List of military aircraft of the United States
Encyclopedia
This list of military aircraft of the United States includes prototype, pre-production and operational types. For aircraft in service, see the List of active United States military aircraft. Prototypes are normally prefixed with "X" and are often unnamed (note that these are not the same as the experimental X-planes, which are not generally expected to go into production), while pre-production models are usually prefixed with "Y".
The United States military employs a designation and naming system to provide identifications to all aircraft types. Until 1962, the United States Army, United States Air Force (formerly Army Air Force), and United States Navy all maintained separate systems. In September 1962, these were unified into a single system heavily reflecting the Air Force method. For more complete information on the workings of this system, refer to United States Department of Defense Aerospace Vehicle Designations
.
This list does not include aircraft used by the U.S. military services prior to the establishment of a numerical designation system. For these aircraft, see List of military aircraft of the United States (1909-1919). It also does not include aircraft designated under the pre-1962 United States Navy designation system. For these aircraft, see List of military aircraft of the United States (naval).
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.
Army Air Corps
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.
was founded. After this, all P- designations were changed to F- ("fighter"), but the original numbers were 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.
, AT-7 Navigator, and AT-11 Kansan, were retroactively given T- designations. The new sequence began at 28, continuing the "PT-" numbering sequence.
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.
Note: Captured foreign aircraft used for evaluation and aggressor were given designations in sequence—based on chronology—with "black" project aircraft, continuing the pre-1962 F series.
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.
The United States military employs a designation and naming system to provide identifications to all aircraft types. Until 1962, the United States Army, United States Air Force (formerly Army Air Force), and United States Navy all maintained separate systems. In September 1962, these were unified into a single system heavily reflecting the Air Force method. For more complete information on the workings of this system, refer to United States Department of Defense Aerospace Vehicle Designations
United States Department of Defense Aerospace Vehicle Designations
A United States Department of Defense aerospace vehicle designation is determined by a detailed protocol which identifies all aircraft, helicopters, rockets, missiles, spacecraft, and other aerial vehicles in military use by the United States Armed Forces....
.
This list does not include aircraft used by the U.S. military services prior to the establishment of a numerical designation system. For these aircraft, see List of military aircraft of the United States (1909-1919). It also does not include aircraft designated under the pre-1962 United States Navy designation system. For these aircraft, see List of military aircraft of the United States (naval).
Prior to 1919
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.Army Air Service, 1919-1924
In September 1919, the Army Air ServiceUnited States Army Air Service
The Air Service, United States Army was a forerunner of the United States Air Force during and after World War I. It was established as an independent but temporary wartime branch of the War Department by two executive orders of President Woodrow Wilson: on May 24, 1918, replacing the Aviation...
decided that it needed an organized designation sequence, and adopted fifteen classifications, designated by roman numerals
Roman numerals
The numeral system of ancient Rome, or Roman numerals, uses combinations of letters from the Latin alphabet to signify values. The numbers 1 to 10 can be expressed in Roman numerals as:...
. Several other unnumbered designations were added later. Each designation was assigned an abbreviation, and each design a number within that abbreviation. Variants were designated by alphabetically appending letters to the design number.
Type O: Foreign-Built Pursuit Aircraft
- Fokker D.VIIFokker D.VIIThe Fokker D.VII was a German World War I fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz of the Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. Germany produced around 3,300 D.VII aircraft in the summer and autumn of 1918. In service, the D.VII quickly proved itself to be a formidable aircraft...
- FokkerFokkerFokker was a Dutch aircraft manufacturer named after its founder, Anthony Fokker. The company operated under several different names, starting out in 1912 in Schwerin, Germany, moving to the Netherlands in 1919.... - Fokker D.VIIIFokker D.VIII-See also:-References:* Weyl, A.R. Fokker: The Creative Years. 1988. ISBN 0-851778-17-8....
- Fokker
Type I: Pursuit, water-cooled
- PW-1 - Engineering DivisionEngineering DivisionThe Engineering Division was a division of the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps in the United States Department of War. It was formed on 31 August 1918, under the direction of Lt Col Jesse G. Vincent, to study and design American versions of foreign aircraft. It was later renamed Engineering...
- PW-2Loening PW-2|-See also:-Bibliography:...
- LoeningLoening Aircraft EngineeringLoening Aeronautical Engineering Corporation was founded 1917 by Grover Loening and produced early aircraft and amphibious aircraft from 1917. When it merged with Keystone Aircraft Corporation in 1928, some of its engineers left to form Grumman... - PW-3 - OrencoOrenco (aircraft manufacturer)Orenco was an American aircraft manufacturer founded in 1916 in New York as Ordnance Engineering Corporation. Confusion with the Ordnance Branch of the US Army led to the shortening of the name in 1919. The company's first project was the Orenco A in 1917, but they received no orders for it...
- PW-4 - Gallaudet
- PW-5Fokker PW-5|-See also:-References:* Dorr, Robert F. and David Donald. Fighters of the United States Air Force. London:Temple Press/Aerospace, 1990. ISBN 0 600 55094 X....
- Fokker - PW-6 - Fokker
- PW-7 - Fokker
- PW-8 - CurtissCurtiss Aeroplane and Motor CompanyCurtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company was an American aircraft manufacturer that went public in 1916 with Glenn Hammond Curtiss as president. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the company was the largest aircraft manufacturer in the United States...
- PW-9 - BoeingBoeingThe Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
Type IV: Pursuit, ground attack, 1922
- PG-1Aeromarine PG-1-Bibliography:* Green, W. & Swanborough, G. . The Complete Book of Fighters. London: Salamander Books. ISBN 1-85833-777-1...
- Aeromarine
Type VI: Ground attack, 1920-1922
- GA-1Boeing GA-1|-References:*Wagner, Ray. American Combat Planes. Garden City, NY: Hanover House, 1968. ISBN 0385041349*Eden, Paul, & Moeng, Soph, editors. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Amber Books Ltd., 2002...
- Boeing - GA-2Boeing GA-1|-References:*Wagner, Ray. American Combat Planes. Garden City, NY: Hanover House, 1968. ISBN 0385041349*Eden, Paul, & Moeng, Soph, editors. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Amber Books Ltd., 2002...
- Boeing
Type VIII: Night observation
- NO-1 - DouglasDouglas Aircraft CompanyThe Douglas Aircraft Company was an American aerospace manufacturer, based in Long Beach, California. It was founded in 1921 by Donald Wills Douglas, Sr. and later merged with McDonnell Aircraft in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas...
- NO-2 - Douglas
Type IX: Artillery observation
- AO-1 - Atlantic
Type X: Corps observation
- 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
Type XII: Night bombardment, short range
- NBS-1 - MartinGlenn L. Martin CompanyThe Glenn L. Martin Company was an American aircraft and aerospace manufacturing company that was founded by the aviation pioneer Glenn L. Martin. The Martin Company produced many important aircraft for the defense of the United States and its allies, especially during World War II and the Cold War...
(originally designated MB-2) - NBS-2 - Lowe-Willard-Fowler
- NBS-3 - Elias
- NBS-4 - Curtiss
Type XIII: Night bombardment, long range
- NBL-1 - Witteman-Lewis
- NBL-2 - Martin
Type XIV: Trainer, air-cooled
- TA-1Elias TA-1|-References:* John Andrade, U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909, Midland Counties Publications, 1979, ISBN 0-904597-22-9 * The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft , 1985, Orbis Publishing, Page 1599...
- Elias - TA-2Huff-Daland TA-2The Huff-Daland TA-2 was an American biplane trainer designed by the Huff-Daland Aero Corporation in the early 1920s for the United States Army Air Service. It was a development of the HD.4 Midget with a 140 hp ABC Wasp radial engine. Three prototypes were ordered for evaluation at McCook Field...
- Huff-DalandHuff-Daland Aero CorporationFormed as Ogdensburg Aeroway Corp in 1920 in Ogdensburg, New York by Thomas Huff and Elliot Daland, its name was quickly changed to Huff-Daland Aero Corp and then in 1925 it was changed again to the Huff-Daland Aero Company with its main headquarters in Bristol, Pennsylvania... - TA-3 - Dayton-Wright AircraftDayton-Wright CompanyThe Dayton-Wright Company was formed in 1917, on the declaration of war between the United States and Germany, by a group of Ohio investors that included Charles F. Kettering and Edward A. Deeds of Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company...
- TA-4 - Engineering Division
- TA-5 - Dayton-Wright Aircraft
- TA-6 - Huff-Daland
Type XV: Trainer, water-cooled
- TW-1Engineering Division TW-1The Engineering Division TW-1 was an American two-seat training biplane designed by the United States Army Engineering Division, only two were built and the type did not enter production.-Design and development:...
- Engineering Division - TW-2Cox-Klemin TW-2|-References:* John Andrade, U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909, Midland Counties Publications, 1979, ISBN 0-904597-22-9 -See also:...
- Cox-Klemin - TW-3 - Dayton-Wright Aircraft
- TW-4 - Fokker
- TW-5Huff-Daland TW-5The Huff-Daland Type XV Training Water-Cooled TW-5 was a biplane trainer designed by the Huff-Daland Aero Corporation in the early 1920s for the United States Army Air Service.-Design and development:...
- Huff-Daland
Messenger
- M-1 - Engineering Division/SperrySperry CorporationSperry Corporation was a major American equipment and electronics company whose existence spanned more than seven decades of the twentieth century...
Racer
- R-1Verville Racer Aircraft-R-1 Racer:The Verville-Packard R-1 Racer was a military racing aircraft that was based on Alfred Verville's previous VCP-1 design. The R-1 is sometimes known also as the VCP-R or the Verville-Packard 600. The R-1 was the first racing aircraft built for the United States Army Air Corps...
- Alfred V. VervilleAlfred V. VervilleAlfred Victor Verville was an aviation pioneer and designer who contributed to civilian and military aviation. During his 47 years in the aviation industry, he led the design and development of nearly a dozen commercial and military airplanes... - R-2 - Thomas-Morse
- R-3 - Verville-Sperry
- R-4 - Loening
- R-5Thomas-Morse R-5|-See also:-References:CitationsBibliography*Angelucci, Enzo and Peter Bowers. The American Fighter. Yeovil, UK:Haynes Publishing, 1987. ISBN 0-85429-635-2.*. Flight, 19 October 1922. pp. 603–605....
- Thomas-Morse - R-6 - Curtiss
- R-7 - Engineering Division
- R-8 - Curtiss
Transport
- T-1 - Martin
- T-2 - Fokker
- T-3 - Lowe-Willard-Fowler
Army Air CorpsUnited States Army Air CorpsThe United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
/Army Air ForcesUnited States Army Air ForcesThe United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
/Air ForceUnited States Air ForceThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
1924-1962
Attack, 1924-1948
-
- A-1 - skipped to prevent confusion with Cox-Klemin XA-1Cox-Klemin XA-1The Cox-Klemin XA-1 was a 1920s American air ambulance biplane designed and built by the Cox-Klemin Aircraft Corporation for the United States Army Air Service, only two prototypes were built.-Design and development:...
- A-1 - skipped to prevent confusion with Cox-Klemin XA-1
- A-2 - DouglasDouglas Aircraft CompanyThe Douglas Aircraft Company was an American aerospace manufacturer, based in Long Beach, California. It was founded in 1921 by Donald Wills Douglas, Sr. and later merged with McDonnell Aircraft in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas...
- A-3 Falcon - CurtissCurtiss Aeroplane and Motor CompanyCurtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company was an American aircraft manufacturer that went public in 1916 with Glenn Hammond Curtiss as president. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the company was the largest aircraft manufacturer in the United States...
- A-4 Falcon - Curtiss
- A-5 Falcon - Curtiss
- A-6 Falcon - Curtiss
- A-7 - Fokker
- A-8 - Curtiss
- A-9 - LockheedLockheed CorporationThe Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace company. Lockheed was founded in 1912 and later merged with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin in 1995.-Origins:...
- A-10 Shrike - Curtiss
- A-11 - ConsolidatedConsolidated AircraftThe Consolidated Aircraft Corporation was founded in 1923 by Reuben H. Fleet, the result of the Gallaudet Aircraft Company's liquidation and Fleet's purchase of designs from the Dayton-Wright Company as the subsidiary was being closed by its parent corporation, General Motors. Consolidated became...
- A-12 ShrikeA-12 Shrike|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Eden, Paul and Soph Moeng, eds. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Amber Books Ltd., 2002, ISBN 0-7607-3432-1....
- Curtiss - A-13 - NorthropNorthrop CorporationNorthrop Corporation was a leading United States aircraft manufacturer from its formation in 1939 until its merger with Grumman to form Northrop Grumman in 1994. The company is known for its development of the flying wing design, although only a few of these have entered service.-History:Jack...
- A-14 - Curtiss
- A-15 - MartinGlenn L. Martin CompanyThe Glenn L. Martin Company was an American aircraft and aerospace manufacturing company that was founded by the aviation pioneer Glenn L. Martin. The Martin Company produced many important aircraft for the defense of the United States and its allies, especially during World War II and the Cold War...
- A-16 - Northrop
- A-17 Nomad - Northrop
- A-18 ShrikeA-18 Shrike|-See also:-Bibliography:*Eden, Paul and Soph Moeng, eds. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Amber Books Ltd., 2002, ISBN 0-7607-3432-1....
- Curtiss - A-19Vultee A-19The Vultee V-11 and V-12 were American attack aircraft of the 1930s. Developments of the Vultee V-1 single-engined airliner, the V-11 and V-12 were purchased by several nation's armed forces, including China, who used them in combat against Japanese forces in the Second Sino-Japanese War...
- Vultee - A-20 Havoc - Douglas (redesignated as B-20 in 1948)
- A-21Stearman A-21The Stearman Model X-100 was a competitor in an United States Army Air Corps competition for a twin-engined attack aircraft which led to the Douglas A-20 Havoc, Martin A-22 Maryland and North American B-25 Mitchell.-Design and development:...
- StearmanStearman AircraftStearman Aircraft Corporation was an aircraft manufacturer in Wichita, Kansas. Although the company designed a range of other aircraft, it is most known for producing the Model 75, which is commonly known simply as the "Stearman" or "Boeing Stearman".... - A-22 - Martin
- 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-27North American A-27|-See also:-References:...
- North AmericanNorth American AviationNorth American Aviation was a major US aerospace manufacturer, responsible for a number of historic aircraft, including the T-6 Texan trainer, the P-51 Mustang fighter, the B-25 Mitchell bomber, the F-86 Sabre jet fighter, the X-15 rocket plane, and the XB-70, as well as Apollo Command and Service... - A-28 Hudson - Lockheed
- A-29 Hudson - Lockheed
- A-30Martin BaltimoreThe Martin 187 Baltimore was a two-engined light attack bomber built by the Glenn L. Martin Company in the United States, originally ordered by the French in May 1940 as a follow-up to the earlier Martin Maryland, then in service in France. With the fall of France, the production series was...
- Martin, to allow supply to the UK under Lend-lease - A-31 Vengeance - Vultee
- A-32 - BrewsterBrewster Aeronautical CorporationThe Brewster Aeronautical Corporation was a North American defense contractor that operated from the 1930s until the end of World War II.It started existence as an aircraft division of Brewster & Co., a company that originally sold carriages and had branched into automobile bodies and airplane parts...
- A-33 - Douglas
- A-34 - Brewster
- A-35 Vengeance - Vultee
- A-36 Apache/Invader - North American
- A-37 - Hughes
- A-38 Grizzly - BeechcraftBeechcraftBeechcraft is an American manufacturer of general aviation and military aircraft, ranging from light single engine aircraft to business jets and light military transports. Previously a division of Raytheon, it has been a brand of Hawker Beechcraft since 2006....
- A-39Kaiser-Fleetwings A-39The Kaiser-Fleetwings A-39 was a project by Kaiser-Fleetwings for an attack aircraft powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engines. It was to be armed with four .50 caliber machine guns and two 37 mm cannons. The A-39 was canceled before any prototypes were built.-See also:-References:*...
- Kaiser-Fleetwings - A-40 - Curtiss
- A-41Vultee A-41-References:NotesBibliography* McCullough, Anson. "Grind 'Em Out Ground Attack: The Search for the Elusive Fighter Bomber". Wings Vol. 25, No. 4, August 1995....
- Vultee - A-42 Mixmaster - Douglas
- A-43 Blackhawk - Curtiss-WrightCurtiss-WrightThe Curtiss-Wright Corporation was the largest aircraft manufacturer in the United States at the end of World War II, but has evolved to largely become a component manufacturer, specializing in actuators, aircraft controls, valves, and metalworking....
- A-44 - ConvairConvairConvair was an American aircraft manufacturing company which later expanded into rockets and spacecraft. The company was formed in 1943 by the merger of Vultee Aircraft and Consolidated Aircraft, and went on to produce a number of pioneering aircraft, such as the Convair B-36 bomber, and the F-102...
- A-45Martin XB-51|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Andrade, John M. U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Earl Shilton, Leicester, UK: Midland Counties Publications, 1979. ISBN 0-904597-22-9....
- Martin
Bomber
Light Bomber, 1924-1926
- LB-1Huff-Daland LB-1|-See also:-Bibliography:* Donald, David, ed. Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Etobicoke, ON: Prospero Books, 1997. ISBN 1-85605-375-X.*...
- Huff-DalandHuff-Daland Aero CorporationFormed as Ogdensburg Aeroway Corp in 1920 in Ogdensburg, New York by Thomas Huff and Elliot Daland, its name was quickly changed to Huff-Daland Aero Corp and then in 1925 it was changed again to the Huff-Daland Aero Company with its main headquarters in Bristol, Pennsylvania...
(later Keystone) - LB-2 - Atlantic Aircraft CorporationAtlantic AircraftAtlantic Aircraft Corporation, also known as Fokker-America and Atlantic-Fokker, was a US subsidiary of the Dutch Fokker Company, responsible for sales and information about Fokker imports, and eventually constructing various Fokker designs....
(Fokker Aircraft Corp after 1925) - LB-3 - Keystone
- Martin LB-4 - S/n assigned but prototype not built
- LB-5Keystone LB-5-References:NotesBibliography* Taylor, Michael J. H. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 1989, p. 559.* World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing, File 899 Sheet 09.-External links:* * * *...
- Keystone - LB-6Keystone LB-6|-See also:-References:* John Andrade. U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909, p.135. Midland Counties Publications, 1979. ISBN 0-904597-22-9....
- 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
Heavy Bomber, 1924-1926
- HB-1 - Huff-Daland
- HB-2 - Atlantic/Fokker
- HB-3 - Huff-Daland
Unified bomber sequence, 1926-1962
- B-1 - Huff-Daland/Keystone
- B-2 Condor - Curtiss
- B-3Keystone B-3|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Andrade, John. U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Leicester, UK: Midland Counties Publications, 1979, pp. 43, 135. ISBN 0-904597-22-9....
- Keystone - B-4Keystone B-4|-See also:-References and external links:****...
- Keystone - B-5Keystone B-5|-See also:-External links:**...
- Keystone - B-6Keystone B-6|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Wagner, Ray. American Combat Planes. New York: Doubleday, 1982. ISBN 0-930083-17-2.-External links:**...
- Keystone - B-7 - Douglas
- B-8 - Fokker
- B-9 - BoeingBoeingThe Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
- B-10Martin B-10The Martin B-10 was the first all-metal monoplane bomber to go into regular use by the United States Army Air Corps, entering service in June 1934...
- 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 BoloB-18 BoloThe Douglas B-18 Bolo was a United States Army Air Corps and Royal Canadian Air Force bomber of the late 1930s and early 1940s. The Bolo was built by Douglas Aircraft Company and based on its DC-2 and was developed to replace the Martin B-10....
- 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 DragonB-23 Dragon|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Mondey, David. The Hamlyn Concise Guide to American Aircraft of World War II. London: Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd., 2002, , First edition 1982. ISBN 1-85152-706-0....
- Douglas - B-24 LiberatorB-24 LiberatorThe Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
- Consolidated
- B-25 MitchellB-25 MitchellThe North American B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engined medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. It was used by many Allied air forces, in every theater of World War II, as well as many other air forces after the war ended, and saw service across four decades.The B-25 was named...
- North American - B-26 MarauderB-26 MarauderThe Martin B-26 Marauder was a World War II twin-engine medium bomber built by the Glenn L. Martin Company. First used in the Pacific Theater in early 1942, it was also used in the Mediterranean Theater and in Western Europe....
- Martin - B-26 Invader - Douglas - designation of A-26 InvaderA-26 InvaderThe Douglas A-26 Invader was a United States twin-engined light attack bomber built by the Douglas Aircraft Co. during World War II that also saw service during several of the Cold War's major conflicts...
from 1948 to 1966 - B-27Martin XB-27The Martin XB-27 was a plane proposed by the Glenn L. Martin Company to fill a strong need in the United States Army Air Corps for a high-altitude medium bomber. Its design was based approximately on that of the B-26 Marauder. The XB-27 never made it past paper, and no prototypes were...
- Martin - B-28 Dragon - North American
- B-29 Superfortress - Boeing
- B-30 - Lockheed
- B-31 - Douglas
- B-32 DominatorB-32 DominatorThe Consolidated B-32 Dominator was a heavy bomber made for United States Army Air Forces during World War II, and has the distinction of being the last Allied aircraft to be engaged in combat during World War II. It was developed in parallel with the Boeing B-29 Superfortress as a fallback design...
