- A
- MC
- N
- AF
- CG
Category
- A
- MC
- N
- AF
- CG
- PHS
- NOAA
Navbox
- A
- MC
- N
- AF
- CG

Leadership

Commander-in-chief: President of the United States
Secretary of Defense
Deputy Secretary of Defense
Joint Chiefs of Staff:
- Chairman
- Vice Chairman
United States Congress: Committees on Armed Services:
- Senate
- House
Active duty four-star officers
Highest ranking officers in history
National Security Act of 1947
Goldwater–Nichols Act

Organization

Service departments	Department of Defense (Secretary): Army (Secretary) Navy (Secretary) Air Force (Secretary) Department of Homeland Security (Secretary): Coast Guard

Branches	Army (Chief of Staff) Marine Corps (Commandant) Navy (Chief of Naval Operations) Air Force (Chief of Staff) Coast Guard (Commandant)

Other uniformed services	Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (Surgeon General) NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps (Director)

Reserve components	Reserves: A MC N AF CG National Guard: A AF Naval militias State defense forces

Civilian auxiliaries	Military Auxiliary Radio System Merchant Marine Civil Air Patrol Coast Guard Auxiliary

Unified Combatant Command	Northern Central European Pacific Southern Africa Special Operations Strategic Transportation

Structure

United States Code
- Title 10
- Title 14
- Title 32
- Title 50
The Pentagon
Installations
Units:
- A
- MC
- N
- AF
- CG
Logistics
Media

Operations and history

Personnel

Training	MEPS ASVAB Recruit training: A MC N AF CG Officer candidate school: A MC N AF Warrant: A MC Service academies: A (prep) N (prep) AF (prep) CG Merchant Marine PHS Junior/Reserve Officers' Training Corps: A: MJC/SMC MC/N AF Medical Other education

Uniforms	Uniforms: A MC N AF CG Awards & decorations: Inter-service A MC/N AF CG PHS NOAA Foreign International Devices Badges: Identification A MC N AF CG

Ranks	Enlisted: A MC N AF CG Warrant officers Officer: A MC N AF CG PHS NOAA

Other	Oath: Enlistment Office Creeds & Codes: Code of Conduct NCO A MC N AF CG Service numbers: A MC N AF CG Military Occupational Specialty/Rating/Air Force Specialty Code Pay Uniform Code of Military Justice Judge Advocate General's Corps Military Health System/TRICARE Separation Veterans Affairs Conscription Chiefs of Chaplains: A MC N AF CG

Equipment

Land	Individual weapons Crew-served weapons Vehicles (active)

Sea	All watercraft Ships: A N (active) AF CG MSC NOAA Weapons: N CG Aircraft: N CG NOAA Reactors

Air	Aircraft World War I active Aircraft designation Missiles Helicopter arms

Other	Nuclear football Electronics (designations) Flags: A MC N AF CG Ensign Jack Guidons Food WMDs: Nuclear Biological Chemical

Legend: A = Army; MC = Marine Corps; N = Navy; AF = Air Force; CG = Coast Guard; PHS = Public Health Service; NOAA = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; MSC = Military Sealift Command

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