This is a table of 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system with selected letter sequences and number. Two previous USAF/AAF/AAC number series are included due to their impact and partial incorporation into the tri-service system (A, B, C, F and O reset to one, but # carryover existed).
The United States department of Defense was established in 1949, the old name Department of War was retired in 1947. In 1962 separate aircraft naming schemes were unified, but out of convenience many numbers carried over. For example, the P-38 Lightning, which also was used as the F-4 and F-5 for reconnaissance and FO in the Navy, became the F-38. In 1948 the Pursuit series designated P, switched to being called F for fighter, which was continued in 1962. Much later the B series were restarted back at 1, but numbered additions began being made where the old C left off in the 21st century.
white | 1962 Tri-Service designations and carried-over 1924 Air Force designations |
---|---|
yellow | 1924 Air Force designations (select sequences only) |
blue | 1922 Navy designations (select designations only) |
green | 1956 Army designations (select designations only) |
Designation skipped | |
italics | Non-sequential designation |
(parentheses) | No plain designation exists, only designations with mission modifiers and/or status prefixes (most common designation shown) |
– | Designation not assigned |
A | 1962 redesignations from the 1956 Army system |
AF | 1962 redesignations from the 1924 Air Force system |
N | 1962 redesignations from the 1922 Navy system |
R | Designation retired prior to the founding of the Department of Defense |
* | Unconfirmed |
† | Reserved but not taken up |
‡ | Unofficial |
Post 1962 Series with selected Pre-1962 USAF/AAF/AAC number series | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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# | A | A Navy pre-1962 | B | B 1930–62 | C 1962– present | C 1924– present | D [a] | E | F 1962– present | F Navy pre-1962 | F (P) [b] 1924–62 | G | H 1962– present | H Army pre-1962 | H (R) [c] 1941– present | L | O | P | Q | R | R (F) [d] 1930–62 | S Anti- submarine | S Space- plane | SR [e] | RS 1960–62 | T [f] 1948– present | T 1962 | T 1990– present | U | V | X (S) [g] | Z |
1 | A-1 N (OA-1K) | AD | B-1 | (XB-1)R | C-1 N | C-1 R | (MD-1) | E-1 N | F-1 / E/F N | FJ | P-1 R | (TG-1) | (AH-1 / J/T/W / Z) (UH-1 / N / Y)A, AF | HU-1 | (XR-1)R | (YAL-1) | O-1 AF, N | (MQ-1 / C) | (TR-1) | F-1 R | (XS-1) | – | – | – | T-1 N | T-1 | U-1 N | (OV-1)A | (XS-1)R X-1 | (SZ-1)N | ||
2 | A-2 N | AJ | B-2 | B-2 R | C-2 | C-2 R | (RD-2) | E-2 N | F-2 N | F2H | P-2 R | (TG-2) | (SH-2 / G)N | – | (XR-2)R | – | O-2 | P-2 N | (RQ-2) | – | F-2 R | S-2 N | – | – | – | – | T-2 N | U-2 | (CV-2)A | (XS-2)R X-2 | (EZ-2) | |
3 | A-3 N | A3D | – | B-3 R | (VC-3)N | C-3 R | (MD-3) | E-3 | F-3 N | F3H | P-3 R | (TG-3) | (SH-3)N (CH-3C/E) | – | (XR-3)R | – | (YO-3) | P-3 N (EP-3) (WP-3D) | (RQ-3) | – | F-3 R | S-3 | – | – | – | – | – | T-3 | U-3 AF | (XV-3) | (XS-3)R X-3 | (MZ-3) |
4 | A-4 N | A4D | – | B-4 R | (TC-4)N | C-4 R | (MD-4) | E-4 | F-4 AF, N | F4H | (XP-4 (1926))R (XP-4 (1927))R | (TG-4) | (YOH-4)A | (YHO-4) | R-4 R | – | (ZO-4)* | (QP-4)N | (RQ-4) (MQ-4C) | – | F-4 R | – | – | – | – | – | – | U-4 AF | (XV-4)A | (XS-4)R X-4 | (RZ-4) | |
5 | A-5 N | A3J | – | B-5 R | C-5 | C-5 R | (ZMD-5) | (YE-5) | F-5 / G | – | P-5 R | (TG-5) | (YOH-5)A | (YHO-5) | R-5 R H-5 | – | O-5 | P-5 N | (RQ-5) | – | F-5 R | – | – | – | – | – | – | U-5 | (XV-5)A | (XS-5)R X-5 | – | |
6 | A-6 N (EA-6B) | A2F | – | B-6 R | (VC-6) | C-6 R | – | E-6 | F-6 N | F4D | P-6 R | (TG-6) | (AH-6) (MH-6) (OH-6)A | (YHO-6) | R-6 R H-6 | – | (RO-6) | (RQ-6) | – | F-6 R | – | – | – | – | T-6 R | – | T-6 | U-6 AF | (XV-6) | X-6 | – | |
7 | A-7 / F | – | – | (Y1B-7)R | C-7 (RC-7) | C-7 R | – | E-7‡ | (YF-7)N | F2Y | (XP-7)R | (TG-7) | – | – | (XR-7)R | – | – | P-7 | (RQ-7) | – | F-7 R | – | – | – | – | T-7 R | – | T-7 | U-7 AF | (CV-7)A | X-7 | – |
8 | A-8* | – | – | (XB-8)R | C-8 | (XC-8)R | – | E-8 | F-8 N | F8U | (XP-8)R | (RG-8) | – | – | (XR-8)R | – | – | P-8 | (MQ-8 / C) | – | F-8 R | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | U-8 AF | (XV-8) (AV-8 / B) | X-8 | – |
