- Source: List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962)
This list of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962) includes prototype, pre-production and operational type designations under the 1922 United States Navy aircraft designation system, which was used by the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Coast Guard. The list also includes airships, which were designated under different systems than fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft until 1954, and naval aircraft that received designations under the 1911 and 1914 U.S. Navy systems, which were sequential by manufacturer and/or aircraft class, and did not convey information about the aircraft's mission.
For aircraft designations under the U.S. Army Air Force/U.S. Air Force system or the post-1962 Tri-Service system—which includes U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aircraft currently in service—see List of military aircraft of the United States. For Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aircraft that did not receive formal designations—including those procured from 1917 to 1922 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.
Summary of pre-1962 designation systems
= 1911 system
=The first U.S. Navy designation system, adopted in 1911, consisted of a letter signifying the manufacturer followed by sequential numbers for individual aircraft from each manufacturer. Only heavier-than-air craft (i.e. airplanes) were given designations. The system was subsequently amended to differentiate aircraft classes from the same manufacturer. The designation letters were as follows:
A – Curtiss Aeroplane Company, landplanes and hydro aeroplanes (i.e. floatplanes)
B – Wright Company, landplanes and hydro aeroplanes
C – Curtiss Aeroplane, flying boats
D – Burgess and Curtis, landplanes and hydro aeroplanes
E – Curtiss Aeroplane, amphibians
= 1914 system
=In March 1914, the navy introduced a system similar to hull classification symbols for warships, with an alphabetical code for the aircraft class followed by a sequential number assigned to an individual aircraft. All aircraft designated under the 1911 system that were still in inventory were redesignated. Also consistent with warship designation practices, the designation of the first aircraft of a particular design became the type designation for similar aircraft; for instance, aircraft similar to AH-8 were referred to as AH-8 type.
The aircraft classes and sub-types were as follows:
A – Heavier than air
AH – Aeroplane, Hydro
AB – Flying boat
AX – Amphibian
B – Free balloon
C – Dirigible
D – Kite balloon
This second system was abandoned in May 1917 without immediate replacement; until March 1922, the navy used manufacturers' model designations. However, some later aircraft similar to types with 1914 system designations were given conforming designations, apparently on an informal basis.
= 1922 system
=On 29 March 1922, a new designation system was introduced with a reorganization of U.S. naval aviation under the Bureau of Aeronautics. The system conveyed its information in the form:
(Mission)(Design Number)(Manufacturer)-(Subtype)(Minor Modification)
For example, F4U-1A referred to a minor modification (A) to the first major subtype (1) of Chance-Vought's (U) fourth (4) fighter (F) design.
For the first few years after the system was introduced, the manufacturer's letter and the mission letter were sometimes reversed. If it was the manufacturer's first design for that particular mission, there was no number before the manufacturer letter.
Prototypes under the 1922 system were normally prefixed with "X" (differing from purely experimental X-planes, which were not generally expected to go into production), while pre-production or trials aircraft were usually prefixed "Y", and airships were prefixed "Z" (differing from Army or Air Force use of "Z" to designate obsolete aircraft for storage or disposal).
= Airships and balloons
=Prior to 1954, lighter-than-air craft used separate designation systems from those used for fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft, or were undesignated. As a general rule, a "Z" prefix identified lighter-than-air craft.
Rigid airships
Rigid airships were designated as ZR-class—"R" for rigid—with a suffixed number identifying the individual aircraft, and unlike all other lighter-than-air craft were commissioned no differently that surface ships; therefore, the ZR code was included as a hull classification symbol with those of surface ships. With the introduction of the Akron-class airship, an "S" mission suffix was added to signify scout (ZRS-class).
Other airships
The first U.S. Navy non-rigid airship was ordered in 1915 before an airship designation system was standardized and was designated DN-1 for Dirigible, Non-rigid. When subsequent airships were ordered into series production for World War I (WWI), alphabetical class letters were adopted starting with the B-class blimp, with individual aircraft identified by a suffixed number; DN-1 was retroactively considered A-class by implication. Within each class, individual airships often had significant design variations, and were sometimes sourced from different manufacturers; the class designations referred to nominal power and size.
The first mission designation system for non-rigid airships, introduced in 1940, took the following form:
(Construction)(Mission)-(Class)
For example, the ZNP-K referred to K-class (K) patrol (P) non-rigid airship (ZN).
