Prior to 1919, all planes flown by the Army Air Service and the Navy were referred to by the designation given to them by their manufacturer. A variety of both domestic and foreign types were operated, with the latter being the primary front-line types during the First World War.
In September 1919, the Army Air Service decided that it needed an 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.
Fokker D.VII – Fokker
Fokker D.VIII – Fokker
PW-1 – Engineering Division
PW-2 – Loening
PW-3 – Orenco
PW-4 – Gallaudet
PW-5 – Fokker
PW-6 – Fokker
PW-7 – Fokker
PW-8 – Curtiss
PW-9 – Boeing
PN-1 – Curtiss
PA-1 – Loening
PG-1 – Aeromarine
TP-1 – Engineering Division
GA-1 – Boeing
GA-2 – Boeing
IL-1 – Orenco
NO-1 – Douglas
NO-2 – Douglas
AO-1 – Atlantic
CO-1 – Engineering Division
CO-2 – Engineering Division
CO-3 – Engineering Division
CO-4 – Atlantic
CO-5 – Engineering Division
CO-6 – Engineering Division
CO-7 – Boeing
CO-8 – Atlantic
DB-1 – Gallaudet
NBS-1 – Martin (originally designated MB-2)
NBS-2 – Lowe-Willard-Fowler
NBS-3 – Elias
NBS-4 – Curtiss
NBL-1 – Witteman-Lewis
NBL-2 – Martin
TA-1 – Elias
TA-2 – Huff-Daland
TA-3 – Dayton-Wright Aircraft
TA-4 – Engineering Division
TA-5 – Dayton-Wright Aircraft
TA-6 – Huff-Daland
TW-1 – Engineering Division
TW-2 – Cox-Klemin
TW-3 – Dayton-Wright Aircraft
TW-4 – Fokker
TW-5 – Huff-Daland
A-1 – Cox-Klemin
A-2 – Fokker
M-1 – Engineering Division/Sperry
PS-1 – Dayton-Wright
R-1 – Alfred V. Verville
R-2 – Thomas-Morse
R-3 – Verville-Sperry
R-4 – Loening
R-5 – Thomas-Morse
R-6 – Curtiss
R-7 – Engineering Division
R-8 – Curtisss
S-1 – Loening
T-1 – Martin
T-2 – Fokker
T-3 – Lowe-Willard-Fowler
A-1 – skipped to prevent confusion with Cox-Klemin XA-1
A-2 – Douglas
A-3 Falcon – Curtiss
A-4 Falcon – Curtiss
A-5 Falcon – Curtiss
A-6 Falcon – Curtiss
A-7 – Fokker
A-8 – Curtiss
A-9 – Lockheed
A-10 Shrike – Curtiss
A-11 – Consolidated
A-12 Shrike – Curtiss
A-13 – Northrop
A-14 – Curtiss
A-15 – Martin
A-16 – Northrop
A-17 Nomad – Northrop
A-18 Shrike – Curtiss
A-19 – Vultee
A-20 Havoc – Douglas (redesignated as B-20 in 1948)
A-21 – Stearman
A-22 – Martin (assigned but none served with AAF)
A-23 Baltimore – Martin
A-24 Banshee – Douglas (redesignated as F-24 in 1948)
A-25 Shrike – Curtiss
A-26 Invader – Douglas (redesignated as B-26 in 1948, then as A-26 in 1966)
A-27 – North American
A-28 Hudson – Lockheed
A-29 Hudson – Lockheed
A-30 – Martin (assigned to allow supply to the UK under Lend-lease)
A-31 Vengeance – Vultee
A-32 – Brewster
A-33 – Douglas
A-34 – Brewster
A-35 Vengeance – Vultee
A-36 Apache/Invader – North American
A-37 – Hughes
A-38 Grizzly – Beechcraft
A-39 – Kaiser-Fleetwings
A-40 – Curtiss
A-41 – Vultee
A-42 Mixmaster – Douglas
A-43 Blackhawk – Curtiss-Wright
A-44 – Convair
A-45 – Martin
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.
LB-1 – Huff-Daland (later Keystone)
LB-2 – Atlantic Aircraft Corporation (Fokker Aircraft Corp after 1925)
LB-3 – Keystone
Martin LB-4 – serial number assigned but prototype not built
LB-5 – Keystone
LB-6 – Keystone
LB-7 – Keystone
LB-8 – Keystone
LB-9 – Keystone
LB-10 – Keystone
LB-11 – Keystone
LB-12 – Keystone
LB-13 – Keystone
LB-14 – Keystone
B-1 – Huff-Daland
B-2 Condor – Curtiss
HB-1 – Huff-Daland
HB-2 – Atlantic/Fokker
HB-3 – Huff-Daland
B-1 – Huff-Daland/Keystone
B-2 Condor – Curtiss
B-3 – Keystone
B-4 – Keystone
B-5 – Keystone
B-6 – Keystone
B-7 – Douglas
B-8 – Fokker
B-9 – Boeing
B-10 – Martin
B-11 – Douglas
B-12 – Martin
B-13 – Martin
B-14 – Martin
B-15 – Boeing
B-16 – Martin
B-17 Flying Fortress – Boeing
B-18 Bolo – Douglas
B-19 – Douglas
B-20 – Boeing
B-20 Havoc – Douglas (designation of A-20 Havoc from 1948 to 1949)
B-21 – North American
B-22 – Douglas
B-23 Dragon – Douglas
B-24 Liberator – Consolidated
B-25 Mitchell – North American
B-26 Marauder – Martin
B-26 Invader – Douglas – designation of A-26 Invader from 1948 to 1966
B-27 – Martin
B-28 Dragon – North American
B-29 Superfortress – Boeing
B-30 – Lockheed
B-31 – Douglas
B-32 Dominator – Consolidated
B-33 Super Marauder – Martin
B-34 Lexington – Lockheed
B-35 – Northrop
B-36 Peacemaker – Convair
B-37 – Lockheed
B-38 Flying Fortress – Boeing
B-39 Superfortress – Boeing
B-40 Flying Fortress – Boeing
B-41 Liberator – Consolidated
B-42 Mixmaster – Douglas
B-43 Jetmaster – Douglas
B-44 Superfortress – Boeing
B-45 Tornado – North American
B-46 – Convair
B-47 Stratojet – Boeing
B-48 – Martin
B-49 – Northrop
B-50 Superfortress – Boeing
B-51 – Martin
B-52 Stratofortress – Boeing
B-53 – Convair
B-54 – Boeing
B-55 – Boeing
B-56 – Boeing
B-57 Canberra – Martin
B-58 Hustler – Convair
B-59 – Boeing
B-60 – Convair
B-61 Matador – Martin (redesignated as TM-61, then MGM-1)
B-62 Snark – Northrop (redesignated as SM-62)
B-63 RASCAL – Bell (redesignated as GAM-63)
B-64 Navaho – North American (redesignated as SM-64)
B-65 Atlas – Convair (redesignated as SM-65)
B-66 Destroyer – Douglas
B-67 Crossbow – Radioplane (redesignated as GAM-67)
B-68 – Martin
B-68 Titan – Martin (redesignated as SM-68)
B-69 Neptune – Lockheed
B-70 Valkyrie – North American
SR-71 Blackbird – Lockheed
Beginning with #69, the "M-" (missile) and "B-" (bomber) series diverged. The missiles designated M-69 to M-92, some of which are incorrectly labeled as "formerly designated B-xx
" in some sources, never used a "B-" series designation.