- 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 TornadoB-45 TornadoThe North American B-45 Tornado was the United States Air Force's first operational jet bomber, and the first jet aircraft to be refueled in the air. The B-45 was an important part of the United States's nuclear deterrent for several years in the early 1950s, but was rapidly succeeded by the Boeing...
- North American - B-46 - Convair
- B-47 StratojetB-47 StratojetThe Boeing Model 450 B-47 Stratojet was a long-range, six-engined, jet-powered medium bomber built to fly at high subsonic speeds and at high altitudes. It was primarily designed to drop nuclear bombs on the Soviet Union...
- Boeing - B-48 - Martin
- B-49 - Northrop
- B-50 SuperfortressB-50 SuperfortressThe Boeing B-50 Superfortress strategic bomber was a post-World War II revision of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, fitted with more powerful Pratt & Whitney R-4360 radial engines, stronger structure, a taller fin, and other improvements. It was the last piston-engined bomber designed by Boeing for...
- Boeing - B-51 - Martin
- B-52 StratofortressB-52 StratofortressThe Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber operated by the United States Air Force since the 1950s. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, who have continued to provide maintainence and upgrades to the aircraft in service...
- Boeing - B-53 - Convair
- B-54Boeing B-54-References:NotesBibliography* Jones, Lloyd S. U.S. Bombers, B-1 1928 to B-1 1980s. Fallbrook, CA: Aero Publishers, 1962, second edition 1974. ISBN 0-8168-9126-5....
- Boeing - B-55 - Boeing
- B-56Boeing B-56-See also:-References:NotesBibliography...
- Boeing - B-57 CanberraB-57 CanberraThe Martin B-57 Canberra was a United States-built, twin jet engine light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, which entered service with the United States Air Force in 1953. The B-57 was initially a version of the English Electric Canberra built under license. However, the Glenn L...
- Martin - B-58 HustlerB-58 HustlerThe Convair B-58 Hustler was the first operational supersonic jet bomber capable of Mach 2 flight. The aircraft was designed by Convair engineer Robert H. Widmer and developed for the United States Air Force for service in the Strategic Air Command during the 1960s...
- 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 - BellBell AircraftThe Bell Aircraft Corporation was an aircraft manufacturer of the United States, a builder of several types of fighter aircraft for World War II but most famous for the Bell X-1, the first supersonic aircraft, and for the development and production of many important civilian and military helicopters...
(redesignated as GAM-63) - B-64 Navaho - North American (redesignated as SM-64)
- B-65 Atlas - Convair (redesignated as SM-65)
- B-66 DestroyerB-66 Destroyer|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Baugher, Joe. USAAC/USAAF/USAF Bomber Aircraft: Third Series of USAAC/USAAF/USAF Bombers, 2001. Retrieved: 27 July 2006....
- 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 BlackbirdSR-71 BlackbirdThe Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" was an advanced, long-range, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft. It was developed as a black project from the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft in the 1960s by the Lockheed Skunk Works. Clarence "Kelly" Johnson was responsible for many of the...
- Lockheed (SR- denotes "strategic reconnaissance")
- Beginning with #69, the "M-" (missile) and "B-" (bomber) series diverged. The missles 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.
Bomber, long range, 1935-1936
A short-lived designation used from 1935-1936 to refer to three long-range bomber projects commissioned by the Army Air Corps.- BLR-1 - Boeing (redesignated as XB-15)
- BLR-2 - Douglas (redesignated as XB-19)
- BLR-3 - SikorskySikorsky AircraftThe Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Stratford, Connecticut. Its parent company is United Technologies Corporation.-History:...
Cargo, 1924-1962
- C-1Douglas C-1-References:NotesBibliography* Forden, Lesley. The Ford Air Tours: 1925-1931. New Brighton Minnesota: Aviation Foundation of America, 2003, First edition 1972. No ISBN....
- Douglas - C-2 - Fokker
- C-3 - FordFord Motor CompanyFord Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
- 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 - skipped
- C-14 - Fokker
- C-15 - Fokker
- C-16 - Fokker
- C-17 Super Vega - Lockheed
- C-18 Monomail - Boeing
- C-19 AlphaC-19 AlphaThe Northrop C-19 Alpha was a series of three aircraft purchased from Northrop by the US Army Air Corps in 1931. They were slightly modified versions of the civil Northrop Alpha Type 2. The major difference between the C-19s and the Alphas was that the civilian version carried a pilot and six...
- Northrop - C-20 - Fokker
- C-21 Dolphin - Douglas
- C-22 Fleetster - Consolidated
- C-23 Altair - Lockheed
- C-24 - American
- 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-ReisnerKreider-ReisnerThe Kreider-Reisner Aircraft Company was a former American flying service and aircraft manufacturer from 1923-1929.-History:The Kreider-Reisner Aircraft Company was formed at Hagerstown, Maryland in 1923 as a sub-contractor. By 1925 the company was operating a general flying service. In 1926 it...
- 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-44Messerschmitt Bf 108-Popular culture:Bf 108s and postwar Nord 1000s, played the role of Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters in war movies, including The Longest Day, 633 Squadron, Von Ryan's Express and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.-See also:-References:Notes...
- MesserschmittMesserschmittMesserschmitt AG was a famous German aircraft manufacturing corporation named for its chief designer, Willy Messerschmitt, and known primarily for its World War II fighter aircraft, notably the Bf 109 and Me 262... - C-45 Expeditor - Beechcraft
- C-46 CommandoC-46 CommandoThe Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando was a transport aircraft originally derived from a commercial high-altitude airliner design. It was instead used as a military transport during World War II by the United States Army Air Forces as well as the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps under the designation R5C...
- Curtiss-Wright - C-47 Skytrain - Douglas
- C-48 SkytrainDouglas DC-3The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
- Douglas - C-49 Skytrain - Douglas
- C-50 Skytrain - Douglas
- C-51 Skytrain - Douglas
- C-52 Skytrain - Douglas
- C-53 Skytrooper - Douglas
- C-54 SkymasterC-54 SkymasterThe Douglas C-54 Skymaster was a four-engined transport aircraft used by the United States Army Air Forces and British forces in World War II and the Korean War. Besides transport of cargo, it also carried presidents, British heads of government, and military staff...
- 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 ForwarderC-61 ForwarderThe Fairchild Model 24, was a four-seat, single-engine monoplane light transport aircraft that was used by the United States Army Air Corps as the UC-61 and by the Royal Air Force...
- Fairchild - C-62Waco C-62The Waco C-62 was a proposed high wing transport airplane similar in size and capacity to the Douglas DC-3. The project was canceled before any aircraft were built....
- WacoWaco Aircraft CompanyThe Waco Aircraft Company was an aircraft manufacturer located in Troy, Ohio, USA. Between 1919 and 1947, the company produced a wide range of civilian biplanes.... - C-63 HudsonLockheed HudsonThe Lockheed Hudson was an American-built light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft built initially for the Royal Air Force shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and primarily operated by the RAF thereafter...
- Lockheed - C-64 Norseman - NoorduynNoorduynThe Noorduyn Aircraft Ltd., founded by Robert B. C. Noorduyn, was established in Canada in early 1934 by taking over the Curtiss-Reid factory outside of Montreal, Quebec. Work soon started on the Noorduyn Norseman I...
- C-65 Skycar - Stout
- C-66 Lodestar - Lockheed
- C-67 Dragon - Douglas
- C-68 - Douglas
- C-69 ConstellationLockheed C-69 ConstellationThe Lockheed C-69 Constellation was the first military version of the Lockheed Constellation aircraft line. It first flew in 1943, and only 22 were ever constructed for the United States Army Air Forces...
- Lockheed - C-70 Nightingale - HowardHoward Aircraft CorporationHoward Aircraft Corporation was a small USA aircraft manufacturer in the 30's and 40's. The factory was initially on the south side of Chicago Municipal airport at 5301 W...
- C-71 Executive - SpartanSpartan Aircraft CompanyThe Spartan Aircraft Company was an American aircraft manufacturing company formerly known as Mid-Continent Aircraft Company and reorganized under the Spartan name in 1928 by oil baron William G. Skelly in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The manufacturing plant was on Sheridan Avenue near the Tulsa Municipal...
- C-72Waco C-72C-72 was a blanket designation given to a variety of privately owned Waco enclosed-cabin biplanes impressed into service by the United States Army Air Forces in 1942. In all, 42 aircraft were taken and used for light transport duty wherever needed.-Variants:...
- Waco - C-73 - Boeing
- C-74 GlobemasterC-74 GlobemasterThe Douglas C-74 Globemaster was a United States heavy-lift cargo aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach, California.The Globemaster was developed after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The long distances across the Atlantic, and especially the Pacific Ocean to the combat...
- Douglas
- C-75 - Boeing
- C-76 CaravanC-76 CaravanThe Curtiss-Wright C-76 Caravan was an all-wood military transport aircraft. The C-76 was intended as a substitute standard aircraft in the event of expected wartime shortages of light alloys. However, both prototype and production aircraft failed several critical flight and static tests, and...
- Curtiss-Wright - C-77 - CessnaCessnaThe Cessna Aircraft Company is an airplane manufacturing corporation headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, USA. Their main products are general aviation aircraft. Although they are the most well known for their small, piston-powered aircraft, they also produce business jets. The company is a subsidiary...
- C-78 Bobcat - Cessna
- C-79 - Junkers
- C-80 - Harlow
- C-81 Reliant - StinsonStinson Aircraft CompanyThe Stinson Aircraft Company was an aircraft manufacturing company in the United States between the 1920s and the 1950s.-The Company:The Stinson Aircraft Company was founded in Dayton, Ohio, in 1920 by aviator Edward “Eddie” Stinson, brother to Katherine Stinson. After five years of business...
- C-82 PacketC-82 PacketThe C-82 Packet was a twin-engine, twin-boom cargo aircraft designed and built by Fairchild Aircraft. It was used briefly by the United States Army Air Forces and United States Navy following World War II.-Design and development:...
- Fairchild - C-83 Coupe - Piper
- C-84 - Douglas
- C-85 Orion - Lockheed
- C-86 Forwarder - Fairchild
- C-87 Liberator ExpressC-87 Liberator Express|-References:NotesBibliography* Andrade, John. U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Hinckley, UK: Midland Counties Publications, 1979. ISBN 0-904597-22-9....
- Consolidated - C-88 - Fairchild
- C-89 - Hamilton
- C-90 - Luscombe
- C-91 - Stinson
- C-92 - Akron-Funk
- C-93 ConestogaC-93 ConestogaThe RB-1 Conestoga was a twin-engine, stainless steel cargo aircraft designed for the United States Navy during World War II by the Budd Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...
- BuddBudd CompanyThe Budd Company is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry, and was formerly a manufacturer of stainless steel passenger rail cars during the 20th century.... - C-94 - Cessna
- C-95 Grasshopper - TaylorcraftTaylorcraft Aircraft-Bibliography:* Fromow, Lt-Col. D.L. Canada's Flying Gunners, Air Observation Post Pilot's Association, Ottawa, Canada. 2002. ISBN 0973005505* Simpson, R.W Airlife's General Aviation, Airlife Publishing, England, 1991. ISBN 1 85310 104 X-External links:...
- C-96 - Fairchild
- C-97 Stratofreighter - Boeing
- KC-97 Stratotanker - Boeing
- C-98 Clipper - Boeing
- C-99 - Convair
- C-100 Gamma - Northrop
- C-101 Vega - Lockheed
- C-102 Speedster - RearwinRearwinRearwin Airplanes was a US airplane-manufacturing enterprise founded by Andrew Rearwin in 1928. Rae Rearwin was an American businessman who had developed several successful business ventures in the Salina, Kansas area in the early 20th century...
- C-103 - GrummanGrumman Aircraft Engineering CorporationThe Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, later Grumman Aerospace Corporation, was a leading 20th century U.S. producer of military and civilian aircraft...
- 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 BoxcarC-119 Flying BoxcarThe Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar was an American military transport aircraft developed from the World War II-era Fairchild C-82 Packet, designed to carry cargo, personnel, litter patients, and mechanized equipment, and to drop cargo and troops by parachute...
- Fairchild - C-120 Packplane - Fairchild
- C-121 Constellation - Lockheed
- YC-121F Constellation - Lockheed
- C-122 Avitruc - Chase
- C-123 ProviderC-123 ProviderThe C-123 Provider was an American military transport aircraft designed by Chase Aircraft and subsequently built by Fairchild Aircraft for the United States Air Force...
- Fairchild- XC-123A - Chase
- C-124 Globemaster IIC-124 Globemaster IIThe Douglas C-124 Globemaster II, nicknamed "Old Shakey", was a heavy-lift cargo aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach, California....
- Douglas
- C-125 Raider - Northrop
- C-126 - Cessna
- C-127Boeing C-127C-127 was the designation for a proposed, large, turboshaft-driven transport aircraft to have been built in the early 1950s by the United States aircraft manufacturer Boeing for use by the nation's military forces. The project was canceled at an early stage...
- Boeing - C-128 Flying Boxcar - Fairchild
- C-129 Super Skytrain - Douglas
- C-130 HerculesC-130 HerculesThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
- Lockheed - C-131 SamaritanC-131 SamaritanThe Convair C-131 Samaritan was an American military transport produced from 1954 to 1956. It is the military version of the Convair CV-240.-Design and development:...
- Convair - C-132Douglas C-132|-See also:-References:*AAHS Journal Vol.50, No.1, pp. 13-27, Douglas C-132...
- Douglas - C-133 CargomasterC-133 CargomasterThe Douglas C-133 Cargomaster was a large cargo aircraft built between 1956 and 1961 by the Douglas Aircraft Company for use with the United States Air Force. The C-133 was the USAF's only production turboprop-powered strategic airlifter, entering service shortly after Lockheed's better known C-130...
- Douglas - C-134 - Stroukoff
- C-135 Stratolifter - Boeing
- KC-135 Stratotanker - Boeing
- C-136 - Fairchild
- C-137 Stratoliner - Boeing
- C-138 - reserved for Fokker F27Fokker F27The Fokker F27 Friendship is a turboprop airliner designed and built by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.-Design and development:Design of the Fokker F27 started in the 1950s as a replacement to the successful Douglas DC-3 airliner...
, but never assigned
- C-138 - reserved for Fokker F27
- C-139 - Lockheed
- C-140 Jetstar - Lockheed
- C-141 StarlifterC-141 StarlifterThe Lockheed C-141 Starlifter was a military strategic airlifter in service with the Air Mobility Command of the United States Air Force...
- Lockheed - C-142 - VoughtVoughtVought is the name of several related aerospace firms. These have included, in the past, Lewis and Vought Corporation, Chance Vought, Vought Sikorsky, LTV Aerospace , Vought Aircraft Companies, and the current Vought Aircraft Industries. The first incarnation of Vought was established by Chance M...
- C-143 - reserved for what would become the X-19Curtiss-Wright X-19|-See also:-External links:*...
, but never officially assigned
- C-143 - reserved for what would become the X-19
- C-143 MRC2A - Bombardier Challenger CL-604 for US Coast Guard Medium Range Command and Control Aircraft
- C-144 Ocean Sentry - CASA CN-235 300CGCASA CN-235The CASA/IPTN CN-235 is a medium-range twin-engined transport plane that was jointly developed by CASA of Spain and IPTN of Indonesia as a regional airliner and military transport. Its primary military roles include maritime patrol, surveillance, and air transport...
for US Coast Guard Medium Range Surveillance Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MRS MPA)
1940-1941
- A-1 - FleetwingsFleetwingsFleetwings, later Kaiser-Fleetwings, was an American aircraft company of the 1930s and 1940s.-History:Fleetwings started in 1926 as a business based on a patented mechanical timing device, which proved particularly suited to controlling automated welding equipment...
- A-2 - Radioplane
- A-3 - Curtiss
- A-4 - Douglas
- A-5 - Boeing
- A-6 - Douglas
- A-7 Airacobra - Bell
- A-8 Cadet - CulverCulver Aircraft CompanyThe Culver Aircraft Company was an American aircraft manufacturer of light aircraft of the 1930s and 1940s.-History:The Dart Manufacturing Corporation was founded in Columbus, Ohio, by Monocoupe dealer Knight K. Culver and Al Mooney to purchase the rights to the Mooney-designed Monosport G from the...
1942-1948
- PQ-8 Cadet - Culver
- PQ-9 - Culver
- PQ-10 - Culver
- PQ-11 - FletcherFletcher AviationFletcher Aviation Corporation was an aircraft manufacturer founded by three brothers, Wendell, Frank, Maurice Fletcher, in Pasadena, California in . The initial aim of the company was to produce a wooden basic trainer aircraft that Wendell had designed, but despite brief interest by the Army in...
- PQ-12 - Fleetwings
- PQ-13 - ERCOEngineering and Research CorporationEngineering and Research Corporation was started by Henry Berliner in 1930. Berliner was the son of Emile Berliner, who had patented numerous inventions relating to sound and acoustics, and pioneer of helicopter development with the experimental Berliner Helicopter.The younger Berliner founded...
- PQ-14 CadetPQ-14 Cadet|-References:* Mondey, David. American Aircraft of World War II . London: Bounty Books, 2006. ISBN 978-0-7537-1461-4.* Mormillo, Frank B. "Defenceless Warrior: Culver's PQ-14 Drone." Air Enthusiast Issue 93, May/June 2001....
- Culver - PQ-15 - Culver
Aerial Target (Model Airplane), 1942-1948
- 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
Controllable bomb, 1942-1945
- BQ-1 - Fleetwings
- BQ-2 - Kaiser-Fleetwings
- BQ-3 - Fairchild
- BQ-3AT-21 Gunner|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Andrade, John M. U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Hinckley, England: Midland Counties Publications, 1979, ISBN 0-904597-22-9....
- Fairchild - BQ-4 - InterstateInterstate AircraftInterstate Aircraft and Engineering Corporation was a small American aircraft manufacturer from April 1937 to 1945, based in El Segundo, California. In 1940 they developed the Cadet, a 2-seat monoplane. The Model S-1B was developed into the XO-63, later redesignated to the XL-6. Two hundred...
- BQ-5 - Interstate
- BQ-6 - Interstate
- BQ-7 Aphrodite - Boeing
- BQ-8 Liberator - Consolidated
Target Control, 1942-1948
- CQ-1 - Fletcher
- CQ-2 - Stinson
- CQ-3 Expeditor - Beechcraft
- CQ-4 Flying Fortress - Boeing
Unified sequence, 1948-1962
- Q-1Radioplane Q-1|-See also:-References:CitationsBibliography...
- Radioplane - Q-2 Firebee - RyanRyan Aeronautical CompanyThe Ryan Aeronautical Company was founded by T. Claude Ryan in San Diego, California in 1934. Part of Teledyne after 1969, Northrop Grumman purchased Teledyne Ryan in 1999...
- 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
Assault Glider, 1942-1944
- AG-1 - Christopher
- AG-2 - Timm
Bomb Glider, 1942-1944
- BG-1Fletcher FBT-2-References:*...
- Fletcher - BG-2 - Fletcher
- BG-3 - Cornelius
Cargo Glider, 1941-1948
- CG-1 - Frankfort
- CG-2 - Frankfort
- CG-3Waco CG-3-References:...
- Waco - CG-4 Hadrian - Waco
- CG-5 - St. LouisSt. Louis Aircraft CorporationSt. Louis Aircraft Corporation was a American aircraft manufacturer founded in September 1917.In 1915, the St. Louis Car Company had been approached by Thomas W. Benoist to build 1000 flying boats in 1915. A prototype was built, but the concept did not into production.In 1917 The United States...
- 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 - ChaseChase AircraftThe Chase Aircraft Company, founded in 1943, was an aircraft manufacturer of the United States of America, primarily constructing gliders and military transport aircraft. Lacking space for expansion, the company was purchased by Henry J. Kaiser in 1951. Plans to produce the C-123 transport for the...
- CG-15 Hadrian - Waco
- CG-16General Airborne Transport XCG-16- External links:* detailed article with photos and drawings, June 1945 Popular Science*******...
- General Airborne Transport - CG-17 - Douglas
- CG-18 - Chase
- CG-19 - Douglas
- CG-20 - Chase
Powered Glider, 1943-1948
- PG-1 - Northwestern
- PG-2 - Ridgefield
- PG-3 - Waco
Training Glider, 1941-1948
- TG-1 - Frankfort
- TG-2 - Schweizer
- TG-3 - Schweizer
- TG-4 - Laister-Kauffman
- TG-5 Grasshopper - Aeronca
- TG-6 Grasshopper - Taylorcraft
- TG-7 Orlik - KocjanAntoni KocjanAntoni Kocjan , was a renowned Polish glider constructor and a contributor to the intelligence services of the Polish Home Army during World War II....
- TG-8 Grasshopper - Piper
- TG-9 - BrieglebSailplane Corporation of AmericaThe Sailplane Corporation of America was a US manufacturer of sailplanes founded by Gus Briegleb at a former US Army Airfield at El Mirage Dry Lake in California to market kits and plans of his own designs. The firm's greatest success was the Briegleb BG 12 wooden sailplane, but it also sold plans...
- TG-10 - Wichita Engineering
- TG-11 - Schempp-HirthSchempp-HirthSchempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH is a glider manufacturer based in Kirchheim unter Teck, Germany.-History:Martin Schempp founded his own company in Göppingen in 1935, with the assistance of Wolf Hirth. The company was initially called "Sportflugzeugbau Göppingen Martin Schempp"...
