List of military aircraft of the United States
Encyclopedia : L : LI : LIS : List of military aircraft of the United States
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 currently 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.
Contents
- 1 Airship
- 1.1 Navy, 1922-1962
- 1.1.1 Airship, commissioned vessel
- 1.1.2 Airship, Airborne Early Warning, 1952-?
- 1.1.3 Airship, Patrol , 1947-1962
- 1.1.4 Airship, Scout, 1954-?
- 1.1.5 Airship, Training, 1947-?
- 1.2 Unified system, 1962-present
- 2 Ambulance
- 2.1 Army Air Service, 1919-1924
- 2.2 Navy, 1922-1962
- 3 Attack
- 3.3 Army Air Service, 1919-1924
- 3.4 Army Air Corps/Army Air Forces/Air Force, 1924-1948
- 3.5 Navy, 1922-1962
- 3.6 Unified system, 1962-present
- 3.7 Attack helicopters
- 3.8 Fixed wing gunships
- 4 Bomber
- 4.1 Army Air Service, before 1919
- 4.2 Army Air Service, 1919-1924
- 4.3 Army Air Service, 1924-1926
- 4.4 Army Air Corps/Army Air Forces/Air Force, 1926-1962
- 4.5 Navy, 1922-1962
- 4.5.1 Bomber
- 4.5.2 Bomber Fighter
- 4.5.3 Bomber Torpedo
- 4.5.4 Patrol Bomber
- 4.5.5 Patrol Torpedo Bomber
- 4.5.6 Scout Bomber
- 4.5.7 Torpedo Bomber
- 4.6 Unified system, after 1962
- 5 Cargo/Transport
- 5.1 Army Air Service, 1919-1925
- 5.2 Army Air Service/Army Air Corps/Army Air Force/Air Force 1925-1948
- 5.3 Navy, 1922-1962
- 5.4 Unified system, 1962-present
- 5.5 Cargo Helicopter
- 6 Drone
- 6.1 Army Air Forces, 1941-1948
- 6.1.1 Aerial Target, 1940-1941
- 6.1.2 Aerial Target (Man Carrying), 1942-1947
- 6.1.3 Aerial Target (Model Airplane), 1942-1947
- 6.1.4 Bomb, Controllable, 1942-1945
- 6.1.5 Target Control (1942-1947)
- 6.2 Air Force, 1948-1962
- 6.3 Navy, 1922-1962
- 6.3.1 Drone, 1945-1962
- 6.3.2 Drone, Antisubmarine, 1959-1962
- 6.3.3 Target Drone, 1942-1946
- 6.3.4 Unpiloted Drone, 1946-1955
- 6.4 Unified system, 1962-present
- 7 Electronic
- 7.5 Modified aircraft, before 1962
- 7.6 Modified aircraft, 1962-present
- 7.7 Navy, 1922-1962
- 7.8 Unified system, 1962-present
- 8 Fighter
- 8.1 Army Air Service, 1919-1924
- 8.1.1 Pursuit, Air-cooled
- 8.1.2 Pursuit, Ground Attack
- 8.1.3 Pursuit Night
- 8.1.4 Pursuit Special/Alert Pursuit
- 8.1.5 Pursuit Watercooled
- 8.1.6 Two-seat Pursuit
- 8.2 Army Air Corps, 1924-1941
- 8.3 Army Air Corps/Army Air Forces, 1924-1948
- 8.4 Air Force, from
- 8.5 Navy, from 1922
- 8.6 Unified system, from
- 9 Glider
- 9.1 Army Air Forces, 1941-1948
- 9.1.1 Assault Glider, 1942-1944
- 9.1.2 Bomb Glider, 1942-1944
- 9.1.3 Cargo Glider, 1941-1948
- 9.1.4 Fuel Glider, 1930-1948
- 9.1.5 Powered Glider, 1943-1948
- 9.1.6 Training Glider, 1941-1948
- 9.2 Air Force, 1948-1962
- 9.3 Navy, 1922-1962
- 9.4 Unified System, 1962-present
- 10 Helicopter
- 11 Laser
- 12 Messenger
- 13 Observation/Liaison
- 13.1 Army Air Service, 1919-1924
- 13.2 Army Air Corps, 1924-1941
- 13.3 Army Air Forces, 1942-1962
- 13.4 Navy, 1922-1962
- 13.5 Unified System, 1962-present
- 14 Patrol
- 15 Pursuit
- 16 Racer
- 17 Reconnaissance
- 17.1 Army Air Corps/Army Air Force, 1926-1948
- 17.2 Air Force, 1948-1962
- 17.3 Unified system, 1962-present
- 17.4 Modified Planes
- 18 Reconnaissance-Strike
- 19 Scout
- 19.1 Navy, 1922-1962
- 20 Search
- 21 Seaplane
- 22 Anti-Submarine
- 22.1 Navy, 1946-1962
- 22.2 Unified system, 1962-present
- 23 Tanker
- 24 Trainer
- 24.1 Army Air Service, before 1919
- 24.2 Army Air Service, 1919-1924
- 24.3 Army Air Service/Army Air Corps/Army Air Forces, 1924-1948
- 24.4 Air Force, 1948-1962
- 24.5 Navy, 1922-1962
- 24.5.1 Helicopter, Trainer, 1944-1948
- 24.5.2 Helicopter, Training, 1948-1962
- 24.5.3 Trainer, 1922-1926(?)
- 24.5.4 Scout Trainer, 1939-1948
- 24.5.5 Trainer, 1948-1962
- 24.6 Unified system, 1962-present
- 25 Utility
Airship
Navy, 1922-1962
Airship, commissioned vessel
- :This series of four airships (two one-offs and two production Akron-class vessels) were the only airships in American history to be commissioned as ships of the United States Navy.
Airship, Airborne Early Warning, 1952-?
Airship, Patrol , 1947-1962
- ZPG - Goodyear
- ZPK - Goodyear
- ZP2K - Goodyear
- ZP3K - Goodyear
- ZP4K - Goodyear
- ZP5K - Goodyear
- ZPM - Goodyear
- ZPN - Goodyear
- ZP2N - Goodyear
Airship, Scout, 1954-?
Airship, Training, 1947-?
