List of military aircraft of the United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This list of military aircraft of the United States includes prototype, pre-production and operational types. For aircraft currently in service, see the List of active United States military aircraft. Prototypes are normally prefixed with "X" and 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 "Y".
The United States Air Force currently employs a designation and naming system to identify all aircraft type with distinct names. Until 1962, both the Army and Air Force maintained one system, while the United States Navy maintained a separate system. In 1962, these were unified into a single system heavily reflecting the Army/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 designated under the pre-1962 United States Navy designation system. For these aircraft, see List of military aircraft of the United States (naval).
[edit] Prior to 1919
- Burgess H - Burgess
- Curtiss JN-4 - Curtiss
- Curtiss N-9 - Curtiss
- Curtiss NC - Curtiss
- Hewitt-Sperry Automatic Airplane - Hewitt/Sperry
- Kettering Bug - Kettering
- Martin MB-1 - Martin
- Martin MB-2 - Martin
- Nieuport 28 - Nieuport
- SPAD S.VII - SPAD
- SPAD S.XIII - SPAD
[edit] Army Air Service, 1919-1924
Prior to 1919, all planes flown by the Army Air Service were referred to by the designation given to them by their manufacturer. In 1919, the Army Air Service decided that it needed some 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 an number within that abbreviation. Variants were designated by alphabetically appending letters to the design number.
[edit] 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
[edit] Type II: Pursuit, night
- PN-1 - Curtiss
[edit] Type III: Pursuit, air-cooled
- PA-1 - Loening
[edit] Type IV: Pursuit, ground attack, 1922
- PG-1 - Aeromarine
[edit] Type V: Two-seat pursuit
- TP-1 - Engineering Division
[edit] Type VI: Ground attack, 1920-1922
[edit] Type VII: Infantry liaison
- IL-1 - Orenco
[edit] Type VIII: Night observation
- XNO-1 - Douglas
- XNO-2 - Douglas
[edit] Type IX: Artillery observation
- AO-1 - Atlantic
[edit] Type X: Corps observation
- CO-1 - Engineering Division
- CO-2 - Engineering Division
- CO-3 - Engineering Division
- CO-4 - Atlantic
- XCO-5 - Atlantic
- XCO-6 - Engineering Division
- XCO-7 - Boeing
- XCO-8 - Atlantic
[edit] Type XI: Day bombardment
- DB-1 - Gallaudet
[edit] Type XII: Night bombardment, short range
- NBS-1 - Martin (formerly designated MB-2)
- XNBS-2 - Lowe-Willard-Fowler
- XNBS-3 - Elias
- XNBS-4 - Curtiss
[edit] Type XIII: Night bombardment, long range
[edit] Type XIV: Trainer, air-cooled
- TA-1 - Elias
- TA-2 - Huff-Daland
- TA-3 - Wright
- TA-4 - Engineering Division
- TA-5 - Wright
- TA-6 - Huff-Daland
[edit] Type XV: Trainer, water-cooled
- TW-1 - Engineering Division
- TW-2 - Cox-Klemin
- TW-3 - Wright
- TW-4 - Fokker
- TW-5 - Huff-Daland
[edit] Ambulance, 1919-1924
- XA-1 - Cox-Klemin
- A-2 - Fokker
[edit] Messenger
- M-1 - Engineering Division/Sperry
[edit] Pursuit, special
- XPS-1 - Wright
[edit] Racer
- R-1 - 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
[edit] Seaplane
- S-1 - Loening
[edit] Transport
- T-1 - Martin
- T-2 - Fokker
- XT-3 - Lowe-Willard-Fowler
[edit] Army Air Corps/Army Air Forces/Air Force 1924-1962
[edit] Attack, 1924-1948
-
- A-1 - skipped to prevent confusion with Cox-Klemin XA-1
- XA-2 - Douglas
- A-3 - Curtiss
- A-4 - Curtiss
- A-5 - Curtiss
- A-6 - Curtiss
- XA-7 - Fokker
- A-8 - Curtiss
- XA-9 - Lockheed
- YA-10 Shrike - Curtiss
- XA-11 - Consolidated
- A-12 Shrike - Curtiss
- YA-13 - Northrop
- YA-14 - Curtiss
- XA-15 - Martin
- XA-16 - Northrop
- A-17 - Northrop
- A-18 Shrike - Curtiss
- A-19 - Vultee
- A-20 Havoc - Douglas (redesignated B-20 in 1948)
- XA-21 - Stearman
- A-22 Maryland - Martin
- A-23 Baltimore - Martin
- A-24 Banshee - Douglas (redesignated F-24 in 1948)
- A-25 Shrike - Curtiss
- A-26 Invader - Douglas (redesignated B-26 in 1948, then A-26 in 1966)
- A-27 - North American
- A-28 Hudson - Lockheed
- A-29 Hudson - Lockheed
- A-30 Baltimore - Martin
- A-31 Vengeance - Vultee
- A-32 - Brewster
- A-33 - Northrop
- A-34 - Brewster
- A-35 Vengeance - Vultee
- A-36 - North American
- XA-37 - Hughes
- XA-38 Grizzly - Beechcraft
- XA-39 - Kaiser-Fleetwings
- A-40 - Curtiss
- A-41 - Vultee
- XA-42 Mixmaster - Douglas
- XA-43 Blackhawk - Curtiss-Wright
- XA-44 - Consolidated
- XA-45 - Martin
[edit] Bomber
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.