- TG-12 - Bowlus-DuPont
- TG-13 - Briegleb
- TG-14 - Stiglmeier
- TG-15 - Franklin-Stevens
- TG-16Schultz ABC|-See also:...
- Schultz - TG-17 - Franklin
- TG-18 - Midwest Sailplane
- TG-19 - Jacobs-Schweyer
- TG-20 - Laister-Kauffman
- TG-21 - Notre DameUniversity of Notre DameThe University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
- TG-22 - Mehlhose
- TG-23 - Harper-Corcoran
- TG-24 - Bowlus-Dupont
- TG-25 Plover - WolcottFrank WolcottFrank Wolcott was an officer in the Union Army, a law man and also an outlaw-Early life:Frank Wolcott was born in 1840 in Canandaigua, NY. He served in the Union Army in the Civil War, and was promoted to the rank of Major before being discharged in 1866 after the end of the war. He attempted to...
- TG-26 - Universal
- TG-27 - Schneider
- TG-28 Hawk Junior - Haller
- TG-29 - Volmer Jensen
- TG-30 Bluebird - Smith
- TG-31 - Aero Industries
- TG-32Pratt-Read TG-32-See also:-Bibliography:...
- Pratt-ReadPratt-ReadPratt-Read is an American manufacturing company based in Shelton, Connecticut that produces screwdrivers. It is a subsidiary of Ideal Industries... - TG-33 - Aeronca
Unified sequence, 1948-1955
- G-2 - Ridgefield
- G-3 - Waco
- G-4 Hadrian - Waco
- G-10 Trojan Horse - Laister-Kauffman
- G-13 - Waco
- G-14 - ChaseChase AircraftThe Chase Aircraft Company, founded in 1943, was an aircraft manufacturer of the United States of America, primarily constructing gliders and military transport aircraft. Lacking space for expansion, the company was purchased by Henry J. Kaiser in 1951. Plans to produce the C-123 transport for the...
- G-15 Hadrian - Waco
- G-18 - Chase
- G-20 - Chase
Sailplane, 1960-1962
- S-1 - SchweizerSchweizer AircraftThe Schweizer Aircraft Corporation is a manufacturer of sailplanes, agricultural aircraft and helicopters located in Horseheads, New York. It was incorporated in 1939 by three Schweizer brothers , who built their first glider in 1930...
- S-2 - Schweizer
Gyroplane, 1935-1939
- G-1 - KellettKellett Autogiro CompanyThe Kellett Autogiro Corporation was an American aircraft manufacturer from 1929 based in Philadelphia, named after founder W. Wallace Kellett .-History:...
- G-2 - Pitcairn
Liaison, 1942-1962
- L-1 Vigilant - Stinson
- L-2 Grasshopper - Taylorcraft
- L-3 Grasshopper - Aeronca
- L-4 Grasshopper - Piper
- L-5 SentinelL-5 SentinelThe Stinson L-5 Sentinel was a World War II era liaison aircraft used by all branches of the U.S. military and by the British Royal Air Force. Along with the Stinson L-1 Vigilant, the L-5 was the only other American liaison aircraft of WWII that was purpose-built for military use and had no...
- 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-13Stinson L-13-References:*"." Flight, 9 September 1955, p. 466.* rare photos of L-13 folded for towing by jeep*Harding, Stephen. U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947. Shrewsbury, UK:Airlife, 1990. ISBN 1-85310-102-8....
- Stinson/Convair - L-14 Cub - Piper
- L-15 ScoutL-15 Scout-Bibliography:*Bowers, Peter M. Boeing Aircraft since 1916. London: Putnam, Third edition 1989. ISBN 0-85177-804-6.-External links:* article with explanation of unique features of L-15A* good photo of rear observers unique position* middle of page...
- 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 CanadaDe Havilland CanadaThe de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. company was an aircraft manufacturer with facilities based in what is now the Downsview area of Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
(redesignated as U-6 in 1962) - L-21 Super Cub - Piper (redesignated as U-7 in 1962)
- L-22 Navion - Ryan
- L-23 SeminoleL-23 SeminoleThe Beechcraft L-23 Seminole was the United States Armed Forces designation for the Beechcraft Twin Bonanza and Queen Air aircraft in its inventory.-Design and development:...
- Beechcraft (redesignated as U-8 in 1962) - L-24 Courier - HelioHelio Aircraft CompanyThe Koppen-Bollinger Aircraft Corporation was founded by Otto Koppen and Lynn Bollinger in Massachusetts in 1948 to develop a light STOL utility aircraft...
(redesignated as U-24 in 1962) - L-25 - McDonnellMcDonnell AircraftThe McDonnell Aircraft Corporation was an American aerospace manufacturer based in St. Louis, Missouri. The company was founded on July 16, 1939 by James Smith McDonnell, and was best known for its military fighters, including the F-4 Phantom II, and manned spacecraft including the Mercury capsule...
(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)
Pursuit, 1924-1948/Fighter, 1948-1962
Designated P- for "pursuit" until 1948, when the United States Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
was founded. After this, all P- designations were changed to F- ("fighter"), but the original numbers were retained.
- P-1 HawkP-1 HawkThe P-1 Hawk was a 1920s open-cockpit biplane fighter aircraft of the United States Army Air Corps. An earlier variant of the same aircraft had been designated PW-8 prior to 1925.-PW-8:thumb|alt=PW-8|PW-8...
- 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-12Boeing P-12The Boeing P-12 or F4B was an American pursuit aircraft that was operated by the United States Army Air Corps and United States Navy.-Design and development:...
- Boeing - P-13 Viper - Thomas-Morse
- P-14 - Curtiss
- P-15 - Boeing
- P-16Berliner-Joyce P-16-References:NotesBibliography* Baugher, Joe. American Military Aircraft, 7 June 1998. Retrieved: 10 June 2011.* Dorr, Robert F. and David Donald. Fighters of the United States Air Force: From World War I Pursuits to the F-117. New York: Military Press, 1990. ISBN 0-51766-994-3.* The Illustrated...
- 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 PeashooterP-26 PeashooterThe American Boeing P-26 Peashooter, was the first all-metal production fighter aircraft and the first pursuit monoplane used by the United States Army Air Corps...
- Boeing - P-27 - Consolidated
- P-28 - Consolidated
- P-29Boeing P-29|-See also:-Bibliography:* Boeing Company. Pedigree of Champions: Boeing Since 1916, Third Edition. Seattle, WA: The Boeing Company, 1969.* Bowers, Peter M. Boeing Aircraft since 1916. London:Putnam, 1989. ISBN 0-85177-804-6....
- Boeing - P-30Consolidated P-30|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Angelucci, Enzo. and Peter M. Bowers, The American Fighter. New York: Orion Books, 1987. ISBN 0-517-56588-9....
- Consolidated - P-31 Swift - Curtiss
- P-32 - Boeing
- P-33 - Consolidated
- P-34 - Wedell-Williams
- P-35Seversky P-35The Seversky P-35 was a fighter aircraft built in the United States by the Seversky Aircraft Company in the late 1930s. A contemporary of the Hawker Hurricane and Messerschmitt Bf 109, the P-35 was the first single-seat fighter in U.S...
- SeverskyRepublic Aviation CompanyThe Republic Aviation Corporation was an American aircraft manufacturer based in Farmingdale, Long Island, New York. Originally known as the Seversky Aircraft Company, the company was responsible for the design and production of many important military aircraft, including the P-47 Thunderbolt, F-84... - P-36 HawkP-36 HawkThe Curtiss P-36 Hawk, also known as the Curtiss Hawk Model 75, was an American-designed and built fighter aircraft of the 1930s and 40s. A contemporary of both the Hawker Hurricane and Messerschmitt Bf 109, it was one of the first of a new generation of combat aircraft—a sleek monoplane design...
- Curtiss - P-37 - Curtiss
- P-38 LightningP-38 LightningThe Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American fighter aircraft built by Lockheed. Developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a single, central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament...
- Lockheed - P-39 Airacobra - Bell
- P-40 WarhawkCurtiss P-40The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was an American single-engine, single-seat, all-metal fighter and ground attack aircraft that first flew in 1938. The P-40 design was a modification of the previous Curtiss P-36 Hawk which reduced development time and enabled a rapid entry into production and operational...
- Curtiss - P-41 - Seversky
- P-42 - Curtiss
- P-43 LancerP-43 LancerThe Republic P-43 Lancer was a single-engine, all-metal, low-wing monoplane fighter aircraft built by Republic, first delivered to the United States Army Air Corps in 1940. A proposed development was the P-44 Rocket. While no world-beater as a fighter, the P-43A had a very good high-altitude...
- RepublicRepublic Aviation CompanyThe Republic Aviation Corporation was an American aircraft manufacturer based in Farmingdale, Long Island, New York. Originally known as the Seversky Aircraft Company, the company was responsible for the design and production of many important military aircraft, including the P-47 Thunderbolt, F-84... - P-44 Rocket - Republic
- P-45 - Bell
- P-46 - Curtiss
- P-47 ThunderboltP-47 ThunderboltRepublic Aviation's P-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the "Jug", was the largest, heaviest, and most expensive fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single reciprocating engine. It was heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns, four per wing. When fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to...
- Republic - P-48 - Douglas
- P-49 - Lockheed
- P-50 - Grumman
- P-51 MustangP-51 MustangThe North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...
- 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 - TuckerPreston TuckerPreston Thomas Tucker was an American automobile designer and entrepreneur.He is most remembered for his 1948 Tucker Sedan , an automobile which introduced many features that have since become widely used in modern cars...
- P-58 Chain Lightning - Lockheed
- P-59 AiracometP-59 AiracometThe Bell P-59 Airacomet was the first American jet fighter aircraft, designed and built during World War II. The United States Army Air Forces was not impressed by its performance and cancelled the contract when fewer than half of the aircraft ordered had been produced. Although no P-59s went...
- Bell - P-60Curtiss P-60The Curtiss P-60 was a 1940s United States single-engine single-place, low-wing monoplane fighter aircraft developed by the Curtiss-Wright company as a successor to their P-40. It went through a lengthy series of prototype versions, eventually evolving into a design that bore little resemblance to...
- Curtiss - P-61 Black WidowP-61 Black WidowThe Northrop P-61 Black Widow was the first operational U.S. military aircraft designed specifically for night interception of aircraft, and was the first aircraft specifically designed to use radar. It was an all-metal, twin-engine, twin-boom design developed during World War II...
- Northrop - P-62 - Curtiss
- P-63 KingcobraP-63 KingcobraThe Bell P-63 Kingcobra was a United States fighter aircraft developed in World War II from the Bell P-39 Airacobra in an attempt to correct that aircraft's deficiencies...
- Bell - P-64North American P-64|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Green, William. War Planes of the Second World War - Fighters . London: MacDonald, 1961.-External links:* *...
- 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 EagleP-75 Eagle|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Green, William. War Planes of the Second World War, Volume Four: Fighters. London: Macdonald & Co., 1961. ISBN 0-356-01448-7....
- Fisher - P-76 - Bell
- P-77 - Bell
- P-78 - North American
- P-79 Flying Ram - Northrop
- F-80 Shooting Star - Lockheed
- P-81 - Convair
- F-82 Twin MustangF-82 Twin MustangThe North American F-82 Twin Mustang was the last American piston-engine fighter ordered into production by the United States Air Force. Based on the P-51 Mustang, the F-82 was originally designed as a long-range escort fighter in World War II; however, the war ended well before the first...
- North American - P-83 - Bell
- F-84 ThunderjetF-84 ThunderjetThe Republic F-84 Thunderjet was an American turbojet fighter-bomber aircraft. Originating as a 1944 United States Army Air Forces proposal for a "day fighter", the F-84 flew in 1946...
- Republic - F-85 Goblin - McDonnell
- F-86 SabreF-86 SabreThe North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
- North American
- F-87 Blackhawk - Curtiss
- F-88 Voodoo - McDonnell
- F-89 ScorpionF-89 ScorpionThe Northrop F-89 Scorpion was an early American jet-powered fighter designed from the outset as an all-weather interceptor. Though its straight wings limited its performance, it was among the first USAF jet fighters with guided missiles, and notably the first combat aircraft armed with air-to-air...
- Northrop - F-90 - Lockheed
- F-91 Thunderceptor - Republic
- F-92Convair XF-92The Convair XF-92 was the first American delta-wing aircraft. Originally conceived as a point-defense interceptor, the design was later made purely experimental...
- Convair - F-93 - North American
- F-94 StarfireF-94 StarfireThe Lockheed F-94 Starfire was the United States Air Force's first operational jet-powered all-weather interceptor aircraft. It was a development by Lockheed of the twin-seat T-33 Shooting Star trainer aircraft.-Design and development:...
- 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 SabreF-100 Super SabreThe North American F-100 Super Sabre was a supersonic jet fighter aircraft that served with the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1971 and with the Air National Guard until 1979. The first of the Century Series collection of USAF jet fighters, it was the first USAF fighter capable of...
- North American - F-101 VoodooF-101 VoodooThe McDonnell F-101 Voodoo was a supersonic military jet fighter which served the United States Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force...
- McDonnell - F-102 Delta DaggerF-102 Delta DaggerThe Convair F-102 Delta Dagger was a US interceptor aircraft built as part of the backbone of the United States Air Force's air defenses in the late 1950s. Entering service in 1956, its main purpose was to intercept invading Soviet bomber fleets...
- Convair - F-103 - Republic
- F-104 StarfighterF-104 StarfighterThe Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is a single-engine, high-performance, supersonic interceptor aircraft originally developed for the United States Air Force by Lockheed. One of the Century Series of aircraft, it served with the USAF from 1958 until 1969, and continued with Air National Guard units...
- Lockheed - F-105 ThunderchiefF-105 ThunderchiefThe Republic F-105 Thunderchief, was a supersonic fighter-bomber used by the United States Air Force. The Mach 2 capable F-105 conducted the majority of strike bombing missions during the early years of the Vietnam War; it has the dubious distinction of being the only US aircraft to have been...
- Republic - F-106 Delta DartF-106 Delta DartThe Convair F-106 Delta Dart was the primary all-weather interceptor aircraft for the United States Air Force from the 1960s through the 1980s. Designed as the so-called "Ultimate Interceptor", it has proven to be the last dedicated interceptor in USAF service to date...
- Convair - F-107 - North American
- F-108 Rapier - North American
- F-109 - designation was reserved for the X-13 Vertijet, F-101BF-101 VoodooThe McDonnell F-101 Voodoo was a supersonic military jet fighter which served the United States Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force...
, and Bell D-188A, but never officially assigned
- F-109 - designation was reserved for the X-13 Vertijet, F-101B
- F-110 Spectre - McDonnell Douglas (redesignated as F-4 in 1962)
- F-111 Aardvark - General DynamicsGeneral DynamicsGeneral Dynamics Corporation is a U.S. defense conglomerate formed by mergers and divestitures, and as of 2008 it is the fifth largest defense contractor in the world. Its headquarters are in West Falls Church , unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, in the Falls Church area.The company has...
- Unofficial designations YF-112 and up were later assigned to "black" projects - see Fighter series in Unified System.
Pursuit, Biplace
- PB-1 - Berliner-Joyce
- PB-2 - Consolidated
- PB-3 - Lockheed
Observation, 1924-1942
- O-1 Falcon - Curtiss
- O-2Douglas O-2The Douglas O-2 is a 1920s American observation aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company.-Development:The important family of Douglas observation aircraft sprang from two XO-2 prototypes, the first of which was powered by the 420 hp Liberty V-1650-1 V-engine and test-flown in the autumn...
- 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 CourierO-17 Courier-References:...
- Consolidated - O-18 Falcon - Curtiss
- O-19Thomas-Morse O-19|-See also:-References:* John Andrade, U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909, Midland Counties Publications, 1979, ISBN 0-904597-22-9...
- 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-31Douglas O-31-External links:**...
- Douglas - O-32 - Douglas
- O-33 - Thomas-Morse
- O-34 - Douglas
- O-35 - Douglas
- O-36 - Douglas
- O-37 - Keystone
- O-38Douglas O-38-References:*The complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft Editors: Paul Eden & Soph Moeng, , 1152 pp.-External links:...
- Douglas - O-39 Falcon - Curtiss
- O-40 Raven - Curtiss
- O-41 - Thomas-Morse
- O-42 - Thomas-Morse
- O-43Douglas O-43-External links:***...
- Douglas - O-44 - Douglas
- O-45 - Martin
- O-46 - Douglas
- O-47North American O-47|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Eden, Paul and Soph Moeng. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Amber Books Ltd., 2002. ISBN 0-7607-3432-1.* Fahey, James C. U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946. New York: Ships and Aircraft, 1946....
- 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)
Observation amphibian, 1925-1948
- 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
Photographic reconnaissance, 1930-1948 / Reconnaissance, 1948-1962
- 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 HavillandDe HavillandThe de Havilland Aircraft Company was a British aviation manufacturer founded in 1920 when Airco, of which Geoffrey de Havilland had been chief designer, was sold to BSA by the owner George Holt Thomas. De Havilland then set up a company under his name in September of that year at Stag Lane...
- 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 ReporterF-15 ReporterThe Northrop F-15 Reporter was an unarmed photographic reconnaissance aircraft. Based on the Northrop P-61 Black Widow night fighter, it was the last piston-powered photo-reconnaissance aircraft designed and produced for the United States Air Force...
- Northrop - R-11 - Hughes
- R-12 Rainbow - Republic
- R-16 Stratofortress - Boeing
Reconnaissance-strike, 1960-1962
Both of the following aircraft are numbered in the B- (bomber) sequence.- RS-70 ValkyrieXB-70 ValkyrieThe North American Aviation XB-70 Valkyrie was the prototype version of the proposed B-70 nuclear-armed deep-penetration strategic bomber for the United States Air Force's Strategic Air Command...
- North American - RS-71 BlackbirdSR-71 BlackbirdThe Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" was an advanced, long-range, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft. It was developed as a black project from the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft in the 1960s by the Lockheed Skunk Works. Clarence "Kelly" Johnson was responsible for many of the...
- 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-1Platt-Le Page XR-1The Platt-LePage XR-1, also known by the company designation PL-3, was an early American twin-rotor helicopter, built by the Platt-LePage Aircraft Company of Eddystone, Pennsylvania. The winner of a United States Army Air Force design competition held in early 1940, the XR-1 was the first...
- Platt-LePagePlatt-LePage Aircraft CompanyThe Platt-LePage Aircraft Company was a manufacturer of aircraft for the armed forces of the United States of America. Based in Eddystone, Pennsylvania, the company produced the first helicopter to be officially acquired by the United States Army Air Forces.... - R-2 - Kellett
- R-3 - Kellett
- R-4 HoverflySikorsky R-4The Sikorsky R-4 was a two-place helicopter designed by Igor Sikorsky with a single, three-bladed main rotor and powered by a radial engine. The R-4 was the world's first large-scale mass-produced helicopter and the first helicopter to enter service with the United States Army Air Forces, Navy, and...
- Sikorsky - R-5/H-5 DragonflySikorsky H-5The Sikorsky H-5, is a helicopter built by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, formerly used by the United States Air Force, and its predecessor, the United States Army Air Forces, as well as the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard The Sikorsky H-5, (aka R-5, S-51, HO3S-1, or Horse) (R-5...
- Sikorsky - R-6 Hoverfly IISikorsky R-6-External links:http://www.aerofiles.com/_sik.html Data and image of R-6...
- Sikorsky - R-7Sikorsky R-6-External links:http://www.aerofiles.com/_sik.html Data and image of R-6...
- Sikorsky - XR-8Kellett XR-8-External links:*...
Kellett - R-9/H-9 - Firestone
- R-10/H-10Kellett XR-10|-References:* * -External links:* bottom of page...
- Kellett - R-11/H-11 - Rotorcraft
- R-12/H-12 - Bell
- R-13/H-13 SiouxH-13 SiouxThe H-13 Sioux was a two-bladed, single engine, light helicopter built by Bell Helicopter. Westland Aircraft manufactured the Sioux under license for the British military as the Sioux AH.1 and HT.2.-Development:...
- Bell - R-14 - Firestone
- R-15/H-15 - Bell
- R-16/H-16Piasecki H-16-External links:* *...
- PiaseckiPiasecki HelicopterThe Piasecki Helicopter Corporation was a designer and manufacturer of helicopters located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the late 1940s and throughout the 1950s. The company was renamed Vertol Aircraft Corporation in the mid-1950s... - XR-17/XH-17H-17 Sky Crane|-See also:-References:* Jim Winchester The World's Worst Aircraft, 2005* Rene J. Francillon McDonnell Douglas Aircraft since 1920: Volume II, 1997-External links:* http://www.1000aircraftphotos.com/Contributions/VanTilborg/3138.htm...
- Hughes/Kellett - YH-18Sikorsky S-52|-See also:-Sources:* FAA Type Data Certificate, Helicopter Specification No. 1H2, rev. 3; 7 July 1961.* GAA Rotorcraft Flight Manual for Model S-52-3 Helicopter, Publication No. SA4045-10 Register 2, Sikorsky Aircraft Division of United Aircraft, 1952....
- Sikorsky - H-19 - Sikorsky
- XH-20 Little Henry - McDonnell
- H-21CH-21 ShawneeThe Piasecki H-21 Workhorse/Shawnee is an American helicopter, the fourth of a line of tandem rotor helicopters designed and built by Piasecki Helicopter . Commonly called the "flying banana", it was a multi-mission helicopter, utilizing wheels, skis, or floats.The H-21 was originally developed by...
