United States military aircraft designation systems

Multiple designation systems have been used to specify United States military aircraft. The first was designed in 1919 when the US Army's Aeronautical Division became the United States Army Air Service. Before this, aircraft were put into service under their manufacturers' designations.[1]

History

United States Army Air Service system 1919–1924
Main article: 1919 United States Army Air Service aircraft designation system

During this period Type Designations used by the United States Army Air Service were allotted, using two or three letters, which were an abbreviation of the aircraft's purpose. Examples include GA for Ground Attack aircraft, NO for Night Observation aircraft, and NBS for Night Bombardment, Short Distance aircraft.[2]

Army aviation system 1924–1962
Main article: 1924 United States Army Air Service aircraft designation system

From 1924 to 1947 the Air Service, United States Army Air Corps, United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force used a designation system based on mission category, with each model in a category numbered sequentially.[1] In 1947, the designation system was extensively overhauled, with several categories being dispensed with, and others renamed.[3] For instance, the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star (Pursuit) was redesignated as F-80 (Fighter), while the A-26 medium bomber/attack aircraft was redesignated as the B-26, reusing the designation, the Martin B-26 having retired in the meantime.[4]

US Navy system pre-1962
Main articles: List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962) and 1922 United States Navy aircraft designation system

The United States Navy (including United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard) had several systems for designating aircraft beginning with the 1911 system which was followed shortly by the 1914 system. The 1922 system used a completely separate designation system, based on both mission and manufacturer and lasted until 1962.[4]

United States Army system 1956–1962
Main article: 1956 United States Army aircraft designation system

From 1956 to 1962 the United States Army used a separate designation system from that of the United States Air Force.

Tri-service aircraft system (Air Force/Army/Navy) 1962–present
Main article: 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system

Starting 18 September 1962, a joint system of mission-based designations was used, with most of these restarting from 1.[5] Various previously-designated models from the pre-1962 Army-Air Force system (such as the F-111) were not redesignated.[6]

All in-use USN/USMC aircraft from the pre-1962 system were redesignated within the new system. An attempt was made to retain the original Type Sequence numbers for as many aircraft as possible. Thus, the F2H Banshee became the F-2, the F4H Phantom II became the F-4 and the F8U Crusader became the F-8.[6]

See also

References

Citations
  1. Angelucci, 1987. p. 9.
  2. Danby 1977, pp. 10–11
  3. Danby 1977, pp. 9–10
  4. Angelucci, 1987. p. 10.
  5. Angelucci, 1987. p. 11.
  6. Danby 1976, p. 9

Bibliography
  • Angelucci, Enzo (1987). The American Fighter from 1917 to the present. New York: Orion Books.
  • Danby, Peter A. (1976). United States Navy Serials 1941 to 1976. Merseyside Aviation Society. ISBN 0-902420-17-8.
  • Danby, Peter A. (1977). United States Air Force Serials 1946 to 1977. Merseyside Aviation Society. ISBN 0-902420-22-4.

A comprehensive explanation can be found at Systems of Designation.

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