A short-lived designation used from 1935–1936 to refer to three long-range bomber projects commissioned by the Army Air Corps. Most of the bombers were night bombers.
BLR-1 – Boeing (redesignated as XB-15)
BLR-2 – Douglas (redesignated as XB-19)
BLR-3 – Sikorsky
C-1 – 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 – not used
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
C-24 – American/Fairchild
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
C-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
C-44 – Messerschmitt
C-45 Expeditor – Beechcraft
C-46 Commando – Curtiss-Wright
C-47 Skytrain – Douglas
C-48 Skytrain – Douglas
C-49 Skytrain – Douglas
C-50 Skytrain – Douglas
C-51 Skytrain – Douglas
C-52 Skytrain – Douglas
C-53 Skytrooper – Douglas
C-54 Skymaster – Douglas
C-55 Commando – Curtiss-Wright
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 – Boeing
C-76 Caravan – Curtiss-Wright
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
C-94 – Cessna
C-95 Grasshopper – Taylorcraft
C-96 – Fairchild
C-97 Stratofreighter – Boeing
KC-97 Stratofreighter – Boeing
C-98 Clipper – Boeing
C-99 – Convair
C-100 Gamma – Northrop
C-101 Vega – Lockheed
C-102 Sportster – Rearwin
C-103 – Grumman
C-104 – Lockheed
C-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
C-112 – Douglas
C-113 Commando – Curtiss-Wright
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
YC-121F Constellation – Lockheed
C-122 Avitruc – Chase
C-123 Provider – Fairchild
XC-123A – Chase
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
C-134 – Stroukoff
C-135 Stratolifter – Boeing
KC-135 Stratotanker – Boeing
C-136 – Fairchild
C-137 Stratoliner – Boeing
C-138 – reserved for Fokker F27, but never assigned
C-139 – Lockheed
C-140 Jetstar – Lockheed
C-141 Starlifter – Lockheed
C-142 – Vought
C-143 – reserved for what would become the X-19, but never officially assigned
C-143 MRC2A – Bombardier Challenger CL-604 for US Coast Guard Medium Range Command and Control Aircraft
C-144 Ocean Sentry – CASA CN-235 300CG for US Coast Guard Medium Range Surveillance Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MRS MPA)
C-145 Skytruck - PZL M28 for special operations.
C-146 - Dornier 328 for special operations.
1922–1935
GL-1 Unmanned Coastal Artillery Target Glider - McCook Field Engineering Section
GL-2 Manned Aerial Target Glider - McCook Field Engineering Section
GL-3 Unmanned Aerial Target Glider (also known as "G-3") - McCook Field Engineering Section
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
1942–1948
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
OQ-2 – Radioplane
OQ-3 – Radioplane/Frankfort
OQ-4 – Brunswick-Balke-Collender
OQ-5 – contractor unknown
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 Quail – Radioplane
BQ-1 – Fleetwings
BQ-2 – Kaiser-Fleetwings
BQ-3 – Fairchild
BQ-3 – Fairchild
BQ-4 – Interstate
BQ-5 – Interstate
BQ-6 – Interstate
BQ-7 Aphrodite – Boeing
BQ-8 Liberator – Consolidated
CQ-1 – Fletcher
CQ-2 – Stinson
CQ-3 Expeditor – Beechcraft
CQ-4 Flying Fortress – Boeing
Q-1 – Radioplane
Q-2 Firebee – Ryan
Q-3 – Radioplane
Q-4 – Northrop
Q-5 Kingfisher – Lockheed
Q-6 – Wright Air Development Center
Q-7 – skipped: request for redesignation of QB-17 not approved
Q-8 Cadet Culver
Q-8 – request for redesignation of QF-80 not approved
Q-9 – WADC
Q-10 – Radioplane
Q-11 – WADC
Q-12 – Beechcraft
Q-14 Cadet – Culver
AG-1 – Christopher
AG-2 – Timm
BG-1 – Fletcher
BG-2 – Fletcher
BG-3 – Cornelius
CG-1 – Frankfort
CG-2 – Frankfort
CG-3 – Waco
CG-4 Hadrian – Waco
CG-5 – St. Louis
CG-6 – St. Louis
CG-7 – Bowlus-DuPont/Douglas
CG-8 – Bowlus-DuPont/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
FG-1 – Cornelius
PG-1 – Northwestern
PG-2 – Ridgefield
PG-3 – Waco
TG-1 – Frankfort
TG-2 – Schweizer
TG-3 – Schweizer
TG-4 – Laister-Kauffman
TG-5 Grasshopper – Aeronca
TG-6 Grasshopper – Taylorcraft
TG-7 Orlik – Kocjan
TG-8 Grasshopper – Piper
TG-9 – Briegleb
TG-10 – Wichita Engineering
TG-11 – Schempp-Hirth
TG-12 – Bowlus-DuPont
TG-13 – Briegleb
TG-14 – Stiglmeier
TG-15 – Franklin-Stevens
TG-16 – Schultz
TG-17 – Franklin
TG-18 – Midwest Sailplane
TG-19 – Jacobs-Schweyer
