APPENDIX 5 Aircraft Designations and Popular Names Designation Syste… · APPENDIX 5 Aircraft...

by a number to indicate the individual plane of thattype-manufacturer. Under this system:

“A” was used for Curtiss hydroaeroplanes “B” for Wright hydroaeroplanes “C” for Curtiss flying boats“D” for Burgess flying boats“E” for Curtiss amphibian flying boats

This system had been established in 1911 by CaptainWashington I. Chambers, Director of Naval Aviation.The following is a list of the types of aircraft and theirdesignations in existence from 1911–1914:

Aircraft Designation System 1911–1914

A-1 Curtiss hydroaeroplane (originally an amphib-ian, and the Navy’s first airplane)

A-2 Curtiss landplane (rebuilt as a hydroaeroplane)A-3 Curtiss hydroaeroplaneA-4 Curtiss hydroaeroplaneB-1 Wright landplane (converted to hydroaeroplane)B-2 Wright type hydroaeroplaneB-3 Wright type hydroaeroplaneC-1 Curtiss flying boatC-2 Curtiss flying boatC-3 Curtiss flying boatC-4 Curtiss flying boatC-5 Curtiss flying boatD-1 Burgess Co. and Curtiss flying boatD-2 Burgess Co. and Curtiss flying boatE-1 OWL (over water and land) (a Curtiss hydro-

aeroplane rebuilt as a short-hulled flying boat for fly-ing over water or land and fitted with wheels for useas an amphibian)

A new Aircraft Class Designation System was estab-lished by Captain Mark L. Bristol, the second Directorof Naval Aviation. He assumed the Director’s positionfrom Captain Chambers in December 1913. The newsystem was issued on 27 March 1914 as General Order88, “Designation of Air Craft.” This system changed theoriginal designation of the aircraft to two letters and a

Aircraft model designation history is very complex.In order to fully understand the designations, it isimportant to know the factors that played a role indeveloping the different missions that aircraft have beencalled upon to perform. Technological changes affect-ing aircraft capabilities have resulted in correspondingchanges in the operational capabilities and techniquesemployed by the aircraft. Prior to World War I, the Navytried various schemes for designating aircraft.

In the early period of naval aviation a system wasdeveloped to designate an aircraft’s mission. Differentaircraft class designations evolved for the various typesof missions performed by naval aircraft. This becameknown as the Aircraft Class Designation System.Numerous changes have been made to this systemsince the inception of naval aviation in 1911.

While reading this section various references will bemade to the Aircraft Class Designation System,Designation of Aircraft, Model Designation of NavalAircraft, Aircraft Designation System, and ModelDesignation of Military Aircraft. All of these referencesrefer to the same system involved in designating air-craft classes. This system is then used to develop thespecific designations assigned to each type of aircraftoperated by the Navy. The F3F-4, TBF-1, AD-3, PBY-5A, A-4, A-6E, and F/A-18C are all examples of specif-ic types of naval aircraft designations which weredeveloped from the Aircraft Class Designation System.

Aircraft Class Designation System

Early Period of Naval Aviation up to 1920

The uncertainties during the early period of navalaviation were reflected by the problems encounteredin settling on a functional system for designating navalaircraft. Prior to 1920 two different Aircraft ClassDesignation Systems were used. From 1911 up to1914, naval aircraft were identified by a single letterindicating the general type and manufacturer, followed

UNITED STATES NAVAL AVIATION 1910–1995 451

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APPENDIX 5

Aircraft Designations andPopular Names

Background on the Evolution of Aircraft Designations

number, of which the first letter denoted class; the sec-ond, type within a class; and the number the order inwhich aircraft within the class were acquired. The fourclasses set up on 27 March 1914 are as follows:

Aircraft Designation System, 1914–1920

Aircraft Classes“A” for heavier-than-air craft. Within the “A” class:L stood for land machinesH stood for hydroaeroplanesB stood for flying boatsX stood for combination land and water machines

(amphibians)C stood for convertibles (could be equipped as

either land or water machines)“D” for airships or dirigibles“B” for balloons“K” for kites

Under this new system the A-1 aircraft (the Navy’s firstairplane) was redesignated AH-1, with the “A” identify-ing the plane as a heavier-than-air craft and the “H”standing for hydroaeroplane. General Order No. 88also provided a corresponding link between the oldaircraft designations and the new system: “The aero-planes now in the service are hereby designated asfollows:

A-1 became the AH-1A-2 became the AH-2A-3 became the AH-3B-1 became the AH-4B-2 became the AH-5B-3 became the AH-6C-1 became the AB-1C-2 became the AB-2C-3 became the AB-3C-4 became the AB-4C-5 became the AB-5D-1 became the AB-6D-2 became the AB-7E-1 became the AX-1”

Despite the phrase, “now in the service,” the A-1, B-1 and B-2 and probably the D-1 had ceased to existbefore the order was issued.

The Early 1920sIn General Order 541, issued in 1920, two overall

types of aircraft were identified and assigned perma-nent letters which have remained in effect since 1920.Lighter-than-air types were identified by the letter Zand heavier-than-air types were assigned the letter V.Within these two categories, various class letters wereassigned to further differentiate the aircraft’s operation

or construction. Class letters assigned to the Z typeswere R for rigid, N for nonrigid, and K for kite. Bycombining the type and class designation, the differentairships in the Navy’s inventory could be categorized.As an example:

ZR referred to rigid dirigibles (airships) ZN stood for nonrigid airshipsZK for kite balloons

The class letters assigned to the heavier-than-airvehicles covered a wider range and generally reflectedthe mission responsibilities of the aircraft classes. Classletters assigned to the V types were:

F for fightingO for observationS for scoutingP for patrolT for torpedoG for fleet (utility)

By combining the V designation for heavier-than-airvehicles with the class letters, the following aircraftclass definitions were assigned in 1920:

VF for fighting planeVO for observation planeVS for scouting planeVP for patrol planeVT for torpedo and bombing planeVG for fleet plane (most likely a general utility

aircraft)

This class designation system for aircraft has contin-ued to remain a functional system and is still used today.There have been many additions, deletions, and majorchanges to the system over the years but the concepthas remained intact. The current naval aircraft inventorystill lists VF, VS, VP, VG, VO, and VT aircraft classes.Three of these, VF, VP, and VO, still have the same defi-nitions they were assigned in 1920. The VS, VG, and VTaircraft class designations now refer to antisubmarine(VS), in-flight refueling (VG), and training aircraft (VT).

The aircraft designation system established in July1920 by General Order 541 was modified on 29March 1922 by Bureau of Aeronautics Technical Note213. It added the identity of the manufacturer to theaircraft model designation. The aircraft class designa-tions remained the same as those issued by GeneralOrder 541 (G.O. 541); however, besides the six air-craft classes listed in G.O. 541 (VF, VO, VS, VP, VT,and VG), an additional two classes were added to theaircraft class list. The two new aircraft classes wereVA for Training Aircraft and VM for MarineExpeditionary Plane.

452 UNITED STATES NAVAL AVIATION 1910–1995

than-air, the second letter identified the primary mis-sion of the aircraft, using the same 10 letter designa-tions listed in the above paragraph. The third letterindicated the secondary mission of the aircraft class,such as:

F for fightingO for observationB for bombingT for torpedoS for scouting

By assigning these five secondary mission letters tothe primary aircraft letter designations, seven newaircraft class designations were established:

VBF for bombing-fightingVOS for observation-scoutingVPB for patrol-bombingVPT for patrol-torpedoVSB for scouting-bombingVSO for scout-observationVTB for torpedo-bombing

On the eve of World War II, the Model Designationof Airplanes for 1 July 1939 was very similar to whathad been identified in 1934. There were eleven prima-ry aircraft class designations and six designations thatincluded a secondary mission letter in its class designa-tion. The 1 July 1939 Model Designation of Airplanesincluded the following Aircraft Class Designations:

Bombing (VB)Fighting (VF)Miscellaneous (VM)Observation (VO)Patrol (VP)Scouting (VS)Torpedo (VT)Training (VN)Transport (multi-engine) (VR)Transport (single engine) (VG)Utility (VJ)Observation-Scouting (VOS)Patrol-Bombing (VPB)Scouting-Bombing (VSB)Scouting-Observation (VSO)Torpedo-Bombing (VTB)Utility-Transport (VJR)

World War IIThe designation changes for the aircraft classes and

squadron system during World War II and the immedi-ate post war period are identified in the ModelDesignation of Naval Aircraft, the Aviation CircularLetters, and in the Navy Department Bulletins.

The mid to late 1920sBetween 1922 and 1933, there were only a few

modifications to the Aircraft Class DesignationSystem. The Bureau of Aeronautics was establishedin July 1921 and, thereafter, made changes to theAircraft Class Designation System. In response to aSecretary of Navy letter dated 13 February 1923, theBureau of Aeronautics issued a Technical Note on 10March 1923 that changed the VA designation fortraining aircraft to VN, dropped the VG designation,and added the VJ designation for Transport Plane.This was followed by the addition, in 1925, of theVX designation for experimental aircraft. The VXdesignation was dropped from the Aircraft ClassDesignation list in January 1927. In July 1928, theVM designation was dropped and the VJ designationwas changed from Transportation Plane to GeneralUtility. Two new designations were also instituted,VB for bombing and VH for ambulance. A new air-craft class was added in July 1930 and assigned thedesignation VR for transport aircraft. This VR desig-nation has remained in effect for transport aircraftsince 1930.

The 1930sSimilar changes took place in the Aircraft Class

Designation System during the early 1930s. By July1933, there were ten aircraft class designations. Thislist of aircraft classes did not vary much from thoseidentified in the previous ten years. The aircraft classdesignations identified in July 1933 were as follows:

VB for bombingVF for fightingVH for ambulanceVJ for general utilityVN for trainingVO for observationVP for patrolVR for transportVS for scoutingVT for torpedo.

A major change was instituted to the AircraftDesignation System on 2 January 1934. Prior to 1934,aircraft classes had been established according to theprimary mission the aircraft was to perform. The factthat many aircraft were capable of performing morethan one mission was recognized in the revised sys-tem by assigning an additional letter to the previoustwo-letter aircraft class designation. In the new three-letter aircraft class designation, the first letter identifiedthe type of vehicle, such as, V for heavier-than-air(fixed wing) and Z for lighter-than-air. For heavier-


By mid-1943, many new aircraft class designationshad been added to the Model Designation of NavalAircraft. The additions included:

VA for ambulanceVBT for bombing-torpedoVSN for scout-trainingVL for glidersVLN for training-glidersVLR for transport-glidersVH for helicoptersVHO for observation-helicoptersVD for dronesVTD for torpedo-drones and/or target-dronesZN for nonrigid airshipsZNN for nonrigid-training and/or utility airshipsZNP for nonrigid patrol and/or scouting airships

As the war progressed, more changes were made tothe Model Designation of Naval Aircraft. In July 1944,a major change was instituted for the Aircraft ClassDesignation System. Naval aircraft were divided intothree main types identified by a letter:

V for fixed wing vehicles (airplanes, gliders and drones)H for rotary wing vehicles (helicopters)Z for lighter-than-air vehicles (airships)

The three main types were then each subdividedinto classes. The classes under the heavier-than-airfixed-wing type (V) included:

VF fightersVF(M) fighters (medium or 2 engine)VSB scout bombersVTB torpedo bombersVO/VS observation scoutVPB(HL) patrol bombers (heavy or 4 engine land-

plane)VPB(ML) patrol bombers (medium or 2 engine land-

plane)VPB(HS) patrol bombers (heavy or 4 engine sea-

plane)VPB(MS) patrol bombers (medium or 2 engine sea-

plane)VR(HL) transport (heavy or 4 engine landplane)VR(ML) transport (medium or 2 engine landplane)VR(HS) transport (heavy or 4 engine seaplane)VR(MS) transport (medium or 2 engine seaplane)VJ(M) utility (medium or 2 engine)VJ utilityVSN(M) training VSN trainingVN trainingVK dronesVKN drones (target training)

