US Designations US Army Air Corps, US Army Air Corps, US Army Air Force, Tri-Service 1919 The first designation system was invented by the Air Service of the US Army in 1919. Fifteen numbered designations were introduced and a few additional, not numbered ones: I. PW Pursuit, water cooled II. PN Pursuit, night work III. PA Pursuit, air cooled IV. PG Pursuit, ground attack V. TP Two-seat pursuit VI. GA Ground attack VII. IL Infantry liaison VIII. NO Night observation IX. AO Artillery observation X. CO Corps observation XI. DB Day bombardment XII. NBS Night bombardment, short distance XIII. NBL Night bombardment, long distance XIV. TA Training, air cooled XV. TW Training, water cooled A Ambulance M Messenger R Racer T Transport 1924 The 1919 system was rather complicated, and a new system was introduced in 1924. The following designations were applied: A Attack AT Advanced trainer B Bomber C Cargo HB Heavy bomber LB Light bomber O Observation OA Observation Amphibian P Pursuit PT Primary trainer This system was formally abandoned in 1948. But then 22 additional categories had been introduced, including: AG Attack Glider BC Basic Combat (trainer) BG Bomb Glider (glide bomb) BQ Bomb, guided BT Basic Trainer BLR Bomber, long range BQ Bomber, radio-controlled CB Cargo Bomber CG Cargo glider CQ Target controller F Photographic reconaissance FG Fuel-carrying glider FM Fighter, multiplace G Glider G Gyroplane GB Glide bomb GT Glide Torpedo JB Jet-propelled bomb L Liaison O Observation OA Observation, amphibian OQ Target, flying model PB Pursuit biplace PG Powered glider PQ Aerial target R Rotorcraft TG Training glider UC Utility cargo FP Reconaissance fighter X and Y letters were used as prefix to indicate prototypes and preseries aircraft. The prefix 'Y1' was used for aircraft bought with 'F-1' funds instead of normally allocated money. The letter Z was used for obsolete aircraft. In some cases, R (meaning 'restricted' was also used for this purpose. Some experimental aircraft had an 'E' prefix, meaning 'Exempt', instead of the more common 'X'. 1948 The designation system of the USAF was changed in 1948. The new system seems to have mostly similar to that that was accepted as the tri-service system in 1962. Some aircraft were renumbered, e.g. the F-110 became the F-4. Some designations of the 1948 system were not adopted by the 1962 system: VZ VTOL experimental 1962 In 1962 a new designation was instated for all three services, USAF, USN and USMC. Here is the description of this system, as provided by Erwin Moedersheim: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PUBLICATION 4120.15-L MISSION, DESIGN, AND SERIES SYSTEM (MDS) The current military vehicle designation system for military aircraft was introduced as a standard for all services in 1962. It is used for three purposes: Aircraft Guided missiles, rockets, boosters, and satellites Electronic equipment The system consists of designations of the following type: XXXX-...X (-..-XX) where X indicates a letter, and . indicates a number. Not all letters are used all the time. 1. AIRCRAFT DESIGNATIONS: Starting at the first dash in the designation above, and moving to the LEFT, we encounter: VEHICLE TYPE: It indicates the type of vehicle at hand, e.g. helicopter, V/STOL. For normal aircraft, this designator is NOT used. (Example: the SH-2F uses the H to indicate it is a helicopter. The F-16A is a regular aircraft, and does not have a vehicle type designator). G - Glider H - Helicopter S - Spaceplane V - VTOL/STOL Z - Lighter than air BASIC MISSION: This is the most important designator. It indicates the primary design task of the aircraft. (Example: The B-1B uses a B because it is a bomber). A - Attack B - Bomber C - Cargo/ transport E - Special electronic installation F - Fighter O - Observation P - Patrol R - Reconnaissance: ER - Electronic Reconnaissance SR - Strategic Reconnaissance TR - Tactical Reconnaissance S - Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) T - Trainer U - Utility X - Research MODIFIED MISSION: Indicates the vehicle has been modified for a specific mission. Only one modified mission symbol is allowed. The