TG-20 – Laister-Kauffman
TG-21 – Notre Dame
TG-22 – Mehlhose
TG-23 – Harper-Corcoran
TG-24 – Bowlus-Dupont
TG-25 Plover – Wolcott
TG-26 – Universal
TG-27 – Schneider
TG-28 Hawk Junior – Haller
TG-29 – Volmer Jensen
TG-30 Bluebird – Smith
TG-31 – Aero Industries
TG-32 – Pratt-Read
TG-33 – Aeronca
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
S-1 – Schweizer
S-2 – Schweizer
G-1 – Kellett
G-2 – Pitcairn
L-1 Vigilant – Stinson
L-2 Grasshopper – Taylorcraft
L-3 Grasshopper – Aeronca
L-4 Grasshopper – Piper
L-5 Sentinel – Stinson (redesignated as U-19 in 1962)
L-6 Grasshopper – Interstate
L-7 – Universal
L-8 Cadet – Interstate
L-9 – Stinson
L-10 – Ryan
L-11 – Bellanca
L-12 Reliant – Stinson
L-13 – Stinson/Convair
L-14 Cub – Piper
L-15 Scout – Boeing
L-16 Champion – Aeronca
L-17 Navion – North American/Ryan (redesignated as U-18 in 1962)
L-18 Super Cub – Piper
L-19 Bird Dog – Cessna (redesignated as O-1 in 1962)
L-20 Beaver – de Havilland Canada (redesignated as U-6 in 1962)
L-21 Super Cub – Piper (redesignated as U-7 in 1962)
L-22 Navion – Ryan
L-23 Seminole – Beechcraft (redesignated as U-8 in 1962)
L-24 Courier – Helio (redesignated as U-24 in 1962)
L-25 – McDonnell (redesignated as XH-35, then XV-1)
L-26 Commander – Aero Design (redesignated as U-4 and U-9 in 1962)
L-27 – Cessna (redesignated as U-3 in 1962)
L-28 Super Courier – Helio (redesignated as U-10 in 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.
P-1 Hawk – Curtiss
P-2 Hawk – Curtiss
P-3 Hawk – Curtiss
P-4 – Boeing
P-5 Hawk – Curtiss
P-6 Hawk – Curtiss
P-7 – Boeing
P-8 – Boeing
P-9 – Boeing
P-10 – Curtiss
P-11 Hawk – Curtiss
P-12 – Boeing
P-13 Viper – Thomas-Morse
P-14 – Curtiss
P-15 – Boeing
P-16 – Berliner-Joyce
P-17 Hawk – Curtiss
P-18 – Curtiss
P-19 – Curtiss
P-20 – Curtiss
P-21 – Curtiss
P-22 Hawk – Curtiss
P-23 Hawk – Curtiss
P-24 – Lockheed
P-25 – Consolidated
P-26 Peashooter – Boeing
P-27 – Consolidated
P-28 – Consolidated
P-29 – Boeing
P-30 – Consolidated
P-31 Swift – Curtiss
P-32 – Boeing
P-33 – Consolidated
P-34 – Wedell-Williams
P-35 – Seversky
P-36 Hawk – Curtiss
P-37 – Curtiss
P-38 Lightning – Lockheed
P-39 Airacobra – Bell
P-400 - Royal Air Force Airacobra put into U.S. service before export
P-40 Warhawk – Curtiss
P-41 – Seversky
P-42 – Curtiss
P-43 Lancer – Republic
P-44 Rocket – Republic
P-45 – Bell
P-46 – Curtiss
P-47 Thunderbolt – Republic
P-48 – Douglas
P-49 – Lockheed
P-50 – Grumman
P-51 Mustang – North American
P-52 – Bell
P-53 – Curtiss
P-54 Swoose Goose – Vultee
P-55 Ascender – Curtiss
P-56 Black Bullet – Northrop
P-57 Peashooter – Tucker
P-58 Chain Lightning – Lockheed
P-59 Airacomet – Bell
P-60 – Curtiss
P-61 Black Widow – Northrop
P-62 – Curtiss
P-63 Kingcobra – Bell
P-64 – North American
P-65 – Grumman
P-66 Vanguard – Vultee
P-67 Bat – McDonnell
P-68 Tornado – Vultee
P-69 – Republic
P-70 Nighthawk – Douglas
P-71 – Curtiss
P-72 – Republic
P-73 – Hughes (officially never assigned)
P-74 – skipped
P-75 Eagle – Fisher
P-76 – Bell
P-77 – Bell
P-78 – North American
P-79 – Northrop
F-80 Shooting Star – Lockheed
P-81 – Convair
F-82 Twin Mustang – North American
P-83 – Bell
F-84 Thunderjet – Republic
F-85 Goblin – McDonnell
F-86 Sabre – North American
F-87 Blackhawk – Curtiss
F-88 Voodoo – McDonnell
F-89 Scorpion – Northrop
F-90 – Lockheed
F-91 Thunderceptor – Republic
F-92 – Convair
F-93 – North American
F-94 Starfire – Lockheed
F-95 – North American
F-96 – Republic
F-97 Starfire – Lockheed (redesignated as F-94C Starfire)
F-98 Falcon – Hughes (redesignated as GAR-1, then AIM-4)
F-99 BOMARC – Boeing (redesignated as IM-99, then CIM-10)
F-100 Super Sabre – North American
F-101 Voodoo – McDonnell
F-102 Delta Dagger – Convair
F-103 – Republic
F-104 Starfighter – Lockheed
F-105 Thunderchief – Republic
F-106 Delta Dart – Convair
F-107 – North American
F-108 Rapier – North American
F-109 – designation was reserved for the X-13 Vertijet, F-101B, and Bell D-188A, but never officially assigned
F-110 Spectre – McDonnell Douglas (redesignated as F-4 in 1962)
F-111 Aardvark – General Dynamics
Unofficial designations YF-112 and up were later assigned to "black" projects – see Fighter series in Unified System.
