United States Of America Military Aircraft Designation Systems

Article Index for
United States

Website Links For
United States

Information About

United States Of America Military Aircraft Designation Systems

HISTORY

1920 to 1947 the United States Army Air Service / United States Army Air Corps / United States Army Air Forces used a designation system based on Mission category, with each model in a category numbered in turn.

1922 to 1962 the United States Navy (including United States Marine Corps ) used a completely separate designation system, based on both ''mission'' and ''manufacturer''.

1947 to 1962 the United States Air Force used a ''mission''-based system different to, but derived from, the 1920-1947 system. For instance, the Lockheed P-80 ''Shooting Star'' (Pursuit) was re-designated as F-80 (Fighter), but the Convair B-36 bomber kept its previous designation.

1962 to now a joint system of ''mission''-based designations was used, with most of these re-starting from 1. Various previously-designated models from the pre-1962 Army-Air Force system (such as the F-111 ) were not re-designated; however all in-use models from the pre-1962 Navy-Marine Corps system were.

--- Exception: The McDonnell F4H Phantom II/F-110 Spectre was re-designated "F-4 Phantom II" in all services.

A comprehensive explanation can be found at Systems of Designation .

INDIVIDUAL SYSTEM PAGES

1919 United States Army Air Service Aircraft Designation System

1924 United States Army Air Service Aircraft Designation System also applied to aircraft of the United States Army Air Corps , United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force

1948 United States Air Force Aircraft Designation System

1922 United States Navy Aircraft Designation System (includes United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard aircraft)

1956 United States Army Air Forces Aircraft Designation System

1962 United States Tri-Service Aircraft Designation System

SEE ALSO

Military Aircraft

EXTERNAL LINKS

US Designations