Unified system, 1962-present
- Z-1 - Goodyear
- Z-2 Sentinel - Westinghouse Airships
Ambulance
Army Air Service, 1919-1924
- A-1 - Cox-Klemin
- A-2 - Fokker
Navy, 1922-1962
Hospital, 1929-1942
Ambulance, 1943
Attack
Army Air Service, 1919-1924
Pursuit, Ground Attack, 1922
- PG-1 - Aeromarine
Ground Attack, 1920-1922
Army Air Corps/Army Air Forces/Air Force, 1924-1948
- A-1 - skipped
- XA-2 - Douglas
- A-3 - Curtiss
- A-4 - Curtiss
- A-5 - Curtiss
- A-6 - Curtiss
- XA-7 - Fokker
- XA-8 Shrike - Curtiss
- XA-9 - Lockheed
- YA-10 - Curtiss
- XA-11 - Consolidated
- A-12 Shrike - Curtiss
- YA-13 - Northrop
- YA-14 Shrike - Curtiss
- XA-15 - Martin
- XA-16 - Northrop
- A-17A - Northrop
- A-18 Shrike - Curtiss
- YA-19 - Vultee
- A-20--A-20K Havoc - Douglas
- XA-21 - Stearman
- Maryland Mk I, Mk II/A-22 Maryland - Martin
- XA-23 Baltimore - Martin
- A-24--A-24B Banshee (SBD Dauntless) - Douglas (survivors redesignated F-24 in 1948)
- A-25 Shrike (SB2C Helldiver) - Curtiss
- A-26 Invader - Douglas (redesignated B-26 in 1948; designation restored to A-26 in 1962)
- A-27 - North American
- A-28--A-28A Hudson - Lockheed
- A-29--A-29A Hudson - Lockheed
- A-30 Baltimore/Baltimore I--V - Martin
- A-31 Vengeance/Vengeance I, IA, III - Vultee
- A-32 - Brewster
- A-33 - Douglas
- A-34 - Brewster
- A-35--A-35B Vengeance/Vengeance IV - Convair
- A-36A Apache (renamed P-51 Mustang in Nov 43) - North American
- XA-37 - Hughes
- XA-38 Grizzly - Beechcraft
- XA-39 - Kaiser-Fleetwings
- XA-40 - Curtiss
- XA-41 - Vultee
- XA-42 Mixmaster - Douglas
- XA-43 Blackhawk - Curtiss-Wright
- XA-44 - Consolidated
- XA-45 - Martin
Navy, 1922-1962
Attack, 1946-1962
- AD Skyraider - Douglas (redesignated A-1 in 1962)
- A2D Skyshark - Douglas
- A3D Skywarrior - Douglas (redesignated A-3 in 1962)
- A4D Skyhawk - Douglas (redesignated A-4 in 1962)
- AF Guardian - Grumman
- A2F Intruder - Grumman (redesignated A-6 in 1962)
- AH Phantom II - McDonnell Douglas (redesignated F4H, then F-4 in 1962)
- AJ Savage - North American
- A2J Super Savage - North American
- A3J Vigilante - North American (redesignated A-5 in 1962)
- AM Mauler - Martin
- AU Corsair - Vought
- A2U Cutlass - Vought
Unified system, 1962-present
- 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-7 Strikefighter - Ling-Temco-Vought
- AV-8 Harrier - McDonnell Douglas
- YA-9 - Northrop
- A-10 Thunderbolt II - Republic
- A-11 Astra - Lockheed Martin (General Dynamics)
- A-12 Avenger II - McDonnell Douglas/General Dynamics
- A-37 Dragonfly - Cessna (Originally AT-37)
Attack helicopters
- AH-1 Cobra - Bell
- AH-6J Little Bird - Hughes
- AH-56 Cheyenne - Lockheed
- AH-64 Apache - Hughes
- RAH-66 Comanche - Boeing-Sikorsky
Fixed wing gunships
- AC-47 Spooky - Douglas
- AC-54 Skymaster - Douglas Not a gunship but used for electronic calibration in the l950's. Link will redirect to C-54 page.
- AC-119 Shadow/Stinger - Fairchild
- AC-123 Provider - ''Unofficial designation, see NC-123K
- AC-130 Spectre/Spooky - Lockheed
Bomber
Army Air Service, before 1919
Army Air Service, 1919-1924
Day Bombardment
- DB-1 - Gallaudet
Night Bombardment, Long Distance
Night Bombardment, Short Distance
Army Air Service, 1924-1926
Light Bomber
- 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
Medium Bomber
Heavy Bomber
- XHB-1 - Huff-Daland
- XHB-2 - Fokker
- XHB-3 - Huff-Daland
Army Air Corps/Army Air Forces/Air Force, 1926-1962
In 1926, the newly formed Army Air Corps decided to unify all bombers under the B- series. Two already existed in this series, so the series was taken up at the designation B-3.- 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 1962
- XB-27 Super Marauder - Martin
- XB-28 Dragon - North American
- B-29 Superfortress - Boeing
- XB-30 - Lockheed
- XB-31 - Douglas
USAF B-52
- B-32 Dominator/Terminator - Consolidated
- XB-33 Super Marauder - Martin
- B-34 Lexington/Ventura - 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
- B-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 Canberra - Martin/English Electric
- B-58 Hustler - Convair
- XB-59 - Boeing
- YB-60 - Convair
- * TM-61 Matador - missile designation
- * SM-62 Snark - missile designation
- * XGAM-63 Rascal - missile designation
- * SM-64 Navaho - missile designation
- * SM-65 Atlas - missile designation
- B-66 Destroyer - Douglas
- * GAM-67 Crossbow - missile designation
- XB-68 - Martin
- * SM-68 Titan - missile designation
- RB-69 - Lockheed
- XB-70 Valkyrie - North American
- * IM-70 Talos - missile designation
- SR-71 Blackbird - 'strategic reconnissance' designation''
- * GAM-71 Buck Duck - missile designation
- * XGAM-72 Quail - missile designation
- * XSM-73 Goose - missile designation
- * SM-75 Thor - missile designation
- * TM-76 Mace - missile designation
- * GAM-77 Hound Dog - missile designation
- * SM-78 Jupiter - missile designation
- * GAM-79 White Lance - missile designaton