In 1947, this system was replaced by one more similar to the 1922 fixed-wing system, and the "N" for non-rigid was dropped due to the termination of the rigid airship program. The 1947 system took the following form:
(Z for airship)(Mission)(Design Number)(Class)-(Subtype)(Minor Modification)
For example, the ZP2N-1W referred to the airborne early warning modification (W) of the first subtype (1) of the N-class' (N) second (2) patrol (P) airship (Z).
The airship mission designations were initially "G" for scout, "N" for trainer, and "P" for patrol. In 1947, "N" was changed to "T" for trainers, while "H" for search and rescue and "U" for utility were added, although the latter two mission letters were ultimately not used.
In 1954, the Navy did away with the separate airship designation system and unified it with the main 1922 system, while retaining the "Z" prefix.
Spherical crewed free gas balloons used for airship crew training were considered ZF-class aircraft but never received formal designations and were identified only by serial number and volume; similarly, crewed kite balloons and uncrewed barrage balloons were considered ZK-class, but were undesignated.
= Other exceptions
=The non-standard XDH designation was applied to two de Havilland aircraft procured in 1927 and 1934 for use by the U.S. Naval Attaché in London.
In 1952, the Navy and Air Force agreed to standardize some flight training curricula and equipment. Accordingly, the T-28 Trojan and T-34 Mentor trainers were adopted and operated by the Navy under their Air Force designations.
1911 system designations, 1911–1914
Data from Baugher, Joe (2006)
A: Curtiss
A-1 to A-4
B: Wright
B-1 to B-3
C: Curtiss
C-1 to C-5
D: Burgess and Curtis
D-1
D-2
E: Curtiss
E-1 - redesignated from A-2 after conversion to amphibian
1914 system designations, 1914–1917
Data from Baugher, Joe (2014) and Swanborough and Bowers (1976), as noted
= A: Heavier-than-air
=AB: Flying boat
AB-1 to AB-5 - Curtiss; redesignated from C-1 through C-5
AB-6 - Burgess; redesignated from D-1
AB-7 - Burgess; redesignated from D-2
AH: Aeroplane, Hydro
AH-1 to AH-3 - Curtiss; redesignated from A-1, A-3 and A-4
AH-4 to AH-6 - Wright; redesignated from B-1 through B-3
AH-7 - Burgess
AH-8 and AH-9 - Curtiss
AH-10 - Burgess
AH-11 and AH-18 - Curtiss
AH-19 - Wright
AH-19 and AH-22 - Martin; conflicting designation, assigned after original AH-19 was rejected
AX: Amphibian
AX-1 - Curtiss; redesignated from E-1
= B: Free balloon
=BC: Kite balloon
BC-2 to BC-4 - Goodyear
1922 system designations, 1922–1962
= Airborne early warning
=W: Airborne early warning (1952–1962)
F: Grumman
WF Tracer – redesignated E-1 in 1962
W2F Hawkeye – redesignated E-2 in 1962
U: Vought
WU
V: Lockheed
WV Warning Star – redesignated EC-121 in 1962
= Airship
=ZP: Patrol (1954–1962)
G: Goodyear
ZPG – redesignated from ZPN and ZP2N in 1954, redesignated Z-1 in 1962
ZS: Scout (1954–1962)
G: Goodyear
ZSG – redesignated from ZP2K, ZP3K, and ZP4K
ZS2G – redesignated from ZP5K
ZW: Airborne Early Warning (1954–1962)
G: Goodyear
ZWG
= Ambulance
=A: Ambulance (1943–1962)
E: Piper
AE Grasshopper – redesignated from HE
H: Hospital (1929–1942)
E: Piper
HE Grasshopper – redesignated AE in 1943
L: Loening
HL
H: Air-Sea Rescue (1946–1962)
No designations were assigned in this sequence.
= Anti-submarine
=S: Anti-submarine (1946–1962)
In 1946, the "S for Scout" designation was replaced by "S for anti-Submarine", however, the numbers in the 'S' series were not restarted.
