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List of United States military aircraft

From PlaneSpottingWorld, for aviation fans everywhere

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 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.

File:Collection of military aircraft.jpg
A collection of NASA experimental aircraft, including the X-31, F-15S/MTD, SR-71, F-106, F-16XL, X-38, Radio Controlled Mothership, and X-36.

Contents

Prior to 1919

Army Signal Corps, August 2, 1909 to April 6, 1917

American-Built Airplanes of World War I, April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918

American Expeditionary Force (A.E.F.) aircraft from the French Government

American Expeditionary Force (A.E.F.) aircraft from the British Government

American Expeditionary Force (A.E.F.) aircraft from the Italian Government

Post-War, November 11, 1918 to September 1919

Army Air Service, 1919-1924

Prior to 1919, all planes flown by the Army Air Service were referred to by the designation given to them by their manufacturer. In September 1919, the Army Air Service decided that it needed some organized designation sequence, and adopted fifteen classifications, designated by roman numerals. Several other unnumbered designations were added later. Each designation was assigned an abbreviation, and each design a number within that abbreviation. Variants were designated by alphabetically appending letters to the design number.

Type I: Pursuit, water-cooled

Type II: Pursuit, night

Type III: Pursuit, air-cooled

Type IV: Pursuit, ground attack, 1922

Type V: Two-seat pursuit

  • TP-1 - Engineering Division

Type VI: Ground attack, 1920-1922

Type VII: Infantry liaison

Type VIII: Night observation

Type IX: Artillery observation

Type X: Corps observation

Type XI: Day bombardment

Type XII: Night bombardment, short range

Type XIII: Night bombardment, long range

Type XIV: Trainer, air-cooled

Type XV: Trainer, water-cooled

Ambulance, 1919-1924

Messenger

Pursuit, special

Racer

Seaplane

Transport

Army Air Corps/Army Air Forces/Air Force 1924-1962

Attack, 1924-1948

Bomber

Until 1926, the Army Air Service had three sequences for bombers. Light bombers were indicated by the LB- prefix, medium bombers by the B- prefix, and heavy bombers by the HB- prefix. In 1926, the three-category system was scrapped and all bombers subsequently built were placed in the B- sequence.

Light Bomber, 1924-1926

Medium Bomber, 1924-1926

Heavy Bomber, 1924-1926

Unified bomber sequence, 1926-1962

File:B52.plan.750pix.jpg
B-52 in flight.

Bomber, long range, 1935-1936

A short-lived designation used from 1935-1936 to refer to three long-range bomber projects commissioned by the Army Air Corps.

Missiles

Beginning with #68, the M- (missile) and B- (bomber) series diverged. The following missiles, some of which are incorrectly labeled as "formerly designated B-xx" in some sources, never used a B-series designation.

Cargo, 1924-1962

After 2005, several planes were added to this sequence.

Drone

Aerial Target

1940-1941
1942-1948
  • PQ-8 Cadet - Culver
  • PQ-9 - Culver
  • PQ-10 - Culver
  • PQ-11 - Fletcher
  • PQ-12 - Fleetwings
  • PQ-13 - ERCO
  • PQ-14 - Culver
  • PQ-15 - Culver

Aerial Target, 1942-1948

Controllable Bomb, 1942-1945

Target Control, 1942-1948

Unified sequence, 1948-1962

  • Q-1 - Radioplane
  • Q-2 Firebee - Ryan
  • Q-3 - Radioplane
  • Q-4 - Radioplane/Bendix
  • Q-5 Kingfisher - Lockheed
  • Q-6
    • Q-7 - skipped: request for redesignated QB-17 not approved
    • Q-8 - skipped: request for redesignated QF-80 not approved
  • Q-8 Cadet Culver
  • Q-9
  • Q-10 - Radioplane
    • Q-11 - skipped
  • Q-12 Challenger - Beech
  • Q-14 Cadet - Culver

Electronic (modified aircraft)

Glider

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 Haig - 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

Unified sequence, 1948-1955

  • G-2 - Ridgefield
  • G-3 - Waco
  • G-4 Haig - Waco
  • G-10 Trojan Horse - Laister-Kauffman
  • G-13 - Waco
  • G-14 - Chase
  • G-15 Hadrian - Waco
  • G-18 - Chase
  • G-20 - Chase

Sailplane, 1960-1962

  • S-1 - Schweizer
  • S-2 - Schweizer

Gyroplane, 1935-1939

  • G-1 - Kellett
  • G-2 - Pitcairn

Pursuit, 1924-1948/Fighter, 1948-1962

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.

Unofficial designations YF-112 and up were later assigned to "black" projects - see Fighter series in Unified System.

Fighter, Multiplace

Pursuit, Biplace

Observation

Observation, 1924-1942

Observation amphibian, 1925-1948

Liaison, 1942-1962

Reconnaissance

Photographic reconnaissance, 1930-1948 / Reconnaissance, 1948-1962

Reconnaissance-strike, 1960-1962

Both of the following aircraft are part of the B- (bomber) series.

Rotary Wing, 1941-1948/Helicopter 1948-present

Designated R- for "rotary wing" until 1948, when the United States Air Force was founded. After this, all R- designations were changed to H- ("helicopter"), but the original numbers were retained. After 1962, the series was continued within the Unified Designation System.


Supersonic/special test, 1946-1948

The series was continued as the X (Experimental) series after 1948 - see X-series in Unified System.

Trainer

Advanced Trainer, 1925-1948

Basic Combat, 1936-1940

Superseded by Advanced Trainer (AT-).