FM-1 Airacuda – Bell
FM-2 – Lockheed
PB-1 – Berliner-Joyce
PB-2 – Consolidated
PB-3 – Lockheed
O-1 Falcon – Curtiss
O-2 – Douglas
O-3 Mohawk – Dayton-Wright
O-4 – Martin
O-5 – Douglas
O-6 – Thomas-Morse
O-7 – Douglas
O-8 – Douglas
O-9 – Douglas
O-10 – Loening
O-11 Falcon – Curtiss
O-12 Falcon – Curtiss
O-13 Falcon – Curtiss
O-14 – Douglas
O-15 – Keystone
O-16 Falcon – Curtiss
O-17 Courier – Consolidated
O-18 Falcon – Curtiss
O-19 – Thomas-Morse
O-20 – Thomas-Morse
O-21 – Thomas-Morse
O-22 – Douglas
O-23 – Thomas-Morse
O-24 – Curtiss
O-25 – Douglas
O-26 – Curtiss
O-27 – Fokker
O-28 Corsair – Vought
O-29 – Douglas
O-30 – Curtiss
O-31 – Douglas
O-32 – Douglas
O-33 – Thomas-Morse
O-34 – Douglas
O-35 – Douglas
O-36 – Douglas
O-37 – Keystone
O-38 – Douglas
O-39 Falcon – Curtiss
O-40 Raven – Curtiss
O-41 – Thomas-Morse
O-42 – Thomas-Morse
O-43 – Douglas
O-44 – Douglas
O-45 – Martin
O-46 – Douglas
O-47 – North American
O-48 – Douglas
O-49 Vigilant – Stinson (redesignated as L-1 in 1942)
O-50 – Bellanca
O-51 Dragonfly – Ryan
O-52 Owl – Curtiss
O-53 Havoc – Douglas
O-54 – Stinson
O-55 – ERCO
O-56 Ventura – Lockheed
O-57 Grasshopper – Taylorcraft (redesignated as L-2 in 1942)
O-58 Grasshopper – Aeronca (redesignated as L-3 in 1942)
O-59 Grasshopper – Piper (redesignated as L-4 in 1942)
O-60 – Kellett
O-61 – Pitcairn
O-62 Sentinel – Stinson (redesignated as L-5 in 1942)
O-63 Grasshopper – Interstate (redesignated as XL-6 in 1942)
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 Seabee – Republic
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
F-11 – Hughes
F-12 Rainbow – Republic
F-13 Superfortress – Boeing
F-14 Shooting Star – Lockheed
F-15 Reporter – Northrop
R-11 – Hughes
R-12 Rainbow – Republic
R-16 Stratofortress – Boeing
Both of the following aircraft are numbered in the B- (bomber) sequence.
RS-70 Valkyrie – North American
RS-71 Blackbird – Lockheed
Rotary wing 1941–1948 and helicopter 1948–present
In 1941, the category letter R- was allotted for "rotary wing" aircraft, and this designation was used until the founding of the United States Air Force in 1947, at which point the category letter was changed to H-, for "helicopter". However, the original numbering sequence was retained.
In 1962 when the Unified Designation System was adopted, six former Navy and Army types received new designations in the H-1 to H-6 series, which can be found here. However, the original sequence was also continued, and remains in use to the present, with the next designation available being H-73.
R-1 – Platt-LePage
R-2 – Kellett
R-3 – Kellett
R-4 Hoverfly – Sikorsky
R-5/H-5 Dragonfly – Sikorsky
R-6 Hoverfly II – Sikorsky
R-7 – Sikorsky
XR-8 Kellett
R-9/H-9 – Firestone
R-10/H-10 – Kellett
R-11/H-11 – Rotorcraft
R-12/H-12 – Bell
R-13/H-13 Sioux – Bell
R-14 – Firestone
R-15/H-15 – Bell
R-16/H-16 – Piasecki
XR-17/XH-17 – Hughes/Kellett
YH-18 – Sikorsky
H-19 – Sikorsky
XH-20 Little Henry – McDonnell
H-21 – Piasecki
H-22 – Kaman
OH-23 Raven – Hiller
YH-24 – Seibel
H-25 – Piasecki
XH-26 Jet Jeep – American Helicopter
YH-27 Transporter – Piasecki
XH-28 – Hughes
H-29 – McDonnell
YH-30 – McCulloch
YH-31 – Doman
YH-32 – Hiller
XH-33 – Bell (redesignated as XV-3)
H-34 Choctaw – Sikorsky
XH-35 – McDonnell (redesignated as XV-1)
H-36 – reserved for secret project LONG EARS
H-37 Mojave – Sikorsky
H-38 – reserved for secret project SHORT TAIL
XH-39 – Sikorsky
XH-40 – Bell
YH-41 Seneca – Cessna
XH-42 – Hughes
H-43 Huskie – Kaman
H-44 – reserved for secret project BIG TOM
H-45 – reserved for secret project STEP CHILD
H-46 Sea Knight – Boeing Vertol
H-47 Chinook – Boeing Vertol
XH-48 – Bell (redesignated as UH-1F)
XH-49 – Boeing Vertol (redesignated as XCH-46B)
H-50 DASH – Gyrodyne
XH-51 – Lockheed
H-52 Sea Guard – Sikorsky
H-53 – Sikorsky
MH-53 Pave Low
CH-53E Super Stallion
CH-53K Super Stallion
H-54 Tarhe – Sikorsky
H-55 Osage – Hughes
H-56 Cheyenne – Lockheed
H-57 Sea Ranger – Bell
H-58 Kiowa – Bell
XH-59 – Sikorsky
H-60 Black Hawk – Sikorsky
SH-60 Seahawk
HH-60 Pave Hawk
HH-60 Jayhawk
YH-61 – Boeing Vertol
XH-62 – Boeing Vertol
YH-63 Kingcobra – Bell
H-64 Apache – Hughes
H-65 Dolphin – Aérospatiale
H-66 Comanche – Boeing/Sikorsky
H-67 Creek – Bell
H-68 Stingray – Agusta
H-69 – skipped
H-70 – Bell
H-71 Kestrel – Lockheed Martin
H-72 Lakota – Eurocopter
XS-1 – Bell
XS-2 – Bell
XS-3 Stiletto – Douglas
XS-4 Bantam – Northrop
XS-5 – Bell
This series was continued as the X (Experimental) series after 1948 – see X-series in Unified System.
