US Aircraft Designations

(10582 total words in this text)
(4549 Reads)  Printer-friendly page [1]
The first designation system was invented by the Air Service of the US Army in 1919. Fifteen numbered designations were introduced and a few additional, not numbered ones:


I. PW Pursuit, water cooled

II. PN Pursuit, night work

III. PA Pursuit, air cooled

IV. PG Pursuit, ground attack

V. TP Two-seat pursuit

VI. GA Ground attack

VII. IL Infantry liaison

VIII. NO Night observation

IX. AO Artillery observation

X. CO Corps observation

XI. DB Day bombardment

XII. NBS Night bombardment, short distance

XIII. NBL Night bombardment, long distance

XIV. TA Training, air cooled

XV. TW Training, water cooled



A Ambulance

M Messenger

R Racer

T Transport


1924
The 1919 system was rather complicated, and a new system was introduced in 1924. The following designations were applied:


A Attack

AT Advanced trainer

B Bomber

C Cargo

HB Heavy bomber

LB Light bomber

O Observation

OA Observation Amphibian

P Pursuit

PT Primary trainer


This system was formally abandoned in 1948. But then 22 additional categories had been introduced, including:


AG Attack Glider

BC Basic Combat (trainer)

BG Bomb Glider (glide bomb)

BQ Bomb, guided

BT Basic Trainer

BLR Bomber, long range

BQ Bomber, radio-controlled

CB Cargo Bomber

CG Cargo glider

CQ Target controller

F Photographic reconaissance

FG Fuel-carrying glider

FM Fighter, multiplace

G Glider

G Gyroplane

GB Glide bomb

GT Glide Torpedo

JB Jet-propelled bomb

L Liaison

O Observation

OA Observation, amphibian

OQ Target, flying model

PB Pursuit biplace

PG Powered glider

PQ Aerial target

R Rotorcraft

TG Training glider

UC Utility cargo

FP Reconaissance fighter


X and Y letters were used as prefix to indicate prototypes and preseries aircraft. The prefix 'Y1' was used for aircraft bought with 'F-1' funds instead of normally allocated money. The letter Z was used for obsolete aircraft. In some cases, R (meaning 'restricted' was also used for this purpose. Some experimental aircraft had an 'E' prefix, meaning 'Exempt', instead of the more common 'X'.

1948
The designation system of the USAF was changed in 1948. The new system seems to have mostly similar to that that was accepted as the tri-service system in 1962. Some aircraft were renumbered, e.g. the F-110 became the F-4. Some designations of the 1948 system were not adopted by the 1962 system:


VZ VTOL experimental


1962
In 1962 a new designation was instated for all three services, USAF, USN and USMC. Here is the description of this system, as provided by Erwin Moedersheim:

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PUBLICATION 4120.15-L MISSION, DESIGN, AND SERIES SYSTEM (MDS)
The current military vehicle designation system for military aircraft was introduced as a standard for all services in 1962. It is used for three purposes:

Aircraft
Guided missiles, rockets, boosters, and satellites
Electronic equipment
The system consists of designations of the following type:
XXXX-...X (-..-XX)
where X indicates a letter, and . indicates a number. Not all letters are used all the time.

1. AIRCRAFT DESIGNATIONS:
Starting at the first dash in the designation above, and moving to the LEFT, we encounter:

VEHICLE TYPE:
It indicates the type of vehicle at hand, e.g. helicopter, V/STOL. For normal aircraft, this designator is NOT used. (Example: the SH-2F uses the H to indicate it is a helicopter. The F-16A is a regular aircraft, and does not have a vehicle type designator).

G - Glider

H - Helicopter

S - Spaceplane

V - VTOL/STOL

Z - Lighter than air


BASIC MISSION:
This is the most important designator. It indicates the primary design task of the aircraft. (Example: The B-1B uses a B because it is a bomber).

