List of military aircraft of the United States

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.

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, 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).

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 – Curtiss

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
• 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, 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 – S/n 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
• B-71 Blackbird – Lockheed

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 – skipped
• 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
• 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 Stratotanker – Boeing
• C-98 Clipper – Boeing
• C-99 – Convair
• C-100 Gamma – Northrop
• C-101 Vega – Lockheed
• C-102 Speedster – 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
• C-144 Ocean Sentry – CASA CN-235 300CG for US Coast Guard Medium Range Surveillance Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MRS MPA)
• C-145 Skytruck - PZL M28 for special operations.
• C-146 - Dornier 328 for special operations.

Drone

File:Culver PQ-8a.jpg

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

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 – Culve

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 Flying Ram – 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, and Bell D-188A, but never officially assigned

    

    General Dynamics F-111

• F-110 Spectre – McDonnell Douglas (redesignated as F-4 in 1962)
• F-111 Aardvark – General Dynamics
  • 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

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
• 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
• H-69 – skipped
• H-70 – Bell
• H-71 Kestrel – Lockheed Martin
• H-72 Lakota – Eurocopter

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
• T-49 – Boeing
• T-50 Golden Eagle – Korean Aerospace Industries (designation reserved, none procured)
• T-51 – Cessna
• T-52 – Diamond Aircraft
• T-53 – Cirrus

Convertiplane, 1952–1962

Sequence	Name	Manufacturer	Image	First flight	Notes/notable variants
V-1		McDonnell Aircraft		14 July 1954	Formerly XL-25 Formerly XH-35
V-2		Sikorsky Aircraft		–	project cancelled before prototype built
V-3		Bell Helicopter		11 August 1955	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.

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

Airplane, Research, 1956–1962

Sequence	Name	Manufacturer	Image	First flight	Notes/notable variants
AZ-1	Marvelette	Mississippi State University		16 November 1962

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

File:Avrocar 2.jpg

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

Airborne Laser

Sequence	Name	Manufacturer	Image	Notes/Notable Variants
AL-1		Boeing		Airborne Laser Testbed

Airship

Sequence	Name	Manufacturer	Image	Notes/Notable Variants
Z-1		Goodyear
Z-2	Sentinel	Westinghouse Airships
Z-3		American Blimp

Anti-Submarine Warfare

Sequence	Name	Manufacturer	Image	Notes/Notable Variants
S-1				Skipped
S-2	Tracker	Grumman Aircraft		Formerly S2F
S-3	Viking Shadow	Lockheed Corporation

Attack

Sequence	Name	Manufacturer	Image	Notes/notable variants
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
F/A-18E/F	Super Hornet	Boeing
A-26	Invader	Douglas		(redesignated from B-26 in 1966)
A-29	Super Tucano	Embraer
A-37	Dragonfly	Cessna		(originally designated AT-37)

Bomber

Sequence	Name	Manufacturer	Image	Notes/Notable Variants
B-1	Lancer	Rockwell International
B-2	Spirit "Stealth Bomber"	Northrop Grumman

Cargo

Sequence	Name	Manufacturer	Image	Notes/Notable Variants
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		Presidential VVIP transport
C-26		Fairchild
C-27	Spartan	Alenia
C-28	Titan	Cessna
C-29	B Ae 125-800	British Aerospace		Airways and navaid checker
C-32		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
C-45		EADS		Losing K-X contender
C-46		Boeing		Winner of the K-X competition over the EADS KC-45
KC-767		Boeing		Out of sequence designation used for foreign military sales and trials aircraft:- Multi-Role Tanker Transports exported to Japan and Italy
UC-880		Convair		Out of sequence designation used for foreign military sales and trials aircraft:- A single Convair 880 converted to tanker to support trials from the NATC at Patuxent River

Drone

Sequence	Name	Manufacturer	Image	Notes/Notable Variants
Q-1	Predator Warrior	General Atomics		MQ-1C Warrior
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				Requested for Q-1C – Skipped
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
Q-20	Puma	AeroVironment
Q-21	Integrator	Boeing Insitu
Non-sequential designations
Q-170	Sentinel	Lockheed Martin

Electronic Warfare

Sequence	Name	Manufacturer	Image	Notes/Notable Variants
E-1	Tracer	Grumman Aircraft		Formerly WF
E-2	Hawkeye	Grumman Aircraft		Formerly W2F
E-3	Sentry	Boeing
E-4	"Nightwatch"	Boeing
E-5	Eagle	Windecker Industries	File:Windecker-model WL.jpg
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		Battlefield Airborne Communications Node platform
E-767		Boeing		Out of sequence designation used for foreign military sales and trials aircraft:- AEW&C aircraft for the Japanese Self-Defence Forces

Experimental, 1948–present

In addition to aircraft intended to support military operations, the armed forces of the United States have also supported efforts to push the boundaries of aeronautical and aerospace knowledge. Some of the best-known of these projects are the aircraft designated in the "X-series", which led them to become known as "X-planes".