modified mission symbol precedes the basic mission symbol. A - Attack C - Cargo/ transport D - Drone control E - Special electronic installation F - Fighter H - Search and Rescue (SAR) K - Tanker (from Kerosine tanker) L - Cold weather M - Multi-mission O - Observation P - Patrol Q - Drone R - Reconnaissance S - Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) T - Trainer U - Utility V - Staff/ VIP transport W - Weather STATUS PREFIX: Indicates that the vehicle is not standard due to tests, modifications, or experiments. This prefix precedes the modified and basic mission symbols. G - Permanently grounded J - Special test temporary N - Special test permanent X - Experimental Y - Prototype Z - Planning Returning to the first dash, and moving RIGHT, we encounter: DESIGN NUMBER: Supposedly in sequential order, it indicates the model aircraft within the basic mission category. For example, C-20D, C-21A, C-22A, C-23B, EC-24A, VC-25A, C-26A, C-27A, etc. Obviously, the order is not always sequential, e.g. F-23, F-111, F-117. SERIES: Indicates alphabetically major modifications to the original design, which is indicated by the A. For example, the F-16B is a major modification of the F-16A. I and O are skipped. Then we officially encounter another dash, and two more designators. These are not used very often, however, and are not always indicated on the aircraft. Moving to the right from the dash, we find: BLOCK NUMBER: Indicates the block of identical aircraft to which the aircraft belongs. (another dash) MANUFACTURER IDENTIFICATION CODE: Indicates the manufacturer. Let's take an example: NKC-135A ||| | | Status prefix ----------------------------+|| | | || | | Modified mission --------------------------+| | | | | | Basic mission ------------------------------+ | | | | Design number ---------------------------------+ | | Series ------------------------------------------+ Sometimes, the block number and manufacturer code are added to the designation: F-4G-43-MC | || | | Basic mission ----------------------------+ || | | || | | Design number ------------------------------+| | | | | | Series --------------------------------------+ | | | | Block number ----------------------------------+ | | Manufacturer--------------------------------------+ GUIDED MISSILES, ROCKETS, BOOSTERS, AND SATTELITES: Starting at the first dash in the designation above, and moving to the LEFT, we encounter: VEHICLE TYPE: Indicates the type of (unmanned) vehicle. B - Booster M - Guided missile or drone N - Probe R - Rocket S - Satellite BASIC MISSION: This is the most important designator. It indicates the primary design task of the vehicle. C - Cargo/ transport D - Decoy E - Electronic or communication G - Surface attack I - Intercept aerial or space L - Launch detection or surveillance M - Scientific/ calibration N - Navigation Q - Drone S - Space support T - Training U - Underwater attack W - Weather LAUNCH ENVIRONMENT: Type of launching platform. A - Air B - Multiple C - Coffin F - Individual G - Runway H - Silo stored L - Silo launched M - Mobile P - Soft pad R - Ship S - Space U - Underwater STATUS PREFIX: C - Captive D - Dummy J - Special test temporary M - Modified N - Special test permanent X - Experimental Y - Prototype Z - Planning The same rules as for aircraft apply to the rest of the designation, except for the block and manufacturer. This might be replaced by a CONFIGURATION NUMBER, which indicates a modification. Let's take an example: AIM-9L ||| || Launch environment -----------------------+|| || || || Basic mission -----------------------------+| || | || Vehicle type -------------------------------| || || Design number --------------------------------+| | Series ----------------------------------------+ ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT: Starting at the first dash in the designation above, and moving to the LEFT, we encounter: PURPOSE: The primary task of this electronic equipment. A - Auxilary assemblies B - Bombing C - Communications D - Direction finding, recon, and/or surveillance E - Ejection and/or release G - Fire control or light finding H - Recording or reproducing K - Computing