9 | (YA-9) | – | – | (YB-9)R | C-9 | C-9 R | – | E-9 | F-9 / F/J N | F9F / -6/8 | (XP-9)R | (TG-9) | – | – | (XR-9)R (XH-9) | – | – | P-9 | (MQ-9) | – | F-9 R | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | U-9 AF | (XV-9) | X-9 | – |
10 | A-10 | – | – | B-10 R | C-10 (KC-10) | (XC-10)R | – | E-10 | F-10 N | F3D | (XP-10)R | (TG-10) | – | – | (XR-10)R (XH-10) | – | – | – | (CQ-10) | – | F-10 R | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | U-10 AF | (OV-10) | X-10 | – |
11 | – | – | (YB-11)R | (VC-11) | C-11 R | – | E-11 | F-11 N | F11F | P-11 R | (TG-11) | – | – | (XR-11)R (XH-11) | – | – | – | (RQ-11) | – | (XF-11)R (XR-11) | – | – | – | – | T-11 R | – | – | U-11 N | (XV-11) | X-11 | – | |
12 | A-12 | – | – | B-12 R | C-12 (RC-12) | (Y1C-12)R | – | – | (YF-12 / C) | – | P-12 R | (TG-12) | – | – | R-12 R (YH-12) | – | – | – | (RQ-12) | – | (XF-12)R (XR-12) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (XFV-12) (OV-12) | X-12 | – | |
13 [h] | – | – | (YB-13)R | – | – | – | (XP-13)R | – | – | (YR-13)R H-13 / J | – | – | – | – | F-13 R | – | – | – | – | T-13A R T-13B/D R | – | – | X-13 | – | ||||||||
14 | A-14† | – | – | (XB-14)R | (YC-14) | C-14 R | – | – | F-14 | – | (XP-14)R | (TG-14) | – | – | (XR-14)R | – | – | – | (RQ-14) | – | F-14 R | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X-14 | – | ||
15 | – | – | – | (XB-15)R | (YC-15) | C-15 R | – | – | F-15 / E / EX / J (NF-15B) | – | (XP-15)R | (TG-15A / B) | – | – | (XR-15)R (XH-15) | – | – | – | (RQ-15) | – | F-15 R | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (XV-15) | X-15 | – | |
16 | – | – | – | (XB-16)R | (YC-16)R | – | – | F-16 / XL (NF-16D) | – | P-12 R | (TG-16) | – | – | (XR-16)R (YH-16) | – | – | – | (RQ-16) | – | (XR-16) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (HU-16)AF, N | (AV-16)‡ | X-16 | – | |
17 | – | – | – | B-17 | C-17 | (Y1C-17)R | – | – | (YF-17) | – | (XP-17)R | – | – | – | (XH-17) | – | – | – | (MQ-17) | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-17 R | – | – | U-17 | X-17 | – | |
18 | F/A-18 / E/F (EA-18G) | – | – | B-18 R | C-18 | (Y1C-18)R | – | – | F/A-18 / E/F | – | (XP-18)R | – | – | – | (XH-18) | – | – | – | (YMQ-18) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | U-18 AF | (UV-18) | X-18 | – |
19 | – | – | – | (XB-19)R | C-19 | (Y1C-19)R | – | – | – | (XP-19)R | – | – | – | H-19 | – | – | – | (MQ-19) | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-19 R | – | – | U-19 AF | X-19 | – | ||
20 | – | – | – | (Y1B-20)R B-20 | C-20A/D C-20F/J | (YC-20)R | – | – | F-20 | – | (YP-20)R | – | – | – | (XH-20) | – | – | – | (MQ-20) (RQ-20) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | U-20 AF | (UV-20) | X-20 | – |
21 | – | – | B-21 | (XB-21)R | C-21 | C-21 R | – | – | F-21} | – | (XP-21)R | – | – | – | H-21 | – | – | – | (RQ-21) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | U-21 | X-21 | – | |
22 | F/A-22 | – | (FB-22) | (XB-22)R | C-22 | C-22 R | – | – | (YF-22) F-22 | – | (XP-22)R | – | – | – | (YH-22) | – | – | – | (RQ-22) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (QU-22) | V-22 | X-22 | – |
23 | – | – | – | B-23 R | C-23 | C-23 R | – | – | (YF-23) | – | (YP-23)R | – | – | – | H-23 | – | – | – | (RQ-23) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (AU-23) | (UV-23) | X-23‡ | – |
24 | – | – | – | B-24 | (EC-24) | (Y1C-24)R | – | – | (YF-24)* | – | (YP-24)R F-24 | – | – | – | (YH-24) | – | – | – | (CQ-24) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (AU-24) | (XV-24) | X-24 / C | – |
25 | – | – | – | B-25 | (VC-25) | (Y1C-25)R | – | – | – | – | (Y1P-25)R | – | – | – | H-25} | – | – | – | (MQ-25) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | U-25 (HU-25) | – | X-25 | – |
26 | A-26 | – | – | B-26 R B-26 | C-26 | C-26 R | – | – | – | – | P-26 R | – | – | – | (XH-26) | – | – | – | (RQ-26) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | U-26 | – | X-26 | – |
27 | – | – | – | (XB-27)R | C-27 / J | C-27 R | – | – | – | – | (YP-27)R | – | – | – | (XH-27) | – | – | – | (MQ-27) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | U-27 | – | X-27 | – |