[edit] Light Bomber, 1924-1926
- LB-1 - Huff-Daland (later Keystone)
- LB-2 - Fokker
- XLB-3 - Keystone
- XLB-4 - Martin
- LB-5 - Keystone
- LB-6 - Keystone
- LB-7 - Keystone
- LB-8 - Keystone
- LB-9 - Keystone
- LB-10 - Keystone
- LB-11 - Keystone
- XLB-12 - Keystone
- LB-13 - Keystone
- LB-14 - Keystone
[edit] Medium Bomber, 1924-1926
[edit] Heavy Bomber, 1924-1926
- XHB-1 - Huff-Daland
- XHB-2 - Fokker
- XHB-3 - Huff-Daland
[edit] Unified bomber sequence, 1926-1962
- XB-1 - Huff-Daland-Keystone
- B-2 Condor - Curtiss
- B-3 - Keystone
- B-4 - Keystone
- B-5 - Keystone
- B-6 - Keystone
- Y1B-7 - Douglas
- XB-8 - Fokker
- Y1B-9 - Boeing
- B-10 - Martin
- YB-11 - Douglas
- B-12 - Martin
- XB-13 - Martin
- XB-14 - Martin
- XB-15 - Boeing
- XB-16 - Martin
- B-17 Flying Fortress - Boeing
- B-18 Bolo - Douglas
- XB-19 - Douglas
- Y1B-20 - Boeing
- XB-21 - North American
- XB-22 - Douglas
- B-23 Dragon - Douglas
- B-24 Liberator - Consolidated
- B-25 Mitchell - North American
- B-26 Marauder - Martin
- B-26 Invader - designation of A-26 Invader from 1948 to 1966
- XB-27 - Martin
- XB-28 Dragon - North American
- B-29 Superfortress - Boeing
- XB-30 - Lockheed
- XB-31 - Douglas
- B-32 Dominator - Consolidated
- B-33 Super Marauder - Martin
- B-34 Lexington - Lockheed
- YB-35 - Northrop
- B-36 - Convair
- B-37 - Lockheed
- XB-38 Flying Fortress - Boeing
- XB-39 Superfortress - Boeing
- YB-40 Flying Fortress - Boeing
- XB-41 Liberator - Consolidated
- XB-42 Mixmaster - Douglas
- XB-43 Jetmaster - Douglas
- XB-44 Superfortress - Boeing
- B-45 Tornado - North American
- XB-46 - Convair
- B-47 Stratojet - Boeing
- XB-48 - Martin
- YB-49 - Northrop
- B-50 Superfortress - Boeing
- XB-51 - Martin
- B-52 Stratofortress - Boeing
- XB-53 - Convair
- B-54 - Boeing
- XB-55 - Boeing
- B-56 - Boeing
- B-57 - Martin/English Electric
- B-58 Hustler - Convair
- XB-59 - Boeing
- YB-60 - Convair
- B-61 Matador - Martin (later redesignated TM-61, TM- denoting "tactical missile", and later MGM-1 under unified missile sequence)
- B-62 Snark - Northrop (later redesignated SM-62, SM- denoting "strategic missile")
- XB-63 Rascal - Bell (later redesignated XGAM-63)
- B-64 Navaho - North American (later redesignated SM-64)
- B-65 Atlas - Convair (later redesignated SM-65)
- B-66 Destroyer - Douglas
- B-67 Crossbow - Radioplane (later redesignated GAM-67)
- XB-68 - Martin
- RB-69 - Lockheed
- XB-70 Valkyrie - North American
- SR-71 Blackbird - Lockheed; SR- denotes "strategic reconnaissance"
[edit] 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.
- XBLR-1 - Boeing (later redesignated XB-15)
- XBLR-2 - Douglas (later redesignated XB-19)
- XBLR-3 - Sikorsky
[edit] Missiles
Beginning with #68, the M- (missile) and B- (bomber) series diverged. The following missiles, some of which are incorrectly labeled as "formerly designated B-xx" in some sources, never used a B-series designation.
- SM-68 Titan - Martin (redesignated LGM-25 under unified missile sequence)
- IM-69 Bomarc - Boeing (later redesignated IM-99, then CIM-10 under unified missile sequence)
- IM-70 Talos - Bendix (redesignated RIM-8 under unified missile sequence)
- XGAM-71 Buck Duck - Convair
- GAM-72 Quail - McDonnell (redesignated ADM-20 under unified missile sequence)
- XSM-73 Goose - Fairchild
- M-74 - possibly not assigned[1]
- SM-75 Thor - Douglas (redesignated PGM-17 under unified missile sequence)
- TM-76 Mace - Martin (redesignated MGM-13 under unified missile sequence)
- GAM-77 Hound Dog - North American (redesignated AGM-28 under unified missile sequence)
- SM-78 Jupiter - Chrysler (redesignated PGM-19 under unified missile sequence)
- GAM-79 White Lance - Martin
- SM-80 Minuteman - Boeing (redesignated LGM-30 under unified missile sequence)
- RM-81 Agena - Lockheed
- XRM-82 Loki - Bendix (redesignated PWN-1 under unified missile sequence)
- GAM-83 Bullpup - Martin (redesignated AGM-12 under unified missile sequence)
- XRM-84 Aerobee-hi - Aerojet General (redesignated PWN-2 under unified missile sequence)
- XRM-85 Nike-Cajun (redesignated PWN-3 under unified missile sequence)
- XRM-86 Exos (redesignated PWN-4 under unified missile sequence)
- GAM-87 Skybolt - Douglas (redesignated AGM-48 under unified missile sequence)
- SRM-88 - Cooper (redesignated PWN-5 under unified missile sequence)
- XRM-89 Blue Scout 1 - Ford
- XRM-90 Blue Scout 2 - Ford
- XRM-91 Blue Scout Junior - Ford
- XRM-92 Air Force Scout - Ford
[edit] Cargo, 1924-1962
- 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
- Y1C-24 - American
- C-25 Altair - Lockheed
- C-26 Dolphin - Douglas
- C-27 Airbus - Bellanca
- C-28 - Sikorsky
- C-29 Dolphin - Douglas
- C-30 Condor - Curtiss-Wright
- C-31 - Kreider-Reisner
- C-32 - Douglas
- C-33 - Douglas
- C-34 - Douglas
- XC-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
- XC-44 - Messerschmitt
- C-45 Expeditor - Beechcraft
- C-46 Commando - Curtiss-Wright
- C-47 Skytrain - Douglas
- 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-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-98 Clipper - Boeing
- XC-99 - Convair
- C-100 Gamma - Northrop
- C-101 Vega - Lockheed
- C-102 Speedster - Rearwin
- C-103 - Grumman
- C-104 - Lockheed
- XC-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
- XC-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
- C-122 - Fairchild
- C-123 Provider - Fairchild
- C-124 Globemaster II - Douglas
- 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
- YC-134 - Stroukoff
- C-135 Stratotanker - Boeing
- YC-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
- XC-142 - Vought
- C-143 - reserved for what would become the X-19, but never officially assigned
After 2005, several planes were added to this sequence.
