United States of America military aircraft designation systems
The United States Military Aircraft Designation System was first designed in 1919 when the US Army's Aeronautical Division became the United States Army Air Service.
Contents |
History
- From 1920 to 1947 the United States Army Air Service / United States Army Air Corps / United States Army Air Forces used a designation system based on mission category, with each model in a category numbered sequentially.
- From 1922 to 1962 the United States Navy (including United States Marine Corps) used a completely separate designation system, based on both mission and manufacturer.
- From 1947 to 1962 the United States Air Force used a mission-based system derived from the 1920-1947 system. For instance, the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star (Pursuit) was redesignated as F-80 (Fighter), but the Convair B-36 bomber kept its previous designation.
- Since 1962 a joint system of mission-based designations has been used, with most of these restarting from 1. Various previously-designated models from the pre-1962 Army-Air Force system (such as the F-111) were not redesignated. All in-use aircraft from the pre-1962 Navy-Marine Corps system were redesignated, except for the McDonnell F4H Phantom II/F-110 Spectre which was re-designated the "F-4 Phantom II" in all services.
A comprehensive explanation can be found at Systems of Designation.
Individual system pages
- 1919 United States Army Air Service aircraft designation system
- 1924 United States Army Air Service aircraft designation system also applied to aircraft of the United States Army Air Corps, United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force
- 1948 United States Air Force aircraft designation system
- 1922 United States Navy aircraft designation system (includes United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard aircraft)
- 1956 United States Army Air Forces aircraft designation system
- 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system
- United States Department of Defense Aerospace Vehicle Designations
See also
External links
Categories
Military of the United States | United States military lists