A - Attack

B - Bomber

C - Cargo/ transport

E - Special electronic installation

F - Fighter

O - Observation

P - Patrol

R - Reconnaissance:

ER - Electronic Reconnaissance

SR - Strategic Reconnaissance

TR - Tactical Reconnaissance

S - Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)

T - Trainer

U - Utility

X - Research


MODIFIED MISSION:
Indicates the vehicle has been modified for a specific mission. Only one modified mission symbol is allowed. The modified mission symbol precedes the basic mission symbol.

A - Attack

C - Cargo/ transport

D - Drone control

E - Special electronic installation

F - Fighter

H - Search and Rescue (SAR)

K - Tanker (from Kerosine tanker)

L - Cold weather

M - Multi-mission

O - Observation

P - Patrol

Q - Drone

R - Reconnaissance

S - Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)

T - Trainer

U - Utility

V - Staff/ VIP transport

W - Weather


STATUS PREFIX:
Indicates that the vehicle is not standard due to tests, modifications, or experiments. This prefix precedes the modified and basic mission symbols.

G - Permanently grounded

J - Special test temporary

N - Special test permanent

X - Experimental

Y - Prototype

Z - Planning


Returning to the first dash, and moving RIGHT, we encounter:

DESIGN NUMBER:
Supposedly in sequential order, it indicates the model aircraft within the basic mission category. For example, C-20D, C-21A, C-22A, C-23B, EC-24A, VC-25A, C-26A, C-27A, etc. Obviously, the order is not always sequential, e.g. F-23, F-111, F-117.

SERIES:
Indicates alphabetically major modifications to the original design, which is indicated by the A. For example, the F-16B is a major modification of the F-16A. I and O are skipped.

Then we officially encounter another dash, and two more designators. These are not used very often, however, and are not always indicated on the aircraft. Moving to the right from the dash, we find:

BLOCK NUMBER:
Indicates the block of identical aircraft to which the aircraft belongs.
(another dash)
MANUFACTURER IDENTIFICATION CODE:
Indicates the manufacturer.
Let's take an example:


NKC-135A

||| | |

Status prefix ----------------------------+|| | |

|| | |

Modified mission --------------------------+| | |

| | |

Basic mission ------------------------------+ | |

| |

Design number ---------------------------------+ |

|

Series ------------------------------------------+


Sometimes, the block number and manufacturer code are added to the designation:


F-4G-43-MC

| || | |

Basic mission ----------------------------+ || | |

|| | |

Design number ------------------------------+| | |

| | |

Series --------------------------------------+ | |

| |

Block number ----------------------------------+ |

|

Manufacturer--------------------------------------+


GUIDED MISSILES, ROCKETS, BOOSTERS, AND SATTELITES:
Starting at the first dash in the designation above, and moving to the LEFT, we encounter:

VEHICLE TYPE:
Indicates the type of (unmanned) vehicle.

B - Booster

M - Guided missile or drone

N - Probe

R - Rocket

S - Satellite


BASIC MISSION:
This is the most important designator. It indicates the primary design task of the vehicle.



C - Cargo/ transport

D - Decoy

E - Electronic or communication

G - Surface attack

I - Intercept aerial or space

L - Launch detection or surveillance

M - Scientific/ calibration

N - Navigation

Q - Drone

S - Space support

T - Training

U - Underwater attack

W - Weather


LAUNCH ENVIRONMENT:
Type of launching platform.

A - Air

B - Multiple

C - Coffin

F - Individual

G - Runway

H - Silo stored

L - Silo launched

M - Mobile

P - Soft pad

R - Ship

S - Space

U - Underwater


STATUS PREFIX:

C - Captive

D - Dummy

J - Special test temporary

M - Modified

N - Special test permanent

X - Experimental

Y - Prototype

Z - Planning


The same rules as for aircraft apply to the rest of the designation, except for the block and manufacturer. This might be replaced by a CONFIGURATION NUMBER, which indicates a modification.
Let's take an example:



AIM-9L

||| ||

Launch environment -----------------------+|| ||

|| ||

Basic mission -----------------------------+| ||

| ||

Vehicle type -------------------------------| ||

||

Design number --------------------------------+|

|

Series ----------------------------------------+


ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT:
Starting at the first dash in the designation above, and moving to the LEFT, we encounter:

PURPOSE:
The primary task of this electronic equipment.