- Piasecki - H-22Kaman K-225-External links:* 1949 Popular Science article on Kaman K-190 and the blade intermesh technology developed by Kaman — ie rare photos* * *...
- KamanKaman AircraftKaman Aircraft is a U.S. aerospace company, with headquarters in Bloomfield, Connecticut. It was founded in 1945 by Charles Kaman. During the first ten years the company operated exclusively as a designer and manufacturer of several helicopters that set world records and achieved many aviation... - OH-23 Raven - Hiller
- YH-24Seibel S-4-References:***...
- Seibel - H-25 - Piasecki
- XH-26 Jet JeepXH-26 Jet Jeep|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography...
- American Helicopter - YH-27 TransporterPiasecki H-16-External links:* *...
- Piasecki - XH-28H-17 Sky Crane|-See also:-References:* Jim Winchester The World's Worst Aircraft, 2005* Rene J. Francillon McDonnell Douglas Aircraft since 1920: Volume II, 1997-External links:* http://www.1000aircraftphotos.com/Contributions/VanTilborg/3138.htm...
- Hughes - H-29 - McDonnell
- YH-30 - McCulloch
- YH-31 - Doman
- YH-32 - Hiller
- XH-33Bell XV-3|-See also:- References :NotesBibliography*Markman, Steve, and William G. Holder. Straight Up: A History of Vertical Flight. Schiffer military/aviation history. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Pub, 2000....
- Bell (redesignated as XV-3) - H-34 ChoctawH-34 ChoctawThe Sikorsky H-34 Choctaw was a piston-engined military helicopter originally designed by American aircraft manufacturer Sikorsky for the United States Navy for service in the anti-submarine warfare role....
- Sikorsky - XH-35McDonnell XV-1|-See also:-Bibliography:* Connor, R. and R. E. Lee. . 24 September 2001. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC. Accessed 4 December 2007....
- McDonnell (redesignated as XV-1) - H-36 - reserved for secret project LONG EARS
- H-37 MojaveCH-37 Mojave|-See also:-References:* Harding, Stephen. U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947. Shrewsbury, UK:Airlife Publishing, 1990. ISBN 1-85310-102-8.* Swanborough, F.G. and Peter M. Bowers. United States Military Aircraft since 1909. London:Putnam, 1963....
- Sikorsky - H-38 - reserved for secret project SHORT TAIL
- XH-39Sikorsky XH-39|-See also:-Bibliography:* Harding, Stephen. U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947. Shrewsbury, England: Airlife, 1990. ISBN 1-85310-102-8.*Polmar, Norman, and Kennedy, Floyd D., Jr. Military Helicopters of the World. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1981. ISBN 0-870321-383-0.-External links:*...
- Sikorsky - XH-40 - BellBell Helicopter TextronBell Helicopter is an American rotorcraft manufacturer headquartered in Hurst, Texas, near Fort Worth. A division of Textron, Bell manufactures military helicopter and tiltrotor products in and around Fort Worth, as well as in Amarillo, Texas, and commercial rotorcraft products in Mirabel, Quebec,...
- YH-41 SenecaCessna CH-1The Cessna CH-1 is the only helicopter ever built by the Cessna Aircraft Company. It was the first helicopter to land on the summit of Pike's Peak and the last piston-engined helicopter to set the helicopter altitude record. The CH-1 had a single, two-bladed main rotor, and a front-mounted...
- 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 KnightCH-46 Sea KnightThe Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight is a medium-lift tandem rotor transport helicopter, used by the United States Marine Corps to provide all-weather, day-or-night assault transport of combat troops, supplies and equipment. Assault Support is its primary function, and the movement of supplies and...
- Boeing Vertol - H-47 ChinookCH-47 ChinookThe Boeing CH-47 Chinook is an American twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. Its top speed of 170 knots is faster than contemporary utility and attack helicopters of the 1960s...
- Boeing Vertol - XH-48UH-1 IroquoisThe Bell UH-1 Iroquois is a military helicopter powered by a single, turboshaft engine, with a two-bladed main rotor and tail rotor. The helicopter was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet the United States Army's requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter in 1952, and first flew...
- Bell (redesignated as UH-1F) - XH-49CH-46 Sea KnightThe Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight is a medium-lift tandem rotor transport helicopter, used by the United States Marine Corps to provide all-weather, day-or-night assault transport of combat troops, supplies and equipment. Assault Support is its primary function, and the movement of supplies and...
- Boeing Vertol (redesignated as XCH-46B) - H-50 DASH - GyrodyneGyrodyne Company of AmericaThe Gyrodyne Company of America was founded in 1946 by Peter J. Papadakos , using the assets he bought from the bankrupt Bendix Helicopter Company that was developing a one-man synchronized co-axial rotor helicopter....
- XH-51Lockheed XH-51-See also:-References:NotesBibliography*Landis, Tony and Jenkins, Dennis R. Lockheed AH-56A Cheyenne - WarbirdTech Volume 27, Specialty Press, 2000. ISBN 1580070272.- External links :* * - All the World's Rotorcraft...
- Lockheed - H-52 Sea Guard - Sikorsky
- H-53CH-53 Sea StallionThe CH-53 Sea Stallion is the most common name for the Sikorsky S-65 family of heavy-lift transport helicopters. Originally developed for use by the United States Marine Corps, it is also in service with Germany, Iran, Israel, and Mexico...
- Sikorsky- MH-53 Pave LowMH-53 Pave LowThe Sikorsky MH-53 Pave Low series is a long-range combat search and rescue helicopter for the United States Air Force. The series was upgraded from the HH-53B/C, variants of the Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion. The HH-53 "Super Jolly Green Giant" was initially developed to replace the HH-3 "Jolly...
- CH-53E Super StallionCH-53E Super StallionThe Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion is the largest and heaviest helicopter in the United States military. It was developed from the CH-53 Sea Stallion, mainly by adding a third engine, a seventh blade to the main rotor and canting the tail rotor 20 degrees. Sailors commonly refer to the Super...
- CH-53K Super Stallion
- MH-53 Pave Low
- H-54 TarheCH-54 Tarhe|-See also:-External links:* *...
- Sikorsky - H-55 OsageTH-55 OsageThe Hughes TH-55 Osage was a piston-powered light training helicopter produced for the United States Army. It was also produced as the Model 269 family of light utility helicopters, some of which were marketed as the Model 300...
- Hughes - H-56 CheyenneAH-56 CheyenneThe Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne was a single-engine attack helicopter developed by Lockheed for the United States Army's Advanced Aerial Fire Support System program to produce the Army's first dedicated attack helicopter...
- Lockheed - H-57 Sea Ranger - Bell
- H-58 KiowaOH-58 KiowaThe Bell OH-58 Kiowa is a family of single-engine, single-rotor, military helicopters used for observation, utility, and direct fire support. Bell Helicopter manufactured the OH-58 for the United States Army based on the 206A JetRanger helicopter. The OH-58 has been in continuous use by the U.S...
- Bell - XH-59 - Sikorsky
- H-60 Black HawkSikorsky UH-60 Black HawkThe UH-60 Black Hawk is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. Sikorsky submitted the S-70 design for the United States Army's Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System competition in 1972...
- Sikorsky- SH-60 SeahawkSH-60 SeahawkThe Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission United States Navy helicopter based on the United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family. The most significant airframe modification is a hinged tail to reduce its footprint aboard ships.The...
- HH-60 Pave HawkHH-60 Pave HawkThe Sikorsky MH-60G/HH-60G Pave Hawk is a twin turboshaft engine helicopter in service with the United States Air Force. It is a derivative of the UH-60 Black Hawk and incorporates the US Air Force PAVE electronic systems program...
- HH-60 JayhawkHH-60 JayhawkThe Sikorsky HH-60J Jayhawk is a multi-mission, twin-engine, medium-range helicopter operated by the United States Coast Guard for search and rescue, law enforcement, military readiness and marine environmental protection missions...
- SH-60 Seahawk
- YH-61 - Boeing Vertol
- XH-62 - Boeing Vertol
- YH-63 KingcobraBell YAH-63|-See also:-References:* Verier, Mike. Bell AH-1 Cobra. Osprey Publishing, 1990. ISBN 0-85045-934-6.-External links:* . U.S. Army, February 1983....
- Bell - H-64 ApacheAH-64 ApacheThe Boeing AH-64 Apache is a four-blade, twin-engine attack helicopter with a tailwheel-type landing gear arrangement, and a tandem cockpit for a two-man crew. The Apache was developed as Model 77 by Hughes Helicopters for the United States Army's Advanced Attack Helicopter program to replace the...
- Hughes - H-65 DolphinHH-65 DolphinThe Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin is a twin-engined, single main rotor, MEDEVAC-capable Search and Rescue helicopter operated by the United States Coast Guard...
- AérospatialeAérospatialeAérospatiale was a French aerospace manufacturer that built both civilian and military aircraft, rockets and satellites. It was originally known as Société Nationale Industrielle Aérospatiale... - H-66 ComancheRAH-66 ComancheThe Boeing-Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche was an advanced five-blade armed reconnaissance and attack helicopter designed for the United States Army. The RAH-66 program was canceled in 2004, before mass production began, after nearly $7 billion was spent on the program.During the early 1980s, the U.S...
- Boeing/Sikorsky - H-67 Creek - Bell
- H-68 Stingray - Agusta
- H-69 - skipped
- H-70 - Bell
- H-71 Kestrel - Lockheed MartinLockheed MartinLockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....
- H-72 Lakota - Eurocopter
Supersonic/special test, 1946-1948
- 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.
Advanced Trainer, 1925-1948
- 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 - NoorduynNoorduynThe Noorduyn Aircraft Ltd., founded by Robert B. C. Noorduyn, was established in Canada in early 1934 by taking over the Curtiss-Reid factory outside of Montreal, Quebec. Work soon started on the Noorduyn Norseman I...
- AT-17 Bobcat - Cessna
- AT-18 Hudson - Lockheed
- AT-19 Reliant - Stinson
- AT-20 Anson - AvroAvroAvro was a British aircraft manufacturer, with numerous landmark designs such as the Avro 504 trainer in the First World War, the Avro Lancaster, one of the pre-eminent bombers of the Second World War, and the delta wing Avro Vulcan, a stalwart of the Cold War.-Early history:One of the world's...
/Federal - AT-21 GunnerAT-21 Gunner|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Andrade, John M. U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Hinckley, England: Midland Counties Publications, 1979, ISBN 0-904597-22-9....
- Fairchild - AT-22 Liberator - Consolidated
- AT-23 Marauder - Martin
- AT-24 Mitchell - North American
Basic Combat, 1936-1940
- BC-1 - North American
- BC-2 - North American
- BC-3 - Vultee
Basic Trainer, 1930-1948
- 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-9North American BT-9|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Davis, Larry. T-6 Texan in Action . Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc., 1989. ISBN 0-89747-224-1....
- North American - BT-10 - North American
- BT-11Aircraft Research BT-11-External links:* http://personal.psu.edu/users/d/o/dob104/aviation/us/btrainer.html...
- Aircraft Research - BT-12Fleetwings BT-12|-See also:-References:* John Andrade, U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909, Midland Counties Publications, 1979, ISBN 0-904597-22-9 * The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft , 1985, Orbis Publishing...
- Fleetwings - BT-13 ValiantBT-13 ValiantThe Vultee BT-13 Valiant was an American World War II-era basic trainer aircraft built by Vultee Aircraft for the United States Army Air Corps, and later US Army Air Forces...
- Vultee - BT-14 - North American
- BT-15 Valiant - Vultee
- BT-16 Valiant - Vultee
- BT-17 - Boeing-Stearman
Primary Trainer, 1925-1948
- 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-11Consolidated PT-11-References:...
- 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
Unified sequence, 1948-present
The AT-6 TexanT-6 Texan
The North American Aviation T-6 Texan was a single-engine advanced trainer aircraft used to train pilots of the United States Army Air Forces, United States Navy, Royal Air Force and other air forces of the British Commonwealth during World War II and into the 1950s...
, 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 TexanT-6 TexanThe North American Aviation T-6 Texan was a single-engine advanced trainer aircraft used to train pilots of the United States Army Air Forces, United States Navy, Royal Air Force and other air forces of the British Commonwealth during World War II and into the 1950s...
- North American - T-7 Navigator - Beechcraft
- T-11 Kansan - Beechcraft
- T-28 TrojanT-28 TrojanThe North American Aviation T-28 Trojan is a piston-engined military trainer aircraft used by the United States Air Force and United States Navy beginning in the 1950s...
- North American - T-29 Flying Classroom - Convair
- T-30 - Douglas
- T-31 - Fairchild
- T-32 - Convair
- T-33 Shooting StarT-33 Shooting StarThe Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star is an American-built jet trainer aircraft. It was produced by Lockheed and made its first flight in 1948, piloted by Tony LeVier. The T-33 was developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80 starting as TP-80C/TF-80C in development, then designated T-33A. It was used by the...
- Lockheed - T-34 MentorT-34 MentorThe Beechcraft T-34 Mentor is a propeller-driven, single-engined, military trainer aircraft derived from the Beechcraft Model 35 Bonanza. The earlier versions of the T-34, dating from around the late 1940s to the 1950s, were piston-engined. These were eventually succeeded by the upgraded T-34C...
- Beechcraft - T-35 BuckarooT-35 BuckarooNot to be confused with the ENAER T-35 Pillán. For other uses see: T35 Not to be confused with the ENAER T-35 Pillán. For other uses see: T35 ...
- TemcoTemco AircraftThe Texas Engineering & Manufacturing Company , also known as Temco Aircraft Corporation, was a U.S.-based manufacturing company located in the Dallas, TX area... - T-36 - Beechcraft/CanadairCanadairCanadair Ltd. was a civil and military aircraft manufacturer in Canada. It was a subsidiary of other aircraft manufacturers, then a nationalized corporation until privatized in 1986, and became the core of Bombardier Aerospace....
- T-37 Tweet - Cessna
- T-38 TalonT-38 TalonThe Northrop T-38 Talon is a twin-engine supersonic jet trainer. It was the world's first supersonic trainer and is also the most produced. The T-38 remains in service as of 2011 in air forces throughout the world....
- Northrop - T-39 SabrelinerT-39 SabrelinerThe North American Sabreliner is a mid-sized business jet developed by North American Aviation. It was offered to the U.S. Air Force in response to their Utility Trainer Experimental program...
- North American - T-40 Jet Star - Lockheed
- T-41 MescaleroT-41 MescaleroThe Cessna T-41 Mescalero is a military version of the popular Cessna 172 used by the United States Air Force and Army as well as the armed forces of various other countries as a pilot training aircraft.-Design and development:...
- Cessna - T-42 Cochise - Beechcraft
- T-43Boeing T-43|-See also:-External links:* http://www.militaryaircraft.de/pictures/military/aircraft/T-43/T-43A_Gator.html* http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/t43a.shtml* http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/12ftw.htm...
- Boeing - T-44 Pegasus - Beechcraft
- T-45 GoshawkT-45 Goshawk|-Avionics:Data from naval-technology.com *Smiths Industries, Ltd. AN/USN-2 Standard Attitude Heading and Reference System . Later replaced by the BAE/Marconi AN/ASN-180 Navigation Guidance System ....
- McDonnell Douglas/BAE Systems - T-46Fairchild Republic T-46|-See also:-References:* Braybrook, Roy. "Tweety-Bird Replacement". Air International, June 1985, Vol 28, No. 6. pp. 273–280.* . Flight International, 17 July 1982, p. 122.* . Flight International 26 October 1985, p. 8....
- Fairchild - T-47 - Cessna
- T-48 - Cessna
- T-48 MPATST-48 MPATSThe T-48TS was a U.S. Navy aircraft project, intended to replace the T-39 Sabreliner as part of the Undergraduate Military Flight Officer Multi-Place Aircraft Training System ....
- T-49 - Boeing
- T-50 Golden EagleT-50 Golden EagleThe T-50 Golden Eagle is a family of South Korean supersonic advanced trainers and multirole fighters, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries beginning in the late 1990s. The T-50 is South Korea's first indigenous supersonic aircraft and one of the world's few supersonic trainers...
- Korean Aerospace IndustriesKorean Aerospace IndustriesKorea Aerospace Industries Ltd. is a South Korean aerospace company, originally a JV of Samsung Aerospace, Daewoo Heavy Industries , and Hyundai Space and Aircraft Company , which in 1999 took over its founding members at the behest of the Korean government following their financial troubles...
(designation reserved, none procured) - T-51 - Cessna
- T-52 - Diamond Aircraft
Convertiplane, 1952-1962
| Sequence | Name | Manufacturer | Image | First flight | Notes/Notable Variants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V-1 McDonnell XV-1 |-See also:-Bibliography:* Connor, R. and R. E. Lee. . 24 September 2001. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC. Accessed 4 December 2007.... |
McDonnell Aircraft McDonnell Aircraft The McDonnell Aircraft Corporation was an American aerospace manufacturer based in St. Louis, Missouri. The company was founded on July 16, 1939 by James Smith McDonnell, and was best known for its military fighters, including the F-4 Phantom II, and manned spacecraft including the Mercury capsule... |
 |
14 July 1954 | Formerly L-25 Formerly H-35 |
|
| V-2 Sikorsky XV-2 |-References:... |
Sikorsky Aircraft Sikorsky Aircraft The Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Stratford, Connecticut. Its parent company is United Technologies Corporation.-History:... |
- | Not built | ||
| V-3 Bell XV-3 |-See also:- References :NotesBibliography*Markman, Steve, and William G. Holder. Straight Up: A History of Vertical Flight. Schiffer military/aviation history. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Pub, 2000.... |
Bell Helicopter | 11 August 1955 | Formerly H-33 |
Army, 1956-1962
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/STOLV/STOL
Vertical and/or short take-off and landing is a term used to describe aircraft that are able to take-off or land vertically or on short runways. Vertical takeoff and landing describes craft which do not require runways at all...
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.
Airplane, Cargo, 1956-1962
- AC-1 Caribou - de Havilland CanadaDe Havilland CanadaThe de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. company was an aircraft manufacturer with facilities based in what is now the Downsview area of Toronto, Ontario, 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)
Airplane, Observation, 1956-1962
- AO-1 Mohawk - GrummanGrumman Aircraft Engineering CorporationThe Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, later Grumman Aerospace Corporation, was a leading 20th century U.S. producer of military and civilian aircraft...
(redesignated as OV-1 in 1962) - AO-2 Inflatoplane - Goodyear
- AO-3 Inflatoplane - Goodyear
Airplane, Research, 1956-1962
| Sequence | Name | Manufacturer | Image | First flight | Notes/Notable Variants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AZ-1 | Marvelette | Mississippi State University Mississippi State University The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area... |
16 November 1962 |
Flying Platform, 1955-1956
- HO-1 Pawnee - Hiller (redesignated as VZ-1 in 1956)
- HO-2 - de Lackner Helicopters (redesignated as HZ-1 in 1956)
Helicopter, Cargo, 1956-1962
- HC-1A Sea Knight (redesignated as CH-46C in 1962)
- HC-1B Chinook (redesignated as CH-47A in 1962)
Helicopter, Observation, 1956-1962
- HO-1 - Sud-OuestSociété nationale des constructions aéronautiques du sud-ouestSNCASO was a French aircraft manufacturer, which originated on November 16, 1936, from the merger of the factories of Blériot of Suresnes, Bloch of Villacoublay and Courbevoie, SASO of Bordeaux-Mérignac, UCA of...
- HO-2 - HughesHughes AircraftHughes Aircraft Company was a major American aerospace and defense contractor founded in 1932 by Howard Hughes in Culver City, California as a division of Hughes Tool Company...
- HO-3 - BrantlyBrantly InternationalBrantly International Inc. is a helicopter manufacturer company based in Coppell, Texas, United States.-Brantly Helicopter:The company started out 1945 as Brantly Helicopter Corporation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded by Newby O. Brantly. Brantly was so impressed with the Sikorsky VS-300...
- 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)
Helicopter, Utility, 1956-1962
- HU-1 Iroquois - Bell (redesignated as UH-1 in 1962)
Vertical Takeoff and Landing Research, 1956-1962
- VZ-1 Pawnee - Hiller
- VZ-2 - Vertol
- VZ-3 VertiplaneVZ-3 Vertiplane|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Andrade, John M. U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Earl Shilton, Leicester, UK: Midland Counties Publications, 1979, p. 178. ISBN 0-904597-22-9....
- RyanRyan Aeronautical CompanyThe Ryan Aeronautical Company was founded by T. Claude Ryan in San Diego, California in 1934. Part of Teledyne after 1969, Northrop Grumman purchased Teledyne Ryan in 1999... - VZ-4 Convertiplane - Doak
- VZ-5 Fledgling - Fairchild
- VZ-6Chrysler VZ-6|-See also:...
- Chrysler - VZ-7Curtiss-Wright VZ-7-See also:...
-Curtiss-WrightCurtiss-WrightThe Curtiss-Wright Corporation was the largest aircraft manufacturer in the United States at the end of World War II, but has evolved to largely become a component manufacturer, specializing in actuators, aircraft controls, valves, and metalworking.... - VZ-8 AirgeepVZ-8 Airgeep-References:NotesBibliography*Harding, Stephen. "Flying Jeeps: The US Army's Search for the Ultimate 'Vehicle'". Air Enthusiast, No. 73, January/February 1998. Stamford, Lincs, UK:Key Publishing. ISSN 0143 5450. pp.10-12.-External links:*...