- * SM-80 Minuteman - missile designation
- * RM-81 Agena - missile designation
- * XRM-82 - missile designation
- * GAM-83 Bullpup - missile designation
- * XRM-84 - missile designation
- * XRM-85 - missile designation
- * XRM-86 - missile designation
- * GAM-87 Skybolt - missile designation
- * SRM-88 - missile designation
- * XRM-89 Blue Scout 1 - missile designation
- * XRM-90 Blue Scout 2 - missile designation
- * XRM-91 Blue Scout Junior - missile designation
- * XRM-92 Air Force Scout - missile designation
Navy, 1922-1962
Bomber
- BD Havoc - Douglas
- BG - Great Lakes
- B2G - Great Lakes
- BM - Martin
- BN - Naval Aircraft Factory
- BT - Northrop
- B2T - Northrop
- BY Fleetster - Consolidated
- B2Y - Consolidated
Bomber Fighter
Bomber Torpedo
- BTC - Curtiss
- BT2C - Curtiss
- BTD Destroyer - Douglas
- BT2D Destroyer II/Skyraider - Douglas
- BTK - Kaiser-Fleetwings
- BTM Mauler - Martin
Patrol Bomber
- XPBB Sea Ranger - Boeing
- PB2B - Boeing (PBY built by Boeing)
- PBJ Mitchell - North American
- PBM Mariner - Martin
- XPB2M Mars - Martin
- PBN Nomad - Naval Aircraft Factory
- PBO Hudson - Lockheed
- PBS - Sikorsky
- PB2S Catalina - Boeing-Canada
- PBV - Canadian Vickers
- PBY Catalina - Consolidated (formerly designated P3Y)
- PB2Y Coronado - Consolidated
- PB3Y - Consolidated
- PB4Y Privateer - Consolidated (redesignated P-4 in 1962)
Patrol Torpedo Bomber
- XPTBH - Hall-Aluminum Aircraft Corporation
Scout Bomber
- SBA - Brewster
- SB2A Buccaneer - Brewster
- SBC Helldiver - Curtiss-Wright
- SB2C Helldiver - Curtiss-Wright
- SB3C - Curtiss-Wright
- SBD Dauntless - Douglas
- SB2D Destroyer - Douglas
- SBF - Grumman
- SBF Helldiver - Fairchild
- SBG - Great Lakes
- SBN - Naval Aircraft Factory
- SBT - Northrop
- SBU - Vought
- SB2U Vindicator - Vought
- XSB3U - Vought
- SBW Helldiver - Canadian Car & Foundry
- SOC Seagull - Curtiss-Wright
Torpedo Bomber
- TBD Devastator - Douglas
- TB2D Skypirate - Douglas
- TBF Avenger - Grumman
- TB2F - Grumman
- TB3F Guardian - Grumman
- TBG - Great Lakes
- TBM Avenger - General Motors
- TBU Sea Wolf - Vought
- TBV Georgia - Vultee
- TBY Sea Wolf - Consolidated
Unified system, after 1962
USAF B-2 SpiritCargo/Transport
Army Air Service, 1919-1925
Transport
- T-1 - Martin
- T-2 - Fokker
- T-3 - Lowe-Willard-Fowler
Army Air Service/Army Air Corps/Army Air Force/Air Force 1925-1948
Cargo
- C-1 Millirole - 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
- C-47 Skytrain - Douglas
- C-48 Skytrain - Douglas--civilian DC-3 in military service
- C-49 Skytrain - Douglas-- ditto
- C-50 Skytrain - Douglas-- ditto
- C-51 Skytrain - Douglas-- ditto
- C-52 Skytrain - Douglas-- ditto
- C-53 Skytrooper - Douglas
- C-54 Skymaster - Douglas
- C-55 Commando - Curtiss
- 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 Military Transport - Boeing
- C-76 Caravan - Curtiss
- 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 Company
- C-94 - Cessna
- C-95 Grasshopper - Taylorcraft
- C-96 - Fairchild
- C-97 Stratofreighter - Boeing
- C-98 - 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
- 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
- Fairchild C-138 - Fairchild
- C-139 - Lockheed
- C-140 Jetstar - Lockheed
- C-141 Starlifter - Lockheed
- XC-142 - Vought
- C-143 - Curtiss-Wright (later redesignated X-19)
Navy, 1922-1962
Helicopter, Transport
- HCH - McDonnell
- HRB Sea Knight - Boeing Vertol
- HRH - McDonnell
- HRP Rescuer - Piasecki
- HRS - Sikorsky
- HR2S - Sikorsky
- HR3S - Sikorsky
Transport, Single Engine
Transport
- RA - Fokker
- RB - Budd Company
- RC - Curtiss
- R2C - Curtiss
- R3C - Curtiss
- R4C Condor - Curtiss-Wright
- R5C Commando - Curtiss-Wright
- RD - Douglas
- R2D - Douglas
- R3D - Douglas
- R4D - Douglas
- R5D - Douglas
- R6D - Douglas
- RE - Bellanca
- RM - Martin
- RN - Stinson
- R2K - Fairchild
- RO - Lockheed
- R2O - Lockheed
- R3O - Lockheed
- XR4O - Lockheed
- R5O - Lockheed
- R6O - Lockheed (later R6V)
- R7O - Lockheed (later R7V)
- RQ - Fairchild
- R2Q - Fairchild
- R4Q - Fairchild
- RR - Ford
- R6V - Lockheed (earlier R6O)
- R7V - Lockheed (earlier R7O)
- R8V - Lockheed
- RY - Consolidated
- R2Y - Consolidated
- R3Y Tradewind - Convair
- R4Y - Convair
Utility Transport
Unified system, 1962-present
Cargo
- C-1 Trader - Grumman
- C-2 Greyhound - Grumman
- C-3 - Martin
- C-4 Academe - Gulfstream
- C-5 Galaxy - Lockheed
- C-6 Ute - Beechcraft
- C-7 Caribou - de Havilland Canada
- C-8 Buffalo - de Havilland Canada
- C-9 Skytrain II/Nightingale - Douglas
- C-10 Extender - Douglas
- C-11 Gulfstream II - Gulfstream
- C-12 Huron - Beechcraft
- C-13 Huron - Beechcraft
- YC-14 - Boeing
- YC-15 - McDonnell Douglas
- C-16 Caravan - Cessna
- C-17 Globemaster III - Boeing
- C-18 - Boeing
- C-19 - Boeing
- C-20 Gulfstream III/IV - Gulfstream
- C-21 Learjet - Learjet
- C-22 - Boeing
- C-23 Sherpa - Short
- C-24 - Douglas
- C-25 - Boeing
- C-26 Metroliner - Fairchild