Name	Manufacturer Agency	Image	Maiden flight	Notes/Notable Variants
X-1	Bell Aircraft USAF, NACA		January 19, 1946	High-speed and high-altitude testing. First aircraft to break the sound barrier. Proved aerodynamic viability of thin wing sections.
X-2 "Starbuster"	Bell Aircraft USAF		June 27, 1952	High-speed and high-altitude testing. First aircraft to exceed Mach 3.
X-3 Stiletto	Douglas Aircraft USAF, NACA		October 27, 1952	Titanium alloy construction; low aspect ratio wings. Planned to test long-duration high-speed flight. Incapable of reaching design speed, but Provided insights into inertia coupling.
X-4 Bantam	Northrop USAF, NACA		December 15, 1948	Evaluated handling characteristics of tailless aircraft in the transonic speed region.
X-5	Bell Aircraft USAF, NACA		June 20, 1951	First aircraft to fly with Variable-sweep wing wings. (many other aircraft had previously flown with variable geometry wings, but none with variable sweep wings)
X-6	Convair USAF, AEC		Not flown	Modified Convair B-36 for study of Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion; not built. NB-36H testbed tested reactor.
X-7 "Flying Stove Pipe"	Lockheed Tri-service		April 1951	High-speed testbed for ramjet engines.
X-8 Aerobee	Aerojet NACA, USAF, USN			Upper air research vehicle and sounding rocket.
X-9 Shrike	Bell Aircraft USAF		April 1949	Guidance and propulsion technology testbed. Assisted development of GAM-63 Rascal missile.
X-10	North American Aviation USAF		October 13, 1953	Testbed for SM-64 Navajo missile.
X-11	Convair USAF		June 11, 1957	Testbed for SM-65 Atlas missile.
X-12	Convair USAF		July, 1958	Advanced testbed for SM-65 Atlas missile.
X-13 Vertijet	Ryan Aeronautical USAF, USN		December 10, 1955	Vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) testbed. Evaluated tailsitting configuration for VTOL flight.
X-14	Bell Aircraft USAF, NASA		February 19, 1957	VTOL testbed. Examined the vectored thrust configuration for VTOL flight.
X-15	North American Aviation USAF, NASA		June 8, 1959	Hypersonic (Mach 6), high-altitude (350,000 feet (110,000 m)) testing. First manned hypersonic aircraft; capable of suborbital spaceflight.
X-16	Bell Aircraft USAF		Never flew	High-altitude reconnaissance aircraft project. "X-16" designation used as cover story.
X-17	Lockheed USAF, USN		April 1956	Tested the effects of high Mach number reentry.
X-18	Hiller Aircraft USAF, USN		November 24, 1959	VTOL/Short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) testbed. Evaluated the tiltwing concept for VTOL flight.
X-19	Curtiss-Wright Tri-service		November 1963	Tandem tiltrotor VTOL transport testbed. XC-143 designation proposed.
X-20 Dyna-Soar	Boeing USAF		Never built	Reusable spaceplane for military missions.
X-21	Northrop USAF		April 18, 1963	Boundary layer control testbed.
X-22	Bell Aircraft Tri-service		March 17, 1966	Quad ducted fan tiltrotor STOVL testbed.
X-23 PRIME	Martin Marietta USAF		December 21, 1966	Maneuvering atmospheric reentry effects testbed. Note: Designation never officially assigned.
X-24	Martin Marietta USAF, NASA		August 1, 1973	Low-speed lifting body handling testbed. Lifting body aerodynamic shape trials.
X-25	Benson USAF		December 6, 1955	Light autogyro for emergency use by downed pilots.
X-26 Frigate	Schweizer DARPA, US Army, USN		1967	Training glider for yaw-roll coupling Quiet observation aircraft testbed.
X-27	Lockheed		Never flew	High performance fighter prototype.
X-28 Sea Skimmer	Osprey Aircraft USN		August 12, 1970	Inexpensive aerial policing seaplane testbed.
X-29	Grumman DARPA, USAF, NASA		1984	Forward-swept wing testbed.
X-30 NASP	Rockwell NASA, DARPA, USAF		Never built	Single stage to orbit spaceplane prototype.
X-31	Rockwell DARPA, USAF, BdV		1990	Thrust vectoring supermaneuverability testbed. ESTOL testbed.
X-32	Boeing USAF, USN, RAF		September 2000	Joint Strike Fighter prototype.
X-33 Venture Star	Lockheed Martin NASA		Prototype never completed	Half-scale reusable launch vehicle prototype.
X-34	Orbital Sciences NASA		Never flew	Reusable unmanned spaceplane testbed.
X-35	Lockheed Martin USAF, USN, RAF		2000	Joint Strike Fighter prototype.
X-36	McDonnell Douglas/Boeing NASA		May 17, 1997	28% scale tailless fighter testbed.
X-37	Boeing USAF, NASA		April 7, 2006 (drop test) April 22, 2010 (orbital flight)	Reusable orbital spaceplane.
X-38	Scaled Composites NASA		1999	Lifting body Crew Return Vehicle demonstrator.
X-39	Unknown USAF		Unknown	Future Aircraft Technology Enhancements (FATE) program. Note: Designation never officially assigned.
X-40	Boeing USAF, NASA		August 11, 1998	80% scale Space Maneuver Vehicle testbed. X-37 prototype.
X-41	Unknown USAF		Unknown	Maneuvering re-entry vehicle.
X-42	Unknown USAF		Unknown	Expendable liquid propellant upper stage rocket.
X-43 Hyper-X	Microcraft NASA		June 2, 2001	Scramjet hypersonic testbed.
X-44 MANTA	Lockheed Martin USAF, NASA		Cancelled	F-22-based Multi-Axis No-Tail Aircraft thrust vectoring testbed.
X-45	Boeing DARPA, USAF		May 22, 2002	Unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) demonstrator.
X-46	Boeing DARPA, USN		Cancelled	Naval UCAV demonstrator.
X-47A Pegasus X-47B	Northrop Grumman DARPA, USN		February 23, 2003	Naval UCAV demonstrator.
X-48	Boeing NASA		July 20, 2007	Blended Wing Body (BWB) testbed.
X-49 Speedhawk	Piasecki Aircraft US Army	File:Piasecki X-49-3.jpg	July 29, 2007	Compound helicopter Vectored Thrust Ducted Propeller (VTDP) testbed.
X-50 Dragonfly	Boeing DARPA		24 November 2003	Canard Rotor/Wing testbed.
X-51 Waverider	Boeing USAF		26 May 2010	Hypersonic scramjet demonstrator.
X-52	Number skipped to avoid confusion with B-52.
X-53	Boeing Phantom Works NASA, USAF		November 2002	Active Aeroelastic Wing testbed.
X-54	Gulfstream Aerospace NASA		Future	Supersonic transport testbed.
X-55	Lockheed Martin Skunk Works USAF	File:Advanced Composite Cargo.jpg	June 2, 2009	Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft (ACCA). Molded composite fuselage and empennage testbed.