28 | – | – | – | (XB-28)R | C-28 | C-28 R | – | – | – | – | (Y1P-28)R | – | – | – | (XH-28) | – | – | – | (RQ-28) | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-28 | – | – | U-28 | – | X-28 | – |
29 | A-29 | – | – | B-29 / D (KB-29) | C-29 | C-29 R | – | – | – | – | P-29 R | – | – | – | (XH-29) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-29 | – | – | – | – | X-29 | – |
30 | – | – | – | (XB-30)R | (YC-30)R | – | – | – | – | P-30 R | – | – | – | (YH-30) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (XT-30) | – | – | – | – | X-30 | – | |
31 | – | – | – | (XB-31)R | C-31 | (XC-31)R | – | – | – | – | (XP-31)R | – | – | – | (VH-31) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-31 | – | – | – | – | X-31 | – |
32 | – | – | – | B-32 R | C-32 | C-32 R | – | – | – | – | (XP-32)R | – | – | – | (YH-32) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (YT-32) | – | – | – | – | X-32 | – |
33 | – | – | – | (XB-33)R | C-33 | C-33 R | – | – | – | – | (XP-33)R | – | – | – | (XH-33) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-33 (NT-33A) | – | – | – | – | X-33 | – |
34 | – | – | – | B-34 R | C-34 R | – | – | – | – | (XP-34)R | – | – | – | H-34 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-34 | – | – | – | – | X-34 | – | |
35 | – | – | – | (YB-35) | (UC-35) | (XC-35)R | – | – | F-35 | – | P-35 R | – | – | – | (XH-35) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-35 | – | – | – | – | X-35 | – |
36 | – | – | – | B-36 / G (NB-36H) | (YFC-36)* | C-36 R | – | – | – | – | P-36 R | – | – | – | H-36† | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (XT-36) | – | – | – | – | X-36 | – |
37 | A-37 (EA-37) | – | – | B-37 R | C-37A C-37B | C-37 R | – | – | – | – | (YP-37)R | – | – | – | H-37 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-37 | – | – | – | – | X-37 | – |
38 | – | – | – | (XB-38)R | C-38 | C-38 R | – | – | – | – | P-38 R (ZF-38) | – | – | – | H-38† | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-38 | – | – | (RU-38) | – | X-38 | – |
39 | – | – | – | (XB-39)R | C-39 R | – | – | – | – | P-39 / E R (ZF-39) | – | – | – | (XH-39) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-39 | – | – | – | – | X-39‡ | – | |
40 | – | – | – | (YB-40)R | C-40 | C-40 R | – | – | – | – | P-40 R (ZF-40) | – | – | – | (YH-40) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-40 | – | – | – | – | X-40 | – |
41 | – | – | – | (XB-41)R | C-41 | C-41 R C-41A R | – | – | – | – | (XP-41)R | – | – | – | (UH-41) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-41† T-41 | – | – | – | – | X-41 | – |
42 | – | – | – | (XB-42) | C-42 R | – | – | – | – | (XP-42)R | – | – | – | (XH-42) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-42 (1952) T-42 (1960) | – | – | – | – | X-42 | – | |
43 | – | – | – | (XB-43) | C-43 | – | – | – | – | P-43 R | – | – | – | H-43 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-43 | – | – | – | – | X-43 | – | |
44 | – | – | – | (XB-44)R | C-44 R | – | – | – | – | P-44 R | – | – | – | H-44† | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-44 | – | – | – | – | X-44 X-44A | – | |
45 | – | – | – | B-45 | (KC-45) | C-45 | – | – | – | – | P-45 R | – | – | – | H-45† | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-45 | – | – | – | – | X-45 | – |
46 | – | – | – | (XB-46) | (KC-46) | C-46 | – | – | – | – | (XP-46)R | – | – | (YHC-1A) | (CH-46) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-46 | – | – | – | – | X-46 | – |
47 | – | – | – | B-47 / C | – | C-47 / F AC-47 | – | – | – | – | P-47 R F-47 | – | – | (YHC-1B) | (CH-47) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-47 (OT-47B) | – | – | – | – | X-47A / B / C | – |
48 | – | – | – | (XB-48) | – | C-48 R | – | – | – | – | (XP-48)R | – | – | – | (XH-48) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (YT-48) T-48TS | – | – | – | – | X-48 | – |
49 | – | – | – | (YB-49) | – | C-49 R | – | – | – | – | (XP-49)R | – | – | – | (XH-49) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (CT-49) | – | – | – | – | X-49 | – |
50 | – | – | – | B-50 / C | – | C-50 R | – | – | – | – | (XP-50)R | – | – | – | (QH-50) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-50 | – | – | – | – | X-50 | – |
51 | – | – | – | (XB-51) | – | C-51 R | – | – | – | – | P-51 R F-51 | – | – | – | (XH-51) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-51 | – | – | – | – | X-51 | – |