- PiaseckiPiasecki HelicopterThe Piasecki Helicopter Corporation was a designer and manufacturer of helicopters located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the late 1940s and throughout the 1950s. The company was renamed Vertol Aircraft Corporation in the mid-1950s... - VZ-9 Avrocar - Avro CanadaAvro CanadaCommonly known as Avro Canada, this company started in 1945 as an aircraft plant and became within thirteen years the third-largest company in Canada, one of the largest 100 companies in the world, and directly employing over 50,000...
- VZ-10 Hummingbird - LockheedLockheed CorporationThe Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace company. Lockheed was founded in 1912 and later merged with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin in 1995.-Origins:...
(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)
Airborne Laser
| Sequence | Name | Manufacturer | Image | Notes/Notable Variants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AL-1 Boeing YAL-1 The Boeing YAL-1 Airborne Laser Testbed, weapons system is a megawatt-class chemical oxygen iodine laser mounted inside a modified Boeing 747-400F. It is primarily designed as a missile defense system to destroy tactical ballistic missiles , while in boost phase. The aircraft was designated... |
Boeing Boeing The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001... |
Airborne Laser Testbed |
Airship
| Sequence | Name | Manufacturer | Image | Notes/Notable Variants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z-1 | Goodyear Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company was founded in 1898 by Frank Seiberling. Goodyear manufactures tires for automobiles, commercial trucks, light trucks, SUVs, race cars, airplanes, farm equipment and heavy earth-mover machinery.... |
|||
| Z-2 | Sentinel | Westinghouse Airships | ||
| Z-3 American Blimp MZ-3 The MZ-3A is a blimp owned by the United States Navy since 2006.It is a modified American Blimp Corporation A-170 series commercial blimp and given the USN type/model/series designation MZ-3A and Bureau Number 167811... |
American Blimp |
Anti-Submarine Warfare
| Sequence | Name | Manufacturer | Image | Notes/Notable Variants | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S-1 | Skipped | ||||||
| S-2 S-2 Tracker The Grumman S-2 Tracker was the first purpose-built, single airframe anti-submarine warfare aircraft to enter service with the US Navy. The Tracker was of conventional design with twin engines, a high wing and tricycle undercarriage. The type was exported to a number of navies around the world... |
Tracker | Grumman Aircraft | Formerly S2F | ||||
| S-3 S-3 Viking The Lockheed S-3 Viking is a four-seat twin-engine jet aircraft that was used by the U.S. Navy to identify, track, and destroy enemy submarines. In the late 1990s, the S-3B's mission focus shifted to surface warfare and aerial refueling. The Viking also provided electronic warfare and surface... |
Viking Shadow |
Lockheed Corporation Lockheed Corporation The Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace company. Lockheed was founded in 1912 and later merged with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin in 1995.-Origins:... |
|||||
Attack
| Sequence | Name | Manufacturer | Image | Notes/Notable Variants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | Skyraider | Douglas Douglas Aircraft Company The Douglas Aircraft Company was an American aerospace manufacturer, based in Long Beach, California. It was founded in 1921 by Donald Wills Douglas, Sr. and later merged with McDonnell Aircraft in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas... |
(formerly designated AD) | |
| A-2 | Savage | North American North American Aviation North American Aviation was a major US aerospace manufacturer, responsible for a number of historic aircraft, including the T-6 Texan trainer, the P-51 Mustang fighter, the B-25 Mitchell bomber, the F-86 Sabre jet fighter, the X-15 rocket plane, and the XB-70, as well as Apollo Command and Service... |
(formerly designated AJ) | |
| A-3 | Skywarrior | Douglas Douglas Aircraft Company The Douglas Aircraft Company was an American aerospace manufacturer, based in Long Beach, California. It was founded in 1921 by Donald Wills Douglas, Sr. and later merged with McDonnell Aircraft in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas... |
 |
(formerly designated A3D) |
| A-4 | Skyhawk | Douglas Douglas Aircraft Company The Douglas Aircraft Company was an American aerospace manufacturer, based in Long Beach, California. It was founded in 1921 by Donald Wills Douglas, Sr. and later merged with McDonnell Aircraft in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas... |
 |
(formerly designated A4D) |
| A-5 | Vigilante | North American North American Aviation North American Aviation was a major US aerospace manufacturer, responsible for a number of historic aircraft, including the T-6 Texan trainer, the P-51 Mustang fighter, the B-25 Mitchell bomber, the F-86 Sabre jet fighter, the X-15 rocket plane, and the XB-70, as well as Apollo Command and Service... |
 |
(formerly designated A3J) |
| A-6 | Intruder | Grumman | (formerly designated A2F) | |
| A-7 | Corsair II | LTV Ling-Temco-Vought Ling-Temco-Vought was a large U.S. conglomerate which existed from 1969 to 2000. At its peak, its component parts were involved in the aerospace industry, electronics, steel manufacturing, sporting goods, the airline industry, meat packing, car rentals and pharmaceuticals, among other... |
||
| A-9 | Northrop Northrop Corporation Northrop Corporation was a leading United States aircraft manufacturer from its formation in 1939 until its merger with Grumman to form Northrop Grumman in 1994. The company is known for its development of the flying wing design, although only a few of these have entered service.-History:Jack... |
 |
Losing contender for the AX competition | |
| A-10 | Thunderbolt II | Fairchild Republic |  |
Winning contender for the AX competition |
| A-12 | Avenger II | McDonnell Douglas McDonnell Douglas McDonnell Douglas was a major American aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft. It formed from a merger of McDonnell Aircraft and Douglas Aircraft in 1967. McDonnell Douglas was based at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport... / General Dynamics General Dynamics General Dynamics Corporation is a U.S. defense conglomerate formed by mergers and divestitures, and as of 2008 it is the fifth largest defense contractor in the world. Its headquarters are in West Falls Church , unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, in the Falls Church area.The company has... |
cancelled | |
| F/A-18C/D | Hornet | McDonnell Douglas McDonnell Douglas McDonnell Douglas was a major American aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft. It formed from a merger of McDonnell Aircraft and Douglas Aircraft in 1967. McDonnell Douglas was based at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport... |
 |
|
| F/A-18E/F | Super Hornet | Boeing Boeing The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001... |
 |
|
| A-26 | Invader | Douglas Douglas Aircraft Company The Douglas Aircraft Company was an American aerospace manufacturer, based in Long Beach, California. It was founded in 1921 by Donald Wills Douglas, Sr. and later merged with McDonnell Aircraft in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas... |
(redesignated from B-26 in 1966) | |
| A-29 Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano The Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, also named ALX or A-29 is a turboprop aircraft designed for light attack, counter insurgency and pilot training missions, incorporating modern avionics and weapons systems. It is currently in service with the air forces of Brazil, Dominican Republic and Colombia,... |
Super Tucano | Embraer Embraer Embraer S.A. is a Brazilian aerospace conglomerate that produces commercial, military, and executive aircraft and provides aeronautical services.... |
 |
|
| A-37 | Dragonfly | Cessna Cessna The Cessna Aircraft Company is an airplane manufacturing corporation headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, USA. Their main products are general aviation aircraft. Although they are the most well known for their small, piston-powered aircraft, they also produce business jets. The company is a subsidiary... |
(originally designated AT-37) | |
Bomber
| Sequence | Name | Manufacturer | Image | Notes/Notable Variants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-1 B-1 Lancer The Rockwell B-1 LancerThe name "Lancer" is only applied to the B-1B version, after the program was revived. is a four-engine variable-sweep wing strategic bomber used by the United States Air Force... |
Lancer | Rockwell International Rockwell International Rockwell International was a major American manufacturing conglomerate in the latter half of the 20th century, involved in aircraft, the space industry, both defense-oriented and commercial electronics, automotive and truck components, printing presses, valves and meters, and industrial automation.... |
||
| B-2 B-2 Spirit The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is an American heavy bomber with low observable stealth technology designed to penetrate dense anti-aircraft defenses and deploy both conventional and nuclear weapons. The bomber has a crew of two and can drop up to eighty -class JDAM GPS-guided bombs, or sixteen ... |
Spirit "Stealth Bomber" |
Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American global aerospace and defense technology company formed by the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company was the fourth-largest defense contractor in the world as of 2010, and the largest builder of naval vessels. Northrop Grumman employs over... |
 |
Cargo
| Sequence | Name | Manufacturer | Image | Notes/Notable Variants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C-1 | Trader | Grumman | (formerly designated TF) | |
| C-2 | Greyhound | Grumman | ||
| C-3 | Martin 4-0-4 | Martin Glenn L. Martin Company The Glenn L. Martin Company was an American aircraft and aerospace manufacturing company that was founded by the aviation pioneer Glenn L. Martin. The Martin Company produced many important aircraft for the defense of the United States and its allies, especially during World War II and the Cold War... |
 |
(formerly designated RM-1Z) Martin 4-0-4 airliners for use by the US Marine Corps and US Coast Guard |
| C-4 | Academe | Gulfstream Gulfstream Aerospace Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation is a producer of several models of jet aircraft. Gulfstream has been a unit of General Dynamics since 1999.The company has produced more than 1,500 aircraft for corporate, government, private, and military customers around the world... |
Used for training A-6 Intruder WSO's. | |
| C-5 | Galaxy | Lockheed Lockheed Corporation The Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace company. Lockheed was founded in 1912 and later merged with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin in 1995.-Origins:... |
||
| C-6 Beechcraft King Air The Beechcraft King Air family is part of a line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by the Beech Aircraft Corporation... |
Ute | Beechcraft Beechcraft Beechcraft is an American manufacturer of general aviation and military aircraft, ranging from light single engine aircraft to business jets and light military transports. Previously a division of Raytheon, it has been a brand of Hawker Beechcraft since 2006.... |
Beechcraft 90 King Air, re-designated U-21 Ute | |
| C-7 De Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou The de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou is a Canadian-designed and produced specialized cargo aircraft with short takeoff and landing capability... |
Caribou | de Havilland Canada De Havilland Canada The de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. company was an aircraft manufacturer with facilities based in what is now the Downsview area of Toronto, Ontario, Canada... |
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| C-8 De Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo The de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo is a short takeoff and landing utility transport, a turboprop aircraft developed from the earlier piston-powered DHC-4 Caribou... |
Buffalo | de Havilland Canada De Havilland Canada The de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. company was an aircraft manufacturer with facilities based in what is now the Downsview area of Toronto, Ontario, Canada... |
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| C-9 | Nightingale | McDonnell-Douglas |  |
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| 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 Gulfstream Aerospace Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation is a producer of several models of jet aircraft. Gulfstream has been a unit of General Dynamics since 1999.The company has produced more than 1,500 aircraft for corporate, government, private, and military customers around the world... |
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| C-12 | Beechcraft Beechcraft Beechcraft is an American manufacturer of general aviation and military aircraft, ranging from light single engine aircraft to business jets and light military transports. Previously a division of Raytheon, it has been a brand of Hawker Beechcraft since 2006.... |
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| C-14 | Boeing Boeing The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001... |
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AMST contender | |
| C-15 McDonnell Douglas YC-15 |-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Green, William. The Observer's Book of Aircraft. London. Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd., 1976. ISBN 0-7232-1553-7.... |
McDonnell-Douglas | AMST contender | ||
| C-17 | Globemaster III | Boeing Boeing The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001... |
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| C-18 | Boeing 707-320 | Boeing Boeing The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001... |
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| C-19 | Boeing 747-100 | Boeing Boeing The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001... |
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| C-20 | Gulfstream III | Gulfstream Gulfstream Aerospace Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation is a producer of several models of jet aircraft. Gulfstream has been a unit of General Dynamics since 1999.The company has produced more than 1,500 aircraft for corporate, government, private, and military customers around the world... |
C-20A / B / C / D / E | |
| C-20 Gulfstream IV The Gulfstream IV and derivatives are a family of twin-jet aircraft, mainly for private or business use. The aircraft was designed and built by Gulfstream Aerospace, a General Dynamics company based in Savannah, Georgia, United States from 1985 until 2003.-Design and development:Gulfstream, in... |
Gulfstream IV | Gulfstream Gulfstream Aerospace Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation is a producer of several models of jet aircraft. Gulfstream has been a unit of General Dynamics since 1999.The company has produced more than 1,500 aircraft for corporate, government, private, and military customers around the world... |
C-20F / G / H / J | |
| C-21 | Learjet 35 | Learjet | ||
| C-22 | Boeing 727 | Boeing Boeing The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001... |
Air National Guard and National Guard Bureau personnel transports | |
| C-23 | Sherpa | Shorts Short Brothers Short Brothers plc is a British aerospace company, usually referred to simply as Shorts, that is now based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Founded in 1908, Shorts was the first company in the world to make production aircraft and was a manufacturer of flying boats during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s... |
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Military logistics transports for use in Europe and the US by the US Air Force and US Army |
| C-24 | DC-8F-54 | Douglas Douglas Aircraft Company The Douglas Aircraft Company was an American aerospace manufacturer, based in Long Beach, California. It was founded in 1921 by Donald Wills Douglas, Sr. and later merged with McDonnell Aircraft in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas... |
A single DC-8-54F used for avionic trials as the EC-24A | |
| C-25 | Boeing Boeing The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001... |
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Presidential VVIP transport | |
| C-26 | Fairchild | |||
| C-27 Alenia C-27J Spartan The Alenia C-27J Spartan is a medium-sized military transport aircraft. The C-27J is an advanced derivative of Alenia Aeronautica's G.222 , with the engines and systems of the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules... |
Spartan | Alenia |  |
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| C-28 | Titan | Cessna Cessna The Cessna Aircraft Company is an airplane manufacturing corporation headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, USA. Their main products are general aviation aircraft. Although they are the most well known for their small, piston-powered aircraft, they also produce business jets. The company is a subsidiary... |
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| C-29 | B Ae 125-800 | British Aerospace British Aerospace British Aerospace plc was a UK aircraft, munitions and defence-systems manufacturer. Its head office was in the Warwick House in the Farnborough Aerospace Centre in Farnborough, Hampshire... |
Airways and navaid checker | |
| C-32 | Boeing Boeing The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001... |
VIP transport | ||
| C-35 | Cessna Cessna The Cessna Aircraft Company is an airplane manufacturing corporation headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, USA. Their main products are general aviation aircraft. Although they are the most well known for their small, piston-powered aircraft, they also produce business jets. The company is a subsidiary... |
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| C-37 Gulfstream V The Gulfstream V is a business jet aircraft produced by Gulfstream Aerospace. It is also used by the US military under the designation C-37A. The G500 and G550 are improved versions which are currently in production... |
Gulfstream V | Gulfstream Gulfstream Aerospace Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation is a producer of several models of jet aircraft. Gulfstream has been a unit of General Dynamics since 1999.The company has produced more than 1,500 aircraft for corporate, government, private, and military customers around the world... |
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| C-38 | Gulfstream G100 | Gulfstream Gulfstream Aerospace Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation is a producer of several models of jet aircraft. Gulfstream has been a unit of General Dynamics since 1999.The company has produced more than 1,500 aircraft for corporate, government, private, and military customers around the world... |
(formerly IAI Astra SPX) | |
| C-40 | Boeing 737-700c | Boeing Boeing The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001... |
(replacement for the C-9 Nightingale) | |
| C-41 | C-212 series 200 Aviocar | Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA , was a Spanish aircraft manufacturer. It became EADS CASA the Spanish branch of EADS in 1999, but was absorbed by Airbus Military in 2009... |
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| C-45 | EADS EADS The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company N.V. is a global pan-European aerospace and defence corporation and a leading defence and military contractor worldwide... |
Losing K-X contender | ||
| C-46 Boeing KC-46 The Boeing KC-46 is a military aerial refueling and strategic transport aircraft developed by Boeing from its 767 jet airliner. In February 2011, the tanker was selected by United States Air Force as the winner in the KC-X tanker competition to replace older KC-135 Stratotankers.-Background:The U.S... |
Boeing Boeing The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001... |
Winner of the K-X competition over the EADS KC-45 | ||
| KC-767 Boeing KC-767 The Boeing KC-767 is a military aerial refueling and strategic transport aircraft developed from the Boeing 767-200ER. The tanker received the designation KC-767A in 2002, after being selected by the US Air Force initially to replace older KC-135Es... |
Boeing Boeing The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001... |
Out of sequence designation used for foreign military sales and trials aircraft:- Multi-Role Tanker Transports exported to Japan and Italy | ||
| UC-880 Convair 880 The Convair 880 was a narrow-body jet airliner produced by the Convair division of General Dynamics. It was designed to compete with the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8 by being smaller and faster, a niche that failed to create demand... |
Convair Convair Convair was an American aircraft manufacturing company which later expanded into rockets and spacecraft. The company was formed in 1943 by the merger of Vultee Aircraft and Consolidated Aircraft, and went on to produce a number of pioneering aircraft, such as the Convair B-36 bomber, and the F-102... |
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Out of sequence designation used for foreign military sales and trials aircraft:- A single Convair 880 converted to tanker to support trials from the NATC at Patuxent River Patuxent River The Patuxent River is a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay in the state of Maryland. There are three main river drainages for central Maryland: the Potomac River to the west passing through Washington D.C., the Patapsco River to the northeast passing through Baltimore, and the Patuxent River between... |
Drone
| Sequence | Name | Manufacturer | Image | Notes/Notable Variants | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q-1 RQ-1 Predator The General Atomics MQ-1 Predator is an unmanned aerial vehicle used primarily by the United States Air Force and Central Intelligence Agency... |
Predator Warrior |
General Atomics General Atomics General Atomics is a nuclear physics and defense contractor headquartered in San Diego, California. General Atomics’ research into fission and fusion matured into competencies in related technologies, allowing the company to expand into other fields of research... |
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MQ-1C Warrior MQ-1C Warrior |-See also:-External links:* * * * *... |
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| Q-2 RQ-2 Pioneer -External links:*... |
Pioneer | AAI Corporation AAI Corporation AAI Corporation is an aerospace and defense development and manufacturing firm in Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA. It is formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of United Industrial Corporation, AAI was acquired by Textron in 2007 and currently is an operating unit of Textron Systems Corporation... Israel Aircraft Industries Israel Aircraft Industries Israel Aerospace Industries or IAI is Israel's prime aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial systems for both military and civilian usage. It has 16,000 employees as of 2007... |
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| Q-3 RQ-3 Dark Star -See also:- Footnotes :ReferencesSources* Specifications and second and third paragraphs: Display information on exhibit at Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington, US.- External links :* *... |
Dark Star | Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area.... Boeing Boeing The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001... |
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| Q-4 RQ-4 Global Hawk The Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk is an unmanned aerial vehicle used by the United States Air Force and Navy as a surveillance aircraft.... |
Global Hawk | Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American global aerospace and defense technology company formed by the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company was the fourth-largest defense contractor in the world as of 2010, and the largest builder of naval vessels. Northrop Grumman employs over... |
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| Q-5 RQ-5 Hunter The RQ-5 Hunter unmanned aerial vehicle was originally intended to serve as the United States Army's Short Range UAV system for division and corps commanders. It took off and landed on runways. It used a gimbaled EO/IR sensor to relay its video in real time via a second airborne Hunter over a... |
Hunter | Israel Aircraft Industries |  |
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| Q-6 RQ-6 Outrider -See also:- External links :*... |
Outrider | Alliant Techsystems Alliant Techsystems Alliant Techsystems Inc., most commonly known by its ticker symbol, ', is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the United States with more than 18,000 employees in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally, and 2010 revenues in excess of an estimated... |
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| Q-7 RQ-7 Shadow The RQ-7 Shadow unmanned aerial vehicle is used by the United States Army and Marine Corps. Launched from a trailer-mounted pneumatic catapult, it is recovered with the aid of arresting gear similar to jets on an aircraft carrier... |
Shadow | AAI Corporation |  |