AT-1 – Huff-Daland
AT-2 – Huff-Daland
AT-3 – Boeing
AT-4 Hawk – Curtiss
AT-5 Hawk – Curtiss
AT-6 Texan – North American (redesignated as T-6 in 1948)
AT-7 Navigator – Beechcraft (redesignated as T-7 in 1948)
AT-8 Bobcat – Cessna
AT-9 Jeep – Curtiss-Wright
AT-10 Wichita – Beechcraft
AT-11 Kansan – Beechcraft (redesignated as T-11 in 1948)
AT-12 Guardsman – Republic
AT-13 Gunner – Fairchild
AT-14 Gunner – Fairchild
AT-15 Crewmaker – Boeing
AT-16 – Noorduyn
AT-17 Bobcat – Cessna
AT-18 Hudson – Lockheed
AT-19 Reliant – Stinson
AT-20 Anson – Avro/Federal
AT-21 Gunner – Fairchild
AT-22 Liberator – Consolidated
AT-23 Marauder – Martin
AT-24 Mitchell – North American
BC-1 – North American
BC-2 – North American
BC-3 – Vultee
BT-1 – Douglas
BT-2 – Douglas
BT-3 – Stearman
BT-4 – Curtiss
BT-5 – Stearman
BT-6 – Consolidated
BT-7 – Consolidated
BT-8 – Seversky
BT-9 – North American
BT-10 – North American
BT-11 – Aircraft Research
BT-12 – Fleetwings
BT-13 Valiant – Vultee
BT-14 – North American
BT-15 Valiant – Vultee
BT-16 Valiant – Vultee
BT-17 – Boeing-Stearman
PT-1 Trusty – Consolidated
PT-2 Trusty – Consolidated
PT-3 Trusty – Consolidated
PT-4 Trusty – Consolidated
PT-5 Trusty – Consolidated
PT-6 – Consolidated
PT-7 Pinto – Mohawk
PT-8 – Consolidated
PT-9 – Stearman
PT-10 – Verville
PT-11 – Consolidated
PT-12 – Consolidated
PT-13 Kaydet – Boeing-Stearman
PT-14 – Waco
PT-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 Tiger Moth – de Havilland
PT-25 – Ryan
PT-26 Cornell – Fairchild
PT-27 Kaydet – Boeing-Stearman
The AT-6 Texan, AT-7 Navigator, and AT-11 Kansan, were retroactively given T- designations. The new sequence began at 28, continuing the "PT-" numbering sequence.
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
T-32 – Convair
T-33 Shooting Star – Lockheed
T-34 Mentor – Beechcraft
T-35 Buckaroo – Temco
T-36 – Beechcraft/Canadair
T-37 Tweet – 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/BAE Systems
T-46 – Fairchild
T-47 – Cessna
T-48 – Cessna
T-48 MPATS
T-49 – Boeing
T-50 Golden Eagle – Korean Aerospace Industries (designation reserved, none procured)
T-51 – Cessna
T-52 – Diamond Aircraft
T-53 – Cirrus
V-1 – McDonnell Aircraft (Formerly XL-25 and XH-35)
V-2 – Sikorsky Aircraft (Project)
V-3 – Bell Helicopter (Formerly H-33)
In 1956, the U.S. Army adopted a new, and relatively simple, designation system for its aviation assets. Aircraft were divided into three different types – 'A' for fixed-wing aircraft, 'H' for helicopters, or 'V' for V/STOL aircraft, and then were given a mission modifier, which, unlike the USAF system, came after the type code: 'C' for transports, 'O' for observation and reconnaissance aircraft, 'U' for utility types, and 'Z' for experimental aircraft. Aircraft types designated in this system were numbered sequentially.