52 | – | – | – | B-52 | – | C-52 R | – | – | – | – | (XP-52)R | – | – | – | (HH-52) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-52 | – | – | – | – | – | |
53 | – | – | – | (XB-53) | – | C-53 | – | – | – | – | (XP-53)R | – | – | – | (CH-53 / E / K) (MH-53) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-53 | – | – | – | – | X-53 | – |
54 | – | – | – | B-54 | – | C-54 | – | – | – | – | (XP-54)R | – | – | – | (CH-54) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | T-54 | – | – | – | – | X-54 | – |
55 | – | – | – | (XB-55) | – | C-55 R | – | – | – | – | (XP-55)R | – | – | – | (TH-55) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X-55 | – |
56 | – | – | – | (XB-56) | – | C-56 R | – | – | – | – | (XP-56)R | – | – | – | (AH-56) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X-56 | – |
57 | – | – | – | B-57 (RB-57D / F) | – | C-57 R | – | – | – | – | (XP-57)R | – | – | – | (TH-57) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X-57 | – |
58 | – | – | – | B-58 | – | C-58 R | – | – | – | – | (XP-58)R | – | – | – | (OH-58) | – | – | – | (XQ-58) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
59 | – | – | – | (XB-59) | – | C-59 R | – | – | – | – | (XP-59)R P-59 R (ZF-59) | – | – | – | (XH-59) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X-59 | – |
60 | – | – | – | (YB-60) | – | C-60 R | – | – | – | – | P-60 R | – | – | – | (HH-60) (MH-60) (SH-60) (UH-60) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X-60 | – |
61 | – | – | – | B-61 | – | (UC-61)R | – | – | – | – | P-61 R F-61 (RF-61C) | – | – | – | (YUH-61) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X-61 | – |
62 | – | – | – | B-62 | – | C-62 R | – | – | – | – | (XP-62)R | – | – | – | (XCH-62) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X-62 | – |
63 | – | – | – | B-63 | – | C-63 R | – | – | – | – | P-63 R (QF-63) | – | – | – | (YAH-63) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
64 | – | – | – | B-64 | – | C-64 | – | – | – | – | P-64 R | – | – | – | (AH-64) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
65 | – | – | – | B-65 | – | (XC-65)R | – | – | – | – | (XP-65)R | – | – | – | (MH-65) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X-65 | – |
66 | – | – | – | B-66 | – | C-66 R | – | – | – | – | P-66 R | – | – | – | (RAH-66) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | X-66 | – |
67 | – | – | – | (XB-67) | – | C-67 R | – | – | – | – | (XP-67)R | – | – | – | (TH-67) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
68 | – | – | – | (XB-68) B-68 | – | C-68 R | – | – | – | – | (XP-68)R | – | – | – | (MH-68) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
69 | – | – | – | (RB-69) | – | C-69 | – | – | – | – | (XP-69)R | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
70 | – | – | – | (XB-70) | – | (UC-70 / B)R | – | – | – | – | P-70 R | – | – | – | (ARH-70) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | RS-70 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
71 | – | – | – | B-71 | – | (UC-71)R | – | – | – | – | (XP-71)R | – | – | – | (VH-71) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | SR-71 AF | RS-71 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
72 | – | – | – | – | – | (UC-72)R | – | – | – | – | (XP-72)R | – | – | – | (UH-72) | – | – | – | (XRQ-72) | – | – | – | – | SR-72 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
73 | – | – | – | – | – | C-73 R | – | – | – | – | (XP-73)R‡ | – | – | – | (TH-73) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
74 | – | – | – | – | – | C-74 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
75 | – | – | – | – | – | C-75 R | – | – | – | – | P-75 R | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
76 | – | – | – | – | – | C-76 R | – | – | – | – | P-76 R | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
77 | – | – | – | – | – | (UC-77 / B/D)R | – | – | – | – | (XP-77)R | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
78 | – | – | – | – | – | C-78 R | – | – | – | – | (XP-78)R | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
79 | – | – | – | – | – | C-79 R | – | – | – | – | (XP-79)R | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