VL glidersVLN gliders (training)VLR gliders (transport)

The helicopter type (H) had the following classes:

HO helicopters (observation)HN helicopters (training)HR helicopters (transport)

The lighter-than-air type (Z) had the following classes:

ZN nonrigid airshipsZNN nonrigid airships (training)ZNP nonrigid airships (patrol and escort)

This July 1944 change to the Model Designation ofNaval Aircraft was still in effect at the close of WorldWar II and only a couple of additions had been made,they included:

VKC for assault dronesHJ for utility helicopters

Post World War II and the late 1940sOn 11 March 1946, a major revision was issued to

the Class Designation of Naval Aircraft. AviationCircular Letter Number 43–46 divided naval aircraftinto four types and assigned a letter designation. Thefour types were:

V for heavier-than-air (fixed wing)K for pilotless aircraftH for heavier-than-air (rotary wing)Z for lighter-than-air

Within the class designation for V type aircraft, theprimary mission and class designation were as follows:

Primary Mission Class Designation

Fighter (destroy enemy aircraft in the air) VF

Attack (destroy enemy surface or ground targets) VA

Patrol (search for enemy) VPObservation (observe and

direct ship and shore gunfire) VOTransport purposes VRUtility purposes VUTraining purposes VTGliders VG

Within the class designation for H type (rotary wing),the primary mission and class designation were asfollows:

Air-sea rescue HHObservation HO


VO Observation Gunfire and artillery spottingVR Transport Air logistic supportVU Utility Fleet utility supportVT Training Basic and fleet trainingVG Glider

H type (heavier-than-air, rotary wing) Classes

HH Air-sea rescueHO ObservationHT TrainingHR TransportHU Utility

K type (pilotless aircraft) Classes

KD Aerial target

M type (Guided Missiles) Classes

AAM Air-to-airASM Air-to-surfaceAUM Air-to-underwaterSAM Surface-to-airSSM Surface-to-surfaceSUM Surface-to-underwaterUAM Underwater-to-airUSM Underwater-to-surfaceTV Test vehicle

Z type (Lighter-than-air)

ZP Patrol and escortZH Search and rescueZT TrainingZU Utility

The 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980sDuring the early 1950s several changes were made

to the V (heavier-than-air fixed wing) type. The VGglider class was dropped and the following classeswere added:

VS Search Submarine search and attack (carrier)VW Warning Airborne early warning

In 1953 the nine classes of the V type were furtherdivided into sub-classes. The V type classes and sub-classes were as follows:

VA Attack Surface and ground attackVA (Int’d) InterdictionVA (GS) Ground SupportVA (AW) All Weather and ASWVA (W) Air Early Warning and ASWVA (H) HeavyVA (P) Photographic

VF Fighter Air defense and escortVF (Int) Interceptor

Training HTTransport HRUtility HU

Within the class designation for K type (pilotless air-craft), the primary mission and class designation wereas follows:

For attack on aircraft targets KAFor attack on ship targets KSFor attack on ground targets KGFor use as target aircraft KDFor utility purposes KU

Within the class designation for Z type (lighter-than-air), the primary mission and class designation wereas follows:

Patrol and escort ZPAir-sea rescue ZHTraining ZTUtility ZU

This order provided that “no changes...be made in themodel designation of aircraft already produced or inproduction, except that the mission letter of all BTclass aircraft shall be changed to A.” Thus, the SB2Cand TBF/TBM aircraft remained in use until they wereremoved from the inventory, while the BT2D and BTMaircraft were redesignated as AD and AM. These air-craft were assigned to the new attack squadrons estab-lished in the latter part of 1946.

In 1947 a modification was made to CNO’s AviationCircular Letter No. 43–46 of 11 March 1946 whereby afifth class designation was added to the naval aircrafttypes. The new class designation was the M type forGuided Missiles and the primary mission and classdesignation were as follows:

Air-to-air AAMAir-to-surface ASMAir-to-underwater AUMSurface-to-air SAMSurface-to-surface SSMSurface-to-underwater SUMUnderwater-to-air UAMUnderwater-to-surface USMTest Vehicle TV

In 1949 the class designations were:

V type (heavier-than-air, fixed wing) Classes

VF Fighter Air defense and escortVA Attack Surface and ground attackVP Patrol ASW reconnaissance and attack


VF (Day) Day, jetVF (Day) (Prop) Day, reciprocatingVF (AW) All weather, jetVF (AW) (Prop) All weather, reciprocatingVF (P) Photographic, jetVF (P) (Prop) Photographic, reciprocatingVF (D) Drone controlVF (FT) Flight Test

VO Observation Gunfire andartillery spottingVP Patrol ASW reconnaissance, mining and

weatherVP (L) LandplaneVP (S) SeaplaneVP (MIN) MiningVP (WEA) WeatherVP (Q) Countermeasure

VR Transport Air logistic supportVR (H) Heavy landplaneVR (M) Medium landplaneVR (S) Heavy seaplaneVR (C) Carrier

VS Antisubmarine Submarine search and attackVS Search and attackVS (S) AttackVS (W) Search

VT Training Basic, fleet and primary trainingVT (Jet) JetVT (ME) Two-engine, reciprocatingVT (SE) One-engine, reciprocatingVT (E) ElectronicVT (Nav) Navigation

VU Utility Fleet utility supportVU (Gen) GeneralVU (SAR) Search and rescueVU (Tow) Tow

VW Warning Airborne Early WarningVW Air early warning

Between 1953 and 1960 there was only one changein the V class and a few modifications in the sub-class-es. The VG class, for in-flight refueling, tanker, wasadded in 1958. In 1960 the type letter for the heavier-than-air fixed wing class was still identified as “V”, how-ever, it was omitted from the acronym for the class des-ignation. The class designations for the heavier-than-airfixed wing type and their basic mission were as follows:

A AttackF FighterG In-flight refueling tankerO ObservationP PatrolR TransportS Antisubmarine (for carrier based aircraft)T TrainingU UtilityW Airborne Early Warning

The H type classes for 1953 were as follows:

HO ObservationHR TransportHS Anti-submarineHT TrainerHU UtilityHC Cargo

In 1955 a new H type class was added and designatedHW for Aircraft Early Warning. This class remained ineffect for only a short time and was removed by 1961.The only other change for the H type during the 1950swas the removal of the HC Cargo Class by 1961.

The Z type classes for 1953 were as follows:

ZP PatrolZT Trainer

There were several changes to the Z type classes inthe 1950s. In 1954 two new classes were added, ZSSearch and Anti-submarine and ZW Air Early Warning.The other changes in 1954 included the dropping of theZT Trainer designation and modifying the ZP designa-tion to patrol and anti-subamrine. In 1955 the ZS desig-nation was dropped after being in effect for only a year.

The K type classes for 1953 were as follows:

KD Targets

This designation was modified in 1955 to K (suffix)Target Drones. Sometime in the latter part of the 1950sthe K type designation was dropped and a new Dtype was listed as Remotely Controlled TacticalAirborne Vehicle. Within this type the class was identi-fied as DS Anti-submarine.

The M type for 1953 was modified as follows:

M Tactical WeaponRV Research Vehicle

A Bureau of Aeronautics Aviation Circular LetterNumber 25–51 of 14 July 1951 removed the guidedmissile type from the naval aircraft types and listedonly four types of naval aircraft. The four types were:

V Heavier-than-air (fixed wing)H Heavier-than-air (rotary wing)Z Lighter-than-airK Target drones

The Bureau of Naval Weapons Instruction 13100.1A“Model Designation of Naval Aircraft”, dated 17 May1961, lists the type letter designations as follows:

V Heavier-than-air (fixed wing) (the V is omittedfrom the aircraft designation)


B Bomber Aircraft designed for bombingenemy targets.

C Cargo/transport Aircraft designed for carryingcargo and/or passengers.

E Special Electronic Aircraft possessing ECM capa-bility or installation havingelectronic devices to permitemployment as an earlywarning radar station.

F Fighter Aircraft designed to interceptand destroy other aircraftand/or missiles.

H Helicopter A rotary-wing aircraftdesigned with the capabilityof flight in any plane; e.g.,horizontal, vertical, or diago-nal.

K Tanker Aircraft designed for in-flightrefueling of other aircraft.

O Observation Aircraft designed to observe(through visual/other means)and report tactical informa-tion concerning compositionand disposition of enemyforces, troops, and suppliesin an active combat area.

P Patrol Long range, al l weather,multi-engine aircraft operat-ing from land and/or waterbases, designed for indepen-dent accomplishment of thefollowing functions; antisub-marine warfare, maritimereconnaissance, and mining.

S Antisubmarine Aircraft designed to searchout, detect, identify, attack anddestroy enemy submarines.

T Trainer Aircraft designed for trainingpersonnel in the operation ofaircraft and/or related equip-ment, and having provisionsfor instructor personnel.

U Utility Aircraft used for miscella-neous missions such as carry-ing cargo and/or passengers,towing targets, etc. These air-craft will include those hav-ing a small payload.

H Heavier-than-air (rotary wing)Z Lighter-than-airD Remotely controlled tactical airborne vehicleR Rotorcycle

The classes within each of these five aircraft typedesignations were:

V type Heavier-than-air (fixed wing) Classes

VA AttackVF FighterVG In-flight refueling tankerVO ObservationVP PatrolVR TransportVS Anti-submarineVT TrainingVU UtilityVW Airborne Early Warning

H type Heavier-than-air (rotary wing) Classes

HO ObservationHR TransportHS Anti-submarineHT TrainingHU Utility

Z type Lighter-than-air Classes

ZP PatrolZW Airborne Early Warning

D type Remotely Controlled Tactical Airborne Vehicle Classes

DS Anti-submarine

R type Rotorcycles Classes

RO Observation (equipment)

In 1962 a major changed occurred in the model des-ignation for naval aircraft. The Department of Defenseconsolidated the aircraft designation systems of theNavy, Army, and Air Force. A new DOD (Departmentof Defense) Directive was established that designated,redesignated, and named military aircraft. Under thenew system the V for heavier-than-air fixed wing typeswas dropped completely and a single letter was usedto identify the basic mission of the vehicle. The basicmission and associated type symbols were as follows:

A Attack Aircraft designed to searchout, attack and destroy enemyland or sea targets using con-ventional or special weapons.Also used for interdiction andclose air support missions.


V VTOL and STOL Aircraft designed for verticaltake-off or landing with notake-off or landing roll, or air-craft capable of take-off andlanding in a minimum pre-scribed distance.

X Research Aircraft designed for testingconfigurations of a radicalnature. These aircraft are notnormally intended for use astactical aircraft.

Z Airship A self-propelled lighter-than-air aircraft.

The only type symbol not in use by the Navy from theabove listing was the B for bomber aircraft. The O forobservation aircraft was in the naval inventory but wasused primarily by the Marine Corps.

Between 1962 and 1990 there were only two modifi-cations to the listing of basic mission and aircraft typesymbols in DOD’s Model Designation of MilitaryAircraft, Rockets and Guided Missiles. These changesinvolved the addition of the letter “R” forReconnaissance and the deletion of the Z type forAirships. The basic mission for the R type was an air-craft designed to perform reconnaissance missions.