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| Q-8 | Fire Scout | Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American global aerospace and defense technology company formed by the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company was the fourth-largest defense contractor in the world as of 2010, and the largest builder of naval vessels. Northrop Grumman employs over... |
 |
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| Q-9 MQ-9 Reaper The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle , capable of remote controlled or autonomous flight operations, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for use by the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, the CIA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Royal... |
Reaper Altair |
General Atomics | Originally "Predator B" | ||||
| Q-10 CQ-10 Snowgoose -External links:* * - Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles... |
SnowGoose | MMIST | |||||
| Q-11 | Raven | AeroVironment AeroVironment AeroVironment Inc. is a technology company in Monrovia, California, and Simi Valley, California, that is primarily involved in energy systems, electric vehicle systems, and unmanned aerial vehicles . Paul B. MacCready, Jr., a famous designer of human powered aircraft, founded the company in 1971... |
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| Q-12 | Requested for Q-1C MQ-1C Warrior |-See also:-External links:* * * * *... - Skipped |
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| Q-13 | Skipped | ||||||
| Q-14 | Dragon Eye | AeroVironment | |||||
| Q-15 RQ-15 Neptune -References:This article contains material that originally came from the web article by Greg Goebel, which exists in the Public Domain.*... |
Neptune | DRS Technologies DRS Technologies DRS Technologies, Inc. is a US-based defense contractor. Previously traded on the NYSE, the company was purchased by the Italian firm Finmeccanica in October 2008.-History:... |
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| Q-16 RQ-16 T-Hawk The Honeywell RQ-16A T-Hawk is a ducted fan VTOL micro UAV. Developed by Honeywell, it is suitable for backpack deployment and single-person operation.-Development:... |
T-Hawk | Honeywell Honeywell Honeywell International, Inc. is a major conglomerate company that produces a variety of consumer products, engineering services, and aerospace systems for a wide variety of customers, from private consumers to major corporations and governments.... |
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| Q-17 | SpyHawk | MTC Technologies | |||||
| Q-18 Boeing A160 Hummingbird The Boeing A160 Hummingbird is an unmanned aerial vehicle helicopter. Its design incorporates many new technologies never before used in helicopters, allowing for greater endurance and altitude than any helicopter currently in operation.The development of Hummingbird was begun by Frontier Aircraft... |
Hummingbird | Boeing | |||||
| Q-19 | Aerosonde | AAI Corporation AAI Corporation AAI Corporation is an aerospace and defense development and manufacturing firm in Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA. It is formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of United Industrial Corporation, AAI was acquired by Textron in 2007 and currently is an operating unit of Textron Systems Corporation... |
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| Non-sequential designations | |||||||
| Q-170 | Sentinel | Lockheed Martin | |||||
Electronic Warfare
| Sequence | Name | Manufacturer | Image | Notes/Notable Variants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | Tracer | Grumman Aircraft |  |
Formerly WF |
| E-2 E-2 Hawkeye The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, aircraft carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft. This twin-turboprop aircraft was designed and developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s by the Grumman Aircraft Company for the United States Navy as a replacement for the... |
Hawkeye | Grumman Aircraft | Formerly W2F | |
| E-3 E-3 Sentry The Boeing E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system developed by Boeing as the prime contractor. Derived from the Boeing 707, it provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications, and is used by the United States Air Force , NATO, Royal Air Force , French Air Force... |
Sentry | Boeing Boeing The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001... |
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| E-4 Boeing E-4 The Boeing E-4 Advanced Airborne Command Post, with a project name of "Nightwatch", is an aircraft operated by the United States Air Force... |
"Nightwatch" | Boeing |  |
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| E-5 | Eagle | Windecker Industries Windecker Industries Windecker Industries was an American aircraft manufacturer founded in 1962 as Windecker Research in Midland, Texas. It was the first company to produce and market powered aircraft built predominantly of composite materials... |
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| E-6 | Mercury | Boeing |  |
TACAMO TACAMO TACAMO is a U.S. military term meaning "Take Charge and Move Out". TACAMO refers to a system of survivable communications links designed to be used in nuclear war to maintain communications between the decision makers and the triad of strategic nuclear weapon delivery systems... |
| E-7 | Designation proposed for EC-18B | |||
| E-8 E-8 Joint STARS The Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System is a battle management and command and control aircraft of the United States Air Force... |
Joint STARS | Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American global aerospace and defense technology company formed by the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company was the fourth-largest defense contractor in the world as of 2010, and the largest builder of naval vessels. Northrop Grumman employs over... |
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| E-9 | Widget | de Havilland Canada De Havilland Canada The de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. company was an aircraft manufacturer with facilities based in what is now the Downsview area of Toronto, Ontario, Canada... |
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| E-10 E-10 MC2A |-See also:- External links :* *... |
MC2A | Boeing Northrop Grumman |
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| E-11 Bombardier Global Express The Bombardier Global Express is an ultra long range corporate and VIP high speed jet aircraft produced by Bombardier Aerospace. The Bombardier Global 5000 is a slightly shorter version... |
Bombardier Northrop Grumman |
Battlefield Airborne Communications Node Battlefield Airborne Communications Node The Battlefield Airborne Communications Node is an airborne communications relay and gateway system hosted on a variety of aircraft that provides flexible radio connectivity across the battlespace for airborne and surface operators... platform |
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| E-767 Boeing E-767 The Boeing E-767 is an airborne warning and control system aircraft. It was designed in response to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's requirements, and is essentially the Boeing E-3 Sentry's surveillance radar and air control system installed on a Boeing 767-200.-Background:On September 6, 1976,... |
Boeing Boeing The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001... |
Out of sequence designation used for foreign military sales and trials aircraft:- AEW&C aircraft for the Japanese Self-Defence Forces |
Experimental, 1948-present
In addition to aircraft intended to support military operations, the armed forces of the United States have also supported efforts to push the boundaries of aeronautical and aerospace knowledge. Some of the best-known of these projects are the aircraft designated in the "X-series", which led them to become known as "X-planes".| Name | Manufacturer Agency |
Image | Maiden flight | Notes/Notable Variants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X-1 Bell X-1 The Bell X-1, originally designated XS-1, was a joint NACA-U.S. Army/US Air Force supersonic research project built by Bell Aircraft. Conceived in 1944 and designed and built over 1945, it eventually reached nearly 1,000 mph in 1948... |
Bell Aircraft Bell Aircraft The Bell Aircraft Corporation was an aircraft manufacturer of the United States, a builder of several types of fighter aircraft for World War II but most famous for the Bell X-1, the first supersonic aircraft, and for the development and production of many important civilian and military helicopters... USAF, NACA NACA - Organizations :* National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, the forerunner of the U.S. federal agency NASA* National Association for Campus Activities, an organization for programmers of university and college activities... |
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January 19, 1946 | High-speed and high-altitude testing. First aircraft to break the sound barrier Sound barrier The sound barrier, in aerodynamics, is the point at which an aircraft moves from transonic to supersonic speed. The term, which occasionally has other meanings, came into use during World War II, when a number of aircraft started to encounter the effects of compressibility, a collection of several... . Proved aerodynamic viability of thin wing sections. |
| X-2 "Starbuster" Bell X-2 -Popular culture:* The 1956 film Toward the Unknown starred the X-2, William Holden, Lloyd Nolan and Virginia Leith. A brainwashed former POW tries to return to test flying; co-starring the Martin XB-51 and the Edwards AFB flight line.... |
Bell Aircraft USAF |
June 27, 1952 | High-speed and high-altitude testing. First aircraft to exceed Mach 3 Mach number Mach number is the speed of an object moving through air, or any other fluid substance, divided by the speed of sound as it is in that substance for its particular physical conditions, including those of temperature and pressure... . |
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| X-3 Stiletto X-3 Stiletto The Douglas X-3 Stiletto was a 1950s United States experimental jet aircraft with a slender fuselage and a long tapered nose, manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company. Its primary mission was to investigate the design features of an aircraft suitable for sustained supersonic speeds, which... |
Douglas Aircraft Douglas Aircraft Company The Douglas Aircraft Company was an American aerospace manufacturer, based in Long Beach, California. It was founded in 1921 by Donald Wills Douglas, Sr. and later merged with McDonnell Aircraft in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas... USAF, NACA |
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October 27, 1952 | Titanium Titanium Titanium is a chemical element with the symbol Ti and atomic number 22. It has a low density and is a strong, lustrous, corrosion-resistant transition metal with a silver color.... alloy construction; low aspect ratio Aspect ratio The aspect ratio of a shape is the ratio of its longer dimension to its shorter dimension. It may be applied to two characteristic dimensions of a three-dimensional shape, such as the ratio of the longest and shortest axis, or for symmetrical objects that are described by just two measurements,... wings. Planned to test long-duration high-speed flight. Incapable of reaching design speed, but Provided insights into inertia coupling Inertia coupling Inertia coupling is a potentially lethal phenomenon of high-speed flight in which the inertia of the heavier fuselage overpowers the aerodynamic stabilizing forces of the wing and empennage... . |
| X-4 Bantam |
Northrop Northrop Corporation Northrop Corporation was a leading United States aircraft manufacturer from its formation in 1939 until its merger with Grumman to form Northrop Grumman in 1994. The company is known for its development of the flying wing design, although only a few of these have entered service.-History:Jack... USAF, NACA |
December 15, 1948 | Evaluated handling characteristics of tailless aircraft Tailless aircraft A tailless aircraft traditionally has all its horizontal control surfaces on its main wing surface. It has no horizontal stabilizer - either tailplane or canard foreplane . A 'tailless' type usually still has a vertical stabilising fin and control surface... in the transonic Transonic Transonic speed is an aeronautics term referring to the condition of flight in which a range of velocities of airflow exist surrounding and flowing past an air vehicle or an airfoil that are concurrently below, at, and above the speed of sound in the range of Mach 0.8 to 1.2, i.e. 600–900 mph... speed region. |
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| X-5 Bell X-5 -See also:-Bibliography:* Hallion, Richard P. On The Frontier: Flight Research At Dryden 1946-1981 . Washington, DC: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1984 . ISBN 1-58834-134-8.... |
Bell Aircraft USAF, NACA |
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June 20, 1951 | First aircraft to fly with Variable-sweep wing wings. (many other aircraft had previously flown with variable geometry wings, but none with variable sweep wings) |
| X-6 Convair X-6 -See also:*Project Pluto*Project Rover*NERVA*WS-125Comparable aircraft* Tupolev Tu-119-External links:* original published on Aviation History, March 1995.* Section devoted to NB-36H... |
Convair Convair Convair was an American aircraft manufacturing company which later expanded into rockets and spacecraft. The company was formed in 1943 by the merger of Vultee Aircraft and Consolidated Aircraft, and went on to produce a number of pioneering aircraft, such as the Convair B-36 bomber, and the F-102... USAF, AEC United States Atomic Energy Commission The United States Atomic Energy Commission was an agency of the United States government established after World War II by Congress to foster and control the peace time development of atomic science and technology. President Harry S... |
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Not flown | Modified Convair B-36 Convair B-36 The Convair B-36 "Peacemaker" was a strategic bomber built by Convair and operated solely by the United States Air Force from 1949 to 1959. The B-36 was the largest mass-produced piston engine aircraft ever made. It had the longest wingspan of any combat aircraft ever built , although there have... for study of Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion The Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion program and the preceding Nuclear Energy for the Propulsion of Aircraft project worked to develop a nuclear propulsion system for aircraft. The United States Army Air Force initiated Project NEPA on May 28, 1946... ; not built. NB-36H testbed Testbed A testbed is a platform for experimentation of large development projects. Testbeds allow for rigorous, transparent, and replicable testing of scientific theories, computational tools, and new technologies.The term is used across many disciplines to describe a development environment that is... tested reactor. |
| X-7 "Flying Stove Pipe" Lockheed X-7 -See also:-External links:*... |
Lockheed Lockheed Corporation The Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace company. Lockheed was founded in 1912 and later merged with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin in 1995.-Origins:... Tri-service United States Department of Defense The United States Department of Defense is the U.S... |
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April 1951 | High-speed testbed for ramjet engines. |
| X-8 Aerobee Aerojet General X-8 -See also:-External links:*... |
Aerojet Aerojet Aerojet is an American rocket and missile propulsion manufacturer based primarily in Rancho Cordova, California with divisions in Redmond, Washington, Orange, Gainesville and Camden, Arkansas. Aerojet is owned by GenCorp. They are the only US propulsion company that provides both solid rocket... NACA, USAF, USN |
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Upper air research vehicle and sounding rocket. | |
| X-9 Shrike X-9 Shrike The Bell Aircraft Corporation X-9 Shrike was a prototype surface-to-air, liquid-fueled guided missile that was a testbed for the nuclear-armed GAM-63 RASCAL. It is named after the bird shrike.... |
Bell Aircraft USAF |
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April 1949 | Guidance and propulsion technology testbed. Assisted development of GAM-63 Rascal GAM-63 RASCAL The GAM-63 RASCAL is a supersonic Air-to-surface missile that was developed by the Bell Aircraft Company. The RASCAL was the United States Air Force's first nuclear armed standoff missile. The RASCAL was initially designated the ASM-A-2, then re-designated the B-63 in 1951 and finally re-designated... missile. |
| X-10 North American X-10 The North American X-10 was an unmanned technology demonstrator for advanced missile technologies during the 1950s. The X-10 was similar to the development of Bell's X-9 Shrike project.-Development:... |
North American Aviation North American Aviation North American Aviation was a major US aerospace manufacturer, responsible for a number of historic aircraft, including the T-6 Texan trainer, the P-51 Mustang fighter, the B-25 Mitchell bomber, the F-86 Sabre jet fighter, the X-15 rocket plane, and the XB-70, as well as Apollo Command and Service... USAF |
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October 13, 1953 | Testbed for SM-64 Navajo missile. |
| X-11 | Convair USAF |
June 11, 1957 | Testbed for SM-65 Atlas missile. | |
| X-12 | Convair USAF |
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July, 1958 | Advanced testbed for SM-65 Atlas missile. |
| X-13 Vertijet |
Ryan Aeronautical Ryan Aeronautical Company The Ryan Aeronautical Company was founded by T. Claude Ryan in San Diego, California in 1934. Part of Teledyne after 1969, Northrop Grumman purchased Teledyne Ryan in 1999... USAF, USN |
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December 10, 1955 | Vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) testbed. Evaluated tailsitting Tailsitter A tailsitter is a type of VTOL aircraft that launches and lands on its tail. One of the most famous examples of this type of aircraft is the Ryan X-13 Vertijet. Among the propeller-driven versions were the Lockheed XFV, and the Convair XFY Pogo. Studies and wind tunnel models were made of a... configuration for VTOL flight. |
| X-14 | Bell Aircraft USAF, NASA |
 |
February 19, 1957 | VTOL testbed. Examined the vectored thrust configuration for VTOL flight. |
| X-15 North American X-15 The North American X-15 rocket-powered aircraft/spaceplane was part of the X-series of experimental aircraft, initiated with the Bell X-1, that were made for the USAAF/USAF, NACA/NASA, and the USN. The X-15 set speed and altitude records in the early 1960s, reaching the edge of outer space and... |
North American Aviation USAF, NASA |
 |
June 8, 1959 | Hypersonic Hypersonic In aerodynamics, a hypersonic speed is one that is highly supersonic. Since the 1970s, the term has generally been assumed to refer to speeds of Mach 5 and above... (Mach 6), high-altitude (350000 feet (106,680 m)) testing. First manned hypersonic aircraft; capable of suborbital spaceflight. |
| X-16 | Bell Aircraft USAF |
Never flew | High-altitude reconnaissance aircraft Reconnaissance aircraft A reconnaissance aircraft is a manned military aircraft designed, or adapted, to carry out aerial reconnaissance.-History:The majority of World War I aircraft were reconnaissance designs... project. "X-16" designation used as cover story. |
|
| X-17 Lockheed X-17 The Lockheed X-17 was a three stage solid-fuel research rocket to test the effects of high mach atmospheric reentry. The first stage of the X-17 carried the rocket to a height of before burning out. The rocket would then coast on momentum to about before nosing down for reentry. The second stage... |
Lockheed USAF, USN |
 |
April 1956 | Tested the effects of high Mach number reentry Atmospheric reentry Atmospheric entry is the movement of human-made or natural objects as they enter the atmosphere of a celestial body from outer space—in the case of Earth from an altitude above the Kármán Line,... . |
| X-18 Hiller X-18 The X-18 was an experimental cargo transport aircraft designed to be the first testbed for tiltwing and VSTOL technology.-Development:... |
Hiller Aircraft Hiller Aircraft Hiller Aircraft Company was founded in 1942 as Hiller Industries by Stanley Hiller to develop helicopters.- History :Stanley Hiller, then seventeen, established the first helicopter factory on the West Coast of the United States, located in Berkeley, California, in 1942, under the name "Hiller... USAF, USN |
 |
November 24, 1959 | VTOL/Short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) testbed. Evaluated the tiltwing Tiltwing A tiltwing aircraft features a wing that is horizontal for conventional forward flight and rotates up for vertical takeoff and landing. It is similar to the tiltrotor design where only the propeller and engine rotate. Tiltwing aircraft are typically fully capable of VTOL operations.The tiltwing... concept for VTOL flight. |
| X-19 Curtiss-Wright X-19 |-See also:-External links:*... |
Curtiss-Wright Curtiss-Wright The Curtiss-Wright Corporation was the largest aircraft manufacturer in the United States at the end of World War II, but has evolved to largely become a component manufacturer, specializing in actuators, aircraft controls, valves, and metalworking.... Tri-service |
 |
November 1963 | Tandem Quadrotor A quadrotor, also called a quadrotor helicopter or quadrocopter, is an aircraft that is lifted and propelled by four rotors. Quadrotors are classified as rotorcraft, as opposed to fixed-wing aircraft, because their lift is derived from four rotors... tiltrotor Tiltrotor A tiltrotor is an aircraft which uses a pair or more of powered rotors mounted on rotating shafts or nacelles at the end of a fixed wing for lift and propulsion, and combines the vertical lift capability of a helicopter with the speed and range of a conventional fixed-wing aircraft... VTOL transport testbed. XC-143 designation proposed. |
| X-20 Dyna-Soar X-20 Dyna-Soar The X-20 Dyna-Soar was a United States Air Force program to develop a spaceplane that could be used for a variety of military missions, including reconnaissance, bombing, space rescue, satellite maintenance, and sabotage of enemy satellites... |
Boeing Boeing The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001... USAF |
 |
Never built | Reusable spaceplane Spaceplane A spaceplane is a vehicle that operates as an aircraft in Earth's atmosphere, as well as a spacecraft when it is in space. It combines features of an aircraft and a spacecraft, which can be thought of as an aircraft that can endure and maneuver in the vacuum of space or likewise a spacecraft that... for military missions. |
| X-21 Northrop X-21 -See also:-Bibliography:* Winchester, Jim. X-Planes and Prototypes. London: Amber Books Ltd., 2005. ISBN 1-904687-40-7.* Retrieved: 14 February 2007.-External links:* *... |
Northrop USAF |
 |
April 18, 1963 | Boundary layer control Boundary layer control Boundary layer control refers to methods of controlling the behaviour of fluid flow boundary layers. This holds particular interest in aeronautical engineering because drag may be reduced whilst achieving high lift .... testbed. |
| X-22 Bell X-22 -References:NotesBibliography* Markman, Steve and Bill Holder. Straight Up: A History of Vertical Flight. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2000. ISBN 0-7643-1204-9.... |
Bell Aircraft Tri-service |
 |
March 17, 1966 | Quad ducted fan Ducted fan A ducted fan is a propulsion arrangement whereby a fan, which is a type of propeller, is mounted within a cylindrical shroud or duct. The duct reduces losses in thrust from the tip vortices of the fan, and varying the cross-section of the duct allows the designer to advantageously affect the... tiltrotor STOVL testbed. |
| X-23 PRIME |
Martin Marietta Martin Marietta Martin Marietta Corporation was an American company founded in 1961 through the merger of The Martin Company and American-Marietta Corporation. The combined company became a leader in chemicals, aerospace, and electronics. In 1995, it merged with Lockheed Corporation to form Lockheed Martin. The... USAF |
 |
December 21, 1966 | Maneuvering atmospheric reentry Atmospheric reentry Atmospheric entry is the movement of human-made or natural objects as they enter the atmosphere of a celestial body from outer space—in the case of Earth from an altitude above the Kármán Line,... effects testbed. Note: Designation never officially assigned. |
| X-24 | Martin Marietta USAF, NASA |
  |
August 1, 1973 | Low-speed lifting body Lifting body A lifting body is a fixed-wing aircraft configuration in which the body itself produces lift. In contrast to a flying wing, which is a wing with minimal or no conventional fuselage, a lifting body can be thought of as a fuselage with little or no conventional wing... handling testbed. Lifting body aerodynamic shape trials. |
| X-25 | Benson Bensen Aircraft The Bensen Aircraft Corporation was established by Dr. Igor Bensen at Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina in 1952 to develop and market a variety of helicopters and autogyros of Bensen's own design.... USAF |
 |
December 6, 1955 | Light autogyro Autogyro An autogyro , also known as gyroplane, gyrocopter, or rotaplane, is a type of rotorcraft which uses an unpowered rotor in autorotation to develop lift, and an engine-powered propeller, similar to that of a fixed-wing aircraft, to provide thrust... for emergency use by downed pilots. |
| X-26 Frigate |
Schweizer DARPA, US Army, USN |
|