80 | – | – | – | – | – | (UC-80)R | – | – | – | – | P-80 R F-80 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
81 | – | – | – | – | – | (UC-81)R | – | – | – | – | (XP-81)R (XZF-81) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
82 | – | – | – | – | – | C-82 | – | – | – | – | P-82 R F-82 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
83 | – | – | – | – | – | (UC-83 / A / B)R | – | – | – | – | (XP-83)R (XF-83) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
84 | – | – | – | – | – | C-84 R | – | – | – | – | P-84 R F-84 / F / H | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
85 | – | – | – | – | – | (UC-85)R | – | – | – | – | (XP-85)R (XF-85) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
86 | – | – | – | – | – | (UC-86)R | – | – | – | – | P-86 R F-86 / C / D | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
87 | – | – | – | – | – | C-87 R | – | – | – | – | (XP-87)R (XF-87) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
88 | – | – | – | – | – | (UC-88)R | – | – | – | – | (XP-88)R (XF-88) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
89 | – | – | – | – | – | (UC-89)R | – | – | – | – | (XP-89)R F-89 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
90 | – | – | – | – | – | (UC-90)R | – | – | – | – | (XP-90)R (XF-90) | – | – | – | (MH-90) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
91 | – | – | – | – | – | C-91 R | – | – | – | – | (XP-91)R (XF-91) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
92 | – | – | – | – | – | (UC-92)R | – | – | – | – | (XP-92)R (XF-92) | – | – | – | H-92 (VH-92) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
93 | – | – | – | – | – | C-93 R | – | – | – | – | (YF-93) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
94 | – | – | – | – | – | (UC-94)R | – | – | – | – | F-94 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
95 | – | – | – | – | – | (UC-95)R | – | – | – | – | F-95 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
96 | – | – | – | – | – | (UC-96)R | – | – | – | – | (XF-96) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
97 | – | – | – | – | – | C-97 (KC-97) | – | – | – | – | F-97 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
98 | – | – | – | – | – | C-98 R | – | – | – | – | F-98 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
99 | – | – | – | – | – | (XC-99) | – | – | – | – | (YF-99) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
100 | – | – | – | – | – | (UC-100)R | – | – | – | – | F-100 / B | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
101 | – | – | – | – | – | (UC-101)R | – | – | – | – | F-101 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
102 | – | – | – | – | – | (UC-102)R | – | – | – | – | F-102 / B | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
103 | – | – | – | – | – | (UC-103)R | – | – | – | – | (XF-103) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
104 | – | – | – | – | – | C-104 R | – | – | – | – | (XF-104) F-104 (NF-104A) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
105 | – | – | – | – | – | (XC-105)R | – | – | – | – | F-105 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
106 | – | – | – | – | – | C-106 R | – | – | – | – | (XF-106) F-106 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
107 | – | – | – | – | – | (XC-107)R | – | – | – | – | F-107 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
108 | – | – | – | – | – | (XC-108)R | – | – | – | – | (XF-108) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
109 | – | – | – | – | – | C-109 R | – | – | – | – | (XF-109)‡ | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
110 | – | – | – | – | – | C-110 R | – | – | (YF-110B/D / C)‡ | – | F-110 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
111 | – | – | (FB-111) | – | – | C-111 R | – | – | – | – | F-111 / B (EF-111) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
112 | – | – | – | – | – | (XC-112 / A)R | – | – | (YF-112)‡ | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
113 | – | – | – | – | – | (XC-113)R | – | – | (YF-113A / B/D / C)‡ | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
114 | – | – | – | – | – | (XC-114) | – | – | (YF-114)‡ | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
115 | – | – | – | – | – | (XC-115) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