- C-143 - Bombardier
- C-144 - CASA
[edit] Drone
[edit] Aerial Target
[edit] 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
[edit] 1942-1948
- PQ-8 Cadet - Culver
- PQ-9 - Culver
- PQ-10 - Culver
- PQ-11 - Fletcher
- PQ-12 - Fleetwings
- PQ-13 - ERCO
- PQ-14 - Culver
- PQ-15 - Culver
[edit] Aerial Target (Model Airplane), 1942-1948
- OQ-2 - Radioplane
- OQ-3 - Radioplane/Frankfort
- OQ-4 - Brunswick-Balke-Collender
- OQ-5
- 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 - Radioplane
[edit] Controllable bomb, 1942-1945
- BQ-1 - Fleetwings
- BQ-2 - Kaiser-Fleetwings
- BQ-3 - Fairchild
- BQ-4 - Interstate
- BQ-5 - Interstate
- BQ-6 - Interstate
- BQ-7 Aphrodite - Boeing
- BQ-8 Liberator - Consolidated
[edit] Target Control, 1942-1948
- CQ-1 - Fletcher
- CQ-2 - Stinson
- CQ-3 Expeditor - Beech
- CQ-4 Flying Fortress - Boeing
[edit] Unified sequence, 1948-1962
- Q-1 - Radioplane
- Q-2 Firebee - Ryan
- Q-3 - Radioplane
- Q-4 - Radioplane/Bendix
- Q-5 Kingfisher - Lockheed
- Q-6
- Q-7 - skipped: request for redesignated QB-17 not approved
- Q-8 - skipped: request for redesignated QF-80 not approved
- Q-9
- Q-10 - Radioplane
- Q-11 - skipped
- Q-12 Challenger - Beech
- Q-14 Cadet - Culver
[edit] Electronic (modified aircraft)
- EB-47 Stratojet - Boeing
- ERB-47 Stratojet - Boeing
- EB-57 Canberra - Martin
- EB-66 Destroyer - Douglas
- EC-47 Skytrain - Douglas
- EC-54 Skymaster - Douglas
- EC-121 Warning Star - Lockheed
- EC-130E Commando Solo - Lockheed
- EC-130H Compass Call - Lockheed
- EC-130J Commando Solo II - Lockheed
- EC-135 Looking Glass - Boeing
- EF-105 Thunderchief - Republic
- EF-111A Raven - General Dynamics
[edit] Glider
[edit] Assault Glider, 1942-1944
- AG-1 - Christopher
- AG-2 - Timm
[edit] Bomb Glider, 1942-1944
- BG-1 - Fletcher
- BG-2 - Fletcher
- BG-3 - Cornelius
[edit] Cargo Glider, 1941-1948
- CG-1 - Frankfort
- CG-2 - Frankfort
- CG-3 - Waco
- CG-4 Hadrian - Waco
- CG-5 - St. Louis
- CG-6 - St. Louis
- CG-7 - Bowlus/Douglas
- CG-8 - Bowlus/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
[edit] Fuel Glider, 1930-1948
- FG-1 - Cornelius
[edit] Powered Glider, 1943-1948
- PG-1 - Northwestern
- PG-2 - Ridgefield
- PG-3 - Waco
[edit] Training Glider, 1941-1948
- TG-1 - Frankfort
- TG-2 - Schweizer
- TG-3 - Schweizer
- TG-4 - Laister-Kauffman
- TG-5 Grasshopper - Aeronca
- TG-6 Grasshopper - Taylorcraft
- TG-7 Orlik - SZD
- TG-8 Grasshopper - Piper
- TG-9 - Briegleb
- TG-10 - Wichita Engineering
- TG-11 - Schempger
- TG-12 - Bowlus
- TG-13 - Briegleb
- TG-14 - Stiglemeier
- TG-15 - Franklin
- TG-16 - A.B.C.
- TG-17 - Franklin
- TG-18 - Midwest
- TG-19 - Schweyer
- TG-20 - Laister-Kauffman
- TG-21 - Notre Dame
- TG-22 - Melrose
- TG-23 - Harper-Corcoran
- TG-24 - Bowlus-Dupont
- TG-25 - Plover
- TG-26 - Universal
- TG-27 - Grunau
- TG-28 - Haller
- TG-29 - Volmer Jensen
- TG-30 Bluebird - Smith
- TG-31 - Aero Industries
- TG-32 - Pratt-Read
- TG-33 - Aeronca
[edit] 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
[edit] Sailplane, 1960-1962
- S-1 - Schweizer
- S-2 - Schweizer
[edit] Gyroplane, 1935-1939
- G-1 - Kellett
- G-2 - Pitcairn
[edit] Pursuit, 1924-1948/Fighter, 1948-1962
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
- XP-4 - Boeing
- P-5 Hawk - Curtiss
- P-6 Hawk - Curtiss
- XP-7 - Boeing
- XP-8 - Boeing
- XP-9 - Boeing
- XP-10 - Curtiss
- P-11 Hawk - Curtiss
- P-12 - Boeing
- XP-13 Viper - Thomas Morse
- XP-14 - Curtiss
- XP-15 - Boeing
- P-16 - Berliner-Joyce
- XP-17 Hawk - Curtiss
- XP-18 - Curtiss
- XP-19 - Curtiss
- YP-20 Hawk - Curtiss
- XP-21 - Curtiss
- XP-22 Hawk - Curtiss
- XP-23 Hawk - Curtiss
- YP-24 - Lockheed
- Y1P-25 - Consolidated
- P-26 Peashooter - Boeing
- YP-27 - Consolidated
- Y1P-28 - Consolidated
- YP-29 - Boeing
- P-30 - Consolidated
- XP-31 - Curtiss
- XP-32 - Boeing
- XP-33 - Consolidated
- XP-34 - Wedell-Williams
- P-35 - Seversky
- P-36 Hawk - Curtiss
- XP-37 - Curtiss
- P-38 Lightning - Lockheed
- P-39 Airacobra - Bell
- P-40 - Curtiss
- XP-41 - Seversky
- XP-42 - Curtiss
- P-43 Lancer - Republic
- P-44 Rocket - Republic
- XP-45 - Bell
- XP-46 - Curtiss
- P-47 Thunderbolt - Republic
- XP-48 - Douglas
- XP-49 - Lockheed
- XP-50 - Grumman
- P-51 Mustang - North American
- XP-52 - Bell
- XP-53 - Curtiss
- XP-54 Swoose Goose - Vultee
- XP-55 Ascender - Curtiss
- XP-56 Black Bullet - Northrop
- XP-57 - Tucker
- XP-58 Chain Lightning - Lockheed