Even though a consolidated DOD directive wasissued on aircraft designations for the Navy, Air Force,and Army in 1962, the Navy continued to publish a list-ing of naval aircraft classes and sub-classes that dif-fered slightly from the DOD directive. However, theNavy did follow the new procedures for designating itsaircraft, as an example, the AD-5 Skyraider aircraft des-ignation was changed to A-1E. The December 1962issue of the Allowances and Location of Naval Aircraftlists the following classes and sub-classes for fixedwing aircraft (note the continued use of “V” as part ofthe class designation and the failure to change the VGclass designation for air refueler to K, as listed by theDOD instruction):

VF FighterVF FB Fighter-bomberVF P Photo reconnaissance

VA AttackVA L Light AttackVA LP Light Attack (Prop)VA M Medium AttackVA H Heavy AttackVA P Photo Reconnaissance (long range)VA Q ECM Reconnaissance (long range)VA QM Tactical ECMVA QMP Tactical ECM (Prop)

VS ASW (Carrier based)

VP ASW PatrolVP L ASW Patrol (shore based)VP S ASW Patrol (sea based)

VW Airborne early warningVW M AEW Medium (carrier based)VW H AEW Heavy (shore based)

VR TransportVR H Heavy transportVR M Medium transportVR C Carrier transport

VG Air refueler, heavy

VT TrainerVT AJ Advanced jet trainerVT BJ Basic jet trainerVT SJ Special jet trainerVT AP Advanced prop trainerVT BP Basic Prop trainerVT PP Primary prop trainerVT SP Special Prop trainer

VK DroneVK D Drone control

The only change to this listing occurred in 1965 withthe addition of the VO class for observation. Between1965 and 1988 there was no change to the aircraftclass listing in the Allowances and Location of NavalAircraft. However, there were numerous changes inthe listing for the sub-classes. The final publication ofthe Allowances and Location of Naval Aircraft wasMarch 1988.

On 2 May 1975, the Navy selected a derivative ofthe YF-17 as the winner of the Navy’s VFAX competi-tion for a new multimission fighter attack aircraft.The VFAX aircraft was designed to replace two air-craft in the Navy’s inventory, the F-4 Phantom II andthe A-7 Corsair II. This program was reinstituting anold Navy policy, whereby, multimission requirementsfor attack and fighter, be incorporated into a singleaircraft. Fighter and light attack missions had previ-ously been assigned to various types of aircraft, par-ticularly in the period prior to World War II and alsoin the 1950s. The Navy was now reverting to an oldpolicy and designing a plane with a dual capacity asa fighter and an attack aircraft to meet new multimis-sion requirements.

The VFAX aircraft was initially assigned the F-18Adesignation. A new model designation F/A (strikefighter) was established and assigned to the aircraft inthe late 1970s. The Navy accepted its first F/A-18Hornet on 16 January 1979. The F/A designation was


VR M TransportVR C TransportVR LJ Transport

VG In-flight Refueling

VO ObservationVO L Observation

VU UtilityVU L UtilityVU S Utility

VT TrainingVT AJ Training JetVT SJ Training JetVT PP Training PropVT SP Training PropVT SG Training Jet

H Rotary WingH F Rotary WingH A Rotary WingH G Rotary WingH S Rotary WingH H Rotary WingH M Rotary WingH L Rotary WingH T Rotary WingH R Rotary Wing

VK DronesVK D DronesVK K Drones Jet

identified as a sub-class and listed under the VF classin the Navy’s Allowances and Location of NavalAircraft. Under the DOD model designation listing theF/A-18 designation is listed under both the A and Fsymbol designations as A-18 and F-18.

The 1990s

The following is a list of the Naval Aircraft Class andSub-classes used in the 1990s:

VF FighterVF FA Striker FighterVF FB FighterVF P Fighter

VA AttackVA L AttackVA M AttackVA H AttackVA P AttackVA Q AttackVA QM Attack

VS Sea Control (was Antisubmarine until 1993)

VP PatrolVP L Patrol

VW WarningVP M WarningVP H Warning

VR TransportVR H Transport


The R4C-1Condor wasused as atransport bythe Navy, AN-32600.

The Aircraft Designation Listings have been dividedinto four separate listings to help clarify the differentdesignation systems used by the Navy. The four listingsare: 1911–1922 Designation Systems (there werethree separate systems during this period), 1922–1923Designations, 1923–1962 Navy System and the DoDDesignation System, 1962 to Present. Column head-ings within each of these four listings vary. However, ifthe popular name (official name assigned by the Navy)or common name (name usually assigned by the manu-facturer) was known it is included in each of the listings.The popular or common name may not always apply toall the specific aircraft model designations. The primaryemphasis for the Aircraft Designation Listings is to pro-vide a composite list of all the aircraft designations theNavy has had in its inventory. It should also be noted,some aircraft in these listings were not assigned bureau

numbers, especially in the case of experimental aircraft.Others were one of a kind models, and some wereacquired through a means other than the usual orderingvia aircraft production contracts, these include foreignaircraft acquired for evaluation. A separate listing, NavalAircraft Redesignated in 1962, has been added tohelp clarify the redesignations that occurred in 1962.

1911–1922 Designation SystemsWithin this time frame there were three separate des-

ignation systems. The three separate columns identifythose systems. Column three (Other DesignationSystems or Popular Name) covers the period 1917–1922.During this period there was no standard designationsystem. During World War I the Navy generally adoptedwhatever designations were assigned by the developeror manufacturer.


1911 1914 Other Designation ManufacturerDesigna- Designa- Systems, Popular or other Sourcetion tion or Common NameSystem System

A-1 AH-1 Triad CurtissA-2/E-1 AX-1 OWL(Over-Water-Land, Curtiss

also called Bat Boat)A-3 AH-3 CurtissA-4 AH-2 Curtiss B-1 AH-4 Wright B-2 AH-5 Wright B-3 AH-6 Wright C-1 AB-1 CurtissC-2 AB-2 CurtissC-3 AB-3 CurtissC-4 AB-4 CurtissC-5 AB-5 CurtissD-1 AB-6 Burgess & CurtisD-2 AB-7 Burgess & CurtisE-1 AX-1 OWL(Over-Water-Land, Curtiss (1913)

also called Bat Boat)DN-1 (Navy’s first LTA Connecticut Aircraft

vehicle, D stood for Companydirigible and N fornon-rigid)

AH-7 Burgess-Dunne AH-8 CurtissAH-9 CurtissAH-10 Burgess-DunneAH-11 CurtissAH-12 CurtissAH-13 CurtissAH-14 CurtissAH-15 CurtissAH-16 Curtiss


AH-17 CurtissAH-18 CurtissAH-19 Martin S Martin AH-20 Thomas HS Thomas BrothersAH-21 Thomas HS Thomas BrothersAH-22 MartinAH-23 WrightAH-24 Sturtevant S SturtevantAH-25 BurgessAH-26 BurgessAH-27 BurgessAH-28 BurgessAH-29 BurgessAH-30 CurtissAH-31 BurgessAH-32 CurtissAH-33 CurtissAH-34 CurtissAH-35 CurtissAH-36 CurtissAH-37 CurtissAH-38 CurtissAH-39 CurtissAH-40 CurtissAH-41 CurtissAH-42 CurtissAH-43 CurtissAH-44 CurtissAH-45 CurtissAH-46 CurtissAH-47 Curtiss

Aircraft Designation List

H-12,-12L CurtissH-16 Curtiss, NAFH-4-H StandardHA-1,-2 CurtissHB-2 Levy-LepenHD-1,-2 HanriotHeinkel Seaplane Casper Werke, GermanyHPS-1 Handley PageHS-1,-1L Curtiss, Boeing,

Loughead, LWF,Gallaudet, Standard

HS-2L Curtiss, Boeing, NAF,Gallaudet, Standard,Loughead, LWF

HS-3 Curtiss, NAFHT-2 BurgessJL-6 Junkers-LarsenJN-4 CurtissJN-4B Curtiss JN-4H From ArmyJN-4HG From ArmyJN-6H From ArmyJN-6HG-I From ArmyK Boat Austrian GovernmentK-4 (variant of NO-1) J.V. Martin KF-1 (also known as J.V. MartinKIV)L-2 CurtissL-3 LongrenLe Pen Seaplane From AbroadLePere From ArmyLS-1 Loening Aeronautical

Engineering Co.M-3 Kitten Loening Aeronautical

Engineering Co.M-8 Loening Aeronautical

Engineering Co.M-8-0 (M-80) Loening Aeronautical

Engineering Co.M-8-1 (M-81) NAF (Loening design)M-8-1S (M-8-1S) LoeningM2O-1 MartinM.5 Macchi M.8 Macchi M.16 Macchi MB-3 Thomas MorseMB-7 Thomas MorseMBT/MT MartinMF Boat Curtiss and NAFMO-1 MartinMS-1 Martin

AH-48 CurtissAH-49 CurtissAH-50 CurtissAH-51 CurtissAH-52 CurtissAH-53 CurtissAH-54 CurtissAH-55 CurtissAH-56 CurtissAH-57 CurtissAH-58 CurtissAH-59 CurtissAH-60 CurtissAH-61 D-1 GallaudetAH-62 R-3 CurtissAH-63 Paul Schmitt, ParisAH-64 CurtissAH-65 R-3 Curtiss

18-T Kirkham Fighter CurtissAR-1 Morane-SaulnierAvorio Prassone Italian GovernmentC-1 Fokker, NetherlandsC-1F BoeingCamel (F-l) Sopwith, from ArmyCaproni Ca-44 Caproni, ItalyCR-1,-3 CurtissCS-1 CurtissCS-II DornierCT CurtissD-1 Gallaudet Aircraft Corp.D-1 Dornier, Swiss AgentD-4 Gallaudet Aircraft Corp.D-7 or D.VII FokkerDH-4 Dayton-Wright, from

ArmyDH-4B/4B-1 NAF and ArmyDH-9A British Govt.DN-1 Connecticut Aircraft Co.Donne Denhaut French Govt.DT-1,-2 Douglas, NAF,LWFE-1 (M Defense) Standard, from Army EM-1,-2 G. Elias & BrothersEO-1 G. Elias & BrothersF Boat Curtiss, Alexandria

(Briggs)F-5/F-5L Curtiss, Canadian Aero-

planes Ltd., and NAFF-6 NAFFT-1 Fokker, NetherlandsGastite Kite GoodrichGS-1,-2 Gnome Speed Curtiss

Scout




MT/MBT MartinModel 10 Alexandria AircraftModel 39-A & -B Aeromarine Plane &

Motor Co.Model 40F Aeromarine Plane &

Motor Co.Model 700 Aeromarine Plane &

Motor Co.N-1 NAF N-9, -9H Curtiss, Burgess N-10 (2 reworked N-9) CurtissNC-1, 2, 3 ,4 CurtissNC-5 to -10 NAFNieuport 28 From ArmyNight Bomber SperryNO-1 NAFNW-1, -2 WrightO-SS BritishPanther ParnallPaul Schmitt Seaplane Paul Schmitt, ParisPT-1,-2 NAFR-3 CurtissR-6,-6L CurtissR-9 CurtissS-4B Thomas MorseS-4C Thomas Morse ScoutS-5 CurtissS-5 (not the same air- Thomas Morsecraft as Curtiss S-5)SA1 NAFSA2 NAFSC-1,-2 MartinSE-5 From ArmySH-4 Thomas-MorseSopwith Baby SopwithSopwith Camel SopwithSopwith Pup SopwithSopwith 1 1/2 Strutter SopwithSS-Z-23 British AdmiraltyST-1 Stout Metal Airplane

Co.

Swift Blackburn Aeroplane Co.