- C-27 Spartan - Alenia
- C-28 - Cessna
- C-29 - BAE Systems
- C-30 - Northrop Grumman
- C-31 Troopship - Fokker
- C-32 - Boeing
- C-33 - Boeing
- C-34 - apparently skipped
- C-35 Citation Ultra/Encore - Cessna
- YC-36 - Boeing
- C-37 Gulfstream V - Gulfstream
- C-38 Courier - Israeli Aircraft Industries
- C-39 - apparently skipped
- C-40 Clipper - Boeing
- C-41 - CASA
Cargo Helicopter
Army Chinook sling-loads a Howitzer Gun- 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
- CH-62 - Boeing
Drone
Army Air Forces, 1941-1948
Aerial Target, 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
Aerial Target (Man Carrying), 1942-1947
- 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), 1942-1947
- 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
Bomb, Controllable, 1942-1945
- BQ-1 - Fleetwings
- BQ-2 - Kaiser-Fleetwings
- BQ-3 - Fairchild
- BQ-4 - Interstate
- BQ-5 - Interstate
- BQ-6 - Interstate
- BQ-7 Flying Fortress - Boeing
- BQ-8 Liberator - Consolidated
Target Control (1942-1947)
- CQ-1 - Fletcher
- CQ-2 - Stinson
- CQ-3 Expeditor - Beech
- CQ-4 Flying Fortress - Boeing
Air Force, 1948-1962
Aerial Target, 1948-1962
- Q-1 - Radioplane
- Q-2 Firebee - Ryan
- Q-3 - Radioplane
- Q-4 - Radioplane/Bendix
- Q-5 Kingfisher - Lockheed
- Q-6
- Q-7
- Q-8
- Q-9
- Q-10 - Radioplane
- Q-12 Challenger - Beech
- Q-14 Cadet - Culver
Navy, 1922-1962
Drone, 1945-1962
- KDA Firebee - Ryan
- KDB Cardinal - Beech
- KD2B - Beech
- KDC - Curtiss-Wright
- KD2C Snipe - Curtiss-Wright
- KD3C Snipe - Curtiss
- KDD Katydid - McDonnell
- KDG Snipe - Globe
- KD2G Firefly - Globe
- KD3G Snipe - Globe
- KD4G Quail - Globe
- KD5G - Globe
- KD6G Firefly - Globe
- KDH Katydid - McDonnell
- KDM Plover - Martin
- KDN Gorgon IIB - Naval Aircraft Factory
- KD2N Gorgon - Martin/Naval Aircraft Factory
- KDR Quail - Radioplane
- KD2R Quail/Shelduck - Radioplane
- KD4R - Radioplane
- KDT Teal - Temco
- KDU Regulus - Chance Vought
- KD2U Regulus II - Vought
Drone, Antisubmarine, 1959-1962
- DSN DASH - Gyrodyne
Target Drone, 1942-1946
Unpiloted Drone, 1946-1955
- UC-1 - Culver
Unified system, 1962-present
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, 1997-present
- 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 Predator B - General Atomics
- Q-10 Snow Goose - mmIST
- Q-11 Raven - Aerovironment
Electronic
Modified aircraft, before 1962
- EB-47 Stratojet - Boeing
- ERB-47 Stratojet - Boeing
- EB-57 Canberra - English Electric
- EB-66 Destroyer - Douglas
- EC-47 Skytrain - Douglas
- EC-54 Skymaster - Douglas
- EC-121 Warning Star - Lockheed
- EC-130 Compass Call - Lockheed
- EC-135 Looking Glass - Boeing
- ERF-80 Shooting Star - Lockheed
- EF-82 Twin Mustang - North American
- EF-105 Thunderchief - Republic
- EF-111 Raven - General Dynamics
Modified aircraft, 1962-present
- EA-1 Skyraider - Douglas
- EA-3 Skywarrior - Douglas
- EA-4 Skyhawk - McDonnell Douglas
- EA-6 Prowler - Grumman
- 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 Aircraft Corporation
- EH-6 Cayuse - Hughes
- EH-60 Quick Hawk - Sikorsky
- EP-3 Aries II - Lockheed
- ES-2 Tracker - Grumman
- ES-3 Shadow - Lockheed
Navy, 1922-1962
Airborne Early Warning
Unified system, 1962-present
USAF E-3 Sentry- 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 - Boeing
- E-8 Joint STARS - Boeing
- E-9 Widget - de Havilland Canada
- E-10 MC2A - Boeing
- Aerial Common Sensor
Fighter
Army Air Service, 1919-1924
Pursuit, Air-cooled
Pursuit, Ground Attack
Pursuit Night
Pursuit Special/Alert Pursuit
Pursuit Watercooled
Two-seat Pursuit
Army Air Corps, 1924-1941
Fighter, Multiplace
Pursuit, Biplace
- PB-1 - Berliner-Joyce
- PB-2 - Consolidated
Army Air Corps/Army Air Forces, 1924-1948
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. The designation PW- indicates "pursuit, water-cooled engine".- 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
- XP-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
- P-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
- XP-75 Eagle - Fisher
- XP-76 - Bell
- XP-77 - Bell
- XP-78 - North American
- XP-79 Flying Ram - Northrop
Air Force, from
- 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 Aircraft Company
- 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 - Lockheed
- YF-95A - North American
- YF-96A - Republic
- F-97 Starfire - Lockheed
- Hughes XF-98 became Hughes AIM-4 Falcon missile
- F-99 became Bomarc missile
- F-100 Super Sabre - North American
- F-101 Voodoo - McDonnell
- F-102 Delta Dagger - Convair
- Republic XF-103 - Republic
- F-104 Starfighter - Lockheed
- F-105 Thunderchief - Republic
- F-106 Delta Dart - Convair
- F-107 - North American
- XF-108 Rapier - last fighter project by North American
- Bell XF-109 - Bell; supersonic VTOL fighter; never flew
- F-110 Spectre - became F-4C Phantom II
- F-111 Aardvark - General Dynamics
- F-112 to F-116 used for foreign aircraft eval.