- P-59 Airacomet - Bell
- YP-60 - Curtiss
- P-61 Black Widow - Northrop
- XP-62 - Curtiss
- P-63 Kingcobra - Bell
- P-64 - North American
- XP-65 - Grumman
- P-66 Vanguard - Vultee
- XP-67 Bat - McDonnell
- XP-68 Tornado - Vultee
- XP-69 - Republic
- P-70 - Douglas
- XP-71 - Curtiss
- XP-72 - Republic
- XP-73 - Hughes (officially never assigned)
- P-74 - skipped
- P-75 Eagle - Fisher
- XP-76 - Bell
- XP-77 - Bell
- XP-78 - North American
- XP-79 Flying Ram - Northrop
- P-80/F-80 Shooting Star - Lockheed
- XP-81 - Convair
- F-82 Twin Mustang - North American
- XP-83 - Bell
- P-84/F-84 Thunderjet - Republic
- XP-85/XF-85 Goblin - McDonnell
- F-86 Sabre - North American
- XP-87/XF-87 Blackhawk - Curtiss
- XP-88/XF-88 Voodoo - McDonnell
- F-89 Scorpion - Northrop
- XF-90 - Lockheed
- XF-91 Thunderceptor - Republic
- XF-92A - Convair
- YF-93A - North American
- F-94 Starfire - Lockheed
- YF-95A - North American
- YF-96A - Republic
- F-97 Starfire - Lockheed
- XF-98 - Hughes (later redesignated GAR-1, then AIM-4 in unified missile sequence)
- F-99 BOMARC - Boeing (later redesignated IM-99, then CIM-10 in unified missile sequence)
- F-100 Super Sabre - North American
- F-101 Voodoo - McDonnell
- F-102 Delta Dagger - Convair
- XF-103 - Republic
- F-104 Starfighter - Lockheed
- F-105 Thunderchief - Republic
- F-106 Delta Dart - Convair
- F-107 - North American
- XF-108 Rapier - North American
- F-109 - temporarily reserved for what would become the F-101B, but never officially assigned[2]
- YF-109 - designation requested for Bell D-188A, but never officially assigned
- F-110 Spectre - McDonnell Douglas (redesignated F-4 Phantom II 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.
[edit] Fighter, Multiplace
[edit] Pursuit, Biplace
- PB-1 - Berliner-Joyce
- PB-2 - Consolidated
[edit] Observation
[edit] Observation, 1924-1942
- O-1 Falcon - Curtiss
- O-2 - Douglas
- XO-3 Mohawk - Dayton-Wright
- XO-4 - Martin
- O-5 - Douglas
- O-6 - Thomas-Morse
- O-7 - Douglas
- O-8 - Douglas
- O-9 - Douglas
- XO-10 - Loening
- O-11 Falcon - Curtiss
- O-12 Falcon - Curtiss
- O-13 Falcon - Curtiss
- XO-14 - Douglas
- XO-15 - Keystone
- XO-16 Falcon - Curtiss
- XO-17 Courier - Consolidated
- XO-18 Falcon - Curtiss
- O-19 - Thomas-Morse
- YO-20 - Thomas-Morse
- XO-21 - Thomas-Morse
- O-22 - Douglas
- YO-23 - Thomas-Morse
- O-24 - Curtiss
- O-25 - Douglas
- Y1O-26 - Curtiss
- Y1O-27 - Fokker
- O-28 Corsair - Vought
- O-29 - Douglas
- O-30 - Curtiss
- O-31 - Douglas
- O-32 - Douglas
- Y1O-33 - Thomas-Morse
- O-34 - Douglas
- O-35 - Douglas
- XO-36 - Douglas
- O-37 - Keystone
- O-38 - Douglas
- O-39 Falcon - Curtiss
- O-40 Raven - Curtiss
- Y1O-41 - Thomas-Morse
- O-42 - Douglas
- Y1O-43 - Douglas
- XO-44 - Douglas
- O-45 - Martin
- O-46 - Douglas
- O-47 - North American
- XO-48 - Douglas
- O-49 Vigilant - Stinson (redesignated L-1 in 1942)
- YO-50 - Bellanca
- YO-51 Dragonfly - Ryan
- O-52 Owl - Curtiss
- O-53 Havoc - Douglas
- YO-54 - Stinson
- YO-55 - ERCO
- O-56 Ventura - Lockheed
- O-57 Grasshopper - Taylorcraft (redesignated L-2 in 1942)
- O-58 Grasshopper - Aeronca (redesignated L-3 in 1942)
- O-59 Grasshopper - Piper (redesignated L-4 in 1942)
- YO-60 - Kellett
- YO-61 - Pitcairn
- O-62 Sentinel - Stinson (redesignated L-5 in 1942)
- XO-63 Grasshopper - Interstate (redesignated XL-6 in 1942)
[edit] 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 - Republic
[edit] Liaison, 1942-1962
- L-1 Vigilant - Stinson
- L-2 Grasshopper - Taylorcraft
- L-3 Grasshopper - Aeronca
- L-4 Grasshopper - Piper
- L-5 Sentinel - Stinson
- L-6 Grasshopper - Interstate
- L-7 - Universal Aircraft
- 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
- L-18 Super Cub - Piper
- L-19 Bird Dog - Cessna
- L-20 Beaver - de Havilland Canada
- L-21 Super Cub - Piper
- L-22 Navion - Ryan
- L-23 Seminole - Beechcraft
- L-24 Courier - Helio
- L-25 - McDonnell
- L-26 Commander - Aero Design
- L-27 - Cessna
- L-28 Super Courier - Helio
[edit] Reconnaissance
[edit] 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
- XF-11/XR-11 - Hughes (redesignated XR-11 in 1948)
- XF-12/XR-12 Rainbow - Republic (redesignated XR-12 in 1948)
- F-13 Superfortress - Boeing
- XF-14 Shooting Star - Lockheed
- F-15 Reporter - Northrop
- XR-16 Stratofortress - Boeing
[edit] Reconnaissance-strike, 1960-1962
Both of the following aircraft are part of the B- (bomber) series.