F: Grumman
SF – skipped to avoid confusion with the SF in the Scout sequence
S2F Tracker – redesignated S-2 in 1962
U: Vought
SU – skipped to avoid confusion with the SU in the Scout sequence
S2U
= Attack
=A: Attack (1946–1962)
D: Douglas
AD Skyraider – redesignated from BT2D, redesignated A-1 in 1962
A2D Skyshark
A3D Skywarrior – redesignated A-3 in 1962
A4D Skyhawk – redesignated A-4 in 1962
F: Grumman
AF Guardian – redesignated from TB3F
A2F Intruder – redesignated A-6 in 1962
H: McDonnell Douglas
AH Phantom II
J: North American
AJ Savage – redesignated A-2 in 1962
A2J Super Savage
A3J Vigilante – redesignated A-5 in 1962
M: Martin
AM Mauler – redesignated from BTM
U: Vought
AU Corsair – redesignated from F4U-6
A2U Cutlass
= Bomber
=B: Bomber (1931–1943)
D: Douglas
BD Havoc
G: Great Lakes
BG
B2G
M: Martin
BM – redesignated from T5M
N: Naval Aircraft Factory
BN
T: Northrop
BT
B2T
Y: Consolidated
BY Fleetster
B2Y
BF: Bomber fighter (1934–1937)
B: Boeing
BFB – redesignated from F6B
C: Curtiss
BFC Goshawk – redesignated from F11C
BF2C Goshawk
BT: Bomber torpedo (1942–1945)
C: Curtiss
BTC
BT2C
D: Douglas
BTD Destroyer
BT2D Destroyer II – redesignated AD in 1946
K: Kaiser-Fleetwings
BTK
M: Martin
BTM Mauler – redesignated AM in 1946
= Drone/missile
=BD: Bomber drone (1944)
R: Interstate
BDR
DS: Antisubmarine drone (1959–1962)
N: Gyrodyne
DSN DASH – redesignated H-50 in 1962
KA: Surface-to-air missile (1946–1947)
For a brief period, surface-to-air missiles used the same designation system as aircraft.
M: Martin
KAM Little Joe
N: Naval Aircraft Factory
KAN Little Joe
KA2N Gorgon IIA – redesignated CTV-4 in 1947
KA3N Gorgon III – redesignated CTV-6 and RTV-4 in 1947
Q: Fairchild
KAQ Lark – redesignated SAM-2 in 1947
S: Sperry
KAS Sparrow – redesignated AAM-2 in 1947
Y: Convair
KAY Lark – redesignated SAM-4 in 1947
KD: Unified sequence (1945–1962)
A: Ryan
KDA Firebee – redesignated QM-34 in 1963
B: Beechcraft
KDB Cardinal – redesignated QM-39 in 1963
KD2B Jayhawk – redesignated QM-37 in 1963
C: Curtiss-Wright
KDC
KD2C Skeet
KD3C Skeet
D: McDonnell (changed to H in 1946)
KDD Katydid – redesignated from TD2D, redesignated KDH in 1946
G: Globe
KDG Snipe
KD2G Firefly
KD3G Snipe
KD4G Quail
KD5G
KD6G Firefly – redesignated QM-40 in 1963
H: McDonnell (changed from D in 1946)
KDH Katydid – redesignated from KDD
M: Martin
KDM Plover
N: Naval Aircraft Factory
KDN Gorgon – redesignated from TD2N
KD2N Gorgon – redesignated from TD3N
R: Radioplane
KDR Quail – redesignated from TD4D
KD2R Quail – redesignated QM-36 in 1963
KD3R – skipped
KD4R
T: Temco
KDT Teal
U: Vought
KDU Regulus
KD2U Regulus II – redesignated QM-15 in 1963
KG: Air-to-surface missile (1946–1947)
For a brief period, air-to-surface missiles used the same designation system as aircraft.
N: Naval Aircraft Factory
KGN Gorgon IIC – redesignated CTV-2 in 1947
W: Willys-Overland
KGW Loon – redesignated LTV-1 in 1947
KS: Anti-ship missile (1946–1947)
For a brief period, anti-ship missiles used the same designation system as aircraft.
D: McDonnell
KSD Gargoyle – redesignated from LBD, redesignated RTV-2 in 1947
KU: Research missile (1946–1947)
For a brief period, research missiles used the same designation system as aircraft.