M - Maintenance or test assemblies N - Navigational aids Q - Special or combinations of purposes R - Receiving/ passive detecting S - Detecting and/or range bearing, search T - Transmitting W - Automatic flight or remote control X - Identification and recognition Y - Surveillance and control EQUIPMENT TYPE: A - Infrared or invisible light C - Carrier (wire) D - Radiac E - Nupac F - Photographic G - Telegraph or teletype I - Interphone or public address J - Electromechanical or inertial wire covered K - Telemetering L - Countermeasure M - Meteorological N - Sound in air P - Radar Q - Sonar and underwater sound R - Radio S - Special types, magnetic combination of types T - Telephone (wire) V - Visual or visible light W - Armament X - Facsimile or TV Y - Data processing PLATFORM/ INSTALLATION: A - Airborne (piloted aircraft) B - Underwater mobile (submarine) C - Air transportable D - Pilotless carrier F - Fixed (ground) G - General purpose use K - Amphibious M - Ground mobile P - Portable S - Water T - Ground transportable U - General utility assemblies V - Ground vehicular W - Water surface and underwater combination Z - Piloted and pilotless airborne combination JOINT SERVICE INDICATOR: AN - Joint services The same rules as for aircraft apply to the rest of the designation, except for the block and manufacturer. This might be replaced by a VARIABLE GROUPING, which indicates a modification. Let's take an example: AN/APG-68A | ||| || Approved for joint services -------------+ ||| || ||| || Installation ------------------------------+|| || || || Equipment type -----------------------------+| || | || Purpose -------------------------------------+ || || Design number ----------------------------------+| | Series ------------------------------------------+ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The US Navy designation systems Aircraft The original aircraft designation system adopted by the USN was qualitatively different from that adopted by the Army, because not only the function of the aircraft but also its manufacturer was indicated. (A similar system was used by the Japanese Navy.) Designations were built as follows: One or two function letters. The F4F was a Fighter, the T4M a Torpedo bomber, the SB2C a Scout-Bomber, ... A sequence number, indicating that the aircraft was the nth one with this function built by the manufacturer. The number 1 was not written. The fighters built by Grumman for the USN were thus labeled: FF, F2F, F3F, F4F, ... A letter indicating the manufacturer. The F4F was built by Grumman, the F4U by Vought, the F4B by Boeing, ... A dash. A number indicating the subtype. The designation F4U-4 indicates that the aircraft is the fourth subtype of the F4U. Optionally, a letter to indicate minor changes. The F4U-1A was a F4U-1 with a raised cabin and improved cockpit glazing. There was a short period at the introduction of the system when the manufacturer letter was placed first. Hence a designation as Vought UO, an observation aircrcaft (O) built by Vought (U), and a few others. Function letters and combinations were subject to changes, to simplify the system, make room for new categories, or adapt the system to changed practice. For example: shortly after WWII the USN abandoned the TB, BF and SB designations for a simplified A designation, indicating the replacement of specialized torpedo and dive bombers by all-round attack aircraft. A Attack A Ambulance BF Fighter bomber F Fighter G Utility transport H Ambulance HC Transport helicopters HJ Utility helicopter (?) HN Utility helicopter (?) HO Observation helicopter HR Transport helicopter HS ASW helicopter HT Training helicopter HU Utility helicopter J Utility transport JR Utility transport LB Bomb Glider (unmanned, of course) LN Training glider M Observation / Multi-role N Trainer O Observation OS Observation / Scout P Patrol PB Patrol Bomber R Racer R Transport SB Scout bomber (dive bomber) SF Scout Torpedo bomber SN Scout trainer SO Scout / Observation T Trainer TB Torpedo bomber TD Target drone? Unmanned aircraft. TS Torpedo bomber / Scout U Utility W AEW The X was a prefix applied to prototypes. Manufacturer