Tellier Flying Boat French GovernmentTF Boat NAFTG-1,-2,-3,-4,-5 NAFTS-1 NAF and CurtissTS-2,-3 NAFTR-2(TS-3 A6449 re- NAFdesignated, one of akind)TR-3,-3A NAF (Rebuilt TS-2)TW-3 WrightU-1 Caspar, GermanyU-2 BurgessUSXB-1 Dayton Wright, from

ArmyVE-7,-7F Lewis & Vought and

NAFVE-7G,-7GF NAFVE-7H NAFVE-7S,-7SF,-7SH NAFVE-9,-9H Chance VoughtZodiac-Vedette French GovernmentViking IV VickersVNB-1 BoeingWA Dayton-WrightWP-1 WrightWS Seaplane Dayton-WrightXDH-60 Moth DeHavillandXS-1 Cox-Klemin Exp. Seaplane NAS PensacolaGlider Am. MotorlessHydroaeroplane Pensacola and CurtissRichardson seaplane Washington Navy YardSeaplane AeromarineSeaplane DWF, GermanySeaplane FarmanSeaplane LoeningSeaplane StandardSeaplane WrightSeaplane Wright-Martin




1922–1923 Designations

Original Navy Other Designation, ManufacturerDesignation Popular or other Source

or Common Name

BR Bee Line HN-1,-2 Huff-Daland

Original Navy Other Designation, ManufacturerDesignation Popular or other Source

or Common Name

HO-1 Huff-DalandNM NAF

thru -3F3A-1 Corsair (F4U) BrewsterFB-1 Boeingthru -5F2B-1 BoeingF3B-1 BoeingF4B-1 Boeingthru -4XF5B-1 BoeingXF6B-1 BoeingXF7B-1 BoeingXF8B-1 BoeingF2C-1 (F2C-1 a paper Curtiss

designation for R2C-1,never used as F2C-1)

F4C-1 CurtissF6C-1 Hawk Curtissthru -4F6C-6 Hawk CurtissXF6C-5 Curtissthru -7F7C-1 Seahawk CurtissXF8C-1 Falcon CurtissF8C-1, -3 Falcon (OC) CurtissF8C-4, -5 Helldiver (O2C) CurtissXF8C-2, -4 Helldiver CurtissXF8C-7, -8 Helldiver (O2C) CurtissXF9C-1, -2 CurtissF9C-2 Sparrowhawk CurtissXF11C-1 (XBFC-1) CurtissXF11C-2 Goshawk (XBFC-2) CurtissXF11C-3 (XBF2C-1) CurtissF11C-2 Goshawk (BFC-2) CurtissXF13C-1 Curtiss thru -3XF14C-2 CurtissXF15C-1 CurtissXFD-1 DouglasFD-1 Phantom (FH-1) McDonnellXF2D-1 Banshee (F2H) McDonnell

F-10 F3D-1,-2 Sky Knight DouglasF-6 F4D-1 Skyray Douglas

F5D-1 Skylancer DouglasFF-1, -2 GrummanF2F-1 GrummanF3F-1 Grummanthru -3XF4F-3 Wildcat Grummanthru -6, -8

AE-1 (L-4)(HE-1) PiperA-1 AD-1 thru Skyraider (XBT2D-1) Douglas

-7A2D-1 Skyshark Douglas

A-3 A3D-1, -2 Skywarrior DouglasA-4 A4D-1, Skyhawk Douglas

-2, -5AF-2, -3 Guardian (XTB3F-1) Grumman

A-6 A2F-1 Intruder GrummanF-4 AH Phantom II McDonnellA-2 AJ-1, -2 Savage North AmericanA-5 A3J-1 Vigilante North American

thru -3AM-1 Mauler (XBTM-1) MartinAU-1 Corsair (XF4U-6) Vought

B-314 BoeingBulldog IIA Bristol

BD-1,-2 Havoc (A-20) DouglasBG-1 Great LakesXB2G-1 Great LakesBM-1,-2 (XT5M-1) MartinBT-1 NorthropXBT-2 (SBD-1) Northrop/DouglasXBTC-2 CurtissXBY-1 ConsolidatedXB2Y-1 ConsolidatedXBFC-1 (XF11C-1) CurtissBFC-2 Goshawk (F11C-2) CurtissBF2C-1 (F11C-3) CurtissXBTC-1 Cancelled CurtissXBTC-2 CurtissXBT2C-1 CurtissBTD Destroyer Douglas

A-1 XBT2D-1 Skyraider (AD-1) DouglasXBTK-1 (BK-1 original Kaiser-Fleetwings

designation—changedbefore first aircraftcompleted)

XBTM-1 Mauler (AM-1) MartinCS-1, -2 CurtissSC-1, -2 (CS-1) MartinD-558-1 Skystreak DouglasD-558-2 Skyrocket DouglasXDH-80 Puss Moth Dehavilland

QH-50D,-50C DSN DASH Gyrodyne

F-5L NAFXFA-1 General AviationF2A-1 Buffalo Brewster


1923–1962 Navy SystemPost-1962 Original Popular or Common ManufacturerDOD Navy Name, other or SourceDesigna- Designa- Designation andtion tion Miscellaneous Data

Post-1962 Original Popular or Common ManufacturerDOD Navy Name, other or SourceDesigna- Designa- Designation andtion tion Miscellaneous Data

F4F-3,-3A, Wildcat (FM) Grumman-4, -7XF5F-1 Skyrocket GrummanXF6F-3, Hellcat Grumman-4, -6F6F-3, -5 Hellcat GrummanF7F-1 Tigercat Grummanthru -4F8F-1, -2 Bearcat GrummanF9F-2 Panther Grummanthru -5

F-9 F9F-6 Cougar Grummanthru -8XF10F-1 Jaguar Grumman

F-11 F11F-1 Tiger (F9F-9) GrummanXFG-1/ EberhartXF2G-1FG-1 Corsair (F4U) GoodyearF2G-1, -2 (FG/F4U) GoodyearXFH-1 HallFH-1 Phantom McDonnell

F-2 F2H-1 Banshee (F2D) McDonnellthru -4

F-3 F3H-1, -2 Demon McDonnellF-4 F4H-1 Phantom II McDonnell

FJ-1, -2 Fury North AmericanF-1 FJ-3, -4 Fury North American

XFJ-1, -2 Berliner-JoyceXF2J-1 Berliner-JoyceXF3J-1 Berliner JoyceXFL-1 Airabonita BellF2L-1 Airacobra (XTDL-1) BellFM-1, -2 Wildcat General MotorsFO-1 (P-38) LockheedXFR-1 Fireball RyanFR-1 Fireball RyanXF2R-1 RyanXFT-2 NorthropF2T-1 Black Widow (P-61) NorthropFU-1 VoughtXF2U-1 VoughtXF3U-1 (SBU) VoughtXF4U-1, -3 Corsair Vought thru -5F4U-1 thru Corsair (AU/FG/ Vought -5, -7 F3A/F2G)XF5U-1 VoughtF6U-1 Pirate VoughtF7U-1 Cutlass Voughtthru -3

F-8 F8U-1, -2 Crusader VoughtF8U-3 Crusader III VoughtF2W-1 WrightF3W-1 Apache WrightXFY-1 Pogo Consolidated

F-7 F2Y Sea Dart (Never used Convairin F-7 designation)

GB-1, -2 Traveler (JB) BeechGH-1 Nightingale (NH) Howardthru -3GK-1 Forwarder (JK) FairchildGQ-1 Reliant Stinson

C-130 GV-1 Hercules (R8V) LockheedHE (L-4)(AE) PiperXHL-1 LoeingXHJH-1 McDonnellXHJP-1 PiaseckiXHJS-1 SikorskyHNS-1 Hoverfly SikorskyXHOE-1 Hiller

H-43 HOK-1 KamanHOS-1 SikorskyHO2S-1 SikorskyHO3S-1 SikorskyXHO3S-3 Sikorsky

H-19 HO4S-3 (HRS) SikorskyHO5S-1 Sikorsky

H-46 HRB-1 VertolXHRH-1 Order cancelled McDonnellHRP-1, -2 Rescuer (Flying Piasecki

Banana)H-19 HRS-1 (HO4S) Sikorsky

thru -3H-37 HR2S-1 Mojave Sikorsky

HSL-1 Model 61 BellH-34 HSS-1 Sea Bat SikorskyH-3 HSS-2 Sea King Sikorsky

HTE-1, -2 UH-12A HillerHTK-1 Kaman

H-13 HTL-1 Did not use Sioux Bellthru -7

H-43 HUK-1 Did not use Huskie KamanH-2 HU2K-1 Seasprite KamanH-13 HUL-1 Did not use Sioux Bell

HUM-1 MC-4A McCullochH-25 HUP-1 Retriever Piasecki (Vertol)

thru -3H-34 HUS-1 Seahorse SikorskyH-52 HU2S-1 Sikorsky

XJA-1 Super Universal Fokker


1923–1962 Navy System—Continued



Me-262S MesserschmittNB-1 Model 21 Boeingthru -4XN2B-1 Model 81 BoeingN2C-1, -2 Fledgling Curtiss

L-4 NE-1, -2 Grasshopper PiperNH-1 Nightingale (GH) HowardNJ-1 North AmericanXNK-1 KeystoneXNL-1 LangleyN2M-1 MartinN2N-1 NAFN3N-1 Yellow Peril NAFthru -3NP-1 SpartanXNQ-1 FairchildXNR-1 MaxonNR-1 Recruit RyanNS-1 StearmanN2S-1 Kaydet/Caydet Stearman/Boeingthru -5NT-1 New StandardN2T-1 Tutor TimmNY-1 (PT-1) Consolidatedthru -3N2Y-1 Consolidated

(Fleet Aircraft Inc.)XN3Y-1 ConsolidatedXN4Y-1 (PT-11) ConsolidatedO2B-1 DH-4B metal fuselage BoeingOC-1, -2 Falcon (F8C-1, -3) CurtissXOC-3 CurtissO2C-1,-2 Helldiver (F8C-5) CurtissXO3C-1 (SOC) CurtissOD-1 DouglasXO2D-1 Douglas

O-1 OE-1, -2 Bird Dog CessnaXOJ-1 Berliner-JoyceOJ-2 Berliner-JoyceXOK-1 KeystoneOL-1 Loening

Aeronautical thru -9 Engineering

CompanyXO2L-1 LoeningO2N-1 None accepted (XOSN-1) NAFOO Schreck FBA VikingXOP-1, -2 PitcairnO2U-1 Voughtthru -4

JR-1 (RR) Fordthru -3 JA-1 Norseman NoorduynJB-1 Traveler (GB) BeechJD-1 Invader DouglasJE-1 BellancaJF-1 Duck Grummanthru -3J2F-1 Duck Grummanthru -5J2F-6 Duck ColumbiaXJ3F-1 G-21 GrummanJ4F-1, -2 Widgeon GrummanJH-1 Stearman-

HammondJK-1 FairchildJ2K-1 Coast Guard only FairchildXJL-1 ColombiaJM-1, -2 Marauder MartinJO-1, -2 Model 12A LockheedXJO-3 LockheedXJQ-1, -2 (XRQ/R2Q) FairchildJ2Q-1 Coast Guard (R2Q) FairchildXJW-1 UBF WacoJRB-1 Voyager/Expediter Beechthru -4JRC-1 Bobcat CessnaJRF-1 Goose, G-21 Grummanthru -6XJR2F-1 Albatross (UF/UH-16) GrummanJRM-1 Mars (XPB2M) Martinthru -3JRS-1 SikorskyJR2S-1 VS-44A Vought SikorskyXLBE-1 Glomb Pratt-Read (Gould)LBP-1 Glomb PiperLBT-1 None acquired (XLBE-1) TaylorcraftLNE-1 Pratt-Read (Gould)XLNP-1 PiperXLNR-1 AeroncaLNS-1 Cancelled SchweizerXLNT-1 TaylorcraftXLRA-1 AlliedXLR2A-1 AlliedXLRN-1 NAFXLRQ-1 BristolLRW-1 WacoXLR2W-1 Waco