D: McDonnell
KUD Gargoyle – redesignated from LBD, redesignated RTV-2 in 1947
M: Martin
KUM Gorgon IV – redesignated PTV-2 in 1947
N: Naval Aircraft Factory
KUN Gorgon IIC – redesignated CTV-2 in 1947
KU2N Gorgon IIA – redesignated CTV-4 in 1947
KU3N Gorgon III – redesignated CTV-6 and RTV-4 in 1947
W: Willys-Overland
KUW Loon – redesignated LTV-1 in 1947
TD: Target drone (1942–1945)
C: Culver
TDC Cadet
TD2C Turkey
TD3C
TD4C
D: Radioplane
TDD
TD2D – skipped to avoid confusion with the McDonnell TD2D
TD3D – skipped to avoid confusion with the Frankfort TD3D
TD4D – redesignated KDR in 1945
D: McDonnell
TDD – skipped to avoid confusion with the Radioplane TDD
TD2D Katydid – redesignated KDD in 1945
D: Frankfort
TDD – skipped to avoid confusion with the Radioplane TDD
TD2D – skipped to avoid confusion with the McDonnell TD2D
TD3D
L: Bell
TDL Airacobra – redesignated F2L-1K
N: Naval Aircraft Factory
TDN
TD2N Gorgon – redesignated KDN in 1946
TD3N Gorgon IIC – redesignated KD2N in 1946
R: Interstate
TDR
TD2R
TD3R
U: Unpiloted aircraft (1946–1955)
C: Culver
UC
= Fighter
=F: Fighter (1922–1962)
A: General Aircraft
FA
A: Brewster
FA – skipped to avoid confusion with the General Aircraft FA
F2A Buffalo
F3A Corsair
B: Boeing
FB
F2B
F3B
F4B
F5B
F6B – redesignated BFB in 1934
F7B
F8B
C: Curtiss
FC
F2C
F3C
F4C
F5C – skipped to avoid confusion with the earlier Curtiss F-5L
F6C Hawk
F7C Seahawk
F8C Falcon/Helldiver
F9C Sparrowhawk
F10C Helldiver
F11C Goshawk – redesignated BFC in 1934
F12C Helldiver – redesignated S4C in 1933
F13C
F14C
F15C
D: Douglas
FD
F2D – skipped to avoid confusion with the McDonnell F2D
F3D Skyknight – redesignated F-10 in 1962
F4D Skyray – redesignated F-6 in 1962
F5D Skylancer
F6D Missileer
D: McDonnell (changed to H in 1946)
FD – conflicting designation, assigned after the original FD was canceled, redesignated FH in 1946
F2D Banshee – redesignated F2H in 1946
F: Grumman
FF
F2F
F3F
F4F Wildcat
F5F Skyrocket
F6F Hellcat
F7F Tigercat
F8F Bearcat
F9F Panther – redesignated F-9 in 1962
F9F-6/-8 Cougar – redesignated F-9F/J in 1962
F10F Jaguar
F11F Tiger – redesignated F-11 in 1962
F11F-1F/2 Super Tiger – redesignated F-11B in 1962
F12F – unofficial
G: Eberhart
FG
F2G
G: Goodyear
FG Corsair
F2G Corsair
H: Hall
FH
H: McDonnell (changed from D in 1946)
FH Phantom – redesignated from FD
F2H Banshee – redesignated from F2D, redesignated F-2 in 1962
F3H Demon – redesignated F-3 in 1962
F4H Phantom II – redesignated F-4 in 1962
J: Berliner-Joyce
FJ
F2J
F3J
J: North American Aviation
FJ Fury
FJ-2/-3 Fury – redesignated F-1C/D in 1962
FJ-4 Fury – redesignated F-1E/F in 1962
K: James V. Martin
KF
L: Loening
FL
L: Bell
FL Airabonita
F2L Kingcobra
F2L-1K Airacobra
F3L – unofficial
M: General Motors
FM Wildcat
F2M Wildcat
F3M Bearcat
O: Lockheed (changed to V in 1951)
FO Lightning
FO – conflicting designation, assigned after the original FO was retired, redesignated FV in 1951
R: Ryan
FR Fireball
F2R Dark Shark
S: Supermarine
FS Spitfire – unofficial
T: Northrop
FT
F2T Black Widow
U: Vought
FU
F2U
F3U
F4U Corsair
F5U
F6U Pirate
F7U Cutlass
F8U Crusader – redesignated F-8 in 1962
F8U-3 Crusader III
V: Canadian Vickers
FV Hellcat
V: Lockheed (changed from O in 1951)
FV – redesignated from FO
W: Wright
WF – skipped to avoid confusion with the Wright WP
F2W
F3W Apache
W: CC&F
FW – skipped to avoid confusion with the Wright WP