116 | – | – | – | – | – | (YC-116) | – | – | (YF-116)‡ | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
117 | – | – | – | – | – | C-117 / D | – | – | F-117 (YF-117D)‡ | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
118 | – | – | – | – | – | C-118 | – | – | (YF-118G)‡ | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
119 | – | – | – | – | – | C-119 (AC-119) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
120 | – | – | – | – | – | (XC-120) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
121 | – | – | – | – | – | C-121 / F (EC-121) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
122 | – | – | – | – | – | (YC-122) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
123 | – | – | – | – | – | C-123 / A | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
124 | – | – | – | – | – | C-124 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
125 | – | – | – | – | – | (YC-125) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
126 | – | – | – | – | – | LC-126) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
127 | – | – | – | – | – | C-127 (1948) C-127 (1954) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
128 | – | – | – | – | – | C-128 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
129 | – | – | – | – | – | (YC-129) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
130 | – | – | – | – | – | C-130 / J (AC-130) (DC-130) (EC-130 / H) (HC-130) (KC-130) (LC-130) (MC-130) (RC-130) (WC-130) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
131 | – | – | – | – | – | C-131 (NC-131H) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
132 | – | – | – | – | – | C-132 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
133 | – | – | – | – | – | C-133 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
134 | – | – | – | – | – | (YC-134) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
135 | – | – | – | – | – | C-135 (EC-135) (KC-135) (NC-135) (OC-135) (RC-135) (WC-135) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
136 | – | – | – | – | – | (YC-136) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
137 | – | – | – | – | – | (YC-137) C-137 (UC-137) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
138 | – | – | – | – | – | C-138† | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
139 | – | – | – | – | – | (SC-139)† | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (MH-139) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
140 | – | – | – | – | – | C-140 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
141 | – | – | – | – | – | C-141 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
142 | – | – | – | – | – | (XC-142) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
143 | – | – | – | – | – | (XC-143)† C-143 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
144 | – | – | – | – | – | (HC-144) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
145 | – | – | – | – | – | C-145 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
146 | – | – | – | – | – | C-146 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
147 | – | – | – | – | – | C-147 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
170 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (RQ-170) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
180 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (RQ-180)* | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
322 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | P-322 R | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
400 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | P-400 R | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
767 | – | – | – | – | (KC-767) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
880 | – | – | – | – | (UC-880)‡ | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Multiple designation systems have been used to specify United States military aircraft. The first system was introduced in 1911 by the United States Navy, but was discontinued six years later; the first system similar to that used today was designed in 1919 when the US Army's Aeronautical Division became the United States Army Air Service. Before this, aircraft were put into service under their manufacturers' designations.