- F-117 Nighthawk - Lockheed
Navy, from 1922
- FA - General Aircraft
- F2A - Brewster
- F3A Corsair - Brewster
- FB - Boeing
- F2B - Boeing
- F3B Seahawk - Boeing
- F4B - Boeing
- F5B - naval designation of Boeing XP-15
- F6B - Boeing
- F7B - Boeing
- F8B - Boeing
- FC - Curtiss
- F2C - Curtiss
- F3C - Curtiss
- F4C - Curtiss
- F5C - skipped
- F6C Hawk - Curtiss
- F7C Seahawk - Curtiss
- F8C Falcon - Curtiss
- F8C-2 Helldiver - Curtiss, different from F8C-1 and F8C-3
- F9C Sparrowhawk - Curtiss
- F10C Helldiver - Curtiss, modified F8C-2
- F11C Goshawk - Curtiss, later BFC
- F12C - Curtiss, later SBC
- F13C - Curtiss
- F14C - Curtiss
- F15C - Curtiss
- FD - Douglas
- F2D - skipped
- F3D Skyknight - Douglas
- F4D Skyray - Douglas, later F-6
- F5D Skylancer - Douglas
- F6D Missileer - Douglas
- FH Phantom - McDonnell (earlier FD)
- F2H Banshee - McDonnell (earlier F2D)
- FF Fifi - Grumman
- F2F - Grumman
- F3F - Grumman
- F4F Wildcat - Grumman
- XF5F Skyrocket - Grumman
- F6F Hellcat - Grumman
- F7F Tigercat - Grumman
- F8F Bearcat - Grumman
- F9F Cougar - Grumman
- F9F Panther - Grumman
- XF10F Jaguar - Grumman
- F11F Tiger - Grumman
- F12F - Grumman
- FG - Eberhart
- F2G - Eberhart
- FG Corsair - Goodyear
- F2G - Goodyear
- FH - Hall-Aluminum Aircraft Corporation
- FH Phantom - McDonnell
- F2H Banshee - McDonnell (later F-2)
- F3H Demon - McDonnell (later F-3)
- F4H Phantom II - McDonnell (later F-4)
- Berliner-Joyce FJ - Berliner-Joyce
- Berliner-Joyce F2J - Berliner-Joyce (also P-16)
- FJ Fury - North American (later F-1)
- FL - Loening
- XFL Airabonita - Bell (version of P-39)
- F2L Kingcobra - Bell (version of P-63)
- FM Wildcat - General Motors (version of F4F)
- F2M Wildcat - General Motors (version of F4F)
- F3M - General Motors (version of F8F)
- FN - Seversky
- FO Lightning - Lockheed (version of P-38)
- FR Fireball - Ryan
- XF2R Dark Shark - Ryan
- FT - Northrop (version of A-17)
- F2T Black Widow - Northrop (version of P-61)
- Vought VE-7 "Bluebird" - Chance Vought
- FU - Chance Vought
- F2U - Chance Vought
- F3U - Chance Vought
- F4U Corsair - Chance Vought
- XF5U - Chance Vought
- F6U Pirate - Chance Vought
- F7U Cutlass - Chance Vought
- F8U Crusader - Chance Vought
- XFV - Lockheed
- F2W - Wright
- F3W Apache - Wright
- XFY Pogo - Convair
- F2Y Sea Dart - Convair
Unified system, from
- F-1 Fury - North American, was FJ
- F-2 Banshee - McDonnell, was F2H
- F-3 Demon - McDonnell, F3H
- F-4 Phantom II - McDonnell Douglas, was F4H
- F-5 Freedom Fighter/F-5 Tiger - Northrop
- F-6 Skyray - Douglas, was F4D
- F-7 Sea Dart - Convair, was F2Y
- F-8 Crusader - Vought, was F8U
- F-9 Cougar - Grumman, was F9F
- F-10 Skyknight - Douglas, was F3D
- F-11 Tiger - Grumman, was F11F
- YF-12 - Lockheed
- F-13 never assigned
- 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 - either unused or still classified; possibly the F-117
- F-20 Tigershark - Northrop
- F-21 Kfir - Israel Aircraft Industries
- F-22 Raptor - Lockheed Martin
- YF-23 Black Widow II - Northrop/McDonnell Douglas
- F-35 Lightning II - Lockheed Martin
Glider
Army Air Forces, 1941-1948
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
- 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
Fuel Glider, 1930-1948
- FG-1 - Cornelius
Powered Glider, 1943-1948
- PG-1 - Northwestern
- PG-2 - Ridgefield
- PG-3 - Waco
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
Air Force, 1948-1962
- 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
Navy, 1922-1962
Gliding Bomb, 1941-1945
- LBD Gargoyle - McDonnell
- LBE Glomb - Pratt-Read/Gould
- LBP Glomb - Piper
- LBT Glomb - Taylorcraft
Trainer Glider, 1941-1945
- LNE - Pratt-Read/Gould
- LNP Grasshopper - Piper
- LNR Grasshopper - Aeronca
- LNS - Schweizer
- LNT Grasshopper - Taylorcraft
Transport Glider, 1941-1945
- LRA - Allied
- LR2A - Allied
- LRG - AGA Aviation
- LRH - Snead
- LRN - Naval Aircraft Factory
- LR2N - Naval Aircraft Factory
- LRQ - Bristol
- LRW - Waco
- LR2W - Waco
Unified System, 1962-present
- 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 Flugzeugwerke
- TG-11 - Stemme GmbH
- TG-12 - Caproni Vizzola
- TG-14 - Grupo Aeromat
- TG-15 - Schempp-Hirth
Helicopter
Army Air Forces/Air Force, 1941-1948
Rotary Wing
- R-1 - Platt-LePage