F2W – skipped to avoid confusion with the Wright F2W
F3W – skipped to avoid confusion with the Wright F3W
F4W Bearcat
Y: Convair
FY Pogo
F2Y Sea Dart – redesignated F-7 in 1962
P: Pursuit (1923)
W: Wright
WP
= Glider
=LB: Bomb glider
D: McDonnell
LBD Gargoyle – redesignated KSD and KUD in 1946
E: Pratt-Read
LBE
P: Piper
LBP
T: Taylorcraft
LBT
LN: Trainer glider (1941–1945)
E: Pratt-Read
LNE
P: Piper
LNP Grasshopper
R: Aeronca
LNR Grasshopper
S: Schweizer
LNS
T: Taylorcraft
LNT Grasshopper
LR: Transport glider (1941–1945)
A: Allied
LRA
LR2A
G: AGA Aviation
LRG
H: Snead
LRH
N: Naval Aircraft Factory
LRN
LR2N
Q: Bristol
LRQ
W: Waco
LRW
LR2W
= Helicopters
=HC: Crane (1952–1955)
H: McDonnell
HCH
HJ: Utility (1944–1949)
D: McDonnell (changed to H in 1946)
HJD Whirlaway
H: McDonnell (changed from D in 1946)
HJH Whirlaway
P: Piasecki
HJP Retriever – redesignated HUP in 1950
S: Sikorsky
HJS
HO: Observation (1944–1962)
C: Convertawings
HOC
E: Hiller
HOE Hornet
G: Gyrodyne
HOG Rotorcycle
K: Kaman
HOK Huskie – redesignated H-43 in 1962
S: Sikorsky
HOS
HO2S
HO3S
HO4S – redesignated UH-19 in 1962
HO5S
HN: Trainer (1944–1948)
S: Sikorsky
HNS
HR: Transport (1944–1962)
B: Boeing Vertol
HRB Sea Knight – redesignated CH-46 in 1962
H: McDonnell
HRH
P: Piasecki
HRP Rescuer
S: Sikorsky
HRS – redesignated CH-19 in 1962
HR2S – redesignated CH-37 in 1962
HR3S Sea King – redesignated CH-3 in 1962
HS: Antisubmarine (1951–1962)
L: Bell
HSL
S: Sikorsky
HSS-1 Seabat – redesignated SH-34 in 1962
HSS-2 Sea King – redesignated SH-3 in 1962
HT: Trainer (1948–1962)
E: Hiller
HTE Raven
K: Kaman
HTK Huskie – redesignated H-43 in 1962
L: Bell
HTL – redesignated H-13 in 1962
HU: Utility (1950–1962)
K: Kaman
HUK Huskie – redesignated H-43 in 1962
HU2K Seasprite – redesignated UH-2 in 1962
L: Bell
HUL – redesignated H-13 in 1962
M: McCulloch
HUM
P: Piasecki
HUP Retriever– redesignated UH-25 in 1962
S: Sikorsky
HUS Seahorse – redesignated CH-34 in 1962
HU2S Sea Guard – redesignated HH-52 in 1962
R: Rotorcycle (1954–1959)
E: Hiller
ROE Rotorcycle
N: Gyrodyne
RON Rotorcycle
= Marine Expeditionary
=M: Marine Expeditionary (1922–1923)
E: Elias
EM
N: Naval Aircraft Factory
NM
= Observation
=O: Observation (1922–1962)
B: Boeing
OB
O2B
C: Curtiss
OC Falcon
O2C Falcon
O3C Seagull
D: Douglas
OD
O2D
E: Elias
EO
E: Cessna
OE Bird Dog – redesignated O-1 in 1962
F: Grumman
OF Mohawk
H: Huff Daland
HO
J: Berliner-Joyce
OJ
K: Keystone
OK
L: Loening
OL
O2L
M: Martin
MO
M2O
O3M
N: Naval Aircraft Factory
NO
O2N
O: Viking
OO
P: Pitcairn
OP
OP-2
U: Vought
UO
O2U Corsair
O3U Corsair
O4U Corsair
O5U
Y: Stinson
OY Sentinel
Z: Pennsylvania
OZ
OS: Observation scout (1935–1945)
E: Edo
OSE
N: Naval Aircraft Factory
OSN
OS2N Kingfisher
S: Stearman
OSS
U: Vought
OSU Corsair
OS2U Kingfisher
= Patrol
=P: Patrol (1923–1962)
B: Boeing
PB
PB Flying Fortress – conflicting designation, assigned after the original PB was canceled
P2B Superfortress
P3B
D: Douglas
PD
P2D
P3D
F: Grumman
PF Albatross
H: Hall
PH
P2H
J: General Aviation
PJ
K: Keystone
PK
M: Martin
PM
P2M
P3M
P4M Mercator
P5M Marlin
P6M SeaMaster
P7M SubMaster
N: Naval Aircraft Factory
PN
P2N – redesignated P4N to avoid confusion with the Curtiss P2N
P3N – skipped
P4N – redesignated from P2N
N: Curtiss
PN – skipped
P2N
O: Lockheed (changed to V in 1951)
PO Warning Star – redesignated WV in 1951
S: Sikorsky
PS
P2S
V: Lockheed-Vega
PV Ventura/Harpoon