AC-1 Caribou – de Havilland Canada (redesignated as CV-2 in 1962, then C-7 in 1967)
AC-2 Buffalo – de Havilland Canada (redesignated as CV-7 in 1962, then C-8 in 1967)
AO-1 Mohawk – Grumman (redesignated as OV-1 in 1962)
AO-2 Inflatoplane – Goodyear
AO-3 Inflatoplane – Goodyear
HO-1 Pawnee – Hiller (redesignated as VZ-1 in 1956)
HO-2 – de Lackner Helicopters (redesignated as HZ-1 in 1956)
HC-1A Sea Knight (redesignated as CH-46C in 1962)
HC-1B Chinook (redesignated as CH-47A in 1962)
HO-1 – Sud-Ouest
HO-2 – Hughes
HO-3 – Brantly
HO-4 – Bell (redesignated as OH-4A in 1962)
HO-5 – Fairchild Hiller (redesignated as OH-5A in 1962)
HO-6 – Hughes (redesignated as OH-6A in 1962)
HU-1 Iroquois – Bell (redesignated as UH-1 in 1962)
HZ-1 Aerocycle – de Lackner Helicopters
Vertical Takeoff and Landing Research, 1956–1962
VZ-1 Pawnee – Hiller
VZ-2 – 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 Avrocar – Avro Canada
VZ-10 Hummingbird – Lockheed (redesignated as XV-4 in 1962)
VZ-11 Vertifan – Ryan (redesignated as XV-5 in 1962)
VZ-12 Kestrel – Hawker Siddeley (redesignated as XV-6 in 1962)
AL-1 – Boeing
Z-1 – Goodyear
Z-2 Sentinel – Westinghouse Airships
Z-3 – American Blimp
S-2 Tracker – Grumman Aircraft (Formerly S2F)
S-3 Viking – Lockheed Corporation (Also called Shadow)
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 – Douglas (formerly designated A4D)
A-5 Vigilante – North American (formerly designated A3J)
A-6 Intruder – Grumman (formerly designated A2F)
A-7 Corsair II – Ling-Temco-Vought
A-9 – Northrop Losing contender for the AX competition
A-10 Thunderbolt II – Fairchild Republic Winning contender for the AX competition
A-12 Avenger II – McDonnell Douglas / General Dynamics cancelled
F/A-18C/D Hornet – McDonnell Douglas
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet – Boeing
A-26 Invader – Douglas (redesignated back to WW II-era designation, from B-26 in 1966)
A-29 Super Tucano – Embraer
A-37 Dragonfly – Cessna (originally designated AT-37)
B-1 Lancer – Rockwell
B-2 Spirit – Northrop
C-1 – Trader Grumman (formerly designated TF)
C-2 – Greyhound Grumman
C-3 Martin 4-0-4 – Martin (formerly designated RM-1Z) Martin 4-0-4 airliners for use by the US Marine Corps and US Coast Guard
C-4 Academe – Gulfstream (Used for training A-6 Intruder Naval Flight Officers.)
C-5 Galaxy – Lockheed
C-6 Ute – Beechcraft (Beechcraft 90 King Air, re-designated U-21 Ute)
C-7 Caribou – de Havilland Canada
C-8 Buffalo – de Havilland Canada
C-9 Nightingale – McDonnell-Douglas
C-10 Jetstream – Handley Page USAF 68-10378/10388 (were to be offset purchase for RAF F-111K, both cancelled)
C-10 – McDonnell-Douglas Winner of the KC-X competition (after cancellation of C-10 Jetstream, C-10 designation re-used)
C-11 Gulfstream II – Gulfstream
C-12 – Beechcraft
C-14 – Boeing (AMST contender)
C-15 – McDonnell-Douglas (AMST contender)
C-17 Globemaster III – Boeing
C-18 Boeing 707–320 – Boeing
C-19 Boeing 747–100 – Boeing
C-20 Gulfstream III – Gulfstream (C-20A/B/C/D/E)
C-20 Gulfstream IV – Gulfstream (C-20F/G/H/J)
C-21 Learjet 35 – Learjet
C-22 Boeing 727 – Boeing (Air National Guard and National Guard Bureau personnel transports)
C-23 Sherpa – Shorts Military logistics transports for use in Europe and the US by the US Air Force and US Army
C-24 DC-8F-54 – Douglas A single DC-8-54F used for avionic trials as the EC-24A
C-25 Boeing 747-200 – Boeing (Presidential VIP transport)
C-26 – Fairchild
C-27 Spartan – Alenia
C-28 Titan – Cessna
C-29 BAe 125-800 – British Aerospace Airways and navaid checker
C-32 Boeing 757-200 – Boeing (VIP transport)
C-35 – Cessna
C-37 Gulfstream V – Gulfstream
C-38 Gulfstream G100 – Gulfstream (formerly IAI Astra SPX)
C-40 Boeing 737-700c – Boeing (replacement for the C-9A Nightingale in USAF and C-9B Skytrain II in USN)
C-41 C-212 series 200 Aviocar – Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA
C-45 – EADS (Losing K-X contender)
C-46 – Boeing (Winner of the K-X competition over the EADS KC-45)
KC-767 – Boeing (Out of sequence designation used for multi-role tanker transports exported to Japan and Italy)
UC-880 – Convair (Out of sequence designation used for a single Convair 880 converted to a tanker to support trials from the NATC)
Q-1 Predator – General Atomics
Q-2 Pioneer – AAI Corporation/Israel Aircraft Industries
Q-3 Dark Star – Lockheed Martin / Boeing
Q-4 Global Hawk – Northrop Grumman
Q-5 Hunter – Israel Aircraft Industries
Q-6 Outrider – Alliant Techsystems
Q-7 Shadow – AAI Corporation
Q-8 Fire Scout – Northrop Grumman
Q-9 Reaper/Altair – General Atomics (Originally "Predator B")
Q-10 SnowGoose – MMIST
Q-11 Raven – AeroVironment
Q-12 – Skipped (Requested for Q-1C)
Q-13 – Skipped
Q-14 Dragon Eye – AeroVironment
Q-15 Neptune – DRS Technologies
Q-16 T-Hawk – Honeywell
Q-17 SpyHawk – MTC Technologies
Q-18 Hummingbird Boeing
Q-19 Aerosonde – AAI Corporation
Q-20 Puma – AeroVironment
Q-21 Integrator – Boeing Insitu
Non-sequential designations
Q-170 Sentinel – Lockheed Martin
E-1 Tracer – Grumman (Formerly WF)
E-2 Hawkeye – Grumman (Formerly W2F)
E-3 Sentry – Boeing
E-4 "Nightwatch" – Boeing (Advanced Airborne Command Post)