Fighter

Sequence	Name	Manufacturer	Image	Notes/Notable Variants
F-1	Fury	North American		(previously designated FJ)
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)
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-14	Tomcat	Grumman
F-15	Eagle	McDonnell Douglas
F-16	Fighting Falcon	General Dynamics / Lockheed Martin		Winning contender in the LWF contest
F-17	Cobra	Northrop		Losing contender in the LWF contest, developed into the F/A-18 Hornet
F-18A/B/C/D	Hornet	McDonnell Douglas		Developed from the YF-17 as a shipboard fighter Attack aircraft
F/A-18E/F	Super Hornet	Boeing		Enlarged F/A-18 with bigger everything
F-20	Tigershark	Northrop		The ultimate Tiger development powered by a single F404 afterburning turbofan, but no production
F-21	Kfir C-2	Israel Aircraft Industries		Kfir C2 aircraft for US Navy dissimilar combat training and aggressor training
F-22	Raptor	Lockheed Martin
F-23	Black Widow II	Northrop / McDonnell Douglas		Lost out to the F-22 in competition
F-35	Lightning II	Lockheed Martin		Production version of the X-35, winner of the JSF competition
YF-110	MiG-21s	Mikoyan-Gurevich		Note: Captured foreign aircraft used for evaluation and aggressor were given designations in sequence—based on chronology—with "black" project aircraft, continuing the pre-1962 F series. Designation used for captured MiG-21s and new-build J-7s
YF-112	Su-22	Sukhoi		Note: Captured foreign aircraft used for evaluation and aggressor were given designations in sequence—based on chronology—with "black" project aircraft, continuing the pre-1962 F series. – obtained from Egypt or Allegedly used for captured MiGs
YF-113	MiG-23s	Mikoyan-Gurevich		Note: Captured foreign aircraft used for evaluation and aggressor were given designations in sequence—based on chronology—with "black" project aircraft, continuing the pre-1962 F series. – Designation used for captured MiG-17s and
YF-114	MiG-17	Mikoyan-Gurevich		Note: Captured foreign aircraft used for evaluation and aggressor were given designations in sequence—based on chronology—with "black" project aircraft, continuing the pre-1962 F series. – Designation used for captured MiG-17s
F-117	Nighthawk	Lockheed		Production version of the HAVE BLUE experimental stealth aircraft
F-117D Tacit Blue	TACIT BLUE			A stealth experimental aircraft