P2V Neptune
V: Lockheed (changed from O in 1951)
PV – skipped to avoid confusion with the Lockheed-Vega PV
P2V – skipped to avoid confusion with the Lockheed-Vega P2V Neptune
P3V Orion
Y: Consolidated/Convair
PY
P2Y
P3Y Catalina – redesignated PBY in 1935
P4Y Corregidor
P5Y Tradewind
P6Y
PB: Patrol bomber (1935–1962)
B: Boeing
PBB Sea Ranger
PB2B Canso
J: North American
PBJ Mitchell
M: Martin
PBM Mariner
PB2M Mars
N: Naval Aircraft Factory
PBN Nomad
O: Lockheed
PBO Hudson
S: Sikorsky
PBS
V: Canadian Vickers
PBV Catalina
Y: Consolidated
PBY Catalina – redesignated from P3Y
PB2Y Coronado
PB3Y
PB4Y Liberator
PB4Y-2 Privateer
PT: Patrol torpedo (1922)
No designations were assigned in this sequence.
PTB: Patrol torpedo bomber (1937–1962)
H: Hall
PTBH
= Racer
=R: Racer (1922–1928)
B: Bee Line
BR
C: Curtiss
CR
R2C
R3C
= Scout
=S: Scout (1922–1946)
C: Curtiss
CS/SC
SC Seahawk – conflicting designation, assigned after the original SC was retired
S2C Shrike
S3C Falcon
S4C Helldiver – redesignated SBC in 1935
DW: Dayton-Wright
SDW
E: Bellanca
SE
E: Edo
SE – skipped to avoid confusion with the Bellanca SE
S2E
F: Grumman
SF
G: Great Lakes
SG
HP: Handley Page
HPS
L: Loening
SL
S2L
M: Martin
MS
S: Sikorsky
SS
U: Vought
SU Corsair
X: Cox-Klemin
XS
SB: Scout bomber (1934–1946)
A: Brewster
SBA
SB2A Buccaneer
C: Curtiss-Wright
SBC Helldiver
SB2C Helldiver
SB3C
D: Douglas
SBD Dauntless
SB2D Destroyer
F: Grumman
SBF
F: Fairchild
SBF Helldiver
G: Great Lakes
SBG
N: Naval Aircraft Factory
SBN
U: Vought
SBU Corsair
SB2U Vindicator
SB3U
W: CC&F
SBW Helldiver
SN: Scout trainer (1939–1948)
B: Beechcraft
SNB Navigator – redesignated C-45 in 1962
C: Curtiss
SNC Falcon
J: North American
SNJ Texan
SN2J
V: Vultee
SNV Valiant
SO: Scout observation (1934–1946)
C: Curtiss
SOC Seagull
SO2C Seagull
SO3C Seamew
E: Bellanca
SOE
K: Fairchild
SOK
N: Naval Aircraft Factory
SON Seagull
R: Ryan
SOR Seagull
U: Vought
SOU – skipped to avoid confusion with the Vought OSU
SO2U
= Tanker
=G: Tanker (1958–1962)
V: Lockheed
GV Hercules
= Torpedo
=T: Torpedo (1922–1935)
B: Boeing
TB
BS: Blackburn
BST
C: Curtiss
CT
D: Douglas
DT
T2D
T3D
E: Detroit
TE
F: Fokker
FT
G: Great Lakes
TG
M: Martin
MT/TM
T2M – redesignated SC in 1925
T3M
T4M
T5M – redesignated BM in 1931
T6M
N: Naval Aircraft Factory
TN
T2N
S: Stout
ST
TB: Torpedo bomber (1935–1946)
D: Douglas
TBD Devastator
TB2D Skypirate
F: Grumman
TBF Avenger
TB2F
TB3F Guardian – redesignated AF in 1946
G: Great Lakes
TBG
M: General Motors
TBM Avenger
U: Vought
TBU Sea Wolf
V: Vultee
TBV Georgia
Y: Consolidated
TBY Sea Wolf
TS: Torpedo scout (1943–1946)
F: Grumman
TSF
= Trainer
=N: Trainer (1922–1948)
B: Boeing
NB
N2B
C: Curtiss
NC – skipped to avoid confusion with the pre-1922 Curtiss NC
N2C Fledgling
E: Piper
NE Grasshopper
H: Huff Daland
HN
H: Howard
NH
J: North American
NJ
K: Keystone
NK
L: Langley
NL
M: Martin
NM – skipped
N2M
N: Naval Aircraft Factory
NN – skipped
N2N
N3N
N4N – skipped
N5N
P: Spartan
NP
Q: Fairchild
NQ
R: Ryan
NR Recruit
S: Stearman
NS Kaydet
N2S Kaydet
T: New Standard
NT
T: Timm
NT – skipped to avoid confusion with the New Standard NT
N2T Tutor
V: Vultee
NV
Y: Consolidated
NY
N2Y
N3Y
N4Y
T: Trainer (1948–1962)
E: Edo
TE
F: Grumman
TF Trader – redesignated C-1 in 1962
J: North American
TJ Texan – redesignated from SNJ-8
T2J Buckeye – redesignated T-2 in 1962
T3J Sabreliner – redesignated T-39 in 1962