E-5 Eagle – Windecker
E-6 Mercury – Boeing (TACAMO)
E-7 – Designation proposed for EC-18B
E-8 Joint Stars – Northrop Grumman
E-9 Widget – de Havilland Canada
E-10 MC2A – Boeing/Northrop Grumman
E-11 – Bombardier/Northrop Grumman
E-767 – Boeing (Out of sequence designation for AEW&C aircraft for the Japanese Self-Defence Forces)
F-1 Fury – North American (Previously designated FJ-2, FJ-3 & FJ-4)
F-2 Banshee – McDonnell (Previously designated F2H)
F-3 Demon – McDonnell (previously designated F3H)
F-4 Phantom II – McDonnell Douglas (previously designated F4H and F-110)
F-5 Freedom Fighter – Northrop
F-6 Skyray – Douglas (Previously designated F4D)
F-7 Sea Dart – Convair (Previously designated F2Y)
F-8 Crusader – Vought (Previously designated F8U)
F-9 Cougar – Grumman (previously designated F9F-6)
F-10 Skyknight – Douglas (previously designated F3D)
F-11 Tiger – Grumman (previously designated F11F)
F-12 – Lockheed (Two-seat Fighter version of the A-12 reconnaissance aircraft)
F-13 – Skipped
F-14 Tomcat – Grumman
F-15 A/B/C/D Eagle / F-15E Strike Eagle – McDonnell Douglas
F-16 Fighting Falcon General Dynamics / Lockheed Martin
F-17 Cobra – Northrop
F-18A/B/C/D Hornet / F/A-18E/F Super Hornet – McDonnell Douglas
F-19 – Officially skipped; rumored to be still classified
F-20 Tigershark – Northrop
F-21 Kfir C-2 – Israel Aircraft Industries (for US Navy dissimilar combat training and aggressor training)
F-22 Raptor – Lockheed Martin
F-23 Black Widow II – Northrop / McDonnell Douglas
F-35 Lightning II – Lockheed Martin
YF-110 MiG-21s – Mikoyan-Gurevich
YF-112 Su-22 – Sukhoi
YF-113 MiG-23s – Mikoyan-Gurevich
YF-114 MiG-17 – Mikoyan-Gurevich
YF-115 – Rumored designation of captured Su-7
YF-116 – Rumored designation of captured MiG-25
F-117 Nighthawk – Lockheed
F-117D Tacit Blue – Northrop
YF-118 – Rumored designation of MiG-29
Note: Designations YF-110, YF-112 through YF-116, and YF-118 were captured foreign aircraft used for evaluation and aggressor training. They were given designations in sequence—based on chronology—with "black" project aircraft, continuing the pre-1962 F series.
Other Designations
YF-24 – (fictional?) Classified project
YF-113G – possible USAF "black project"
YF-121 – Rumored "black project"
TG-1 – Schweizer
TG-2 – Schweizer
TG-3 – Schweizer
TG-4 – Schweizer
TG-5 – Schweizer
TG-6 – Schweizer
TG-7 – Schweizer
TG-8 – Schweizer
TG-9 – Schleicher
TG-10 – Let
TG-11 – Stemme
TG-12 – Caproni Vizzola
TG-13 – Skipped
TG-15 – Aeromot
TG-15 – Schempp-Hirth
TG-16 – DG Flugzeugbau
Unlike most other categories of aircraft, the introduction of the tri-service designation system in 1962 did not result in a wholesale redesignation of helicopters. While six types received new designations in the unified, "re-started" sequence, the original "H-" series of designations that started in 1948 was also continued, and no further types of rotorcraft have been designated in the "post-1962" system.
H-1 Iroquois / "Huey" – Bell Helicopter (Formerly H-40 / HU-1)
H-1 Cobra / SeaCobra / SuperCobra / Viper – Bell Helicopter
H-2 Seasprite – Kaman Aircraft (Formerly HU2K)
H-3 Sea King / "Jolly Green Giant" – Sikorsky Aircraft (Formerly HSS-2)
H-4 – Bell Helicopter (Formerly HO-4)
H-5 – Fairchild Hiller (Formerly HO-5)
H-6 Cayuse / Little Bird – Hughes Helicopters / McDonnell Douglas / Boeing Helicopters (Formerly HO-6)
O-1 Bird Dog Cessna Aircraft 14 December 1949 Formerly L-19
O-2 Skymaster Cessna Aircraft January 1967
O-3 "Quiet Star" Lockheed Missiles & Space 1969
O-4 Wren Aircraft 1963
(Wren 460) Not proceeded with.
O-5 ARL de Havilland Canada 27 March 1975
(DHC-7) Formerly RC-7
O-6 ARL Bombardier
OV-10 Bronco North American Aviation 16 July 1965
P-1 – Skipped
P-2 Neptune – Lockheed Corporation (Formerly P2V)
P-3 Orion / ARIES Lockheed Corporation (Formerly P3V; See also WP-3D Orion and EP-3 Aries)
P-4 Privateer – Consolidated Aircraft (Formerly PB4Y-2K / P4Y-2K)
P-5 Marlin – Glenn L. Martin Company (Formerly P5M)
P-6 – Skipped
P-7 – Lockheed Corporation
P-8 Poseidon – Boeing
R-1 Dragon Lady – Lockheed Corporation
R-2 – Skipped
R-3 – Possibly assigned to a Black Project (Speculated: TR-3 Black Manta or SR-3 Blackstar)
The only designation in the "Spaceplane" series, the MS-1A shares a designation letter with the anti-submarine warfare category, and is perhaps unique among MDS identifiers as being assigned to a future, and currently not wholly defined, concept, as opposed to a specific project.
No specialised types have been acquired to receive a stand-alone 'K for Tanker' designation; for aircraft modified for use as tankers, see the parent aircraft in the proper sequence.
Despite the adoption of the unified Mission Designation System in 1962, only two aircraft were designated in the new series, both former Navy types. The old series continued in use until 1990, at which point a new series was started over at T-1, with the previous T-2 still being in use. However, the old series has still seen new designations being assigned. The next designation available in the 'T' series is T-52 or T-7, depending on which series is continued.