• • F-13 – skipped
  • F-19 – officially skipped; rumored to be still classified
  • YF-24 – (fictional?) Classified project
  • YF-113G – possible USAF "black project"
  • YF-121 Rumored "black project"

Note: Captured foreign aircraft used for evaluation and aggressor were given designations in sequence—based on chronology—with "black" project aircraft, continuing the pre-1962 F series.

• • YF-116 – Rumored designation of captured MiG-25
  • YF-118 – Rumored designation of MiG-29

Glider

• TG-1 – Schweizer
• TG-2 – Schweizer
• TG-3 – Schweizer
• TG-4 – Schweizer
• TG-5 – Schweizer
• TG-6 – Schweizer
• TG-7 – Schweizer
• RG-8 Condor – Schweizer
• TG-9 – Schleicher
• TG-10 Blaník – Let
• TG-11 – Stemme
• TG-12 – Caproni Vizzola
  • G-13 – skipped
• TG-14 Super Ximango – Aeromot
• TG-15 – Schempp-Hirth
• TG-16 – DG Flugzeugbau

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.

Sequence	Name	Manufacturer	Image	First flight	Notes/Notable Variants
H-1 Iroquois	Iroquois Huey	Bell Helicopter		22 October 1956	Formerly H-40 Formerly HU-1 UH-1N Twin Huey UH-1Y Venom
H-1 Cobra	Cobra SeaCobra SuperCobra Viper	Bell Helicopter			Formerly AH-1 Cobra AH-1 SuperCobra AH-1Z Viper
H-2 Seasprite	Seasprite	Kaman Aircraft		2 July 1959	Formerly HU2K SH-2G Super Seasprite
H-3 Sea King	Sea King "Jolly Green Giant"	Sikorsky Aircraft		11 March 1959	Formerly HSS-2 CH-/HH-3 Sea King
H-4		Bell Helicopter		8 December 1962	Formerly HO-4
H-5		Fairchild Hiller		21 January 1963	Formerly HO-5
H-6 Cayuse	Cayuse Little Bird	Hughes Helicopters McDonnell Douglas Boeing Helicopters		27 February 1963	Formerly HO-6 MH-6 Little Bird AH-6

Observation

Sequence	Name	Manufacturer	Image	First flight	Notes/Notable Variants
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

Patrol

Sequence	Name	Manufacturer	Image	First flight	Notes/Notable Variants
P-1	Skipped
P-2	Neptune	Lockheed Corporation		17 May 1945	Formerly P2V
P-3	Orion ARIES	Lockheed Corporation		25 November 1959	Formerly P3V WP-3D Orion EP-3 Aries
P-4	Privateer	Consolidated Aircraft		1943	Formerly PB4Y-2K / P4Y-2K)
P-5	Marlin	Glenn L. Martin Company		30 May 1948	Formerly P5M
P-6	Skipped – presumably because of Martin P6M which was canceled a few years previously
P-7		Lockheed Corporation		–	Long-Range Air ASW-Capable Aircraft Not built
P-8	Poseidon	Boeing		25 April 2009

Reconnaissance

Sequence	Name	Manufacturer	Image	First flight	Notes/Notable Variants
R-1	Dragon Lady	Lockheed Corporation	File:Tr1a-95rs-alc.jpg	August 1981
R-2	Skipped
R-3					Possibly assigned to a Black Project Speculated: TR-3 Black Manta Speculated: 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.

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.