- R-2 - Kellett
- R-3 - Kellett
- R-4 Hoverfly - Sikorsky
- R-5 Dragonfly - Sikorsky
- R-6 Hoverfly II - Sikorsky
- R-7 - Sikorsky
- R-8 - Kellett
- R-9 - Firestone
- R-10 - Kellett
- R-11 - Rotorcraft
- R-12 - Bell
- R-13 Sioux - Bell
- R-14 - Firestone
- R-15 - Bell
Navy, 1922-1962
Rotorcraft
Rotorcycles
Unified System, 1948-present
- H-1 Cobra - Bell
- H-2 Seasprite - Kaman
- H-3 Sea King - Sikorsky
- H-4 - Bell
- H-5 Dragonfly - Sikorsky
- H-6 Cayuse - Hughes
- H-7
- H-8
- H-9
- H-10
- H-11
- H-12 - Hiller
- H-13 Sioux - Bell
- H-14
- XH-15 - Kellett
- H-16 - Piasecki
- H-17 - Hughes/Kellett
- YH-18 - Sikorsky
- H-19 Chickasaw - Sikorsky
- XH-20 - McDonnell
- H-21 Workhorse/Shawnee - Piasecki
- YH-22 - Kaman
- H-23 - Hiller
- YH-24 - Siebel
- XH-33 - Bell Helicopter
- H-34 Choctaw - Sikorsky
- H-35 - McDonnell
- H-36
- H-37 Mojave - Sikorsky
- H-38
- XH-39 - Sikorsky
- XH-40 - Bell
- YH-41 Seneca - Cessna
- H-42
- H-43 - Kaman
- XH-44 - Hiller
- H-45
- H-46 Sea Knight - Boeing
- H-47 Chinook - Boeing
- H-48 - Bell
- H-49 - Boeing Vertol
- H-50 DASH - Gyrodyne
- H-51 - Lockheed
- H-52 Sea Guard - Sikorsky
- H-53 Sea Stallion - Sikorsky
- H-54 Tarhe - Sikorsky
- H-55 Osage - Hughes
- H-56 Cheyenne - Lockheed
- H-57 Sea Ranger - Bell
- H-58 Kiowa - Bell
- H-59 - Sikorsky
- H-60 Black Hawk - Sikorsky
- H-61 - Boeing
- H-62 - Boeing
- H-63 Kingcobra - Bell
- H-64 Apache - Hughes
- H-65 Dolphin - Aerospatiale
- H-66 Comanche - Boeing/Sikorsky
- H-67 Creek - Bell
- H-68 Stingray - Agusta
- H-71 - Lockheed Martin
Laser
Unified system, 1962-present
Messenger
Army Air Service, 1919-1924
Observation/Liaison
Army Air Service, 1919-1924
Artillery Observation
- AO-1 - Fokker-Atlantic
Corps Observation
- CO-1 - Engineering Division
- CO-2 - Engineering Division
- CO-3 - Engineering Division
- CO-4 - Fokker
- CO-5 - Fokker
- CO-6 - Engineering Division
- CO-7 - Boeing
- CO-8 - Fokker
Infantry Liaison
- IL-1 - Orenco
Night Observation
Army Air Corps, 1924-1941
Gyroplane
- G-1 - Kellett
- G-2 - Pitcairn
Observation
Observation Amphibian
- 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
Army Air Forces, 1942-1962
Liaison
- 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 Army Cruiser - 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
Navy, 1922-1962
Helicopter, Observation
- HOE Hornet - Hiller
- HOG - Gyrodyne
- HOK - Kaman
- HOS - Sikorsky
- HO2S - Sikorsky
- HO3S Dragonfly - Sikorsky
- HO4S - Sikorsky
- HO5S - Sikorsky
Observation
- OC - Curtiss (previously F8C)
- O2C - Curtiss
- O3C - Curtiss
- OE - Cessna
- OF - Grumman
- OJ - Berliner-Joyce
- OL Spoonbill - Loening/Keystone
- O2L - Loening
- Pitcairn XOP - Pitcairn-Cierva
- O2U Corsair - Vought
- O3U Corsair - Vought
- OY - Stinson
- XOZ - Wilford
Observation Scout
see also "scout" and "scout observation" sectionsUnified System, 1962-present
Observation
- O-1 Bird Dog - Cessna
- O-2 Skymaster - Cessna
- YO-3A Quiet Star - Lockheed (see also X-26 Frigate)
- ZO-4A - Wren (see also Cessna 182 and Peterson 260SE)
- O-5 Caribou - De Havilland Canada
Patrol
Navy, 1922-1962
Helicopter, Antisubmarine
- HSL - Bell
- HSS Seabat/Sea King - Sikorsky
Patrol
- PB - Boeing
- P2B - Boeing
- PD - Douglas
- P2D - Douglas
- P3D - Douglas
- PH - Hall-Aluminum Aircraft Corporation
- PJ - General Aviation
- PK - Keystone
- PM - Martin
- P2M - Martin
- P3M - Martin
- P4M Mercator - Martin
- P5M Marlin - Martin (later P-5)
- P6M SeaMaster - Martin
- P7M SubMaster - Martin
- PN - Naval Aircraft Factory
- PO - Lockheed
- PV Harpoon - Lockheed (later P-1)
- P2V Neptune - Lockheed (later P-2)
- PY - Consolidated
- P2Y - Consolidated
- P3Y - Consolidated (later PBY)
- XP4Y - Consolidated
- P5Y - Consolidated
- P6Y - Convair
Patrol Bomber
- XPBB Sea Ranger - Boeing
- PB2B - Boeing (PBY built by Boeing)
- PBJ Mitchell - North American
- PBM Mariner - Martin
- XPB2M Mars - Martin
- PBN Nomad - Naval Aircraft Factory
- PBO Hudson - Lockheed
- PBS - Sikorsky
- PBV - Canadian Vickers
- PBY Catalina - Consolidated (formerly designated P3Y)
- PB2Y Coronado - Consolidated
- PB3Y - Consolidated
- PB4Y Privateer - Consolidated (redesignated P-4 in 1962)
Patrol Torpedo Bomber
- XPTBH - Hall-Aluminum Aircraft Corporation
Unified system, after 1962