[edit] Rotary Wing, 1941-1948/Helicopter 1948-present
Designated R- for "rotary wing" until 1948, when the United States Air Force was founded. After this, all R- designations were changed to H- ("helicopter"), but the original numbers were retained. After 1962, the series was continued within the Unified Designation System.
- R-1 - Platt-LePage
- R-2 - Kellett (redesignated G-1)
- R-3 - Kellett
- R-4 Hoverfly - Sikorsky
- R-5/H-5 Dragonfly - Sikorsky
- R-6 Hoverfly II - Sikorsky
- R-7 - Sikorsky
- R-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
- R-17/H-17 - Hughes/Kellett
- YH-18 - Sikorsky
- H-19 - Sikorsky
- XH-20 - McDonnell
- H-21 - Piasecki
- YH-22 - Kaman
- OH-23 Raven - Hiller
- YH-24 - Siebel
- 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 XV-3 in 1952)
- H-34 Choctaw - Sikorsky
- H-35 - McDonnell (redesignated XV-1 in 1952)
- 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
- H-48 - Bell
- XH-49 - Boeing Vertol
- H-50 DASH - Gyrodyne
- YAH-51 - Lockheed
- H-52 Sea Guard - Sikorsky
- H-53 - Sikorsky
- 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
- YH-61 - Boeing Vertol
- XH-62 - Boeing Vertol
- YAH-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
- ARH-70 - Bell
- H-71 Kestrel - Lockheed Martin
- H-72 Lakota - Eurocopter
[edit] Supersonic/special test, 1946-1948
- XS-1 - Bell
- XS-2 - Bell
- XS-3 Stiletto - Douglas
- XS-4 Bantam - Northrop
- XS-5 - Bell
The series was continued as the X (Experimental) series after 1948 - see X-series in Unified System.
[edit] Trainer
[edit] 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
- AT-7 Navigator - Beechcraft
- AT-8 Bobcat - Cessna
- AT-9 Jeep - Curtiss-Wright
- AT-10 Wichita - Beechcraft
- AT-11 Kansan - Beechcraft
- AT-12 Guardsman - Republic
- XAT-13 Gunner - Fairchild
- XAT-14 Gunner - Fairchild
- XAT-15 Crewmaker - Boeing-Stearman
- AT-16 - Noorduyn
- AT-17 Bobcat - Cessna
- AT-18 Hudson - Lockheed
- AT-19 Reliant - Stinson
- AT-20 Anson - Federal
- AT-21 Gunner - Fairchild
- AT-22 Liberator - Consolidated
- AT-23 Marauder - Martin
- AT-24 Mitchell - North American
[edit] Basic Combat, 1936-1940
- BC-1 - North American
- BC-2 - North American
- BC-3 - Vultee
Superseded by Advanced Trainer (AT-).
[edit] Basic Trainer, 1930-1948
- BT-1 - Douglas
- BT-2 - Douglas
- YBT-3 - Stearman
- XBT-4 - Curtiss
- YBT-5 - Stearman
- BT-6 - Consolidated
- Y1BT-7 - Consolidated
- BT-8 - Seversky
- BT-9 - North American
- Y1BT-10 - North American
- BT-11 - Aircraft Research
- BT-12 - Fleetwings
- BT-13 Valiant - Vultee
- BT-14 - North American
- BT-15 Valiant - Vultee
- XBT-16 Valiant - Vultee
- XBT-17 - Boeing
[edit] Primary Trainer, 1925-1948
- PT-1 Trusty - Consolidated
- XPT-2 Trusty - Consolidated
- PT-3 Trusty - Consolidated
- PT-4 Trusty - Consolidated
- XPT-5 Trusty - Consolidated
- YPT-6 - Consolidated
- YPT-7 Pinto - Mohawk
- XPT-8 - Consolidated
- YPT-10 - Stearman
- YPT-10 - Verville
- PT-11 - Consolidated
- PT-12 - Consolidated
- PT-13 Kaydet - Boeing
- PT-14 - Waco
- YPT-15 - St. Louis
- PT-16 - Ryan
- PT-17 Kaydet - Boeing
- PT-18 Kaydet - Boeing
- PT-19 Cornell - Fairchild
- PT-20 - Ryan
- PT-21 Recruit - Ryan
- PT-22 Recruit - Ryan
- PT-23 Cornell - Fairchild
- PT-24 Moth - de Havilland
- YPT-25 - Ryan
- PT-26 Cornell - Fairchild
- PT-27 Kaydet - Boeing
[edit] 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, one number higher than the PT- sequence had reached.