1967 | Training glider Glider aircraft Glider aircraft are heavier-than-air craft that are supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against their lifting surfaces, and whose free flight does not depend on an engine. Mostly these types of aircraft are intended for routine operation without engines, though engine failure can... for yaw-roll coupling Dutch roll Dutch roll is a type of aircraft motion, consisting of an out-of-phase combination of "tail-wagging" and rocking from side to side. This yaw-roll coupling is one of the basic flight dynamic modes... Quiet observation aircraft testbed. |
| X-27 | Lockheed |  |
Never flew | High performance fighter prototype. |
| X-28 Sea Skimmer |
Osprey Aircraft George Pereira Brigadier-General George Edward Pereira, CB, CMG, DSO was a British explorer in Central Asia, Tibet and Western China; a soldier, writer and diplomatist.-Early life and family:... USN |
August 12, 1970 | Inexpensive aerial policing seaplane testbed. | |
| X-29 Grumman X-29 |-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Thruelsen, Richard. The Grumman Story. New York: Praeger Publishers, Inc., 1976. ISBN 0-275-54260-2.... |
Grumman DARPA, USAF, NASA |
 |
1984 | Forward-swept wing Forward-swept wing A forward-swept wing is an aircraft wing configuration in which the quarter-chord line of the wing has a forward sweep. The configuration was first proposed in 1936 by German aircraft designers.Perceived benefits of a forward-swept wing design include... testbed. |
| X-30 NASP Rockwell X-30 -See also:-References: 2. -External links:*... |
Rockwell Rockwell International Rockwell International was a major American manufacturing conglomerate in the latter half of the 20th century, involved in aircraft, the space industry, both defense-oriented and commercial electronics, automotive and truck components, printing presses, valves and meters, and industrial automation.... NASA, DARPA, USAF |
 |
Never built | Single stage to orbit spaceplane prototype. |
| X-31 Rockwell-MBB X-31 |-See also:-References:*Jenkins, Dennis R., Tony Landis, and Jay Miller. . NASA, June 2003.*USAF & NATO Report RTO-TR-015 AC/323//TP-1 .-External links:* * * *... |
Rockwell DARPA, USAF, BdV |
 |
1990 | Thrust vectoring Thrust vectoring Thrust vectoring, also thrust vector control or TVC, is the ability of an aircraft, rocket or other vehicle to manipulate the direction of the thrust from its engine or motor in order to control the attitude or angular velocity of the vehicle.... supermaneuverability Supermaneuverability Supermaneuverability is the quality of aircraft defined as a threshold of attitude control exceeding that which is possible by pure aerodynamic maneuverability; in other words, a controlled loss of control beyond normal abilities... testbed. ESTOL testbed. |
| X-32 Boeing X-32 The Boeing X-32 was a multi-purpose jet fighter in the Joint Strike Fighter contest. It lost to the Lockheed Martin X-35 demonstrator which was further developed into the F-35 Lightning II.-Background:... |
Boeing USAF, USN, RAF Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world... |
September 2000 | Joint Strike Fighter prototype. | |
| X-33 Venture Star Lockheed Martin X-33 The Lockheed Martin X-33 was an unmanned, sub-scale technology demonstrator suborbital spaceplane developed in the 1990s under the U.S. government-funded Space Launch Initiative program. The X-33 was a technology demonstrator for the VentureStar orbital spaceplane, which was planned to be a... |
Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area.... NASA |
 |
Prototype never completed | Half-scale reusable launch vehicle prototype. |
| X-34 Orbital Sciences X-34 The Orbital Sciences X-34 was intended as a low-cost testbed to demonstrate "key technologies" integratable to the Reusable Launch Vehicle program.... |
Orbital Sciences NASA |
 |
Never flew | Reusable unmanned spaceplane testbed. |
| X-35 Lockheed Martin X-35 The Lockheed Martin X-35 was an experimental aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin for the Joint Strike Fighter Program. It was declared the winner over the Boeing X-32 and went on to enter production in the early 21st century as the F-35 Lightning II.... |
Lockheed Martin USAF, USN, RAF |
 |
2000 | Joint Strike Fighter prototype. |
| X-36 | McDonnell Douglas McDonnell Douglas McDonnell Douglas was a major American aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft. It formed from a merger of McDonnell Aircraft and Douglas Aircraft in 1967. McDonnell Douglas was based at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport... /Boeing Boeing The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001... NASA |
 |
May 17, 1997 | 28% scale tailless fighter Tailless aircraft A tailless aircraft traditionally has all its horizontal control surfaces on its main wing surface. It has no horizontal stabilizer - either tailplane or canard foreplane . A 'tailless' type usually still has a vertical stabilising fin and control surface... testbed. |
| X-37 Boeing X-37 The Boeing X-37 is an American unmanned vertical-takeoff, horizontal-landing spaceplane. The X-37 is operated by the United States Air Force for orbital spaceflight missions intended to demonstrate reusable space technologies... |
Boeing USAF, NASA |
April 7, 2006 (drop test) April 22, 2010 (orbital flight) |
Reusable orbital spaceplane. | |
| X-38 | Scaled Composites Scaled Composites Scaled Composites is an aerospace company founded by Burt Rutan and currently owned by Northrop Grumman that is located at the Mojave Spaceport, Mojave, California, United States... NASA |
 |
1999 | Lifting body Crew Return Vehicle Crew Return Vehicle The Crew Return Vehicle , sometimes referred to as the Assured Crew Return Vehicle , is the proposed lifeboat or escape module for the International Space Station... demonstrator. |
| X-39 | Unknown USAF |
Unknown | Future Aircraft Technology Enhancements (FATE) program. Note: Designation never officially assigned. |
|
| X-40 Boeing X-40 -See also:-External links:* * * * *... |
Boeing USAF, NASA |
 |
August 11, 1998 | 80% scale Space Maneuver Vehicle testbed. X-37 prototype. |
| X-41 X-41 Common Aero Vehicle X-41 is the designation for a still-classified U.S. military spaceplane. Specifications or photos of the program have not been released to the public yet; as a result not much is known about its goals... |
Unknown USAF |
Unknown | Maneuvering re-entry vehicle. | |
| X-42 X-42 Pop-Up Upper Stage X-42 is the designation of a still-classified U.S. military space project. Specifications or photos of the program have not been released to the public; as a result not much is known about its goals... |
Unknown USAF |
Unknown | Expendable liquid propellant upper stage rocket. | |
| X-43 Hyper-X |
Microcraft NASA |
June 2, 2001 | Scramjet Scramjet A scramjet is a variant of a ramjet airbreathing jet engine in which combustion takes place in supersonic airflow... hypersonic testbed. |
|
| X-44 MANTA X-44 MANTA |-References:* Miller, Jay. The X-Planes: X-1 to X-45. Hinckley, UK: Midland, 2001. ISBN 1-85780-109-1.-External links:* Day, Dwayne A. . centennialofflight.gov... |
Lockheed Martin USAF, NASA |
Cancelled | F-22-based Multi-Axis No-Tail Aircraft thrust vectoring testbed. | |
| X-45 Boeing X-45 The Boeing X-45 unmanned combat air vehicle is a concept demonstrator for a next generation of completely autonomous military aircraft, developed by Boeing's Phantom Works. Manufactured by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, the X-45 was a part of DARPA's J-UCAS project.-Development:Boeing developed... |
Boeing DARPA, USAF |
  |
May 22, 2002 | Unmanned combat air vehicle Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle An unmanned combat air vehicle or combat drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle that is designed to deliver weapons without an onboard pilot. Currently operational UCAVs are under real-time human control, but future version may enable autonomous operation, for example with pre-programmed route and... (UCAV) demonstrator. |
| X-46 Boeing X-46 The Boeing X-46 was a proposed unmanned combat air vehicle that was to be developed in conjunction with the U.S. Navy and DARPA as a naval carrier-based variant of the Boeing X-45 UCAV being developed for the U.S. Air Force... |
Boeing DARPA, USN |
 |
Cancelled | Naval UCAV demonstrator. |
| X-47A Pegasus X-47B Northrop Grumman X-47B |-See also:-External links:* and * * * * - TFOT magazine**... |
Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American global aerospace and defense technology company formed by the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company was the fourth-largest defense contractor in the world as of 2010, and the largest builder of naval vessels. Northrop Grumman employs over... DARPA, USN |
 |
February 23, 2003 | Naval UCAV demonstrator. |
| X-48 Boeing X-48 The X-48 is an experimental unmanned aerial vehicle for investigation into the characteristics of blended wing body aircraft, a type of flying wing. It is under development by Boeing and NASA.-Background:... |
Boeing NASA |
July 20, 2007 | Blended Wing Body Blended wing body Blended Wing Body aircraft have a flattened and airfoil shaped body, which produces most of the lift, the wings contributing the balance. The body form is composed of distinct and separate wing structures, though the wings are smoothly blended into the body... (BWB) testbed. |
|
| X-49 Speedhawk |
Piasecki Aircraft Piasecki Aircraft Piasecki Aircraft Corporation was founded by American vertical flight pioneer, the late Frank Piasecki, to continue pursuing the development of compound helicopters and other advanced rotorcraft.-History:... US Army |
 |
July 29, 2007 | Compound helicopter Vectored Thrust Ducted Propeller (VTDP) testbed. |
| X-50 Dragonfly Boeing X-50 The Boeing X-50A Dragonfly, formerly known as the Canard Rotor/Wing Demonstrator, was a gyrodyne unmanned aerial vehicle that was developed by Boeing and DARPA to demonstrate the principle that a helicopter's rotor could be stopped in flight and act as a fixed wing... |
Boeing DARPA |
24 November 2003 | Canard Rotor/Wing Canard Rotor/Wing The Canard Rotor/Wing is a class of VTOL aircraft capable of both fixed-wing and rotary-wing flight. For vertical take-off, hovering, low-speed flight, and vertical landing, the main airfoil is spun like a helicopter's rotor by directing the exhaust from a jet engine through thrust nozzles in the... testbed. |
|
| X-51 Waverider Boeing X-51 The Boeing X-51 is an unmanned scramjet demonstration aircraft for hypersonic flight testing. It successfully completed its first free-flight on 26 May 2010 and also achieved the longest duration flight at speeds over Mach 5.The X-51 Waverider program is run as a cooperative effort of the United... |
Boeing USAF |
 |
26 May 2010 | Hypersonic scramjet demonstrator. |
| X-52 | Number skipped to avoid confusion with B-52. | |||
| X-53 | Boeing Phantom Works Boeing Phantom Works The Phantom Works division is the advanced prototyping arm of the Defense and Security side of The Boeing Company. Its primary focus is developing advanced military products and technologies, many of them highly classified, and has produced breakthroughs in defense, space and security.Founded by... NASA, USAF |
November 2002 | Active Aeroelastic Wing Active Aeroelastic Wing The X-53 Active Aeroelastic Wing development program is a completed research project that was undertaken jointly by the Air Force Research Laboratory , Boeing Phantom Works and NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, where the technology was flight tested on a modified McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet... testbed. |
|
| X-54 Gulfstream X-54 |-See also:-References:NotesBibliography*. Jane's Information Group.*, AOPA Online, October 6, 2008. Byline: "By AOPA Publications staff". Fetched from Web 26 April 2010.*, MDS Designators allocated 1998-2009. Accessed 2011-01-07.... |
Gulfstream Aerospace Gulfstream Aerospace Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation is a producer of several models of jet aircraft. Gulfstream has been a unit of General Dynamics since 1999.The company has produced more than 1,500 aircraft for corporate, government, private, and military customers around the world... NASA |
Future | Supersonic transport Supersonic transport A supersonic transport is a civilian supersonic aircraft designed to transport passengers at speeds greater than the speed of sound. The only SSTs to see regular service to date have been Concorde and the Tupolev Tu-144. The last passenger flight of the Tu-144 was in June 1978 with its last ever... testbed. |
|
| X-55 | Lockheed Martin Skunk Works Skunk works Skunk Works is an official alias for Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Development Programs , formerly called Lockheed Advanced Development Projects. Skunk Works is responsible for a number of famous aircraft designs, including the U-2, the SR-71 Blackbird, the F-117 Nighthawk, and the F-22 Raptor... USAF |
 |
June 2, 2009 | Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft (ACCA). Molded composite fuselage Fuselage The fuselage is an aircraft's main body section that holds crew and passengers or cargo. In single-engine aircraft it will usually contain an engine, although in some amphibious aircraft the single engine is mounted on a pylon attached to the fuselage which in turn is used as a floating hull... and empennage Empennage The empennage , also known as the tail or tail assembly, of most aircraft gives stability to the aircraft, in a similar way to the feathers on an arrow... testbed. |
Fighter
| Sequence | Name | Manufacturer | Image | Notes/Notable Variants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F-1 | Fury | North American North American North American generally refers to an entity, people, group, or attribute of North America, especially of the United States and Canada together.-Culture:*North American English, a collective term used to describe American English and Canadian English... |
(previously designated FJ) | |
| F-2 | Banshee | McDonnell | (previously designated F2H) | |
| F-3 | Demon | McDonnell |  |
(previously designated F3H) |
| F-4 | Phantom II | McDonnell Douglas McDonnell Douglas McDonnell Douglas was a major American aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft. It formed from a merger of McDonnell Aircraft and Douglas Aircraft in 1967. McDonnell Douglas was based at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport... |
 |
(previously designated F4H) |
| F-5 | Freedom Fighter | Northrop Northrop Corporation Northrop Corporation was a leading United States aircraft manufacturer from its formation in 1939 until its merger with Grumman to form Northrop Grumman in 1994. The company is known for its development of the flying wing design, although only a few of these have entered service.-History:Jack... |
||
| F-6 | Skyray | Douglas Douglas Aircraft Company The Douglas Aircraft Company was an American aerospace manufacturer, based in Long Beach, California. It was founded in 1921 by Donald Wills Douglas, Sr. and later merged with McDonnell Aircraft in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas... |
 |
(previously designated F4D) |
| F-7 | Sea Dart | Convair Convair Convair was an American aircraft manufacturing company which later expanded into rockets and spacecraft. The company was formed in 1943 by the merger of Vultee Aircraft and Consolidated Aircraft, and went on to produce a number of pioneering aircraft, such as the Convair B-36 bomber, and the F-102... |
 |
(previously designated F2Y) |
| F-8 | Crusader | Vought Vought Vought is the name of several related aerospace firms. These have included, in the past, Lewis and Vought Corporation, Chance Vought, Vought Sikorsky, LTV Aerospace , Vought Aircraft Companies, and the current Vought Aircraft Industries. The first incarnation of Vought was established by Chance M... |
(previously designated F8U) | |
| F-9 | Cougar | Grumman | (previously designated F9F) | |
| F-10 | Skyknight | Douglas Douglas Aircraft Company The Douglas Aircraft Company was an American aerospace manufacturer, based in Long Beach, California. It was founded in 1921 by Donald Wills Douglas, Sr. and later merged with McDonnell Aircraft in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas... |
(previously designated F3D) | |
| F-11 | Tiger | Grumman |  |
(previously designated F11F) |
| F-12 | Lockheed Lockheed Corporation The Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace company. Lockheed was founded in 1912 and later merged with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin in 1995.-Origins:... |
Two-seat Fighter version of the A-12 reconnaissance aircraft | ||
| F-14 | Tomcat | Grumman |  |
|
| F-15 | Eagle | McDonnell Douglas McDonnell Douglas McDonnell Douglas was a major American aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft. It formed from a merger of McDonnell Aircraft and Douglas Aircraft in 1967. McDonnell Douglas was based at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport... |
 |
|
| F-16 | Fighting Falcon | General Dynamics General Dynamics General Dynamics Corporation is a U.S. defense conglomerate formed by mergers and divestitures, and as of 2008 it is the fifth largest defense contractor in the world. Its headquarters are in West Falls Church , unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, in the Falls Church area.The company has... / Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area.... |
Winning contender in the LWF contest | |
| F-17 | Cobra | Northrop Northrop Corporation Northrop Corporation was a leading United States aircraft manufacturer from its formation in 1939 until its merger with Grumman to form Northrop Grumman in 1994. The company is known for its development of the flying wing design, although only a few of these have entered service.-History:Jack... |
 |
Losing contender in the LWF contest, developed into the F/A-18 Hornet |
| F-18A/B/C/D | Hornet | McDonnell Douglas McDonnell Douglas McDonnell Douglas was a major American aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft. It formed from a merger of McDonnell Aircraft and Douglas Aircraft in 1967. McDonnell Douglas was based at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport... |
Developed from the YF-17 as a shipboard fighter Attack aircraft | |
| F/A-18E/F | Super Hornet | Boeing Boeing The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001... |
Enlarged F/A-18 with bigger everything | |
| F-20 | Tigershark | Northrop Northrop Corporation Northrop Corporation was a leading United States aircraft manufacturer from its formation in 1939 until its merger with Grumman to form Northrop Grumman in 1994. The company is known for its development of the flying wing design, although only a few of these have entered service.-History:Jack... |
The ultimate Tiger development powered by a single F404 afterburning turbofan, but no production | |
| F-21 IAI Kfir The Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir is an Israeli-built all-weather, multirole combat aircraft based on a modified Dassault Mirage 5 airframe, with Israeli avionics and an Israeli-made version of the General Electric J79 turbojet engine.-Background:... |
Kfir C-2 | Israel Aircraft Industries Israel Aircraft Industries Israel Aerospace Industries or IAI is Israel's prime aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial systems for both military and civilian usage. It has 16,000 employees as of 2007... |
 |
Kfir C2 aircraft for US Navy dissimilar combat training and aggressor training |
| F-22 | Raptor | Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area.... |
 |
|
| F-23 | Black Widow II | Northrop Northrop Corporation Northrop Corporation was a leading United States aircraft manufacturer from its formation in 1939 until its merger with Grumman to form Northrop Grumman in 1994. The company is known for its development of the flying wing design, although only a few of these have entered service.-History:Jack... / McDonnell Douglas McDonnell Douglas McDonnell Douglas was a major American aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft. It formed from a merger of McDonnell Aircraft and Douglas Aircraft in 1967. McDonnell Douglas was based at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport... |
Lost out to the F-22 in competition | |
| F-35 | Lightning II | Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area.... |
Production version of the X-35, winner of the JSF competition | |
| YF-110 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It was popularly nicknamed "balalaika", from the aircraft's planform-view resemblance to the Russian stringed musical instrument or ołówek by Polish pilots due to... |
MiG-21s | Mikoyan-Gurevich |  |
Note: Captured foreign aircraft used for evaluation and aggressor were given designations in sequence—based on chronology—with "black" project aircraft, continuing the pre-1962 F series. Designation used for captured MiG-21s and new-build J-7s Chengdu J-7 The Chengdu Jian-7 is a People's Republic of China-built version of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21. Though production ceased in 2008 it continues to serve, mostly as an interceptor, in several air forces, including China's.-Design and development:... |
| YF-112 Sukhoi Su-17 The Sukhoi Su-17 is a Soviet attack aircraft developed from the Sukhoi Su-7 fighter-bomber. It enjoyed a long career in Soviet, later Russian, service and was widely exported to communist and Middle Eastern air forces, under names Su-20 and Su-22.-Development:Seeking to improve low-speed and... |
Su-22 Sukhoi Su-17 The Sukhoi Su-17 is a Soviet attack aircraft developed from the Sukhoi Su-7 fighter-bomber. It enjoyed a long career in Soviet, later Russian, service and was widely exported to communist and Middle Eastern air forces, under names Su-20 and Su-22.-Development:Seeking to improve low-speed and... |
Sukhoi Sukhoi Sukhoi Company is a major Russian aircraft manufacturer, headquartered in Begovoy District, Northern Administrative Okrug, Moscow, famous for its fighters... |
 |
Note: Captured foreign aircraft used for evaluation and aggressor were given designations in sequence—based on chronology—with "black" project aircraft, continuing the pre-1962 F series. - obtained from Egypt or Allegedly used for captured MiGs |
| YF-113 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 is a variable-geometry fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau in the Soviet Union. It is considered to belong to the Soviet third generation jet fighter category, along with similarly aged Soviet fighters such as the MiG-25 "Foxbat"... |
MiG-23s Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 is a variable-geometry fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau in the Soviet Union. It is considered to belong to the Soviet third generation jet fighter category, along with similarly aged Soviet fighters such as the MiG-25 "Foxbat"... |
Mikoyan-Gurevich | Note: Captured foreign aircraft used for evaluation and aggressor were given designations in sequence—based on chronology—with "black" project aircraft, continuing the pre-1962 F series. - Designation used for captured MiG-17s and | |
| YF-114 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 is a high-subsonic fighter aircraft produced in the USSR from 1952 and operated by numerous air forces in many variants. Most MiG-17 variants cannot carry air-to-air missiles, but shot down many aircraft with its cannons... |
MiG-17 | Mikoyan-Gurevich |  |
Note: Captured foreign aircraft used for evaluation and aggressor were given designations in sequence—based on chronology—with "black" project aircraft, continuing the pre-1962 F series. - Designation used for captured MiG-17s |
| F-117 | Nighthawk | Lockheed Lockheed Corporation The Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace company. Lockheed was founded in 1912 and later merged with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin in 1995.-Origins:... |
Production version of the HAVE BLUE experimental stealth aircraft | |
| F-117D Tacit Blue | TACIT BLUE |  |
A stealth experimental aircraft | |
-
- F-13 - skipped
- F-19F-19F-19 is a designation for a hypothetical United States fighter aircraft that has never been officially acknowledged, and has engendered much speculation that it might refer to a type of aircraft whose existence is still classified.-History:...
- officially skipped; rumored to be still classified - YF-24 - (fictional?) Classified project
- YF-113G - possible USAF "black project"
- YF-121 Rumored "black project"
Note: Captured foreign aircraft used for evaluation and aggressor were given designations in sequence—based on chronology—with "black" project aircraft, continuing the pre-1962 F series.
-
- YF-116 - Rumored designation of captured MiG-25Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 is a supersonic interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft that was among the fastest military aircraft to enter service. Designed by the Soviet Union's Mikoyan-Gurevich bureau the first prototype flew in 1964 with entry into service in 1970...
- YF-118 - Rumored designation of MiG-29Mikoyan MiG-29The Mikoyan MiG-29 is a fourth-generation jet fighter aircraft designed in the Soviet Union for an air superiority role. Developed in the 1970s by the Mikoyan design bureau, it entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1983, and remains in use by the Russian Air Force as well as in many other...
- YF-116 - Rumored designation of captured MiG-25
Glider
- TG-1 - Schweizer
- TG-2 - Schweizer
- TG-3 - Schweizer
- TG-4 - Schweizer
- TG-5 - Schweizer
- TG-6 - Schweizer
- TG-7 - Schweizer
- RG-8 Condor - Schweizer
- TG-9 - SchleicherAlexander Schleicher GmbH & CoAlexander Schleicher GmbH & Co is a major manufacturer of sailplanes located in Poppenhausen, near Fulda in Germany. It is also the oldest sailplane manufacturer in the world....