- P-1 - apparently skipped
- P-2 Neptune - Lockheed
- P-3 Orion - Lockheed
- P-4 Privateer - Consolidated Aircraft
- P-5 Marlin - Martin (earlier P5M)
- P-6 - According to official DOD information, this was skipped at the behest of the US Navy
- P-7 - Lockheed
- P-8 Multimission Maritime Aircraft - Boeing
Pursuit
See Fighter above.Racer
Army Air Service, 1919-1924
Navy, 1922-1962
Reconnaissance
Army Air Corps/Army Air Force, 1926-1948
Photographic Reconnaissance
- 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 - Hughes
- XF-12 Rainbow - Republic
- F-13 Superfortress - Boeing
- XF-14 Shooting Star - Lockheed
- F-15 Reporter - Northrop
- XF-16 Stratofortress - Boeing
Air Force, 1948-1962
Unified system, 1962-present
- TR-1 Dragon Lady - Lockheed
- TR-3 Black Manta - Northrop (rumored "Black Project")
- SR-3 Blackstar - ? (rumored "Black Project")
Modified Planes
- RA-2 Savage
- RA-3 Skywarrior
- RA-5 Vigilante - North American
- RB-17 Flying Fortress - Boeing
- RB-26 Invader
- RB-29 Superfortress - Boeing
- RB-36 Peacemaker
- RB-45 Tornado
- RB-47 Stratojet - Boeing
- RB-52 Stratofortress - Boeing
- RB-57 Canberra
- RB-58 Hustler
- RB-66 Destroyer
- RB-69 Neptune
- RC-7 Caribou
- RC-12 Guard Rail - Beech Aircraft
- RC-45 Expeditor
- RC-47 Skytrain
- RC-54 Skymaster
- RC-121 Warning Star - Lockheed
- RC-130 Hercules - Lockheed
- RC-131 Samaritan
- RC-135 Rivet Joint - Boeing
- RF-4 Phantom II - McDonnell Douglas
- RF-5 Tigereye
- RF-8 Crusader - Chance Vought
- RF-9 Cougar
- RF-51 Mustang
- RF-61 Reporter
- RF-80 Shooting Star - Lockheed
- RF-84 Thunderflash
- RF-86 Sabre
- RF-87 Blackhawk
- RF-100 Super Sabre
- RF-101 Voodoo
- RF-104 Starfighter - Lockheed
- RF-105 Thunderchief
- U-2 - Lockheed
Reconnaissance-Strike
Air Force, 1948-1962
Scout
Navy, 1922-1962
Scout, 1922-1946
- SC - Curtiss
- S2C - Curtiss
- XS3C - Curtiss
- S4C - Curtiss
- SC Seahawk - Curtiss
- SDW - Dayton-Wright
- SE - Bellanca
- SF - Grumman
- XSG - Great Lakes
- SL - Loening
- S2L - Loening
- SS - Sikorsky
- SU Corsair - Vought
Scout Observation, 1934-1946
- SOC Seagull - Curtiss
- SO2C - Curtiss
- SO3C Seamew - Curtiss
- SOE - Bellanca
- SOK - Fairchild
- SON Seagull - Naval Aircraft Factory
- SOR Seamew - Ryan
- SOU - not used to avoid confusion with OSU
- XSO2U - Vought
Torpedo Scout, 1943
Search
Navy, 1922-1962
Unified system, 1962-present
Seaplane
Army Air Service, 1919-1924
Anti-Submarine
Navy, 1946-1962
see also "scout" categoryUnified system, 1962-present
- S-1 - skipped
- S-2 Tracker - Grumman
- S-3 Viking - Lockheed
Anti-Submarine Helicopters
Tanker
Navy, 1922-1962
Modified aircraft
- KA-2 Savage - North American
- 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-124 Globemaster II - Douglas
- KC-130 Hercules - Lockheed
- KC-135 Stratotanker - Boeing
Trainer
Army Air Service, before 1919
Army Air Service, 1919-1924
Trainer, Air-cooled
- TA-1 - Elias
- TA-2 - Huff-Daland
- TA-3 - Wright
- TA-4 - Engineering Division
- TA-5 - Wright
- TA-6 - Huff-Daland
Trainer, Water-cooled
Army Air Service/Army Air Corps/Army Air Forces, 1924-1948
Advanced Trainer
- 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
Basic Combat
- BC-1 - North American
- BC-2 - North American
- BC-3 - Vultee
Basic Trainer
- 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-Stearman
Primary Trainer
- 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-Stearman
- PT-14 - Waco
- YPT-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 Moth - de Havilland
- YPT-25 - Ryan
- PT-26 Cornell - Fairchild
- PT-27 Kaydet - Boeing-Stearman
Air Force, 1948-1962
The AT-6 Texan, AT-7 Navigator, and AT-11 Kansan, were given T- designations. The sequence began at 28, one number higher thatn 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
- T-30 - Douglas
- T-31 - Fairchild
- XT-32 - Convair
- T-33 Shooting Star - Lockheed
- T-34 Mentor - Beechcraft
- T-35 Buckaroo - Temco
- T-36 Mentor - Beechcraft
- T-37 - 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
- T-49 - Boeing
- T-50 Golden Eagle - Korean Aerospace Industries
- T-51 - Cessna
Navy, 1922-1962
Helicopter, Trainer, 1944-1948
- HNS Hoverfly - Sikorsky
Helicopter, Training, 1948-1962
- HTE - Hiller
- HTK - Kaman
- HTL - Bell
Trainer, 1922-1926(?)