A - Auxilary assemblies

B - Bombing

C - Communications

D - Direction finding, recon, and/or surveillance

E - Ejection and/or release

G - Fire control or light finding

H - Recording or reproducing

K - Computing

M - Maintenance or test assemblies

N - Navigational aids

Q - Special or combinations of purposes

R - Receiving/ passive detecting

S - Detecting and/or range bearing, search

T - Transmitting

W - Automatic flight or remote control

X - Identification and recognition

Y - Surveillance and control


EQUIPMENT TYPE:

A - Infrared or invisible light

C - Carrier (wire)

D - Radiac

E - Nupac

F - Photographic

G - Telegraph or teletype

I - Interphone or public address

J - Electromechanical or inertial wire covered

K - Telemetering

L - Countermeasure

M - Meteorological

N - Sound in air

P - Radar

Q - Sonar and underwater sound

R - Radio

S - Special types, magnetic combination of types

T - Telephone (wire)

V - Visual or visible light

W - Armament

X - Facsimile or TV

Y - Data processing


PLATFORM/ INSTALLATION:

A - Airborne (piloted aircraft)

B - Underwater mobile (submarine)

C - Air transportable

D - Pilotless carrier

F - Fixed (ground)

G - General purpose use

K - Amphibious

M - Ground mobile

P - Portable

S - Water

T - Ground transportable

U - General utility assemblies

V - Ground vehicular

W - Water surface and underwater combination

Z - Piloted and pilotless airborne combination


JOINT SERVICE INDICATOR:

AN - Joint services


The same rules as for aircraft apply to the rest of the designation, except for the block and manufacturer. This might be replaced by a VARIABLE GROUPING, which indicates a modification.
Let's take an example:



AN/APG-68A

| ||| ||

Approved for joint services -------------+ ||| ||

||| ||

Installation ------------------------------+|| ||

|| ||

Equipment type -----------------------------+| ||

| ||

Purpose -------------------------------------+ ||

||

Design number ----------------------------------+|

|

Series ------------------------------------------+



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The US Navy designation systems
Aircraft
The original aircraft designation system adopted by the USN was qualitatively different from that adopted by the Army, because not only the function of the aircraft but also its manufacturer was indicated. (A similar system was used by the Japanese Navy.)
Designations were built as follows:


One or two function letters. The F4F was a Fighter, the T4M a Torpedo bomber, the SB2C a Scout-Bomber, ...
A sequence number, indicating that the aircraft was the nth one with this function built by the manufacturer. The number 1 was not written. The fighters built by Grumman for the USN were thus labeled: FF, F2F, F3F, F4F, ...
A letter indicating the manufacturer. The F4F was built by Grumman, the F4U by Vought, the F4B by Boeing, ...
A dash.
A number indicating the subtype. The designation F4U-4 indicates that the aircraft is the fourth subtype of the F4U.
Optionally, a letter to indicate minor changes. The F4U-1A was a F4U-1 with a raised cabin and improved cockpit glazing.
There was a short period at the introduction of the system when the manufacturer letter was placed first. Hence a designation as Vought UO, an observation aircrcaft (O) built by Vought (U), and a few others.
Function letters and combinations were subject to changes, to simplify the system, make room for new categories, or adapt the system to changed practice. For example: shortly after WWII the USN abandoned the TB, BF and SB designations for a simplified A designation, indicating the replacement of specialized torpedo and dive bombers by all-round attack aircraft.



A Attack

A Ambulance

BF Fighter bomber

F Fighter

G Utility transport

H Ambulance

HC Transport helicopters

HJ Utility helicopter (?)

HN Utility helicopter (?)

HO Observation helicopter

HR Transport helicopter

HS ASW helicopter

HT Training helicopter

HU Utility helicopter

J Utility transport

JR Utility transport

LB Bomb Glider (unmanned, of course)

LN Training glider

M Observation / Multi-role

N Trainer

O Observation

OS Observation / Scout

P Patrol

PB Patrol Bomber

R Racer

R Transport

SB Scout bomber (dive bomber)

SF Scout Torpedo bomber

SN Scout trainer

SO Scout / Observation

T Trainer

TB Torpedo bomber

TD Target drone? Unmanned aircraft.

