List of United States Tri-Service aircraft designations

Summary

This list of United States Tri-Service aircraft designations includes prototype, pre-production and operational type designations under the United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system, which replaced the 1924 Air Force, 1922 Navy, and 1956 Army designation systems in 1962.

For pre-1962 Air Force aircraft designations, see List of United States Air Force aircraft designations (1919–1962). For pre-1962 Navy aircraft designations, see List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962). For aircraft that did not receive formal designations—including those procured before 1919 when no designation system was in force, and later aircraft that did not receive designations for other reasons—see List of undesignated military aircraft of the United States.

A: Attack aircraft

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Non-sequential designations

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B: Bomber

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Non-sequential designation

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C: Cargo/Transport

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Revived 1924-1962 sequence (2005-present)

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Only aircraft designated after the adoption of the Tri-Service system are listed below. For aircraft in the sequence designated before 1962, see List of United States Air Force aircraft designations (1919–1962) § Cargo.

Non-sequential designations

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D: Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control segment

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The "D" sequence is assigned to ground control stations for UAVs.[7]

E: Special electronic installation

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Non-sequential designations

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F: Fighter

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Non-sequential designations

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Other designations

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Designations YF-110 and YF-112 through YF-116 were acquired (captured or purchased) foreign aircraft used for evaluation and aggressor training. Designations YF-117 and YF-118 were black projects, with the F-117 designation later becoming the official Tri-Service designation of the production variant of the former. These designations chronologically continued the pre-1962 "F" series.[9][10]

G: Glider

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H: Helicopter

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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.

Continuation of 1948 sequence

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Only aircraft designated after the adoption of the Tri-Service system are listed below. For aircraft in the sequence designated before 1962, see List of United States Air Force aircraft designations (1919–1962) § H: Helicopter (1948–1962).

 
Lockheed XH-51

Non-sequential designations

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K: Tanker

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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.

L: Laser-equipped

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O: Observation

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P: Maritime patrol

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Q: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

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Non-sequential designations

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R: Reconnaissance

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S: Anti-submarine warfare

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S: Spaceplane

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S is also used as a vehicle type designator spaceplanes.

SR: Strategic Reconnaissance

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The "SR" sequence is a continuation of the original USAF bomber sequence, which ended at B-70.

T: Trainer

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Despite the adoption of the unified Mission Designation System in 1962, only two aircraft were designated in the new sequence, both former Navy types. New trainer aircraft after 1962 continued to use the original sequence. In 1990, an alternate sequence was started, with the first designation being T-1, though the old sequence continues to be used. The next designation available in the 'T' series is T-55 or T-8, depending on which series is continued.

Continued original sequence (1962–present)

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Only aircraft designated after the adoption of the Tri-Service system are listed below. For aircraft in the sequence designated before 1962, see List of United States Air Force aircraft designations (1919–1962) § T: Trainer (1948–1962).

1962 redesignations

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1990 Sequence

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U: Utility

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Non-sequential designations

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V: Vertical take-off/short take-off and landing (VTOL/STOL)

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X: Special research

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In addition to aircraft intended to support military operations, the unified system includes experimental craft designed to push the boundaries of aeronautical and aerospace knowledge. These aircraft are designated in the "X-series", which led them to become known as "X-planes". Only those designated after 1962 are listed here. Some aircraft did not have military sponsors, but since they were designated under the same sequence they are listed here. For aircraft in the sequence designated before 1962, see List of United States Air Force aircraft designations (1919–1962) § X: Special Research/Experimental (1948–1962).

Z: Lighter-than-air

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See also

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References

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Notes

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Citations

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  1. ^ Cohen, Rachel (2022-11-21). "Here's the Air Force's plan to train armed overwatch pilots". Air Force Times. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Parsch, Andreas. ""Missing" USAF/DOD Aircraft Designations". Designation-Systems.Net. Retrieved 2010-04-13.
  3. ^ "F-16.net - The ultimate F-16, F-35 and F-22 reference". www.f-16.net. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  4. ^ a b Officially, the F/A-18 is designated in both the A-for-attack and F-for-fighter series.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Parsch 2009, "DOD 4120.15-L"
  6. ^ Chorney, Andrew. "U.S. Military Aircraft Designations 1911-2004". www.driko.org.
  7. ^ "DOD 4120.15-L - Addendum". www.designation-systems.net. Retrieved 2022-05-15.
  8. ^ "TACAMO community announces name for new mission aircraft: E-130J". navair.navy.mil. 2024-09-21.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Cover Designations for Classified USAF Aircraft". www.designation-systems.net. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  10. ^ Fulghum, David A., "MiGs in Nevada", Aviation Week & Space Technology, November 27, 2006
  11. ^ "Edwards AFB website". Col. Joseph A. Lanni, USAF biography. Archived from the original on 2005-03-18. Retrieved 2007-01-07.
  12. ^ a b c d e f "94th Flying Training Squadron aircraft". Archived from the original on 2009-03-10.
  13. ^ DOD 4120.15-L: Model Designation of Military Aerospace Vehicles Archived 2007-10-25 at the Wayback Machine, Department of Defense, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (AT&L) (Defense Systems), May 12, 2004. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
  14. ^ Arkin, Dan (October 25, 2018). "US Navy Launches First UAV Test Squadron". Israel Defense. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  15. ^ "Skydio Delivers First RQ-28 To U.S. Army Schoolhouse | Aviation Week Network". aviationweek.com. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  16. ^ "Photo essay: Flight of a T-52A" U.S. Air Force.
  17. ^ "Navy Accepts First Delivery of T-54A Training Aircraft". navair.navy.mil. 22 April 2024.
  18. ^ DOD 4120.15-L: Model Designation of Military Aerospace Vehicles Archived 2007-10-25 at the Wayback Machine, Department of Defense, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (AT&L) (Defense Systems), May 12, 2004. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
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  • OrBat United States of America – MilAvia Press.com: Military Aviation Publications
  • U.S. Military Aircraft and Weapon Designations
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