M-130, PanAm owned MartinMe-108B Messerschmitt





O3U-1, -2 (O3U-2 redes. SU-1) Vought-3, -4, -6 (O3U-4 redes. SU-2/3)XO3U-5, -6 VoughtXO4U-1, -2 VoughtXO5U-1 VoughtOY-1 Sentinel (L-5) Stinson Convair (Stinson,

V-76 Vultee,Consolidated)

XOZ-1 Penn Acft SyndicateXOSE-1, -2 EdoXOSN-1 NAFOS2N-1 Kingfisher (OS2U) NAFXOSS-1 StearmanOS2U-1 Kingfisher Voughtthru -3

(P-59) Bell(P-63)(L-39) Bell

PB-1 Flying Fortress (B-17) BoeingP2B-1, -2 Super Fortress (B-29) BoeingPD-1 (PN-12) DouglasP2D-1 DouglasXP3D-1 DouglasUF-1 Albatross(XJR2F/UH-16) GrummanPH-1 Hallthru -3XP2H-1 HallPJ-1, -2 FLB, Coast Guard North AmericanPK-1 (PN-12) KeystonePM-1, -2 (PN-12) MartinXP2M-1 MartinP3M-1, -2 (XPY-1) MartinP4M-1 Mercator Martin

P-5 P5M-1, -2 Marlin MartinP-6 XP6M-1 Seamaster (never used Martin

in P-6 designation)P-6 P6M-2 Seamaster (never used Martin

in P-6 designation)PN-7 NAFthru -12P2N Never used in this NAF

designation (NC boats)P3N NAFXP4N-1,-2 NAFPO-1 Constellation LockheedPO-2 Warning Star (WV) LockheedXPS-1, -2 (XRS-2)PS-3 (RS-3) SikorskyXP2S SikorskyPV-1, -3 Ventura LockheedPV-2 Harpoon Lockheed

P-2 P2V-1 Neptune Lockheedthru -7

P-3 P3V-1 Orion LockheedXPY-1 Admiral (P3M-1, -2) ConsolidatedP2Y-1 Consolidatedthru -3XP3Y-1 (PBY) ConsolidatedXP4Y-1 Model 31 Consolidated

QP-4B P4Y-2 Privateer (PB4Y-2) ConsolidatedXP5Y-1 (R3Y) ConvairXPBB-1 BoeingPB2B-1, -2 Catalina BoeingPBJ-1 Mitchell (B-25) North AmericanPBM-1 Mariner Martinthru -3, -5XPB2M Mars (JRM) MartinPBN-1 Nomad NAFPBO-1 Hudson LockheedXPBS-1 SikorskyPBY-1 Catalina Consolidated thru -6AXPB2Y-1 Coronado ConsolidatedPB2Y-2 Coronado Consolidatedthru -5PB4Y-1 Liberator (B-24) ConsolidatedPB4Y-2 Privateer ConsolidatedXPTBH-2 HallR2C-1, -2 (F2C-1 paper Curtiss

designation for R2C-1,never used)

R3C-1 Curtissthru -4RA-1 (TA) Altanticthru -4RB-1 Connestoga BuddRC-1 Kingbird CurtissR4C-1 Condor Curtiss

C-46 R5C-1 Commando (may not Curtisshave been used underC-46 designation)

RD-1 Dolphin Douglasthru -4R2D-1 DC-2 DouglasR3D-1 DC-5 Douglasthru -3

C-47 R4D-1 Skytrain Douglasthru -7

C-117 R4D-8 Skytrain DouglasC-54 R5D-1 Skymaster Douglas

thru -5





XSBC-1 (XF12C-1) CurtissXSBC-2 Curtissthru -4SBC-3,-4 Helldiver CurtissSB2C-1 Helldiver (SBF/SBW) Curtissthru -5XSB2C-6 CurtissSBD-1 Dauntless Douglasthru -6XSB2D-1 Destroyer DouglasSBF-1, Helldiver (SB2C/SBW) Canadian Fairchild-3 and -4SBN-1 (XSBA) NAFSBU-1, -2 Chance VoughtSB2U-1 Vindicator Vought-Sikorsky,thru -3 Chance VoughtXSB3U-1 Vought-SikorskySBW-1, -3 Helldiver (SB2C/SBF) Canadian Car & thru -5 FoundrySNJ-1 Texan North Americanthru -7XSN2J-1 North AmericanSNB-1, -2 Kansan Beech

C-45 SNB-5 Navigator BeechSNC-1 Falcon CurtissSNV-1, -2 Valiant VulteeSOC-1 Seagull Curtissthru -4XSO2C-1 CurtissSO3C-1 Seamew Curtissthru -3XSOE-1 BellancaSON-1 (SOC-3) NAFXSO2U-1 VoughtTB-1 BoeingT2D-1 DouglasXT3D-1 DouglasTG-1, -2 Great LakesT3M-1, -2 MartinT4M-1 MartinXT5M-1 (BM) MartinXT6M-1 MartinXTN-1 NAFXT2N-1 NAFTA-1 (RA) Atlanticthru -3XTE-1 EdoTE-2 Edo

C-1 TF-1 Trader Grumman

C-118 R6D-1 Liftmaster, DC-6A DouglasXRE-1 Skyrocket Bellancathru -3RG-1 Romeo Fokker,

ItalyXRK-1 Envoy Kinner

C-3 RM-1 Model 4-0-4 (VC-3A) MartinXRO-1 Altair Detroit/Lockheed XR2O-1 Electra LockheedXR3O-1 Electra LockheedR4O-1 Model 14 LockheedR5O-1 Lodestar Lockheedthru -6XR6O-1 Constitution Lockheed

C-121 R7O-1 Constellation LockheedR2Q-1 (J2Q) Coast Guard FairchildXR3Q-1 Reliant Stinson

C-119 R4Q-1, -2 Packet FairchildRR-4, -5 (JR) FordRS-1 thru (PS) Sikorsky-3 & -5RT Delta NorthropR6V-1 Constitution Lockheed

C-121 R7V-1 Constellation LockheedR8V-1G Hercules LockheedRY-1 Consolidatedthru -3XR2Y-1 ConvairR3Y-1, -2 Tradewind Convair

C-131 R4Y-1, -2 Convair Liner ConvairROE-1 HillerRON-1 (HOG-1) GyrodyneSC-1, -2 Seahawk CurtissXS2C-1 Shrike CurtissXS3C-1 CurtissSDW-1 (DT) Dayton-WrightXSE-2 BellancaSF-1 (FF-1) GrummanXSG-1 Great LakesXSL-1 LoeningXS2L-1 LoeningXSS-2 SikorskySU-1 Corsair (O3U) Voughtthru -4

S-2 S2F-1 Tracker Grummanthru -3XS2U-1W Cancelled (XWU-1) VoughtXSBA-1 (SBN) BrewsterSB2A-1 Buccaneer Brewsterthru -4





XTF-1W Tracer (WF-2) GrummanT-2 XT2J-1, -2 Buckeye North AmericanT-2 T2J-1 Buckeye North AmericanT-39 T3J-1 North AmericanT-33 TO-1, -2 Shooting Star (TV) Lockheed

TT-1 Pinto TemcoT-33 TV-1, -2 Shooting Star (TO) LockheedT-1 T2V-1 Sea Star Lockheed

TBD-1 Devastator DouglasXTB2D-1 DouglasTBF-1 Avenger (TBM) GrummanXTBF-2, -3 Avenger (TBM) GrummanXTB3F-1 Guardian (AF) GrummanXTBG-1 Great LakesTBM-1 Avenger (TBF) General Motorsthru -4XTBU-1 Seawolf (TBY) VoughtTBY-2 Seawolf (XTBU) ConsolidatedTDC-1, -2 (PQ-8) drone CulverTD2C-1 (PQ-14) drone CulverXTD3C (PQ-15) drone CulverXTD4C-1 (XUC) drone CulverTDD (OQ-2A) drone RadioplaneTD2D Katydid, drone McDonnellTD3D (OQ-16) drone FrankfortTD4D (OQ-17) drone Radioplane

XTDL-1 (P-39Q) drone BellTDN-1 Drone NAFTD2N Gorgon NAFTD3N Gorgon NAFTDR-1 Drone InterstateXTD2R-1 Drone InterstateXTD3R-1 Drone InterstateTS-1 CurtissXUC (XTD4C) Culver

U-1 UC-1 Otter DeHavillandU-16 UF-1, -2 Albatross (XJR2F) GrummanU-11 UO-1 Aztec Piper

UO-1 (not the same as VoughtPiper UO-1)

E-1 WF-2 Tracer GrummanE-2 W2F-1 Hawkeye Grumman

XWU-1 Cancelled (XS2U-1W) VoughtWV-1 Constellation Lockheed

EC-121 WV-2, -3 Warning Star Lockheed

Note:1. The list does not include all X model designations.2. Aircraft designations in parentheses are a cross reference to a similar

model or a redesignation of that aircraft. Parentheses are also used to identifyArmy Air Corps/Air Force designations. Civilian model designations are notplaced in parentheses.

3. The designations T-28B/C, T-34B and C-130BL were used by the Navyprior to the change to the DoD Designation System in 1962.





Suffix letters came into a more general use duringthe period of rapid expansion immediately prior toU.S. entry into World War II. Unfortunately, the use ofsuffix letters was not strictly defined and the same let-ter was frequently used to denote several differentcharacteristics causing considerable confusion. By thetime the system was abandoned, it was necessary toknow the aircraft in question rather than relying onthe suffix letter to tell the specific characteristics beingidentified.

The following lists provides all of the letter designa-tions necessary to understand the system:

Table IType/Class Designation

Type/Class Meaning Period

A Attack 1946–1962A Ambulance 1943–1946B Bomber 1931–1946BT Bomber Torpedo 1942–1946D Target Drone 1946–1947F Fighter 1922–1962G Glider 1946–1962G Transport, Single Engine 1939–1946G In-Flight Refueling Tanker 1960–1962H Hospital 1929–1942H Air-Sea-Rescue 1946–1962J Utility 1931–1946J Transport 1928–1931JR Utility Transport 1935–1946K Drone 1945–1962L Glider 1941–1945M Marine Expeditionary 1922–1925N Trainer 1922–1946

There have been several systems to designateU.S. naval aircraft. However, the most commonsystem covered the period 1923 to 1962 and con-sisted of four major elements:

Aircraft Type/ClassManufacturer Type SequenceManufacturerModification

In the beginning there were just two classes: heav-ier-than-air (fixed wing) identified by the letter V andlighter-than-air identified by the letter Z. The letter Hfor heavier-than-air (rotary wing) was added with theintroduction of the helicopter in the 1940s. Late in1945 the letter K was added for pilotless aircraft, mak-ing four distinct types. In March 1946 the Type/Classdesignation was separated into two distinct headingsof Type and Class. The letter V was omitted in themodel designation, but H, K, and Z were used whereapplicable. The letter X was added as a prefix desig-nating an experimental model.