TS Torpedo bomber / Scout

U Utility

W AEW


The X was a prefix applied to prototypes.
Manufacturer letters were not always unique, nor always the same for one manufacturer. The USN manipulated the system to bring numerous manufacturers in line with only 26 letters, or more correctly only 23 because it didn't use all.



A = Brewster F2A Buffalo

General Aviation XFA

Noorduyn JA Norseman

Allied LRA

B = Beechcraft GB Traveller

Boeing F2B

Budd RB Conestoga

C = Curtiss F6C Hawk

Cessna JRC Bobcat

Culver TD2C

D = Douglas A4D Skyhawk

McDonnell F2D Phantom

E = Piper HE

Cessna OE-2 Birddog

Hiller HOE

Bellanca XSE-1

Edo XOSE-1

Pratt-Read (Gould) LBE

Elias EM-2

F = Grumman F4F Wildcat

Fairchild SBF Helldiver

G = Goodyear FG Corsair

Great Lakes BG

Eberhart XF2G-1

H = McDonnell FH Phantom

Howard GH Nightingale

Hall PH

J = North American FJ Fury

Berliner-Joyce F3J

General Aviation PJ

K = Fairchild J2K Forwarder

Kaman HOK

Keystone NK Pup

L = Bell FL Airabonita

Columbia XJL

Loening OL

M = General Motors (Eastern) F3M Bearcat

Bell FM Airacuda

Martin P4M Mercator

N = Naval Aircraft Factory PBN Catalina

Seversky FN

Stinson RN Reliant

O = Lockheed FO Lightning

Piper UO

P = Spartan NP-1

Piper XLNP

Pitcairn OP

Piasecki HUP Retriever

Q = Fairchild R4Q flying Boxcar

R = Ryan FR Fireball

Interstate XTDR

Ford RR Trimotor

S = Stearman N2S

Sikorsky HR2S

Aeromarine FS

Schweizer LNS

T = Northrop FT Black Widow

Timm N2T Tutor

Taylorcraft LNT Grasshopper

Temco TT-1

U = Chance-Vought F4U Corsair

V = Lockheed P2V Neptune

Vultee SNV

W = Wright F3W Apache

Waco JW

Canadian Car & Foundry SBW Helldiver

Y = Consolidated PBY Catalina

Convair XFY pogo

Stinson OY Sentinel

Z = Wilford OZ


Ships, boats, and other vessels

AB Crane Ship

ABD Advanced Base Dock

ABSD Advanced Base Sectional Dock

AC Collier

ACS Auxiliary Crane Ship

AD Destroyer Tender

AE Ammunition Ship

AEFS Fleet Replenishment Ship

AF Stores Ship

AFD Mobile Floating Dry Dock

AFS Fleet Stores Ship

AG Miscellaneous Auxiliary

AGC Amphibious Force Flagship

AGDS Launch Area Support Ship

AGF Command Ship

AGL Lighthouse Tender (Coast Guard)

AGM Missile Range Instrumentation Ship

AGP Motor Torpedo Boat Tender

AGOR Oceanographic Research Ship

AGOS Ocean Surveillance Ship

AGS Surveying Ship

AGSS Auxiliary Research/Experimental Submarine

AGTR Auxiliary Technical Reconaissance Ship

AH Hospital Ship

AK General Cargo Ship

AKA Attack Cargo Ship

AKD Deck-Hold Cargo Ship

AKN Net Cargo Ship

AKR Vehicle Cargo Ship

AKS General Stores Carho Ship

AKV Aircraft Ferry

AL Lightship (Coast Guard)

AM Fleet Minesweeper (steel)

AMB Base Minesweeper

AMC Coastal Minesweeper (wooden)