O: Lockheed (changed to V in 1951)
TO Shooting Star – redesignated TV in 1951
TO-2 Shooting Star – redesignated TV-2 in 1951
T: Temco
TT Pinto
V: Lockheed (changed from O in 1951)
TV Shooting Star – redesignated from TO
TV-2 Shooting Star – redesignated from TO-2
T2V SeaStar – redesignated T-1 in 1962
= Transport
=G: Transport, single engine (1939–1941)
B: Beechcraft
GB Traveler
H: Howard
GH Nightingale
K: Fairchild
GK
Q: Stinson
GQ Reliant
R: Transport, 1931–1962
A: Atlantic
RA – redesignated from TA
RA-4
B: Budd
RB Conestoga
C: Curtiss/Curtiss-Wright
RC Kingbird
R2C – skipped to avoid confusion with the R2C in the Racer sequence
R3C – skipped to avoid confusion with the R3C in the Racer sequence
R4C Condor
R5C Commando
D: Douglas
RD Dolphin
R2D
R3D
R4D – redesignated C-47 in 1962
R4D-8 – redesignated C-117 in 1962
R5D – redesignated C-54 in 1962
R6D – redesignated C-118 in 1962
E: Bellanca
RE Skyrocket
K: Kinner
RK Envoy
K: Fairchild (changed to Q in 1942)
RK – skipped to avoid confusion with the Kinner RK
R2K
M: Martin
RM – redesignated VC-3 in 1962
N: Stinson (changed to Q in 1934)
RN Reliant – redesignated RQ in 1934
O: Lockheed (changed to V in 1951)
RO Altair
R2O Electra
R3O Electra
R4O Super Electra
R5O Lodestar
R6O Constitution
R7O Constellation
Q: Stinson (changed from N in 1934)
RQ Reliant – redesignated from RN
R2Q – skipped to avoid confusion with the Fairchild R2Q
R3Q Reliant
Q: Fairchild (changed from K in 1942)
RQ
R2Q
R3Q – skipped to avoid confusion with the Stinson R3Q
R4Q Flying Boxcar – redesignated C-119 in 1962
R: Ford
RR
S: Sikorsky
RS
T: Northrop
RT
V: Lockheed (changed from O in 1951)
R6V Constitution
R7V Constellation – redesignated C-121G in 1962
R7V-2 Super Constellation – redesignated C-121J in 1962
R8V Hercules – redesignated C-130 in 1962
Y: Consolidated/Convair
RY Liberator Express
R2Y
R3Y Tradewind
R4Y Samaritan – redesignated C-131 in 1962
T: Transport (1922–1931)
A: Atlantic
TA – redesignated RA in 1931
= Utility
=J: Utility (1931–1955)
A: Fokker-America
JA
A: Noorduyn
JA Norseman
B: Beechcraft
JB Traveller
C: Curtiss-Wright
JC Kingbird
D: Douglas
JD Invader– redesignated B-26J in 1962
E: Bellanca
JE
F: Grumman
JF Duck
J2F Duck
J3F Goose
J4F Widgeon
H: Stearman-Hammond
JH
K: Fairchild (changed to Q in 1942)
JK
J2K
L: Columbia
JL
M: Martin
JM Marauder
O: Lockheed
JO Electra Junior
Q: Fairchild (changed from K in 1942)
JQ
J2Q
R: Ford
JR
W: Waco
JW
J2W
JR: Utility transport (1935–1955)
B: Beechcraft
JRB Expeditor
C: Cessna
JRC Bobcat
F: Grumman
JRF Goose
JR2F Albatross – redesignated UF in 1955
K: Nash-Kelvinator
JRK
M: Martin
JRM Mars
JR2M Mercury
S: Sikorsky
JRS
JR2S
U: Utility (1955–1962)
C: de Havilland Canada
UC Otter – redesignated U-1 in 1962
U2C Beaver
F: Grumman
UF Albatross – redesignated from JR2F, redesignated U-16 in 1962
O: Piper
UO Aztec – conflicting designation, assigned after the original UO was retired; redesignated U-11 in 1962
V: Lockheed
UV JetStar
UV Hercules – conflicting designation, assigned after the original UV was canceled; redesignated C-130 in 1962
Foreign-built utility aircraft (1920–1962)
XDH: de Havilland
XDH-60 Moth
XDH-80 Puss Moth
Pre-1954 airship systems
= Commissioned vessels (1922–1935)
=A 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. Another airship, ZR-2 (the British R.38) crashed and was destroyed before delivery, and was therefore never commissioned.