- T-6 Texan - North American
- T-7 Navigator - Beechcraft
- T-11 Kansan - Beechcraft
- T-28 Trojan - North American
- T-29 Flying Classroom - Convair
- XT-30 - Douglas
- XT-31 - Fairchild
- XT-32 - Convair
- T-33 Shooting Star - Lockheed
- T-34 Mentor - Beechcraft
- T-35 Buckaroo - Temco
- XT-36 Mentor - 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
- T-46 - Fairchild
- T-47 - Cessna
- T-48 - Cessna
- T-49 - Boeing
- T-50 Golden Eagle - Korean Aerospace Industries (none have actually been procured by the United States)
- T-51 - Cessna
[edit] Convertiplane, 1952-1962
[edit] Army, 1956-1962
[edit] Airplane, Cargo, 1956-1962
- AC-1 Caribou - de Havilland Canada (redesignated CV-2 in 1962 and C-7 in 1967)
- AC-2 Buffalo - de Havilland Canada (redesignated CV-7 in 1962 and C-8 in 1967)
[edit] Airplane, Observation, 1956-1962
- AO-1 Mohawk - Grumman (redesignated OV-1 in 1962)
- AO-2 - Goodyear
- AO-3 - Goodyear
[edit] Airplane, Research, 1956-1962
- AZ-1 Marvelette - Mississippi State University
[edit] Flying Platform, 1955-1956
- HO-1 Pawnee - Hiller (redesignated VZ-1 in 1956)
- HO-2 - De Lackner (redesignated HZ-1 in 1956)
[edit] Helicopter, Cargo, 1956-1962
- HC-1 - Boeing Vertol
[edit] Helicopter, Observation, 1956-1962
- HO-1 - Sud-Ouest
- HO-2 - Hughes Aircraft
- HO-3 - Brantly
- HO-4 - Bell (redesignated OH-4A in 1962)
- HO-5 - Fairchild Hiller (redesignated OH-5A in 1962)
- HO-6 - Hughes (redesignated OH-6A in 1962)
[edit] Helicopter, Utility, 1956-1962
- HU-1 Iroquois - Bell (redesignated UH-1 in 1962)
[edit] Helicopter, Experimental, 1956-1962
- HZ-1 - De Lackner
[edit] Vertical Takeoff and Landing Research, 1956-1962
- VZ-1 Pawnee - Hiller
- VZ-2 - Boeing 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 - Avro Canada
- VZ-10 Hummingbird - Lockheed (redesignated XV-4 in 1962)
- VZ-11 Vertifan - Ryan (redesignated XV-5 in 1962)
- VZ-12 Kestrel - Hawker Siddeley (redesignated XV-6 in 1962)
[edit] Unified System, 1962-present
[edit] Airship
- Z-1 - Goodyear
- Z-2 Sentinel - Westinghouse Airships
- Z-3 - American Blimp
[edit] Anti-Submarine Warfare
- S-1 - skipped
- S-2 Tracker - Grumman
- S-3 Viking - Lockheed
[edit] Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopter
- SH-2 Seasprite - Kaman
- SH-3 Sea King - Sikorsky
- SH-34 Seabat - Sikorsky
- SH-60 Seahawk - Sikorsky Aircraft
[edit] Attack
- A-1 Skyraider - Douglas (formerly designated AD)
- A-2 Savage - North American (formerly designated AJ)
- A-3 Skywarrior - Douglas (formerly designated A3D)
- A-4 Skyhawk - McDonnell Douglas (formerly designated A4D)
- A-5 Vigilante - North American (formerly designated A3J)
- A-6 Intruder - Grumman (formerly designated A2F)
- A-7 Corsair II - Vought
- A-8 - skipped to avoid confusion with the AV-8 Harrier II
- YA-9 - Northrop
- A-10 Thunderbolt II - Republic
- A-11 - Reserved but never used. Allegedly assigned to the secret A-11 Astra.
- A-12 Avenger II - McDonnell Douglas/General Dynamics
- A-26 Invader - Douglas (redesignated from B-26 in 1966)
- A-37 Dragonfly - Cessna (originally designated AT-37)
[edit] Attack Helicopter
- AH-1 Cobra - Bell
- AH-6J Little Bird - Hughes
- AH-56 Cheyenne - Lockheed
- YAH-63 Kingcobra - Bell
- AH-64 Apache - Hughes/Boeing
- RAH-66 Comanche - Boeing/Sikorsky
[edit] Fixed-Wing Gunships
Use for attack missions is indicated by the modified mission identifier A-.
- AC-47 Spooky - Douglas
- AC-54 Skymaster - Douglas
- AC-119 Shadow/Stinger - Fairchild
- AC-123 Provider - Unofficial designation, see NC-123K
- AC-130 Spectre/Spooky - Lockheed
[edit] Bomber
[edit] Cargo
- C-1 Trader - Grumman
- C-2 Greyhound - Grumman
- C-3 - Martin
- C-4 Academe - Gulfstream
- C-5 Galaxy - Lockheed
- C-6 - Beechcraft
- C-7 Caribou - de Havilland Canada
- C-8 Buffalo - de Havilland Canada
- C-9 - McDonnell Douglas
- KC-10 Extender - Douglas
- C-11 Gulfstream II - Gulfstream
- C-12 Huron - Beechcraft
- C-13 - skipped
- YC-14 - Boeing
- YC-15 - McDonnell Douglas
- C-16 - reserved for various projects, but never assigned
- C-17 Globemaster III - Boeing
- C-18 - Boeing
- C-19 - Boeing
- C-20 Gulfstream - Gulfstream
- C-21 Learjet - Learjet
- C-22 - Boeing
- C-23 Sherpa - Short
- EC-24 - Douglas
- VC-25 - Boeing
- C-26 Metroliner - Fairchild
- C-27 Spartan - Alenia
- C-28 - Cessna
- C-29 - BAE Systems
- C-30 - designation reserved (in 1988/89), but never assigned
- KC-30 - marketing designation used for Airbus A330 MRTT
- C-31 Troopship - Fokker
- C-32 - Boeing
- C-33 - Boeing
- C-34 - skipped at U.S. Army request to avoid confusion with T-34; this aircraft became the UC-35A
- C-35 Citation Ultra/Encore - Cessna
- YFC-36 - designation reserved, but never assigned (aircraft was designated YAL-1 instead)
- C-37 Gulfstream V - Gulfstream
- C-38 Courier - Israeli Aircraft Industries
- C-39 - designation changed to C-40 for unrevealed reasons