AN Net Laying Ship

AO Oiler

AOE Fast Combat Support Ship

AOG Gasoline Carrier / Tanker

AOR Replenishment Oiler

AOT Transport Oiler / Tanker

AP Troop Ship, non-landing

APA Attack Transport Ship

APB Barrack Ship, Self-Propelled

APC Small Coastal Transport

APD Fast Destroyer Transport

APF Adminstration Flagship

APG Supporting Gunnery Ship

APH Transport, Evacuation of Wounded

APL Auxiliary Personnel Light / Labour Transport Ship

APM Mechanized Artillery Transport

APN Non-Mechanized Artillery Transport

APR Rescue Transport

APS Transport Submarine

APSS Vehicle Transport Submarine

AR Repair Ship

ARB Repair Ship, Battle Damage

ARC Cable Repair/Laying Ship

ARD Floating Dry Dock

ARD Repair Dock, Concrete

ARG Repair Ship, Landing Craft / Repair Ship, Internal Combustion Engine

ARH Repair Ship, Hull

ARL Repair Ship, Landing Craft

ARM Repair Ship, Heavy Machinery

ARS Salvage Vessel

ARV Aviation Repair Vessel

AS Submarine Tender

ASR Surmarine Rescue Vessel

ASSP Auxiliary Transport Submarine

AT Tug

ATA Auxiliary Tug

ATF Oceangoing Fleet Tug

ATO Old Tug

ATR Recue Tug

ATS Salvage & Rescue Ship

AV Seaplane Tender

AVC Catapult Lighter

AVD Seaplane Tender (Destroyer)

AVP Seaplane Tender (Small)

AVR Aircraft Rescue Vessel

AVS Aviation Supply Ship

AVT Auxiliary Aircraft Transport

AW Distilling Ship

AWK Water Tanker

AZ Airship Tender (Lighter-Than-Air)

BB Battleship

BC Battlecruiser

BCGN Nuclear-powered Guided Missile Battlecruiser

BRDM Floating Dry Dock

CA Heavy Gun Cruiser

CAG Guided Missile Heavy Cruiser

CB Large Cruiser

CC Tactical Command Ship

CG Guided Missile Cruiser

CGN Nuclear-powered Guided Missile Cruiser

CHG Helicopter Cruiser with Guided Missiles

CL Light Cruiser

CLAA Light Anti-Aircraft Cruiser

CLC Task Fleet Command Ship

CLG Guided Missile Light Cruiser

CLGN Guided Missile Light Cruiser, Nuclear-powered

CLK Hunter-Killer Cruiser

CM Minelayer

CMC Minelayer, Coastal

CONT Container Ship

CV Aircraft Carrier

CVA Attack aircraft carrier

CVAN Attack aircraft carrier, nuclear powered.

CVB Large Aircraft Carrier

CVE Escort aircraft carrier.

CVH Helicopter Carrier

CVHA Assault Helicopter Transport

CVHE Escort Helicopter Aircraft Carrier.

CVHG Helicopter Carrier with guided missile armament.

CVL Light aircraft carrier.

CVN Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

CVS Support (ASW) Aircraft Carrier.

CVT Training Aircraft Carrier

CVU Utility Aircraft Carrier

DD Destroyer

DDE Escort Destroyer

DDG Guided Missile Destroyer

DDH Helicopter Destroyer

DDK Hunter-Killer Destroyer

DDR Radar Picket Destroyer

DE Escort Destroyer

DEC Control Escort Ship

DEG Guided Missile Escort Ship

DER Radar Picket Escort Ship

DL Frigate

DLG Guided Missile Frigate

DLGH Guided Missile Frigate, Helicopter

DLGN Guided Missile Frigate, Nuclear-powered

DM Light Minelayer (Former Destroyers)

DMS Minesweeper, Fast (Former Destroyers)