Basic Trainer, 1930-1948

Primary Trainer, 1925-1948

Foreign-Built Training Aircraft, 1925-1948

Unified sequence, 1948-present

The AT-6 Texan, AT-7 Navigator, and AT-11 Kansan, were retroactively given T- designations. The new sequence began at 28, next in sequence after PT-27.

Convertiplane, 1952-1962

Army, 1956-1962

Airplane, Cargo, 1956-1962

Airplane, Observation, 1956-1962

Airplane, Research, 1956-1962

Flying Platform, 1955-1956

Helicopter, Cargo, 1956-1962

Helicopter, Observation, 1956-1962

Helicopter, Utility, 1956-1962

Helicopter, Experimental, 1956-1962

Vertical Takeoff and Landing Research, 1956-1962

Unified System, 1962-present

Airship

Anti-Submarine Warfare

Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopter

Attack

USAF A-10 Thunderbolt II

Attack Helicopter

Fixed-Wing Gunships

Use for attack missions is indicated by the modified mission identifier A-.

Bomber

File:Usaf.b2.spirit.750pix.jpg
USAF B-2 Spirit

Cargo

Cargo Helicopter

File:CH-47 2.jpg
Army Chinook sling-loads a Howitzer Gun

Drone

Electronic Warfare

File:Usaf.e3sentry.750pix.jpg
USAF E-3 Sentry

Electronic Warfare (Modified Aircraft)

Experimental, 1948-present

Main article: X-plane (aircraft)

Fighter

Note: Captured foreign aircraft used for evaluation and aggressor were given designations in sequence—based on chronology—with "black" project aircraft, continuing the pre-1962 F series.[6]

Glider

Helicopter

Laser

Observation

Observation Helicopter

Patrol

Reconnaissance

Reconnaissance (Converted Aircraft)

Tanker

Trainer

Utility, 1955-present

Utility Helicopter

Vertical and Short Take-off and Landing Aircraft

Un-designated foreign aircraft operated by the United States

United States Navy

Airborne early warning, 1952-1962

Airship

Commissioned vessels

File:Uss shenandoah airship.jpg
USS Shenandoah (ZR-1).

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.

Airborne Early Warning, 1952-1962

Patrol, 1947-1962

Scout, 1954-1962

Training, 1947-1962

Ambulance, 1943-1962

Anti-submarine, 1946-1962

Attack, 1946-1962

File:Skyraider USMC.jpg
AD Skyraider, United States, 2003.

Bomber, 1931-1943

Fighter Bomber, 1934-1937

===Torpedo Bomber, 1942-1945==]

Drone

Antisubmarine, 1959-1962

Target, 1942-1946

Unpiloted, 1946-1955

  • XUC - Culver

Unified sequence, 1945-1962

Fighter, 1922-1962

Grumman F6F-3 Hellcats on 1943-01-21.
F3H-2N Demon on the deck of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum.
An F4U Corsair appearing at the 2005 AirVenture Air Show at Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Chance-Vought F8U-3 Crusader III.

Glider

Trainer Glider, 1941-1945

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

Helicopters

Antisubmarine, 1951-1962

Crane, 1952-1955

Observation, 1944-1962

Trainer, 1944-1948

Trainer, 1948-1962

Transport, 1944-1962

Utility, 1944-1949

Utilty, 1950-1962

Hospital, 1929-1942

Marine expeditionary, 1922-1923

Observation, 1922-1962

Observation scout, 1935-1945

Patrol, 1923-1962

P2V-2 Neptune over NAS Jacksonville, 1953

Patrol bomber, 1935-1962

A flight of PBY-5s over the Aleutian Islands.

Patrol torpedo bomber, 1937-1962

Pursuit, 1923

  • WP - Wright

Racer, 1922-1928

Rotorcycle, 1954-1959

Scout, 1922-1946

Scout Bomber, 1934-1946

Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless.

Scout Observation, 1934-1946

Scout trainer, 1939-1948

Tanker, 1958-1962

Torpedo, 1922-1935

Torpedo Bomber, 1935-1946

Grumman TBF Avenger in mid-1942.

Torpedo scout, 1943-1962

Trainer, 1922-1948

Trainer, 1948-1962

A An SNJ-5 Texan flying in an airshow in 2004.

Transport, 1931-1962

Transport, single engine, 1939-1941

Utility, 1931-1955

Utility transport, 1935-1955

Utility, 1955-1962

v • d • e
Lists relating to aviation
GeneralTimeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines
MilitaryAir forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft
Notable incidents
and accidents		Military aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths
RecordsFlight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft

See also

References

  1. ↑ Parsch, Andreas. Convair MX-2223 (SM-74). Designation-Systems.Net. Retrieved on 2007-7-24.
  2. ↑ HazeGray.org. rec.aviation.military FAQ, Part 4. Retrieved on 2007-01-13.
  3. ↑ Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weapons and Warfare (London: Phoebus, 1978), Volume 4, p.370, "Blackbird, Sr-71 Lockheed".
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Parsch, Andreas (2006-11-27). Cover Designations for Classified USAF Aircraft. Designation-Systems.Net. Retrieved on 2006-12-29.
  5. ↑ Edwards AFB website. Col. Joseph A. Lanni, USAF biography. Retrieved on 2007-01-07.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Fulghum, David A., "MiGs in Nevada", Aviation Week & Space Technology, November 27, 2006
  • Andrade, John M. (1979). U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials Since 1909. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 0-904597-22-9. 
  • Fahey, James C. (1946). U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946. 

External links

v • d • e
Lists relating to aviation
GeneralTimeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines
MilitaryAir forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft
Notable incidents
and accidents		Military aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths
RecordsFlight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the Wikipedia article "List of United States military aircraft".


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