In designating the first model of a class produced bya given manufacturer, the first number (1) is omittedin the Manufacturer Type Sequence position, but isshown in the Modification Sequence position. Thus, inthe VJ class, the first utility aircraft produced byGrumman Aircraft Corporation was the JF-1. When amajor modification was instituted for the JF-1 withoutchanging the character of the model, that modificationchanged the designation to JF-2. The second modifica-tion changed the designation to JF-3. The second utili-ty aircraft built by Grumman was designated the J2F-1and successive modifications to this aircraft becameJ2F-2, J2F-3, etc. It must be remembered that the air-craft Modification Sequence Number is always onedigit higher than the actual modification number. Thebasic designation could be expanded to show addi-tional characteristics, as demonstrated below:


Experimental Manufacturer Type AircraftAircraft Sequence Modification

Sequence

X F 4 F — 3 A

Type/Class Manufacturer SuffixLetter

How to Read the 1923 to 1962 Aircraft ModelDesignations for U.S. Naval Aircraft

Table I—Continued

Type/Class Designation

Type/Class Meaning Period

O Observation 1922–1962OS Observation Scout 1935–1945P Patrol 1922–1962P Pursuit 1923 PB Patrol Bomber 1935–1946PT Patrol Torpedo 1922 PT Patrol Torpedo Bomber 1937–1938R Transport 1931–1962R Racer 1923–1928S Scout 1922–1946SB Scout Bomber 1934–1946SN Scout Trainer 1939–1946SO Scout Observation 1934–1946T Torpedo 1922–1935T Transport 1927–1930T Training 1946–1962TB Torpedo Bomber 1936–1946TD Target Drone 1942–1946U Utility 1946–1962

Table IISpecial Purpose Suffix

SuffixLetter Meaning Example

A Target towing and photography JRF-1AA Nonfolding wings and no carrier provisions SB2C-1AA Armament on normally unarmed aircraft J2F-2AA Arresting gear normally on noncarrier planes SOC-3AA Amphibious version PBY-5AA Land-based version of carrier aircraft F4F-3AA Built for the Army Air Force SBD-3AB Special armament version PB4Y-2BB British lend lease version JRF-6BC Carrier operating version of a noncarrier aircraft SNJ-2CC British-American standardized version PBM-3CC Equipped with two .50 cal. machine guns TBF-1CC Cannon armament F4U-1CD Drop tank configuration F4U-1DD Special search radar TBM-3DE Special electronic version SB2C-4EF Converted for use as a flagship PB2Y-3FG Air-sea-rescue version TBM-5GH Hospital version SNB-2HH Air-sea rescue version PB2Y-5HJ Target towing version TBM-3JK Target drone version F6F-5KL Search light version P2V-5LM Weather reconnaissance version PB4Y-2MN Night operating version (all weather) F6F-5NP Photographic version SBD-2P

Table II—Continued

Special Purpose Suffix

SuffixLetter Meaning Example

Q Countermeasure version TBM-3QR Transport version PBM-3RS Antisubmarine version P5M-2ST Training version R4D-5TU Utility version PBM-3UW Special search version PB-1WZ Administrative version R4D-5Z

Table IIIManufacturer’s Designation

Letter Manufacturer Period

A Aeromarine Plane and Motor Co. 1922 A Atlantic Aircraft Corp (American Fokker) 1927–1930A Brewster Aeronautical 1935–1943A General Aviation Corp (ex Atlantic) 1930–1932A Noorduyn Aviation, Ltd. (Canada) 1946 B Beech Aircraft Co. 1937–1962B Boeing Aircraft Co. 1923–1962B Budd Manufacturing Co. 1942–1944C Cessna Aircraft Corp. 1943–1951C Culver Aircraft Corp. unknown–1946C Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Co. 1922–1946C Curtiss Wright Corp 1948–1962C DeHaviland Aircraft of Canada 1955–1962D Douglas Aircraft Co. 1922–1967D McDonnell Aircraft Corp. 1942–1946D Radioplane Co. 1943–1948D Frankfort Sailplane Co. 1945–1946DH DeHavilland Aircraft Co. Ltd. (England) 1927–1931DW Dayton-Wright Airplane Co. 1923E Bellanca Aircraft Corp. 1931–1937E Cessna Aircraft Co. 1951–1962E Edo Aircraft Corp. 1943–1962E G. Elias & Brothers 1922–1924E Gould Aeronautical Corp. 1942–1945E Hiller Aircraft Corp. 1948–1962E Piper Aircraft Corp. 1941–1945E Pratt-Read 1942–1945F Fairchild Aircraft, Ltd. (Canada) 1942–1945F Columbia 1943–1944F Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. 1931–1962G Gallaudet Aircraft Corp. 1929–1935G Globe Aircraft Corp 1946–1948G Goodyear Aircraft Corp. 1942–1962G Great Lakes Aircraft Corp. 1929–1935H Hall Aluminum 1928–1945H Howard Aircraft Co. 1941–1944H Huff, Daland & Co 1922–1927H McDonnell Aircraft Corp 1946–1962


Table III—ContinuedManufacturer’s Designation


R Interstate Aircraft and Engineering Corp. 1942–1962R Radioplanes Co. 1948–1962R Ryan Aeronautical Co. 1948–1962S Schweizer Aircraft Corp. 1941–0000S Sikorsky Aviation Corp. 1928–1962S Sperry Gyroscope Co. 1948–1962S Stearman Aircraft Co. 1934–1945T Taylorcraft Aviation Corp. 1942–1946T Tempco Aircraft Corp. 1955–1962T New Standard Aircraft Corp. 1930–1934T The Northrop Corp. 1933–1937T Northrop Aircraft Inc. 1944–1962T Timm Aircraft Corp. 1941–1943U Lewis & Vought, Chance Vought, 1922–1962

Vought SikorskyV Vultee Aircraft Inc. 1943–1945V Lockheed Aircraft Corp. 1942–1962W Canadian Car and Foundry Co., Ltd. 1942–1945W Waco Aircraft Corp. 1934–1945W Willys-Overland Co. 1948–1962W Wright Aeronautical Corp. 1922–1926X Cox-Klemin Aircraft Corp. 1922–1924Y Consolidated Aircraft Corp. 1926–1954Y Convair Division (General Dynamics Corp) 1954–1962Z Pennsylvania Aircraft Syndicate 1933–1934

A basic company name has been used in some of the above enteries eventhough the company may have undergone restructuring.

Table III—Continued

Manufacturer’s Designation


H Stearman-Hammond Aircraft Corp. 1937–1939J Berliner/Joyce Aircraft Co. 1929–1935J North American Aviation 1937–1962K Fairchild Aircraft Corp. 1937–1942K Kaman Aircraft Corp 1950–1962K Kaiser Cargo Inc. Fleetwings Div. 1948–1962K Keystone 1927–1930K Kinner Airplane & Motor Corp. 1935–1936L Bell Aircraft Corp. 1939–1962L Columbia 1944–1946L Grover Loening, Inc. 1923–1933L Loening Aeronautical Engineering Corp. 1922–1932M General Motors Corp. (Eastern Aircraft Div.) 1942–1945M Glenn L. Martin Co. 1922–1962N Gyrodyne Company of America 1955–1962N Naval Aircraft Factory 1922–1948N Naval Air Development Station 1948–1962O Lockheed Aircraft Corp. 1931–1962P Pitcairn Autogyro Co. 1931–1932P Piasecki Helicopter Corp. 1946–1955P Vertol Aircraft Corp. 1955–1962P Spartin Aircraft Co. 1940–1941Q Bristol Aeronautical Corp. 1941–1943Q Fairchild Engine and Airplane Co. 1928–1962Q Stinson Aircraft Corp. 1934–1936R Aeronca Aircraft Corp. 1942–1946R Ford Motor Co. 1927–1932


In 1962 a standardized system for designation of U.S. aircraft went into effect. The following is a list of navalaircraft that were redesignated in 1962:

Old New Popular Designation Designaton Name

AttackA-1

AD-5 A-1E SkyraiderAD-5W EA-1E SkyraiderAD-5Q EA-1F SkyraiderAD-5N A-1G SkyraiderAD-6 A-1H SkyraiderAD-7 A-1J Skyraider

A-2AJ-1 A-2A Savage

A-3A3D-1 A-3A SkywarriorA3D-1Q EA-3A SkywarriorA3D-2 A-3B SkywarriorA3D-2Q EA-3B SkywarriorA3D-2P RA-3B SkywarriorA3D-2T TA-3B Skywarrior

A-4A4D-1 A-4A SkyhawkA4D-2 A-4B SkyhawkA4D-2N A-4C SkyhawkA4D-5 A-4E Skyhawk

A-5A3J-1 A-5A VigilanteA3J-2 A-5B VigilanteA3J-3 A-5C Vigilante

A-6A2F-1 A-6A IntruderA2F-1H EA-6A Intruder

FightersF-1

FJ-3 F-1C FuryFJ-3D DF-1C FuryFJ-3M MF-1C FuryFJ-3D2 DF-1D FuryFJ-4 F-1E FuryFJ-4B AF-1E Fury

F-2F2H-3 F-2C BansheeF2H-4 F-2D Banshee


Naval Aircraft Redesignated in 1962


F-3F3H-2 F-3B DemonF3H-2M MF-3B DemonF3H-2N F-3C Demon

F-4F4H-1F F-4A Phantom IIF4H-1 F-4B Phantom IIF4H-1P RF-4B Phantom II

F-6F4D-1 F-6A Skyray

F-7YF2Y-1 YF-7A Sea Dart

F-8F8U-1 F-8A CrusaderF8U-1D DF-8A CrusaderF8U-1KD QF-8A CrusaderF8U-1P RF-8A CrusaderF8U-1T TF-8A CrusaderF8U-1E F-8B CrusaderF8U-2 F-8C CrusaderF8U-2N F-8D CrusaderF8U-2NE F-8E Crusader

F-9F9F-5KD DF-9E CougarF9F-6 F-9F CougarF9F-6D DF-9F CougarF9F-6K QF-9F CougarF9F-6K2 QF-9G CougarF9F-7 F-9H CougarF9F-8 F-9J CougarF9F-8B AF-9J CougarF9F-8P RF-9J CougarF9F-8T TF-9J Cougar

F-10F3D-1 F-10A Sky KnightF3D-2 F-10B Sky KnightF3D-2M MF-10B Sky KnightF3D-2Q EF-10B Sky KnightF3D-2T2 TF-10B Sky Knight

F-11F11F-1 F-11A Tiger

F-111TFX F-111B


Naval Aircraft Redesignated in 1962—Continued


PatrolP-2

P2V-4 P-2D NeptuneP2V-5F P-2E NeptuneP2V-5FD DP-2E NeptuneP2V-5FE EP-2E NeptuneP2V-5FS SP-2E NeptuneP2V-6 P-2F NeptuneP2V-6M MP-2F NeptuneP2V-6T TP-2F NeptuneP2V-6F P-2G NeptuneP2V-7 P-2H NeptuneP2V-7S SP-2H NeptuneP2V-7LP LP-2J Neptune

P-3YP3V-1 YP-3A OrionP3V-1 P-3A Orion

P-4

P4Y-2K QP-4B Privateer

P-5

P5M-1 P-5A MarlinP5M-1S SP-5A MarlinP5M-1T TP-5A MarlinP5M-2 P-5B MarlinP5M-2S SP-5B Marlin

AntisubmarineS-2

S2F-1 S-2A TrackerS2F-1T TS-2A TrackerS2F-1S S-2B TrackerS2F-2 S-2C TrackerS2F-2P RS-2C TrackerS2F-3 S-2D TrackerS2F-3S S-2E Tracker

Airborne Early WarningE-1

WF-2 E-1B Tracer

E-2W2F-1 E-2A Hawkeye

ObservationO-1

OE-1 O-1B Bird DogOE-2 O-1C Bird Dog




HelicoptersH-1

HU-1E UH-1E Iroquois

H-2HU2K-1 UH-2A SeaspriteHU2K-1U UH-2B Seasprite

H-3HSS-2 SH-3A Sea KingHSS-2Z VH-3A Sea King

H-13HTL-4 TH-13L SiouxHTL-6 TH-13M SiouxHTL-7 TH-13N SiouxHUL-1 UH-13P SiouxHUL-1M UH-13R Sioux