letters were not always unique, nor always the same for one manufacturer. The USN manipulated the system to bring numerous manufacturers in line with only 26 letters, or more correctly only 23 because it didn't use all. A = Brewster F2A Buffalo General Aviation XFA Noorduyn JA Norseman Allied LRA B = Beechcraft GB Traveller Boeing F2B Budd RB Conestoga C = Curtiss F6C Hawk Cessna JRC Bobcat Culver TD2C D = Douglas A4D Skyhawk McDonnell F2D Phantom E = Piper HE Cessna OE-2 Birddog Hiller HOE Bellanca XSE-1 Edo XOSE-1 Pratt-Read (Gould) LBE Elias EM-2 F = Grumman F4F Wildcat Fairchild SBF Helldiver G = Goodyear FG Corsair Great Lakes BG Eberhart XF2G-1 H = McDonnell FH Phantom Howard GH Nightingale Hall PH J = North American FJ Fury Berliner-Joyce F3J General Aviation PJ K = Fairchild J2K Forwarder Kaman HOK Keystone NK Pup L = Bell FL Airabonita Columbia XJL Loening OL M = General Motors (Eastern) F3M Bearcat Bell FM Airacuda Martin P4M Mercator N = Naval Aircraft Factory PBN Catalina Seversky FN Stinson RN Reliant O = Lockheed FO Lightning Piper UO P = Spartan NP-1 Piper XLNP Pitcairn OP Piasecki HUP Retriever Q = Fairchild R4Q flying Boxcar R = Ryan FR Fireball Interstate XTDR Ford RR Trimotor S = Stearman N2S Sikorsky HR2S Aeromarine FS Schweizer LNS T = Northrop FT Black Widow Timm N2T Tutor Taylorcraft LNT Grasshopper Temco TT-1 U = Chance-Vought F4U Corsair V = Lockheed P2V Neptune Vultee SNV W = Wright F3W Apache Waco JW Canadian Car & Foundry SBW Helldiver Y = Consolidated PBY Catalina Convair XFY pogo Stinson OY Sentinel Z = Wilford OZ Ships, boats, and other vessels AB Crane Ship ABD Advanced Base Dock ABSD Advanced Base Sectional Dock AC Collier ACS Auxiliary Crane Ship AD Destroyer Tender AE Ammunition Ship AEFS Fleet Replenishment Ship AF Stores Ship AFD Mobile Floating Dry Dock AFS Fleet Stores Ship AG Miscellaneous Auxiliary AGC Amphibious Force Flagship AGDS Launch Area Support Ship AGF Command Ship AGL Lighthouse Tender (Coast Guard) AGM Missile Range Instrumentation Ship AGP Motor Torpedo Boat Tender AGOR Oceanographic Research Ship AGOS Ocean Surveillance Ship AGS Surveying Ship AGSS Auxiliary Research/Experimental Submarine AGTR Auxiliary Technical Reconaissance Ship AH Hospital Ship AK General Cargo Ship AKA Attack Cargo Ship AKD Deck-Hold Cargo Ship AKN Net Cargo Ship AKR Vehicle Cargo Ship AKS General Stores Carho Ship AKV Aircraft Ferry AL Lightship (Coast Guard) AM Fleet Minesweeper (steel) AMB Base Minesweeper AMC Coastal Minesweeper (wooden) AN Net Laying Ship AO Oiler AOE Fast Combat Support Ship AOG Gasoline Carrier / Tanker AOR Replenishment Oiler AOT Transport Oiler / Tanker AP Troop Ship, non-landing APA Attack Transport Ship APB Barrack Ship, Self-Propelled APC Small Coastal Transport APD Fast Destroyer Transport APF Adminstration Flagship APG Supporting Gunnery Ship APH Transport, Evacuation of Wounded APL Auxiliary Personnel Light / Labour Transport Ship APM Mechanized Artillery Transport APN Non-Mechanized Artillery Transport APR Rescue Transport APS Transport Submarine APSS Vehicle Transport Submarine AR Repair Ship ARB Repair Ship, Battle Damage ARC Cable Repair/Laying Ship ARD Floating Dry Dock ARD Repair Dock, Concrete ARG Repair Ship, Landing Craft / Repair Ship, Internal Combustion Engine ARH Repair Ship, Hull ARL Repair Ship, Landing Craft ARM Repair Ship, Heavy Machinery ARS Salvage Vessel ARV Aviation Repair Vessel AS Submarine Tender ASR Surmarine Rescue Vessel ASSP Auxiliary Transport Submarine AT Tug ATA Auxiliary Tug ATF Oceangoing Fleet Tug ATO Old Tug ATR Recue Tug ATS Salvage & Rescue Ship AV Seaplane Tender AVC Catapult Lighter AVD Seaplane Tender (Destroyer) AVP Seaplane Tender (Small) AVR Aircraft Rescue Vessel AVS Aviation Supply Ship AVT Auxiliary Aircraft Transport AW Distilling Ship AWK Water Tanker AZ Airship Tender (Lighter-Than-Air) BB Battleship BC Battlecruiser BCGN Nuclear-powered Guided Missile Battlecruiser BRDM Floating Dry Dock CA Heavy Gun Cruiser CAG Guided Missile Heavy Cruiser CB Large Cruiser CC Tactical Command Ship CG Guided Missile Cruiser CGN Nuclear-powered Guided Missile Cruiser CHG Helicopter Cruiser