- C-40 Clipper - Boeing
- C-41 - CASA
[edit] Cargo Helicopter
- CH-3 Sea King - Sikorsky
- CH-19 Chickasaw - Sikorsky
- CH-21 Shawnee - Piasecki
- CH-34 Choctaw - Sikorsky
- CH-37 Mojave - Sikorsky
- CH-46 Sea Knight - Boeing
- CH-47 Chinook - Boeing
- CH-53 Sea Stallion - Sikorsky
- CH-54 Tarhe - Sikorsky
- XCH-62 - Boeing
[edit] Drone
- Q-1 Predator - General Atomics
- Q-2 Pioneer - Pioneer UAV
- Q-3 Darkstar - Lockheed/Boeing
- Q-4 Global Hawk - Teledyne Ryan
- Q-5 Hunter - TRW/Israel Aircraft Industries
- Q-6 Outrider - Alliant Techsystems
- Q-7 Shadow - AAI Corporation
- Q-8 Fire Scout - Northrop Grumman/Ryan
- Q-9 Reaper - General Atomics
- Q-10 Snow Goose - MMIST
- Q-11 Raven - AeroVironment
[edit] Electronic Warfare
- E-1 Tracer - Grumman
- E-2 Hawkeye - Grumman
- E-3 Sentry - Boeing
- E-4 NAOC - Boeing
- E-5 - Windecker
- E-6 Mercury - Boeing
- E-7 - designation reserved, but never assigned (aircraft was designated EC-18 instead)
- E-8 Joint STARS - Boeing
- E-9 Widget - de Havilland Canada
- E-10 MC2A - Boeing
[edit] Electronic Warfare (Modified Aircraft)
- EA-1 Skyraider - Douglas
- EA-3 Skywarrior - Douglas
- EA-4 Skyhawk - McDonnell Douglas
- EA-6 Prowler - Grumman
- EA-7 Corsair II - LTV
- EA-18 Growler - Northrop Grumman/Boeing
- EC-18 ARIA - Boeing
- EC-20 Gulfstream III - Gulfstream
- EC-24 - McDonnell Douglas
- EF-4 Phantom II - McDonnell Douglas
- EF-10 Skynight - Douglas
- EH-1 Quick Fix - Bell
- EH-6 Cayuse - Hughes
- EH-60 Quick Hawk - Sikorsky
- EP-3 Aries II - Lockheed
- ES-2 Tracker - Grumman
- ES-3 Shadow - Lockheed
[edit] Experimental, 1948-present
- X-1 - Bell
- X-2 - Bell
- X-3 Stiletto - Douglas
- X-4 Bantam - Northrop
- X-5 - Bell
- X-6 - Convair
- X-7 - Lockheed
- X-8 - Aerojet
- X-9 Shrike - Bell
- X-10 - North American
- X-11 - Convair
- X-12 - Convair
- X-13 Vertijet - Ryan
- X-14 - Bell
- X-15 - North American
- X-16 - Bell
- X-17 - Lockheed
- X-18 - Hiller
- X-19 - Curtiss-Wright
- X-20 Dyna-Soar - Boeing
- X-21 - Northrop
- X-22 - Bell
- X-23 - Martin Marietta (designation never officially assigned)
- X-24 - Martin Marietta
- X-25 - Bensen
- X-26 Frigate - Schweizer
- X-27 - Lockheed
- X-28 Sea Skimmer - Pereira
- X-29 - Grumman
- X-30 - Rockwell
- X-31 - Rockwell/Messerschmitt
- X-32 - Boeing
- X-33 - Lockheed Martin
- X-34 - Orbital Sciences
- X-35 - Lockheed Martin
- X-36 - McDonnell Douglas
- X-37 - Boeing
- X-38 - NASA Johnson Space Center Crew Return Vehicle prototype
- X-39 - reserved for Future Aircraft Technology Enhancements program but not used
- X-40 - Boeing
- X-41 - Classified re-entry vehicle
- X-42 - Classified upper stage rocket
- X-43 - Boeing
- X-44 MANTA - Lockheed Martin
- X-45 - Boeing
- X-46 - Boeing
- X-47 Pegasus - Northrop Grumman
- X-48 - Boeing
- X-49 - Sikorsky/Piasecki
- X-50 Dragonfly - Boeing
- X-51 - Boeing/USAF Research Laboratory
- X-52 - skipped
- X-53 - Boeing/USAF Research Laboratory
[edit] Fighter
- 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)
- 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)
- YF-12 - Lockheed
- F-13 - skipped
- F-14 Tomcat - Grumman
- F-15 Eagle - McDonnell Douglas
- F-16 Fighting Falcon - General Dynamics
- YF-17 Cobra - Northrop
- F/A-18 Hornet - McDonnell Douglas
- F-19 - officially skipped; rumored to be still classified
- F-20 Tigershark - Northrop
- F-21 Kfir - Israel Aircraft Industries
- F-22 Raptor - Lockheed Martin
- YF-23 Black Widow II - Northrop/McDonnell Douglas
- YF-24 - Classified project[3][4]
- F-35 Lightning II - Lockheed Martin
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.[5]
- YF-110 - Designation used for captured MiG-21s[3]
- YF-112 - Allegedly used for captured MiGs[3]
- YF-113 - Designation used for captured MiG-23s and/or MiG-17s[3][5]
- YF-114 - Allegedly used for captured MiGs[3]
- F-117 Nighthawk
- YF-117D Tacit Blue[3]
- YF-121 rumoured Black Project[3]
- The Boeing Bird of Prey is believed to have received a "YF-1xx" designation.[3]
[edit] 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 - Let
- TG-11 - Stemme
- TG-12 - Caproni Vizzola
- G-13 - skipped
- TG-14 - Grupo Aeromat
- TG-15 - Schempp-Hirth
[edit] Helicopter
- H-1 - Bell
- H-2 Seasprite - Kaman
- H-3 Sea King - Sikorsky
- YOH-4 - Bell
- YOH-5 - Fairchild Hiller
- OH-6 Cayuse - Hughes
[edit] Laser
[edit] Observation
- O-1 Bird Dog - Cessna
- O-2 Skymaster - Cessna
- YO-3A Quiet Star - Lockheed
- ZO-4 - Wren
- O-5 - De Havilland Canada
[edit] Observation Helicopter
[edit] Patrol
- P-1 - skipped
- P-2 Neptune - Lockheed (previously designated P2V)
- P-3 Orion - Lockheed (previously designated P3V)
- P-4 Privateer - Consolidated Aircraft (previously designated P4Y)
- P-5 Marlin - Martin (previously designated P5M)