H-19HRS-3 CH-19EHO4S-3 UH-19F

H-25HUP-2 UH-25B RetrieverHUP-3 UH-25C Retriever

H-34HSS-1L LH-34D SeahorseHSS-1 SH-34G SeahorseHUS-1 UH-34D SeahorseHUS-1Z VH-34D SeahorseHUS-1A UH-34E SeahorseHSS-1F SH-34H SeahorseHSS-1N SH-34J Seahorse

H-37HR2S-1 CH-37C Mojave

H-43HUK-1 UH-43CHOK-1 OH-43D

H-46HRB-1 CH-46A Sea Knight

H-50DSN-1 QH-50A DASHDSN-2 QH-50B DASHDSN-3 QH-50C DASH




Bombers

JD-1 UB-26J InvaderJD-1D DB-26J Invader

UtilityU-1

UC-1 U-1B Otter

U-6L-20A U-6A Beaver

U-11UO-1 U-11A Aztec

U-16UF-1 HU-16C AlbatrossUF-1L LU-16C AlbatrossUF-1T TU-16C AlbatrossUF-2 HU-16D Albatross

Cargo/TransportC-1

TF-1 C-1A TraderTF-1Q EC-1A

C-45SNB-5P RC-45JSNB-5 TC-45J

C-47R4D-5 C-47H SkytrainR4D-5Q EC-47H SkytrainR4D-5L LC-47H SkytrainR4D-5S SC-47H SkytrainR4D-5R TC-47H SkytrainR4D-5Z VC-47H SkytrainR4D-6 C-47J SkytrainR4D-6Q EC-47J SkytrainR4D-6L LC-47J SkytrainR4D-6S SC-47J SkytrainR4D-6R TC-47J SkytrainR4D-6Z VC-47J SkytrainR4D-7 TC-47K Skytrain

C-54R5D-1Z VC-54N SkymasterR5D-2 C-54P SkymasterR5D-2Z VC-54P SkymasterR5D-3 C-54Q SkymasterR5D-3Z VC-54Q Skymaster




R5D-4R C-54R SkymasterR5D-5 C-54S SkymasterR5D-5Z VC-54S SkymasterR5D-5R C-54T Skymaster

C-117R4D-8 C-117D SkytrainR4D-8L LC-117D SkytrainR4D-8Z VC-117D SkytrainR4D-8T TC-117D Skytrain

C-118R6D-1 C-118B LiftmasterR6D-1Z VC-118B Liftmaster

C-119R4Q-2 C-119F Packet

C-121R7V-1 C-121J ConstellationWV-2 EC-121K Warning StarWV-3 WC-121NWV-2E EC-121L Warning StarWV-2Q EC-121M Warning Star

C-130GV-1U C-130F HerculesGV-1 KC-130F HerculesC-130BL LC-130F Hercules

C-131R4Y-1 C-131F Convair LinerR4Y-2 C-131G Convair Liner

C-140UV-1 C-140C Jet Star

TrainingT-1

T2V-1 T-1A Sea Star

T-2T2J-1 T-2A BuckeyeT2J-2 T-2B Buckeye

T-28T-28A T-28A TrojanT-28B T-28B TrojanT-28BD DT-28B TrojanT-28C T-28C Trojan




T-33TV-2 T-33B Shooting StarTV-2D DT-33B Shooting StarTV-2KD DT-33C Shooting Star

T-34T-34B T-34B Mentor

T-39T3J-1 T-39D Sabreliner

Airship

ZPG-2W EZ-1B RelianceZPG-2 SZ-1BZPG-3W EZ-1C



DoD Designation System, 1962 to Present

In the following list the primary emphasis is on new aircraft model designations accepted after the Navy adoptedthe Department of Defense aircraft designation system in 1962. Aircraft that were in service and redesignated underthe DoD Designation System will only have the primary designation (basic mission) listed. As an example, the AD-6and AD-7 were redesignated A-1H and A-1J respectively. However, only A-1, the primary designation, will be listedinstead of all the model variations. The modified mission designations will normally not be listed. Hence, designa-tions such as RC-45J or TC-45J will not always be listed. However, the basic mission designation C-45 will be listed.Only officially designated popular names are placed in this list. A more comprehensive list of pre-1962 aircraft des-ignations will be found in the 1923–1962 Navy System list.

Post-1962 Original Popular Name Only, ManufacturerDOD Navy other Designations or SourceDesignation Designation and Miscellaneous

Before 1962 Data

A-1 AD Skyraider DouglasA-2 AJ Savage North AmericanA-3 A3D Skywarrior DouglasA-4 A4D Skyhawk DouglasTA-4E/F/J Skyhawk DouglasA-5 A3J Vigilante North AmericanRA-5C Vigilante North AmericanA-6A/B/C/E A2F Intruder GrummanEA-6A A2F-1Q Intruder GrummanKA-6D Intruder GrummanEA-6B Prowler GrummanA-7A/B/C/E Corsair II VoughtAV-8A/TAV-8A Harrier Hawker-SiddeleyAV-8B/TAV-8B Harrier II McDonnell DouglasF/A-18A/B/C/D/E/F Hornet McDonnell DouglasEB-47E Stratojet BoeingC-1 TF-1 Trader GrummanC-2A Greyhound GrummanVC-3A RM Model 404 MartinTC-4C Academe GrummanUC-8A Buffalo, DHC-5 DeHavillandC-9B Skytrain II, DC-9 McDonnell DouglasUC-12B/F/M Huron BeechC-20D/G Gulfstream Gulfstream AerospaceEC-24A DC-8 McDonnell DouglasUC-27A F-27F Fokker (Fairchild-built)C-28A Model 404 CessnaC-45H/J SNB-5 Navigator BeechC-47 R4D Skytrain DouglasC-54 R5D Skymaster DouglasC-117 R4D-8 Skytrain DouglasC-118B R6D Liftmaster DouglasC-119 R4Q Packet FairchildC-121 R7V Constellation LockheedEC-121 WV Warning Star LockheedC-130 GV/R8V Hercules LockheedC-131H R4Y Samaritan ConvairNKC-135A Stratotanker BoeingUC-880 Convair 880 ConvairE-1 WF Tracer Grumman



Before 1962 Data

E-2A/B/C W2F Hawkeye GrummanE-6 Hermes (redesignated Mercury) BoeingE-6A Mercury BoeingF-1 FJ Fury North AmericanF-2 F2H Banshee McDonnellF-3 F3H Demon McDonnellF-4A/B/C/J/N/S F4H Phantom II McDonnellF-5E/F Tiger II NorthropF-6 F4D Skyray DouglasF-8 F8U Crusader VoughtF-9 F9F Cougar GrummanF-10 F3D Sky Knight DouglasF-11 F11F Tiger GrummanF-14A/A+/B/D Tomcat GrummanF-16N Fighting Falcon General DynamicsTF-16 Fighting Falcon General DynamicsYF-17 NorthropF/A-18A/B/C/D/E/F Hornet McDonnell DouglasF-21A Kfir Israel AircraftF-86H Sabre North AmericanQF-86F Sabre North AmericanF-111B Grumman/General DynamicsAH-1G/S Cobra BellAH-1J/T/W Sea Cobra BellUH-1C/D/E/H/M/N HU-1 Iroquois BellTH-1E/F/L Iroquois BellH-2 HU2K Seasprite KamanH-3 HSS-2 Sea King SikorskyOH-6A/B Cayuse HughesH-13 HTL/HUL Sioux BellH-19 HRS-3 Chickasaw SikorskyH-l9 HO4S-3 Chickasaw SikorskyH-25 HUP Retriever Piasecki (Vertol)H-34 HSS-1 Sea Bat SikorskyH-34 HUS Seahorse SikorskyH-37 HR2S Mojave SikorskyH-43 HOK Huskie KamanH-46 HRB Sea Knight Boeing VertolQH-50D,-50C DSN DASH GyrodyneH-51 L-186, tri-service evaluation LockheedH-52 HU2S Coast Guard helo SikorskyCH-53A/D Sea Stallion SikorskyCH-53E Super Stallion SikorskyMH-53E Sea Dragon SikorskyTH-57A/B/C Sea Ranger BellOH-58A Kiowa BellH-60 Sea Hawk SikorskyVH-60N White Hawk Sikorsky


DoD Designation System, 1962 to Present—Continued


Before 1962 Data

H-65 Dolphin, Coast Guard AerospatialeO-1A/B/C/G OE L-19A CessnaO-2A CessnaP-2 P2V Neptune LockheedP-3A/B/C P3V Orion LockheedEP-3A/B Orion LockheedRP-3D Orion LockheedQP-4B PB4Y-2K Privateer ConsolidatedP-5 P5M Marlin MartinS-2 S2F Tracker GrummanS-3A/B Viking LockheedES-3A Shadow LockheedT-1 T2V Sea Star LockheedT-2A/B/C T2J Buckeye North AmericanT-28A/B/C T-28 Trojan North AmericanT-29B/C Flying Classroom ConvairT-33 TO/TV Shooting Star LockheedT-34B/C T-34 Mentor BeechT-38A/B Talon NorthropT-39 T3J Sabreliner North AmericanT-41B Mescalero CessnaT-42A Cochise BeechT-44A King Air 90 BeechT-45A/B Goshawk McDonnell DouglasT-47A Cessna Citation II CessnaU-1 UC Otter DeHavillandU-3A/B Model 310 CessnaU-6A Beaver, L-20A DeHavillandU-8D/F/G Seminole Beech U-9D Aero Commander Aero DesignU-11 UO Aztec PiperU-16 JR2F/UF Albatross GrummanU-21A Ute BeechOV-1A/B/C Mohawk GrummanXV-6A Kestrels Hawker-SiddeleyOV-10A/D Bronco North AmericanXFV-12A Prototype of a high Rockwell International

performance V/STOL fighter,never operational.

AV-16A Joint proposal in 1973 for an McDonnell Douglas/advanced version of the AV-8. Hawker-Siddeley

V-22 Osprey Bell/BoeingX-22A BellX-25A BensenX-26A SchweizerX-26B QT-2PC Lockheed/SchweizerX-28A PereiraX-31A Rockwell/DASAYEZ-2A Operational development - Westinghouse Airships Inc.

model airship.


DoD Designation System, 1962 to Present—Continued

How to Read the DoD AircraftModel Designations

The Navy system had worked well for forty years,however, Congress decreed in 1962 that there shouldonly be one system to designate military aircraft in theUnited States. The new system was based on the AirForce system and the aircraft manufacturer was nolonger identified. While there were relatively fewchanges to Air Force aircraft designations, the Navymade a complete change. Aircraft models all started withthe numeral 1, except for those aircraft on hand whichwere used by both services, in which case the existingAir Force designation applied. Thus, the FJ-3 became theF-1C, while the SNB-5P became the RC-45J. It must beemphasized that the placement of the dash is critical todistinguish aircraft under the new system from thoseunder the previous Navy system. For example, the F4B-4 was a Boeing biplane fighter of the mid 30’s, while theF-4B is an early version of the Phantom II.

The new system consisted of a Status Prefix Symbol(letter), a Basic Mission Symbol (letter), a DesignNumber (numeral), a Modified Mission Symbol (let-ter), a Series letter, and a Type Symbol (letter). ADesign Number was assigned for each basic missionor type. New design numbers were assigned when anexisting aircraft was redesigned to an extent that it nolonger reflected the original configuration or capabili-ty. A Series Letter was assigned to each series changeof a specific basic design. To avoid confusion, the let-ters “I” and “O” were not used as series letters. TheSeries letter was always in consecutive order, startingwith “A”.