EDD Experimental Destroyer

EDE Experimental Escort Ship

FF Frigate

FFG Guided Missile Frigate

FFGH Guided Missile Frigate, Helicopter

FFH Frigate, Helicopter

FFL Corvette

IFS Inshore Fire Support Ship

IX Unclassified Auxiliary

IXS Unclassified Auxiliary Submarine

LASS Launch Area Support Ship

LCAC Landing Craft, Air Cushioned

LCC Command Ship for Amphibious Operations

LCI Landing Craft, Infantry

LCM Landing Craft, Mechanized units

LCP Landing Craft, Personnel

LCT Landing Craft, Tank

LCU Landing Craft, Utility

LCVP Landing Craft, Vehicles and Personnel

LHA Helicopter Assault Ship

LHD Amphibious Assault Ship

LKA Amphibious Cargo Ship

LPA Amphibious Transport

LPD Amphibious Transport Dock

LPH Amphibious Assault Ship

LPSS Amphibious Transport Submarine

LS Landing Ship

LSD Landing Ship, Dock

LSI Landing Ship, Infantry

LSM Landing Ship, Medium

LSMR Landing Ship, Medium, Rockets

LST Landing Ship, Tank

LSU Landing Ship, Utility

LVT Landing Vehicle, Tracked

MCM Mine Countermeasures Ship

MHC Coastal Mine Hunter

ML Minelayer

MS Minesweeper

MSB Minesweeping Boat

MSH Minesweeper,

MSO Minesweeper, Ocean

MV Merchant Vessel

PBR Patrol Boat, River

PC Patrol Corvette

PCE Escort Patrol Corvette

PCS Patrol Corvette, Minesweeping

PF Patrol Frigate

PG Patrol Gunboat

PGH Patrol Gunboat, Hydrofoil

PGM Patrol Gunboat, Motor

PHM Missile-armed Patrol Hydrofoil.

PM Patrol Missile Boat

PT Torpedo Boat

PTG Torpedo Boat, guided missile armament

PTM Missile-armed Torpedo Boat

PY Patrol Vessel (Converted Yacht)

PYC Coastal Patrol Vessel (Converted Yacht)

SC Submarine Chaser (Wooden)

SM Minelayer Submarine

SS Submarine

SSA Cargo Submarine

SSB Ballistic Missile Submarine

SSBN Nuclear-powered Ballistic Missile Submarine

SSG Guided Missile Submarine

SSGN Nuclear-powered Guided Missile Submarine

SSK Hunter-Killer Submarine

SSKN Hunter-Killer Submarine, nuclear powered

SSN Nuclear-powered (attack) Submarine

SSO Oiler Submarine

SSP Vehicle Transport Submarine

SSR Radar Picket Submarine

SSRN Radar Picket Submarine, nuclear powered

TANK Tanker

TRAN Transport

YA Ash Lighter

YAG District Auxiliary, Miscellaneous

YC Open Lighter

YCF Car Float (Railroad)

YCK Open Cargo Lighter

YCV Aircraft Transportation Lighter

YD Floating Derrick

YDG Degaussing Vessel

YDT Diving Tender

YE Ammunition Tender

YF Covered Lighter

YFB Ferry Boat / Launch

YFD Floating Dry Dock

YF Torpedo Transportation Lighter

YG Garbage Lighter

YH Ambulance Boat

YHB House Boat

YHT Heating Scow

YLA Open Landing Lighter

YM Dredge

YMS Motor Mine Sweeper

YN Net Tender

YNG Gate Vessel

YNT Net Tender, Tuc Class

YO Fuel Oil Barge

YOG Gasoline Barge

YOS Oil Storage Barge

YP District Patrol Craft

YPD Pile Driver (Floating)

YPK Pontoon Storage Barge

YR Floating Workshop

YRD Floating Workshop, Drydock

YS Stevedoring Barge

YSD Seaplane Wrecking Derrick

YSP Salvage Pontoon

YSR Sludge Removal Barge

YTB Large Harbour Tug

YTL Little Harbour Tug

YTM Medium Harbour Tug

YTT Torpedo Testing Barge

YW Water Barge


  
[ Back to Air Force [2] | Primary Sources Archive index [3] ]
Links
  [1] http://www.patriotfiles.com/index.php?name=Sections&req=viewarticle&artid=5828&allpages=1&theme=Printer
  [2] http://www.patriotfiles.com/index.php?name=Sections&req=listarticles&secid=25
  [3] http://www.patriotfiles.com/index.php?name=Sections