1962 Sequence
T-1 SeaStar – Lockheed Corporation (Formerly T2V)
T-2 Buckeye – North American Aviation (Formerly T2J)
1990 Sequence
T-1 Jayhawk – Raytheon / Hawker Beechcraft
T-2 – Skipped (T-2 Buckeye was still in service)
T-3 Firefly – Slingsby Aviation
T-4 – Skipped
T-5 – Skipped
T-6 Texan II – Hawker Beechcraft
U-1 Otter – de Havilland Canada
U-2 Dragon Lady – Lockheed Corporation
U-3 Blue Canoe – 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 – Beechcraft
U-9 Aero Commander – Aero Design
U-10 Super Courier – Helio
U-11 Aztec – Piper
U-12 Skipped
U-13 Skipped
U-14 Skipped
U-15 Skipped
U-16 Albatross – Grumman
U-17 Skywagon – Cessna
U-18 Navion – North American/Ryan
U-19 Sentinel – Stinson
U-20 – Cessna
U-21 Ute – Beechcraft
U-22 – Beechcraft
U-23 Peacemaker – Fairchild Hiller/Pilatus
U-24 Courier – Helio
U-25 Guardian – Dassault-Breguet
U-26 Super Skywagon – Cessna
U-27 Caravan – Cessna
U-28 – Pilatus
U-38 Twin Condor – Schweizer
Vertical and Short Take-off and Landing Aircraft
V-3 – Bell Helicopter (Formerly H-33, V-3 in Convertiplane series)
V-4 Hummingbird – Lockheed Corporation (Formerly VZ-10)
V-5 Vertifan – Ryan Aeronautical (Formerly VZ-11)
V-6 Kestrel – Hawker Siddeley
V-7 Buffalo – de Havilland Canada (Formerly AC-2, redesignated as C-8)
V-8 "Fleep" – Ryan Aeronautical (Designation later reused)
V-8 Harrier – Hawker Siddeley
AV-8B Harrier II – McDonnell Douglas / British Aerospace
V-9 – Hughes Helicopters
V-10 Bronco – Rockwell International / Boeing
V-11 Marvel – Parsons Corporation
V-12 – Parsons Corporation (Cancelled, designation reused)
V-12 – Rockwell International
V-13 – Skipped
V-14 – Skipped to avoid confusion with X-14.
V-15 – Bell Helicopter
V-16 Advanced Harrier – McDonnell Douglas / British Aerospace (Not built; developed into AV-8B)
V-17 – Assigned to a U.S. Army project but not used.
V-18 Twin Otter – de Havilland Canada
V-19 – Assigned to a U.S. Navy project but cancelled.
V-20 Chiricahua – de Havilland Canada
V-21 PACES – Airship Industries (Unconfirmed designation.)
V-22 Osprey – Bell Helicopter / Boeing Helicopters
V-23 Scout – Dominion Aircraft (Skytrader)
In addition to aircraft intended to support military operations, the unified system includes experimental craft designed to push the boundaries of aeronautical and aerospace knowledge. These aircraft are designated in the "X-series", which led them to become known as "X-planes". Only those with military sponsors are listed here.
X-1 – Bell Aircraft, USAF, NACA
X-2 "Starbuster" – Bell Aircraft, USAF
X-3 Stiletto – Douglas Aircraft, USAF, NACA
X-4 Bantam – Northrop, USAF, NACA
X-5 – Bell Aircraft, USAF, NACA
X-6 – Convair, USAF, AEC
X-7 "Flying Stove Pipe" – Lockheed, Tri-service
X-8 Aerobee – Aerojet, NACA, USAF, USN
X-9 Shrike – Bell Aircraft, USAF
X-10 – North American Aviation, USAF
X-11 – Convair, USAF (Alternate designation for the SM-65 Atlas missile.)
X-12 – Convair, USAF (Alternate designation for the SM-65 Atlas missile.)
X-13 Vertijet – Ryan Aeronautical, USAF, USN
X-14 – Bell Aircraft, USAF, NASA
X-15 – North American Aviation, USAF, NASA
X-16 – Bell Aircraft, USAF
X-17 – Lockheed
X-18 – Hiller Aircraft
X-19 – Curtiss-Wright, Tri-service
X-20 Dyna-Soar – Boeing, USAF
X-21 – Northrop, USAF
X-22 – Bell Aircraft, Tri-service
X-23 PRIME – Martin Marietta, USAF (Note: Designation never officially assigned.)
X-24 – Martin Marietta, USAF, NASA
X-25 – Bensen, USAF
X-26 Frigate – Schweizer, DARPA, US Army, USN
X-27 – Lockheed
X-28 Sea Skimmer – Osprey Aircraft, USN
X-29 – Grumman, DARPA, USAF, NASA
X-30 NASP – Rockwell, NASA, DARPA, USAF
X-31 – Rockwell-MBB
X-32 – Boeing, USAF, USN, RAF
X-35 – Lockheed Martin, USAF, USN, RAF
X-37 – Boeing, USAF, NASA
X-39 – Unknown, USAF (Note: Designation never officially assigned.)
X-40 – Boeing, USAF, NASA
X-41 – Unknown, USAF
X-42 – Unknown, USAF
X-44 MANTA – Lockheed Martin, USAF, NASA
X-45 – Boeing, DARPA, USAF
X-46 – Boeing, DARPA, USN
X-47A/X-47B – Northrop Grumman, DARPA, USN
X-48 – Boeing, NASA
X-49 Speedhawk – Piasecki Aircraft, US Army
X-50 Dragonfly – Boeing, DARPA
X-51 Waverider – Boeing, USAF
X-53 – Boeing Phantom Works, NASA, USAF
X-55 – Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, USAF
X-56 – Lockheed Martin, USAF, NASA
Airspeed Horsa – Airspeed Ltd
Airspeed Oxford – Airspeed
Bristol Beaufighter – Bristol Aeroplane Company
Boulton Paul Defiant – Boulton Paul Aircraft
CAC Wirraway – Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
de Havilland Dominie – de Havilland
de Havilland Moth Minor – de Havilland.
de Havilland Tiger Moth – de Havilland
Diamond DA20 – Diamond Aircraft
Hawker Hurricane – Hawker Aircraft
Heinkel HD 22 – Heinkel Flugzeugwerke
Mil Mi-17 – Mil
Miles Master – Miles Aircraft Ltd
Morane-Saulnier MS-234
Percival Proctor
Supermarine Spitfire
Westland Lysander