A typical designation was as follows:

Table VModified Mission Symbols

Letter Title

A AttackC Cargo/TransportD DirectorE Special Electronic InstallationH Search/RescueK TankerL Cold WeatherM Missile CarrierQ DroneR ReconnaissanceS AntisubmarineT TrainerU UtilityV StaffW Weather

Table VIBasic Mission and Type Symbols

Letter Title

A AttackB BomberC Cargo/TransportE Special Electronic InstallationF FighterH HelicopterK TankerO ObservationP PatrolS AntisubmarineT TrainerU UtilityV VTOL and STOLX ResearchZ Airship


Status Prefix Basic Mission/Type Series Letter

Y A F — 1 E

Modified Mission Design Number

This was the Y/FJ-4B under the Navy system andthe YAF-1E under the new DoD system.

Table IVStatus Prefix Symbols

Letter Title

G Permanently GroundedJ Special Test, TemporaryN Special Test, PermanentX ExperimentalY PrototypeZ Planning

service procurement of aircraft, thus the NorthAmerican Trojan which was used as a trainer by theAir Force retained the Air Force designation T-28when procured for naval service. Designations of air-craft already in service were not changed at that time.

On 18 September 1962, the Department of Defenseissued a uniform model designation system and direct-ed its immediate adoption. The new system, adaptedfrom the Air Force model designation system, assigneda basic mission letter followed by a number whichindicated the sequential relationship of aircraftdesigned for the mission. Thus, the Navy AD wasredesignated A-l. To avoid compounding the confu-sion, the new system, insofar as was possible, correlat-ed the new designation of naval aircraft with the olderdesignation; thus, the F9F became the F-9 and the F8Ubecame the F-8. By the same token, the three in-ser-vice patrol planes, the P2V, the P3V and P5M wereredesignated P-2, P-3 and P-5 even though the desig-nation P-l was not assigned.

To summarize the foregoing, the Navy developed anaircraft model designation system in the early 1920’sand used it until 1962 when it was replaced by aDepartment of Defense unified system. The officialassignment of names to naval aircraft did not beginuntil 1941; interservice coordination began in 1943,thus, the system for naming aircraft has changed littlesince the practice became official over 50 years ago.

In compiling the listing for popular names, one ofthe thorniest difficulties was the problem of distin-guishing between what the official records said andwhat has long been accepted as fact. For example,few aviation historians believe that the SB2C-5 wasever assigned the name Hellcat, yet it does appear inthe Bureau of Aeronautics’ Model Designation ofNaval Aircraft. Because this particular case is soextraordinary, there seemed ample reason to considerit an error; therefore, the SB2C-5 does not appear inthis listing as a Hellcat. Others were equally question-able and were accordingly omitted. However, whensufficient doubt was present, the designation and itsname were included here. As a result, some of theinformation in this listing will raise the eyebrows ofthose readers who are familiar with the popular namesof naval aircraft.

The official assignment of names to naval aircraftbegan 1 October 1941 when a Navy Department pressrelease reported that the Secretary issued ordersassigning names “for popular use” to a number of in-service and developmental aircraft. This decision wasfirst acknowledged in the April 1942 edition of theModel Designation of Naval Aircraft (SH-3AF) pub-lished by the Bureau of Aeronautics. A WarDepartment Press Release of 4 January 1943 distribut-ed a consolidated list of names for Navy and Armyaircraft, thus beginning interservice coordination onaircraft names. This latter press release pointed outthat the practice of naming aircraft had long been ineffect in England, “In order that the general publicmay get a better idea of the character of military air-craft and more easily identify the combat planes men-tioned in press dispatches from the battlefields of theworld. . . .”

Prior to October 1941, manufacturers on occasionchose to use names for an aircraft model or a series ofmodels; thus, the Curtiss Company used the nameHelldiver for aircraft which they built as naval divebombers from the late 1920’s. The October 1941 actionofficially assigned the name Helldiver to the latestmember of the family, the SB2C. Vought choose to usethe name Corsair for a series of carrier-based aircraftwhich included the 02U and the 03U/SU; in October1941 the Navy officially assigned the name Corsair toVought’s new fighter, the F4U.

Although assignment of aircraft names was coordi-nated by the Army and Navy from 1943, each servicehad developed its own model designation systemindependently. The result was that the U.S. militaryforces used two separate model designation systems.Moreover, when the Navy used an Army Air Forcesaircraft, it assigned a designation based upon its ownsystem; thus, the Army Air Force’s B-24 became thePB4Y-l in Navy service while such trainers as the ArmyAir Force’s AT-6 and PT-13/-17 were the Navy SNJ andN2S.

On 19 August 1952, the Joint Aircraft Committee ofthe Munitions Board took an initial step to eliminatemultiple designations by establishing the policy thatoriginal model designations would generally beretained by the second service in the event of cross-


Alphabetical Listing of PopularNames

Aircraft Popular Names

Redesignation to the Post Original Navy 1962 DOD Designation

Popular Designation, System or New Post 1962Names pre-1962 Designation

Academe TC-4C

Aero Commander U-9

Albatross JR2F/UF U-16

Avenger TBFTBM

Avenger II A-12 (never acquired)

Aztec UO U-11

Banshee F2H F-2

Bearcat F8F

Beaver U-6

Bird Dog (OE) O-1

Black Widow F2T

Bobcat JRC

Bronco OV-10

Buccaneer SB2A

Buckeye T2J T-2

Buffalo F2A

Buffalo UC-8A

Catalina PBYPB2BPBN



Caydet (also Kaydet) N2S

Cayuse OH-6A/B

Chickasaw (HO4S-3) H-19(HRS-3) H-19

Cobra AH-1

Cochise T-42A

Commando R5C

Connestoga RB

Constellation PO(see Warning Star) WV-1

R70/R7V C-121

Constitution R60/R6V

Convair Liner R4Y C-131

Coronado PB2Y

Corsair F4UFGF3AAUF2G

Corsair II A-7

Cougar F9F-6,-7,-8 F-9

Crusader F8U F-8


Within the Alphabetical Listing of Popular Namesthe column headings are as follows:

Popular Names.—The popular names the Navyassigned to its aircraft are listed alphabetically. Cross-references are given when different names wereassigned to different models of the same basic aircraft.In a few cases two different names were assigned toidentical aircraft models. These are cross-referencedhere. Also in rare instances entirely different aircrafthave the same name, if so, the name is listed twice.

Original Navy Designation, pre-1962.—The origi-nal designation was the first designation under whichthe Navy accepted the aircraft. Basic designations arelisted unless specific models were assigned differentnames. The Navy never officially assigned a name to

the designation in parentheses. They are listedbecause they were the original designations of the air-craft to which the Navy later assigned a name under anew designation.

Redesignation to the Post 1962 DODDesignation.—In 1962 the Department of Defensestandardized its system of aircraft designations. Mostnaval aircraft, however, retained the same popularname. Basic designations are listed unless specificmodels were assigned different names. They areincluded because they are the redesignations of air-craft to which the Navy had previously assigned aname under its original designation. New aircraftacquired after 1962 and the new post 1962 aircraftdesignation are listed in this column.



Havoc BD

Hawkeye W2F E-2

Hellcat F6F

Helldiver SB2CSBC-3,-4SBWSBF

Hercules GV C-130

Hermes E-6 (changed to (see Mercury) Mercury)

Hornet F/A-18

Hoverfly HNS-1

Hudson PBO

Huron UC-12B

Huskie (HOK) H-43(HUK)

Intruder A2F A-6

Invader JD B-26

Iroquois UH-1/TH-1

Jaguar F1OF

Kansan SNB-1

Kaydet N2S(see Caydet)

Kfir F-21A

Kingfisher OS2UOS2N

Kiowa OH-58A

Liberator PB4Y-1/P4Y-1

Liberator Express RY-1

Liftmaster R6D C-118

Lodestar R50

Marauder JM



Crusader III F8U-3

Cutlass F7U

DASH (DSN) QH-50

Dauntless SBD

Demon F3H F-3

Destroyer (SB2D)BTD

Devastator (XTB2D-1)TBD

Dolphin H-65

Duck (JF) J2F

Excalibur JR2S

Expediter JRB-1 thru -4 C-45

Falcon SNC

Fighting Falcon F-16

Fireball FR

Flying Classroom T-29

Flying Fortress PB-1G, -1W

Forwarder GK

Fury FJ F-l

Goose JRF

Goshawk T-45

Grasshopper NE

Greyhound C-2

Guardian AF

Gulfstream C-20D

Harpoon PV-2

Harrier AV-8A

Harrier II AV-8B




Mariner PBM

Marlin P5M P-5

Mars PB2MJRM

Mauler (BTM-1), AM

Mentor T-34 T-34

Mercator P4M

Mercury E-6A(see Hermes)

Mescalero T-41B

Mitchell PBJ

Mohawk OV-1A/B/C

Mojave (HR2S) H-37

Navigator SNB-2C, -5 C-45

Neptune P2V P-2

Nightingale GH, NH

Norseman JA

Orion P3V P-3

Osprey V-22A

Otter UC U-1

Packet R4Q C-119

Panther F9F-2, -4, -5 DF-9

Phantom FD, FH

Phantom II F4H F-4

Pinto TT-1

Pirate F6U

Privateer PB4Y-2, P4Y-2 QP-4B

Prowler EA-6B

Puss Moth XDH-80



Recruit NR

Reliance ZPG-2W EZ-1

Rescuer HRP

Retriever HUP H-25

Sabre (F-86) QF-86

Sabreliner (T3J) T-39

Samaritan C-131

Savage AJ A-2

Sea Bat (HSS-1) H-34

Sea Cobra AH-1J/T/W

Sea Dart F2Y F-7

Sea Dragon MH-53

Seafarer ZPG-2 SZ-1

Seagull (not official) SOC, SO3C

Seahawk SC

Sea Hawk SH-60B

Seahorse (HUS) H-34

Sea King (HSS-2) H-3

Sea Knight (HRB) H-46

Seamaster P6M

Seamew SO3C

Sea Ranger XPBB-1

Sea Ranger H-57

Seasprite HU2K H-2

Sea Stallion H-53 thru H-53D

Sea Star T2V T-1

Sea Wolf (also Seawolf) TBY

Seminole U-8




Texan SNJ

Tiger F11F F-11

Tiger II F-5

Tigercat F7F

Tomcat F-14

Tracer WF E-1

Tracker S2F S-2

Trader TF-1 C-1

Tradewind R3Y

Traveler GB

Trojan T-28 T-28

Tutor N2T

Ute U-21A

Valiant SNV

Ventura PV-1, -3

Vigilante A3J A-5

Viking S-3

Vindicator SB2U

Volunteer ZSG-1

Warning Star WV EC-121(See Constellation)

White Hawk VH-60N

Widgeon J4F

Wildcat F4FFM



Sentinel OY

Shadow ES-3A

Shooting Star TV, TO T-33

Sioux (HTL), HUL H-13

Skyhawk A4D A-4

Sky Knight F3D F-10

Skylancer F5D

Skymaster R5D C-54

Skyraider (BT2D), AD A-1

Skyray F4D F-6

Skyrocket D-558-2

Skyshark A2D

Skytrain R4D-1, -5, -6, -7 C-47R4D-8 C-117

Skytrain II C-9

Skystreak D-558-1

Skytrooper R4D-2,-3,-4

Skywarrior A3D A-3

Stratojet EB-47E

Stratotanker NKC-135A

Super Fortress P2B-1

Super Stallion CH-53E/RH-53/MH-53E

Talon T-38



The Navy and Marine Corps early helicopter, the HNS-1, demonstrates its air-sea rescue capabilities by retrieving a pilot from his ditched SBD, CG-3649.

APPENDIX 5 Aircraft Designations and Popular Names Designation Syste… · APPENDIX 5 Aircraft...

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