An attack aircraft, strike aircraft, or attack bomber is a tactical military aircraft that has a primary role of carrying out airstrikes with greater precision than bombers, and is prepared to encounter strong low-level air defenses while pressing the attack. This class of aircraft is designed mostly for close air support and naval air-to-surface missions, overlapping the tactical bomber mission. Designs dedicated to non-naval roles are often known as ground-attack aircraft.
F-19 is a skipped DoD designation in the Tri-Service fighter aircraft designation sequence which was thought by many popular media outlets to have been allocated to the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk, but was actually skipped in favor of F-20 for the Northrop F-5G Tigershark at Northrop's request to avoid confusion with the MiG-19.
The Japanese military aircraft designation systems for the Imperial period (pre-1945) had multiple designation systems for each armed service. This led to the Allies' use of code names during World War II, and these code names are still better known in English-language texts than the real Japanese names for the aircraft. A number of different schemes were simultaneously in use.
The Century Series is a popular name for a group of US fighter aircraft representing models designated between F-100 and F-106 which went into full production. They included the first successful supersonic aircraft designs in the United States Air Force's service, which remained in active service well into the 1970s and 1980s with the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard. Three later variants, the QF-100, QF-102, and QF-106, also continued in service, primarily as aerial target drones, until the late 1990s. The F-104G stayed in service with the Italian military until 2004. The NASA airborne science program maintains a group of F-104G in airworthy condition for use as test platforms and chase aircraft.
The Idflieg designation system was used to classify German heavier-than-air military aircraft from the early days of the Fliegertruppe/Luftstreitkräfte to the end of World War I. The system evolved during this period as new classes of aircraft came into use.
The Tri-Service aircraft designation system is a unified system introduced in 1962 by the United States Department of Defense for designating all U.S. military aircraft. Previously, the U.S. armed services used separate nomenclature systems.
Joint Regulation 4120.15E: Designating and Naming Military Aerospace Vehicles is the current system for designating all aircraft, helicopters, rockets, missiles, spacecraft, and other aerial vehicles in military use by the United States Armed Forces.
The Northrop F-15 Reporter was an American unarmed photographic reconnaissance aircraft. Based on the Northrop P-61 Black Widow night fighter, it was the last piston-powered photo-reconnaissance aircraft designed and produced for the United States Air Force. Though produced in limited quantities, and with a relatively short service life, the F-15's aerial photographs of the Korean Peninsula would prove vital in 1950, when North Korea invaded the south.
The Air Force and Air Defence, was one of three branches of the Yugoslav People's Army, the Yugoslav military. Commonly referred-to as the Yugoslav Air Force, at its height it was among the largest in Europe. The branch was disbanded in 1992 after the Breakup of Yugoslavia. In the year 1990, the Air Force had more than 32,000 personnel, but as a result of its more technical requirements, the Air Force had less than 4,000 conscripts.
From 1922 until 1962, the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps and the United States Coast Guard used a system to designate their aircraft that included information about a craft's role and its manufacturer. For a listing of all such designations, see the list of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962).
Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHT (HT-8) is a United States Navy helicopter training squadron based at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, FL. The squadron's mission is helicopter pilot training for U. S. Navy, U. S. Marine Corps and U. S. Coast Guard Student Naval Aviators and for selected foreign military flight students from basic helicopter flight training through winging. Student Naval Aviators report to HT-8 for helicopter training upon completion of primary flight training conducted in the T-6B Texan II U. S. Navy primary flight trainer. HT-8 flies the TH-73A Thrasher, an
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Aerospace Company is the aerospace division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI). It produces aircraft, space systems, simulators, jet engines, missiles, and electronic equipment.
In 1924, problems with the previous designation system led to a general revamping of the designation system used by the United States Army Air Service. This system was to remain in effect with the U.S. Army Air Corps, the U.S. Army Air Forces and the independent U.S. Air Force, as well as those aircraft remaining in the U.S. Army after 1947. With some minor changes it became the basis of the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system.