- NB - Boeing
- N2B - Boeing
- NC - not used to avoid confusion with NC flying boats
- N2C - Curtiss
- NE - Piper
- HN - Huff Daland
- NH - Howard
- NJ - North American
- NK - Keystone
- NL - Langley
- N·m - not used
- N2M - Martin
- NN - not used
- N2N - NAF
- N3N - NAF
- N4N - reserved, not used
- N5N - NAF
- NP - Spartan
- NQ - Fairchild
- NR Recruit - Ryan
- NS - Stearman
- N2S Kaydet - Stearman
- NT - New Standard
- N2T Tutor - Timm
- NY - Consolidated
- N2Y - Consolidated
- N3Y - Consolidated
- N4Y - Consolidated
Scout Trainer, 1939-1948
- SNB Navigator - Beechcraft
- SNC Falcon - Curtiss
- SNJ Texan - North American
- XSN2J - North American
- SNV Valiant - Vultee
Trainer, 1948-1962
- XTE - Edo
- TF Trader - Grumman
- TJ Texan - North American
- T2J Buckeye - North American
- T3J Sabreliner - North American
- TO Shooting Star - Lockheed
- TT Pinto - Temco
- TV Shooting Star - Lockheed
- T2V Sea Star - Lockheed
Unified system, 1962-present
- T-1 Sea Star - Lockheed
- T-1 Jayhawk - Beechcraft
- T-2 Buckeye - North American
- T-3 Firefly - Northrop Grumman
- T-4
- T-5
- T-6 Texan II - Beechcraft
Utility
Air Force, 1948-1962
Navy, 1922-1962
Transport, Utility
- JR2S - Sikorsky
Helicopter, Utility
- HJD Whirlaway - McDonnell
- HJH Whirlaway - McDonnell
- HJP - Piasecki
- HJS - Sikorsky
- HUK - Kaman
- HU2K Seasprite - Kaman
- HUL - Bell
- HUM - McCulloch
- HUP Retriever - Piasecki
- HUS Seahorse - Sikorsky
- HU2S Sea Guard - Sikorsky
Unified system, 1962-present
Utility
- U-1 Otter - de Havilland Canada
- U-2 Dragon Lady - 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 - Beech
- U-9 Aero Commander - Aero Design
- U-10 Super Courier - Helio
- U-11 Aztec - Piper
- U-12 - not used
- U-13 - not used
- U-14 - not used
- U-15 - not used
- U-16 Albatross - Grumman
- U-17 Skywagon - Cessna
- U-18 Navion - North American/Ryan
- U-19 Sentinel - Stinson
- U-20 - Cessna
- U-21 Ute - Beech
- U-22 - Beech
- U-23 Peacemaker - Fairchild Hiller/Pilatus
- U-24 - Helio
- U-25 Huron - Beech
- U-25 Guardian - Dassault-Breguet
- U-26 Turbo Stationcar - Cessna
- U-27 Caravan - Cessna
- U-28 - Pilatus
- U-38 Twin Condor - Schweizer
Utility Helicopters
- UH-1 Iroquois - Bell "Huey"
- H-3 Sea King - Sikorsky
- UH-34 Seahorse - Sikorsky
- UH-60 Blackhawk - Sikorsky
- HH-60 Pave Hawk - Sikorsky
Vertical Takeoff and Landing
Army, 1956-1962
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
- VZ-11 Vertifan - Ryan
- VZ-12 Kestrel - Hawker Siddeley
Unified system, 1962-present
- OV-1 Mohawk - Grumman
- CV-2 Caribou - de Havilland Canada
- XV-3 - Bell Helicopter
- XV-4 Hummingbird - Lockheed
- XV-5 Vertifan - Ryan
- V-6 Kestrel/Harrier - Hawker Siddeley/British Aerospace
- CV-7 Buffalo - de Havilland Canada
- XV-8 Fleep - Ryan
- AV-8B Harrier II - McDonnell Douglas/British Aerospace
- XV-9 - Hughes
- OV-10 Bronco - Rockwell International
- XV-11 Marvel - Parsons
- OV-12 - Pilatus
- FV-12 - North American Rockwell
- XV-15 - Bell Helicopter
- AV-16 - McDonnell Douglas/Hawker Siddeley
- UV-18 Twin Otter - de Havilland Canada
- UV-20 Chiricahua - Pilatus
- V-22 Osprey - Bell Helicopter/Boeing
- UV-23 - Skytrader
Experimental
Army Air Forces, 1946-1947
Supersonic/Special Test
Army Air Force/Air Force/Unified System, 1941-present
Main article: X-plane- X-1 - Bell, first supersonic aircraft
- X-2 - Bell
- X-3 Stiletto - Douglas
- X-4 Bantam - Northrop
- X-5 - Bell swing-wing
- X-6 - Convair
- X-7 - Lockheed missile propulsion testbed
- X-8 - Aerojet General missile
- X-9 Shrike - Bell missile
- X-10 - North American missile
- X-11 - Convair ICBM prototype
- X-12 - Convair ICBM
- X-13 Vertijet - Ryan VATOL
- X-14 - Bell VTOL
- X-15 - North American rocket plane
- X-16 - Bell, cancelled U-2 competitor
- X-17 - Lockheed experimental rocket
- X-18 - Hiller tilt-wing
- X-19 - Curtiss-Wright
- X-20 Dyna-Soar - Boeing
- X-21 - Northrop
- X-22 - Bell
- X-23 - Martin Marietta
- X-24 - Martin Marietta lifting body
- X-25 - Bensen
- X-26 Frigate - Schweizer
- X-27 - Lockheed
- X-28 Sea Skimmer - Pereira
- X-29 - Grumman forward-swept wing jet
- X-30 - Hypersonic jet or "Orient Express"
- X-31 - Rockwell/MBB Enhanced Fighter Maneuverability Demonstrator
- X-32 - Boeing Joint Strike Fighter candidate
- X-33 - Lockheed Martin
- X-34 - Orbital Sciences
- X-35 - Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter winner
- X-36 - McDonnell Douglas
- X-37 Future-X - Boeing
- X-38 - NASA Johnson Space Center Crew Return Vehicle prototype
- X-39 - unused designation reserved for Future Aircraft Technology Enhancements program
- X-40 - Boeing
- X-41 - classified re-entry vehicle
- X-42 - classified upper stage rocket
- X-43 - Boeing with others, scramjet-powered
- X-44 MANTA - Lockheed Martin
- X-45 - Boeing UCAV (unpiloted)
- X-46 - Boeing
- X-47 Pegasus - Northrop Grumman
- X-48 - Boeing
- X-49 - Sikorsky/Piasecki
- X-50 Dragonfly - Boeing
- X-51 - Boeing/US Air Force Research Laboratory
References and external links
- 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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