- P-6 - According to official Defense Department information, this was skipped at the request of the US Navy (reasons unknown, possibly to avoid confusion with cancelled P6M SeaMaster)
- P-7 - Lockheed
- P-8 Poseidon - Boeing
[edit] Reconnaissance
- TR-1 Dragon Lady - Lockheed
- TR-3A Black Manta - Northrop (rumored Black Project)
- SR-3 Blackstar - (rumored Black Project)
[edit] Reconnaissance (Converted Aircraft)
- RA-3 Skywarrior - Douglas
- RA-5 Vigilante - North American
- RB-17 Flying Fortress - Boeing
- RB-26 Invader - Douglas
- RB-29 Superfortress - Boeing
- RB-36 Peacemaker - Convair
- RB-45 Tornado - North American]]
- RB-47 Stratojet - Boeing
- RB-52 Stratofortress - Boeing
- RB-57 Canberra - Martin
- RB-58 Hustler - Convair
- RB-66 Destroyer - Douglas
- RB-69 Neptune - Lockheed
- RC-7 - de Havilland Canada
- RC-12 Guardrail - Beechcraft
- RC-45 Expeditor - Beechcraft
- RC-47 Skytrain - Douglas
- RC-54 Skymaster - Douglas
- RC-121 Warning Star - Lockheed
- RC-130 Hercules - Lockheed
- RC-131 Samaritan - Convair
- RC-135 - Boeing
- RF-4 Phantom II - McDonnell Douglas
- RF-5 Tigereye - Northrop
- RF-8 Crusader - Chance Vought
- RF-9 Cougar - Grumman
- RF-51 Mustang - North American
- RF-61 Reporter - Northrop
- RF-80 Shooting Star - Lockheed
- RF-84 Thunderflash - Republic
- RF-86 Sabre - North American
- RF-87 Blackhawk - Curtiss-Wright
- RF-100 Super Sabre - North American
- RF-101 Voodoo - McDonnell
- RF-104 Starfighter - Lockheed
- RF-105 Thunderchief - Republic
- U-2 - Lockheed
[edit] Tanker
- KA-3 Skywarrior - Douglas
- KA-6 Intruder - Grumman
- KB-29 Superfortress - Boeing
- KB-47 Stratojet - Boeing
- KB-50 Superfortress - Boeing
- KC-10 Extender - McDonnell Douglas
- KC-97 Stratotanker - Boeing
- KC-130 Hercules - Lockheed
- KC-135 Stratotanker - Boeing
[edit] Trainer
- T-1 SeaStar - Lockheed (previously designated T2V)
- T-1 Jayhawk - Beechcraft
- T-2 Buckeye - North American (previously designated T2J)
- T-3 Firefly - Slingsby Aviation
- T-4 - skipped
- T-5 - skipped
- T-6 Texan II - Beechcraft
[edit] Utility, 1955-present
- U-1 Otter - de Havilland Canada
- U-2 - Lockheed
- 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 - Helio
- U-25 Guardian - Dassault-Breguet
- U-26 Turbo Stationcar - Cessna
- U-27 Caravan - Cessna
- U-28 - Pilatus
- U-38 Twin Condor - Schweizer
[edit] Utility Helicopter
- UH-1 Iroquois - Bell
- UH-3 Sea King - Sikorsky
- UH-34 Seahorse - Sikorsky
- UH-60 Blackhawk - Sikorsky
- UH-72A Lakota - American Eurocopter
[edit] Vertical and Short Take-off and Landing Aircraft
- OV-1 Mohawk - Grumman
- CV-2 Caribou - de Havilland Canada
- XV-3 - Bell
- XV-4 Hummingbird - Lockheed
- XV-5 Vertifan - Ryan
- V-6 Kestrel - Hawker Siddeley/British Aerospace
- CV-7 Buffalo - de Havilland Canada
- XV-8 Fleep - Ryan
- AV-8 Harrier II - McDonnell Douglas/British Aerospace
- XV-9 - Hughes
- OV-10 Bronco - Rockwell International
- XV-11 Marvel - Parsons
- OV-12 - Pilatus
- XFV-12 - North American Rockwell
- V-13 - skipped
- V-14 - skipped; XV-14 was changed to XV-15 to avoid confusion with X-14
- XV-15 - Bell
- AV-16 - McDonnell Douglas/Hawker Siddeley
- XV-17 - reserved for Army, but apparently not used
- UV-18 Twin Otter - de Havilland Canada
- V-19 - reserved for Navy, but apparently not used
- UV-20 Chiricahua - Pilatus
- PV-21 - reserved for Navy airship, but apparently not used
- V-22 Osprey - Bell/Boeing
- UV-23 - Skytrader
[edit] See also
- List of military aircraft of the United States (naval) (Pre-1962 designation aircraft only)
- List of active United States military aircraft
- U.S. DoD aircraft designations table
[edit] References and external links
- ^ 1950s Bomber Aircraft. National Museum of the United States Air Force. Retrieved on 2006-12-27.
- ^ HazeGray.org. rec.aviation.military FAQ, Part 4. Retrieved on 2007-01-13.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Parsch, Andreas (2006-11-27). Cover Designations for Classified USAF Aircraft. Designation-Systems.Net. Retrieved on 2006-12-29.
- ^ Edwards AFB website. Col. Joseph A. Lanni, USAF biography. Retrieved on 2007-01-07.
- ^ a b Fulghum, David A., "MiGs in Nevada", Aviation Week & Space Technology, November 27, 2006
- Andrade, John M. (1979). U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials Since 1909. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 0-904597-22-9.
- Fahey, James C. (1946). U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946.
- http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/d/o/dob104/aviation/us/index.html
- http://www.designation-systems.net/index.html
- http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/
- http://www.aerofiles.com/aircraft.html
- http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/
- http://www.microworks.net/pacific/aviation/
- http://fire.prohosting.com/hud607/uncommon/
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