Sequence	Name	Manufacturer	Image	First flight	Notes/Notable Variants
1962 Sequence
T-1	SeaStar	Lockheed Corporation		15 December 1953	Formerly T2V.
T-2	Buckeye	North American Aviation		31 January 1958	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		1991
T-4	Skipped
T-5	Skipped
T-6	Texan II	Hawker Beechcraft		July 1998	Named in honor of AT-6 Texan

Utility, 1955–present

• U-1 Otter – de Havilland Canada
• U-2 – Lockheed Corporation
• U-3 – 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 – Cessna
• U-27 Caravan – Cessna
• U-28 – Pilatus
• U-38 Twin Condor – Schweizer

Vertical and Short Take-off and Landing Aircraft

Sequence	Name	Manufacturer	Image	First flight	Notes/Notable Variants
V-1	Mohawk	Grumman Aircraft		14 April 1959	Formerly AO-1
V-2	Caribou	de Havilland Canada		30 July 1958	Formerly AC-1 Redesignated as C-7
V-3		Bell Helicopter		11 August 1955	Formerly H-33 Formerly V-3 in Convertiplane series
V-4	Hummingbird	Lockheed Corporation		7 July 1962	Formerly VZ-10
V-5	Vertifan	Ryan Aeronautical		25 May 1964	Formerly VZ-11
V-6	Kestrel	Hawker Siddeley		7 March 1964	VZ-12 was used for the preceding P.1127 model, but these were never delivered
V-7	Buffalo	de Havilland Canada		22 September 1961	Formerly AC-2 Redesignated as C-8
V-8	"Fleep"	Ryan Aeronautical		1961	Designation later reused.
V-8	Harrier	Hawker Siddeley		28 December 1967	AV-8B Harrier II McDonnell Douglas/British Aerospace
V-9		Hughes Helicopters		5 November 1964
V-10	Bronco	Rockwell International Boeing		16 July 1965
V-11	Marvel	Parsons Corporation		1 December 1965
V-12		Parsons Corporation		1961 (Turbo-Porter)	Cancelled, designation reused.
V-12		Rockwell International		1978 (tethered hover)
V-13	Skipped
V-14	Skipped				Skipped to avoid confusion with X-14.
V-15		Bell Helicopter		3 May 1977
V-16	Advanced Harrier	McDonnell Douglas British Aerospace		–	Not built; developed into AV-8B
V-17	Skipped				Assigned to a U.S. Army project but not used.
V-18	Twin Otter	de Havilland Canada		20 May 1965 (DHC-6)
V-19	Skipped				Assigned to a U.S. Navy project but cancelled.
V-20	Chiricahua	de Havilland Canada	File:Pilatus UV-20A.jpg	1979
V-21	PACES	Airship Industries		1983	Unconfirmed designation.
V-22	Osprey	Bell Helicopter Boeing Helicopters		19 March 1989
V-23	Scout	Dominion Aircraft	File:UV-23 Scout.jpg	21 April 1975 (Skytrader)

Un-designated foreign aircraft operated by the United States

• Airspeed Horsa – Airspeed Ltd
• Airspeed Oxford – Airspeed
• Bristol Beaufighter – Bristol Aeroplane Company
• Boulton Paul Defiant – Boulton Paul Aircraft
• CAC Wirraway – Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
• de Havilland Dominie – de Havilland
• de Havilland Moth Minor – de Havilland.
• de Havilland Tiger Moth – de Havilland
• Diamond DA20 – Diamond Aircraft
• Hawker Hurricane – Hawker Aircraft
• Heinkel HD 22 – Heinkel Flugzeugwerke
• M28 Skytruck – PZL
• Mil Mi-17 – Mil
• Miles Master – Miles Aircraft Ltd
• Morane-Saulnier MS-234
• Percival Proctor
• Supermarine Spitfire
• Westland Lysander

See also

• "SR-91 Aurora"
• F/A-XX
• List of active United States military aircraft
• List of military aircraft of the United States (1909-1919)
• List of military aircraft of the United States (naval) (Pre-1962 designation aircraft only)
• United States unified missile designation sequence
• U.S. DoD aircraft designations table
• United States military aero engine designations
• United States military aircraft serials

References

Notes

Bibliography

• 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

• OrBat United States of America – MilAvia Press.com: Military Aviation Publications
• U.S. Military Aircraft and Weapon Designations
• Designation-Systems.Net
• http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/

• Main Aircraft Page
• National Museum of the USAF – Home
• OrBat United States Air Force – MilAvia Press.com: Military Aviation Publications
• http://www.microworks.net/pacific/aviation/

• Uncommon Aircraft