with Guided Missiles CL Light Cruiser CLAA Light Anti-Aircraft Cruiser CLC Task Fleet Command Ship CLG Guided Missile Light Cruiser CLGN Guided Missile Light Cruiser, Nuclear-powered CLK Hunter-Killer Cruiser CM Minelayer CMC Minelayer, Coastal CONT Container Ship CV Aircraft Carrier CVA Attack aircraft carrier CVAN Attack aircraft carrier, nuclear powered. CVB Large Aircraft Carrier CVE Escort aircraft carrier. CVH Helicopter Carrier CVHA Assault Helicopter Transport CVHE Escort Helicopter Aircraft Carrier. CVHG Helicopter Carrier with guided missile armament. CVL Light aircraft carrier. CVN Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. CVS Support (ASW) Aircraft Carrier. CVT Training Aircraft Carrier CVU Utility Aircraft Carrier DD Destroyer DDE Escort Destroyer DDG Guided Missile Destroyer DDH Helicopter Destroyer DDK Hunter-Killer Destroyer DDR Radar Picket Destroyer DE Escort Destroyer DEC Control Escort Ship DEG Guided Missile Escort Ship DER Radar Picket Escort Ship DL Frigate DLG Guided Missile Frigate DLGH Guided Missile Frigate, Helicopter DLGN Guided Missile Frigate, Nuclear-powered DM Light Minelayer (Former Destroyers) DMS Minesweeper, Fast (Former Destroyers) EDD Experimental Destroyer EDE Experimental Escort Ship FF Frigate FFG Guided Missile Frigate FFGH Guided Missile Frigate, Helicopter FFH Frigate, Helicopter FFL Corvette IFS Inshore Fire Support Ship IX Unclassified Auxiliary IXS Unclassified Auxiliary Submarine LASS Launch Area Support Ship LCAC Landing Craft, Air Cushioned LCC Command Ship for Amphibious Operations LCI Landing Craft, Infantry LCM Landing Craft, Mechanized units LCP Landing Craft, Personnel LCT Landing Craft, Tank LCU Landing Craft, Utility LCVP Landing Craft, Vehicles and Personnel LHA Helicopter Assault Ship LHD Amphibious Assault Ship LKA Amphibious Cargo Ship LPA Amphibious Transport LPD Amphibious Transport Dock LPH Amphibious Assault Ship LPSS Amphibious Transport Submarine LS Landing Ship LSD Landing Ship, Dock LSI Landing Ship, Infantry LSM Landing Ship, Medium LSMR Landing Ship, Medium, Rockets LST Landing Ship, Tank LSU Landing Ship, Utility LVT Landing Vehicle, Tracked MCM Mine Countermeasures Ship MHC Coastal Mine Hunter ML Minelayer MS Minesweeper MSB Minesweeping Boat MSH Minesweeper, MSO Minesweeper, Ocean MV Merchant Vessel PBR Patrol Boat, River PC Patrol Corvette PCE Escort Patrol Corvette PCS Patrol Corvette, Minesweeping PF Patrol Frigate PG Patrol Gunboat PGH Patrol Gunboat, Hydrofoil PGM Patrol Gunboat, Motor PHM Missile-armed Patrol Hydrofoil. PM Patrol Missile Boat PT Torpedo Boat PTG Torpedo Boat, guided missile armament PTM Missile-armed Torpedo Boat PY Patrol Vessel (Converted Yacht) PYC Coastal Patrol Vessel (Converted Yacht) SC Submarine Chaser (Wooden) SM Minelayer Submarine SS Submarine SSA Cargo Submarine SSB Ballistic Missile Submarine SSBN Nuclear-powered Ballistic Missile Submarine SSG Guided Missile Submarine SSGN Nuclear-powered Guided Missile Submarine SSK Hunter-Killer Submarine SSKN Hunter-Killer Submarine, nuclear powered SSN Nuclear-powered (attack) Submarine SSO Oiler Submarine SSP Vehicle Transport Submarine SSR Radar Picket Submarine SSRN Radar Picket Submarine, nuclear powered TANK Tanker TRAN Transport YA Ash Lighter YAG District Auxiliary, Miscellaneous YC Open Lighter YCF Car Float (Railroad) YCK Open Cargo Lighter YCV Aircraft Transportation Lighter YD Floating Derrick YDG Degaussing Vessel YDT Diving Tender YE Ammunition Tender YF Covered Lighter YFB Ferry Boat / Launch YFD Floating Dry Dock YF Torpedo Transportation Lighter YG Garbage Lighter YH Ambulance Boat YHB House Boat YHT Heating Scow YLA Open Landing Lighter YM Dredge YMS Motor Mine Sweeper YN Net Tender YNG Gate Vessel YNT Net Tender, Tuc Class YO Fuel Oil Barge YOG Gasoline Barge YOS Oil Storage Barge YP District Patrol Craft YPD Pile Driver (Floating) YPK Pontoon Storage Barge YR Floating Workshop YRD Floating Workshop, Drydock YS Stevedoring Barge YSD Seaplane Wrecking Derrick YSP Salvage Pontoon YSR Sludge Removal Barge YTB Large Harbour Tug YTL Little Harbour Tug YTM Medium Harbour Tug YTT Torpedo Testing Barge YW Water Barge