USS Shenandoah (ZR-1)
ZR-2 – reserved but never commissioned
USS Los Angeles (ZR-3)
USS Akron (ZRS-4)
USS Macon (ZRS-5)
= 1940 system
=ZNN: Training (1940–1946)
ZNN-G – redesignated ZTG in 1947
ZNN-L – redesignated ZTL in 1947
ZNP: Patrol (1940–1946)
ZNP-K – redesignated ZPK in 1947
ZNP-M – redesignated ZPM in 1947
ZNP-N – redesignated ZPN in 1947
= 1947 system
=ZP: Patrol (1947–1953)
ZPK – redesignated from ZNP-K
ZP2K – redesignated ZSG-2 in 1954
ZP3K – redesignated ZSG-3 in 1954
ZP4K – redesignated ZSG-4 in 1954
ZP5K – redesignated ZS2G-1 in 1954
ZPM – redesignated from ZNP-M
ZPN – redesignated from ZNP-N, redesignated ZPG-1 in 1954
ZP2N – redesignated ZPG-2 in 1954
ZT: Training (1947–1953)
ZTG – redesignated from ZNN-G
ZTL – redesignated from ZNN-L
ZW: Airborne Early Warning (1947–1953)
ZWN – redesignated ZPG-3W in 1954
See also
List of United States Air Force aircraft designations (1919–1962)
List of United States Army aircraft designations (1956–1962)
List of United States Tri-Service aircraft designations
United States military aircraft serial numbers
References
= Notes
== Citations
=Bibliography
Andrade, John M. (1979). U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials Since 1909. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 0-904597-22-9.
Bedford, Alan (May–June 1999). "Early American Carrier Jets: Evolving Jet Operations with the US Fleet, Part One". Air Enthusiast (81): 13–19. ISSN 0143-5450.
Bedford, Alan (July–August 1999). "Early American Carrier Jets: Evolving Jet Operations with the US Fleet, Part Two". Air Enthusiast (82): 18–23. ISSN 0143-5450.
Bedford, Alan (September–October 1999). "Early American Carrier Jets: Evolving Jet Operations with the US Fleet, Part Three". Air Enthusiast (83): 62–67. ISSN 0143-5450.
Fahey, James C. 1946 U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946
Grossnick, Roy A. United States Naval Aviation 1910–1995. Naval Historical Center
Swanborough, Gordon; Bowers, Peter M. (1976). United States Navy Aircraft since 1911 (2nd ed.). Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-968-5.
External links
https://web.archive.org/web/20070306101712/http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/d/o/dob104/aviation/us/index.html
www.designation-systems.net/index.html
home.att.net/~jbaugher
www.aerofiles.com/aircraft.html
National Museum of the US Air Force
www.microworks.net/pacific/aviation
fire.prohosting.com/hud607/uncommon
Kata Kunci Pencarian:
- List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962)
- List of active United States naval aircraft
- List of United States Tri-Service aircraft designations
- Lists of military aircraft of the United States
- List of United States Air Force aircraft designations (1919–1962)
- 1922 United States Navy aircraft designation system
- 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system
- List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
- List of United States fighter aircraft
- List of undesignated military aircraft of the United States