- TG-10 Blaník - LetLet KunoviceAircraft Industries, a.s., operating as Let Kunovice, is a Czech civil aircraft manufacturer. Its most successful design has been the L-410 Turbolet, of which more than 1000 units have been built...
- TG-11 - StemmeStemmeStemme AG is a German glider manufacturer. Aircraft production is complemented by service, maintenance and repair of their sports & personal aircraft.-List of Stemme aircraft:*Stemme S10- Self Launching motorglider and original aircraft...
- TG-12 - Caproni Vizzola
- G-13 - skipped
- TG-14 Super Ximango - Aeromot
- TG-15Schempp-Hirth TG-15Schempp-Hirth TG-15 is a designation used by the United States military. It has two variants:* TG-15A: high performance two seat glider, Schempp-Hirth Duo Discus* TG-15B: Standard Class glider, the Schempp-Hirth Discus-2...
- Schempp-HirthSchempp-HirthSchempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH is a glider manufacturer based in Kirchheim unter Teck, Germany.-History:Martin Schempp founded his own company in Göppingen in 1935, with the assistance of Wolf Hirth. The company was initially called "Sportflugzeugbau Göppingen Martin Schempp"... - TG-16 - DG FlugzeugbauDG FlugzeugbauDG Flugzeugbau GmbH is a manufacturer of sailplanes based in Bruchsal near Karlsruhe, Germany. The business was founded in 1973 by Gerhard Glaser and Wilhelm Dirks as Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH....
Helicopter
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.| Sequence | Name | Manufacturer | Image | First flight | Notes/Notable Variants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H-1 Iroquois | Iroquois Huey |
Bell Helicopter | 22 October 1956 | Formerly H-40 Formerly HU-1 UH-1N Twin Huey UH-1N Twin Huey The Bell UH-1N Twin Huey is a medium military helicopter that first flew in April, 1969. The UH-1N has a fifteen seat configuration, with one pilot and fourteen passengers. In cargo configuration the UH-1N has an internal capacity of 220 ft³ . An external load of 5,000 lb can be carried... UH-1Y Venom UH-1Y Venom The Bell UH-1Y Venom is a twin-engine medium size utility helicopter, part of the United States Marine Corps' H-1 upgrade program. The helicopter is also called Yankee for its variant letter.... |
|
| H-1 Cobra | Cobra SeaCobra SuperCobra Viper |
Bell Helicopter |  |
Formerly AH-1 Cobra AH-1 Cobra The Bell AH-1 Cobra is a two-bladed, single engine attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It shares a common engine, transmission and rotor system with the older UH-1 Iroquois... AH-1 SuperCobra AH-1 SuperCobra The Bell AH-1 SuperCobra is a twin-engine attack helicopter based on the US Army's AH-1 Cobra. The twin Cobra family includes the AH-1J SeaCobra, the AH-1T Improved SeaCobra, and the AH-1W SuperCobra... AH-1Z Viper AH-1Z Viper The Bell AH-1Z Viper is a twin-engine attack helicopter based on the AH-1W SuperCobra, that was developed for the United States Marine Corps. The AH-1Z features a four-blade, bearingless, composite main rotor system, uprated transmission, and a new target sighting system. The AH-1Z is part of the... |
|
| H-2 Seasprite | Seasprite | Kaman Aircraft Kaman Aircraft Kaman Aircraft is a U.S. aerospace company, with headquarters in Bloomfield, Connecticut. It was founded in 1945 by Charles Kaman. During the first ten years the company operated exclusively as a designer and manufacturer of several helicopters that set world records and achieved many aviation... |
2 July 1959 | Formerly HU2K SH-2G Super Seasprite SH-2G Super Seasprite The Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite is a ship-based helicopter with anti-submarine, anti-surface threat capability, including over-the-horizon targeting. This aircraft extends and increases shipboard sensor and weapon capabilities against several types of enemy threats, including submarines of all... |
|
| H-3 Sea King H-3 Sea King The Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King is a twin-engined anti-submarine warfare helicopter. It served with the United States Navy and other forces, and continues to serve in many countries around the world. The Sea King has been built under license in Italy and Japan, and in the United Kingdom as the... |
Sea King "Jolly Green Giant" |
Sikorsky Aircraft Sikorsky Aircraft The Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Stratford, Connecticut. Its parent company is United Technologies Corporation.-History:... |
11 March 1959 | Formerly HSS-2 CH-/HH-3 Sea King Sikorsky S-61R The Sikorsky S-61R is a twin-engine helicopter used in transport or search and rescue roles. A developed version of the S-61/SH-3 Sea King, the S-61R was also built under license by Agusta as the AS-61R... |
|
| H-4 | Bell Helicopter |  |
8 December 1962 | Formerly HO-4 | |
| H-5 | Fairchild Hiller |  |
21 January 1963 | Formerly HO-5 | |
| H-6 Cayuse | Cayuse Little Bird |
Hughes Helicopters Hughes Helicopters Hughes Helicopters was a major manufacturer of military and civil helicopters from the 1950s to the 1980s.The company began in 1947, as a unit of Hughes Aircraft, then was part of the Hughes Tool Company after 1955. It became the Hughes Helicopter Division, Summa Corporation in 1972, and was... McDonnell Douglas McDonnell Douglas McDonnell Douglas was a major American aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft. It formed from a merger of McDonnell Aircraft and Douglas Aircraft in 1967. McDonnell Douglas was based at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport... Boeing Helicopters Boeing Helicopters Boeing Rotorcraft Systems is a US aircraft manufacturer, now part of Boeing Defense, Space & Security... |
 |
27 February 1963 | Formerly HO-6 MH-6 Little Bird MH-6 Little Bird The MH-6 Little Bird , and its attack variant AH-6, are light helicopters used for special operations in the United States Army. Originally based on a modified OH-6A, it was later based on the MD 500E, with a single five-bladed main rotor... AH-6 Boeing AH-6 The Boeing AH-6 is a series of light helicopter gunships based on the MH-6 Little Bird and MD 500 family. Developed by Boeing Rotorcraft Systems, these include the Unmanned Little Bird demonstrator, the A/MH-6X Mission Enhanced Little Bird , and the proposed AH-6I and AH-6S.-Design and... |
Observation
| Sequence | Name | Manufacturer | Image | First flight | Notes/Notable Variants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-1 | Bird Dog | Cessna Aircraft | 14 December 1949 | Formerly L-19 | |
| O-2 O-2 Skymaster The O-2 Skymaster is a military version of the Cessna 337 Super Skymaster utilized as an observation and forward air control aircraft... |
Skymaster | Cessna Aircraft | January 1967 | ||
| O-3 | "Quiet Star" | Lockheed Missiles & Space Lockheed Corporation The Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace company. Lockheed was founded in 1912 and later merged with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin in 1995.-Origins:... |
1969 | ||
| O-4 Peterson 260SE The Peterson 260SE is a STOL conversion of a Cessna 182 airframe made by Todd Peterson. The conversion consists of the addition of a high-lift canard and a 260 hp engine.-Design and development:... |
Wren Aircraft | 1963 (Wren 460) |
Not proceeded with. | ||
| O-5 De Havilland Canada Dash 7 The de Havilland Canada DHC-7, popularly known as the Dash 7, is a turboprop-powered regional airliner with STOL capabilities. It first flew in 1975 and remained in production until 1988 when the parent company, de Havilland Canada, was purchased by Boeing and was later sold to Bombardier... |
ARL | de Havilland Canada De Havilland Canada The de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. company was an aircraft manufacturer with facilities based in what is now the Downsview area of Toronto, Ontario, Canada... |
27 March 1975 (DHC-7) |
Formerly RC-7 |
Patrol
| Sequence | Name | Manufacturer | Image | First flight | Notes/Notable Variants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P-1 | Skipped | ||||
| P-2 P-2 Neptune The Lockheed P-2 Neptune was a Maritime patrol and ASW aircraft. It was developed for the United States Navy by Lockheed to replace the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura and PV-2 Harpoon, and being replaced in turn with the Lockheed P-3 Orion... |
Neptune | Lockheed Corporation Lockheed Corporation The Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace company. Lockheed was founded in 1912 and later merged with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin in 1995.-Origins:... |
 |
17 May 1945 | Formerly P2V |
| P-3 P-3 Orion The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a four-engine turboprop anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft developed for the United States Navy and introduced in the 1960s. Lockheed based it on the L-188 Electra commercial airliner. The aircraft is easily recognizable by its distinctive tail stinger or... |
Orion ARIES |
Lockheed Corporation |  |
25 November 1959 | Formerly P3V WP-3D Orion WP-3D Orion |-See also:- External links:* *... EP-3 Aries |
| P-4 | Privateer | Consolidated Aircraft Consolidated Aircraft The Consolidated Aircraft Corporation was founded in 1923 by Reuben H. Fleet, the result of the Gallaudet Aircraft Company's liquidation and Fleet's purchase of designs from the Dayton-Wright Company as the subsidiary was being closed by its parent corporation, General Motors. Consolidated became... |
 |
1943 | Formerly PB4Y-2K / P4Y-2K) |
| P-5 P5M Marlin |- See also :- References :NotesBibliography* Andrade, John, U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909, Midland Counties Publications, 1979, ISBN 0 904597 22 9.* Barth, Bruce D., "The Martin P5M 'Marlin'". Pacific Aero Press, 1994.... |
Marlin | Glenn L. Martin Company Glenn L. Martin Company The Glenn L. Martin Company was an American aircraft and aerospace manufacturing company that was founded by the aviation pioneer Glenn L. Martin. The Martin Company produced many important aircraft for the defense of the United States and its allies, especially during World War II and the Cold War... |
30 May 1948 | Formerly P5M | |
| P-6 | Skipped - presumably because of Martin P6M which was canceled a few years previously | ||||
| P-7 Lockheed P-7 - See also :... |
Lockheed Corporation | - | Long-Range Air ASW-Capable Aircraft Not built |
||
| P-8 | Poseidon | Boeing Boeing The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001... |
25 April 2009 | ||
Reconnaissance
| Sequence | Name | Manufacturer | Image | First flight | Notes/Notable Variants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-1 Lockheed U-2 The Lockheed U-2, nicknamed "Dragon Lady", is a single-engine, very high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft operated by the United States Air Force and previously flown by the Central Intelligence Agency . It provides day and night, very high-altitude , all-weather intelligence gathering... |
Dragon Lady | Rockwell International Rockwell International Rockwell International was a major American manufacturing conglomerate in the latter half of the 20th century, involved in aircraft, the space industry, both defense-oriented and commercial electronics, automotive and truck components, printing presses, valves and meters, and industrial automation.... |
 |
August 1981 | |
| R-2 | Skipped | ||||
| R-3 | Possibly assigned to a Black Project Speculated: TR-3 Black Manta Speculated: SR-3 Blackstar Blackstar (spaceplane) Blackstar is the reported codename of a secret United States orbital spaceplane system. The possible existence of the Blackstar program was reported in March 2006 by Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine; the magazine reported that the program had been underway since at least the early 1990s,... |
||||
Spaceplane
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.| Sequence | Name | Manufacturer | Image | First flight | Notes/Notable Variants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S-1 | future |
Tanker
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.Trainer, 1962, 1990-present
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.
| Sequence | Name | Manufacturer | Image | First flight | Notes/Notable Variants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 Sequence | |||||
| T-1 | SeaStar | Lockheed Corporation Lockheed Corporation The Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace company. Lockheed was founded in 1912 and later merged with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin in 1995.-Origins:... |
 |
15 December 1953 | Formerly T2V. |
| T-2 T-2 Buckeye |-See also:-External links:*****... |
Buckeye | North American Aviation North American Aviation North American Aviation was a major US aerospace manufacturer, responsible for a number of historic aircraft, including the T-6 Texan trainer, the P-51 Mustang fighter, the B-25 Mitchell bomber, the F-86 Sabre jet fighter, the X-15 rocket plane, and the XB-70, as well as Apollo Command and Service... |
 |
31 January 1958 | Formerly T2J. |
| 1990 Sequence | |||||
| T-1 | Jayhawk | Raytheon Raytheon Raytheon Company is a major American defense contractor and industrial corporation with core manufacturing concentrations in weapons and military and commercial electronics. It was previously involved in corporate and special-mission aircraft until early 2007... Hawker Beechcraft Hawker Beechcraft Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is an aerospace manufacturing company that builds the Beechcraft and Hawker business jet lines of aircraft.... |
|||
| T-2 | Skipped | T-2 Buckeye was still in service. | |||
| T-3 Slingsby T-67 Firefly The Slingsby T67 Firefly, originally produced as the Fournier RF-6, is a two-seat aerobatic training aircraft, built by Slingsby Aviation in Kirkbymoorside, Yorkshire, England... |
Firefly | Slingsby Aviation Slingsby Aviation Slingsby Aviation is a British aircraft company based in Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire, England. The Slingsby business was founded on the building and design of gliders and sailplanes. From the early 1930s to about 1970 it built over 50% of all British club gliders and had success at national and... |
1991 | ||
| T-4 | Skipped | ||||
| T-5 | Skipped | ||||
| T-6 T-6 Texan II The Beechcraft T-6 Texan II is a single-engined turboprop aircraft built by the Raytheon Aircraft Company . Based on the Pilatus PC-9, the T-6 is used by the United States Air Force for basic pilot training and by the United States Navy for Primary and Intermediate Joint Naval Flight Officer and... |
Texan II | Hawker Beechcraft |  |
July 1998 | Named in honor of AT-6 Texan T-6 Texan The North American Aviation T-6 Texan was a single-engine advanced trainer aircraft used to train pilots of the United States Army Air Forces, United States Navy, Royal Air Force and other air forces of the British Commonwealth during World War II and into the 1950s... |
Utility, 1955-present
- U-1 Otter - de Havilland Canada
- U-2Lockheed U-2The Lockheed U-2, nicknamed "Dragon Lady", is a single-engine, very high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft operated by the United States Air Force and previously flown by the Central Intelligence Agency . It provides day and night, very high-altitude , all-weather intelligence gathering...
- Lockheed Corporation - U-3 - 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 - StinsonStinson Aircraft CompanyThe Stinson Aircraft Company was an aircraft manufacturing company in the United States between the 1920s and the 1950s.-The Company:The Stinson Aircraft Company was founded in Dayton, Ohio, in 1920 by aviator Edward “Eddie” Stinson, brother to Katherine Stinson. After five years of business...
- U-20 - Cessna
- U-21 Ute - Beechcraft
- U-22 - Beechcraft
- U-23 Peacemaker - Fairchild Hiller/PilatusPilatus AircraftPilatus Aircraft Ltd. is an aircraft manufacturer located in Stans, Switzerland. The company employs more than 1,100 people.-History:The company was established in 1939, but it was not until 1944 that a Pilatus-built aircraft, the SB-2 Pelican, first took to the air...
- U-24 Courier - HelioHelio Aircraft CompanyThe Koppen-Bollinger Aircraft Corporation was founded by Otto Koppen and Lynn Bollinger in Massachusetts in 1948 to develop a light STOL utility aircraft...
- U-25 Guardian - Dassault-Breguet
- U-26 - Cessna
- U-27 Caravan - Cessna
- U-28 - Pilatus
- U-38 Twin Condor - Schweizer
Vertical and Short Take-off and Landing Aircraft
| Sequence | Name | Manufacturer | Image | First flight | Notes/Notable Variants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V-1 OV-1 Mohawk The Grumman OV-1 Mohawk is an armed military observation and attack aircraft, designed for battlefield surveillance and light strike capabilities. It is of twin turboprop configuration, and carried two crewmembers with side by side seating... |
Mohawk | Grumman Aircraft |  |
14 April 1959 | Formerly AO-1 |
| V-2 De Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou The de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou is a Canadian-designed and produced specialized cargo aircraft with short takeoff and landing capability... |
Caribou | de Havilland Canada De Havilland Canada The de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. company was an aircraft manufacturer with facilities based in what is now the Downsview area of Toronto, Ontario, Canada... |
30 July 1958 | Formerly AC-1 Redesignated as C-7 |
|
| V-3 Bell XV-3 |-See also:- References :NotesBibliography*Markman, Steve, and William G. Holder. Straight Up: A History of Vertical Flight. Schiffer military/aviation history. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Pub, 2000.... |
Bell Helicopter | 11 August 1955 | Formerly H-33 Formerly V-3 in Convertiplane series |
||
| V-4 | Hummingbird | Lockheed Corporation Lockheed Corporation The Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace company. Lockheed was founded in 1912 and later merged with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin in 1995.-Origins:... |
 |
7 July 1962 | Formerly VZ-10 |
| V-5 | Vertifan | Ryan Aeronautical | 25 May 1964 | Formerly VZ-11 | |
| V-6 | Kestrel | Hawker Siddeley |  |
7 March 1964 | Formerly VZ-12 |
| V-7 De Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo The de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo is a short takeoff and landing utility transport, a turboprop aircraft developed from the earlier piston-powered DHC-4 Caribou... |
Buffalo | de Havilland Canada | 22 September 1961 | Formerly AC-2 Redesignated as C-8 |
|
| V-8 Ryan XV-8 The V-8 designation was re-used by the U.S. armed forces to refer to the AV-8 Harrier. This was an unrelated project.The V-8 designation was re-used by the U.S. armed forces to refer to the AV-8 Harrier. This was an unrelated project.... |
"Fleep" | Ryan Aeronautical |  |
1961 | Designation later reused. |
| V-8 | Harrier | Hawker Siddeley McDonnell Douglas McDonnell Douglas McDonnell Douglas was a major American aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft. It formed from a merger of McDonnell Aircraft and Douglas Aircraft in 1967. McDonnell Douglas was based at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport... British Aerospace British Aerospace British Aerospace plc was a UK aircraft, munitions and defence-systems manufacturer. Its head office was in the Warwick House in the Farnborough Aerospace Centre in Farnborough, Hampshire... Boeing Boeing The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001... |
 |
28 December 1967 | AV-8B Harrier II |
| V-9 Hughes XV-9 -External links:*... |
Hughes Helicopters Hughes Helicopters Hughes Helicopters was a major manufacturer of military and civil helicopters from the 1950s to the 1980s.The company began in 1947, as a unit of Hughes Aircraft, then was part of the Hughes Tool Company after 1955. It became the Hughes Helicopter Division, Summa Corporation in 1972, and was... |
 |
5 November 1964 | ||
| V-10 OV-10 Bronco The North American Aviation Rockwell OV-10 Bronco is a turboprop light attack and observation aircraft. It was developed in the 1960s as a special aircraft for counter-insurgency combat, and one of its primary missions was as a forward air control aircraft... |
Bronco | Rockwell International Rockwell International Rockwell International was a major American manufacturing conglomerate in the latter half of the 20th century, involved in aircraft, the space industry, both defense-oriented and commercial electronics, automotive and truck components, printing presses, valves and meters, and industrial automation.... Boeing |
 |
16 July 1965 | |
| V-11 | Marvel | Parsons Corporation Parsons Corporation Parsons Corporation is an engineering, construction, and technical and management services firm headquartered in Pasadena, California. Founded in 1944 by engineer Ralph M. Parsons, Parsons Corporation is currently one of the largest such companies in the United States, with revenues exceeding... |
1 December 1965 | ||
| V-12 Pilatus PC-6 |-See also:-References:* Lambert, Mark. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1993–1994. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Data Division, 1993. ISBN 0 7106 1066 1.* Taylor, John W. R. Janes's All The World's Aircraft 1965–66. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1965.... |
Parsons Corporation Parsons Corporation Parsons Corporation is an engineering, construction, and technical and management services firm headquartered in Pasadena, California. Founded in 1944 by engineer Ralph M. Parsons, Parsons Corporation is currently one of the largest such companies in the United States, with revenues exceeding... |
1961 (Turbo-Porter) |
Cancelled, designation reused. | ||
| V-12 | Rockwell International | 1978 (tethered hover) |
|||
| V-13 | Skipped | ||||
| V-14 | Skipped | Skipped to avoid confusion with X-14. | |||
| V-15 Bell XV-15 The Bell XV-15 was an American tiltrotor VTOL aircraft. It was the second successful experimental tiltrotor aircraft and the first to demonstrate the concept's high speed performance relative to conventional helicopters.-Early VTOL rotor aircraft:... |
Bell Helicopter | 3 May 1977 | |||
| V-16 | Advanced Harrier | McDonnell Douglas British Aerospace |
- | Not built; developed into AV-8B | |
| V-17 | Skipped | Assigned to a U.S. Army project but not used. | |||
| V-18 De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter The DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC... |
Twin Otter | de Havilland Canada | 20 May 1965 (DHC-6) |
||
| V-19 | Skipped | Assigned to a U.S. Navy project but cancelled. | |||
| V-20 | Chiricahua | de Havilland Canada | 1979 | ||
| V-21 | PACES | Airship Industries Airship Industries Airship Industries was a British manufacturer of modern non-rigid airships active under that name from 1980 to 1990 and controlled for part of that time by Alan Bond. A predecessor company, Aerospace Developments, had been founded in 1971, and a successor, Hybrid Air Vehicles, remains active... |
1983 | Unconfirmed designation. | |
| V-22 V-22 Osprey The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is an American multi-mission, military, tiltrotor aircraft with both a vertical takeoff and landing , and short takeoff and landing capability... |
Osprey | Bell Helicopter Boeing Helicopters Boeing Helicopters Boeing Rotorcraft Systems is a US aircraft manufacturer, now part of Boeing Defense, Space & Security... |
19 March 1989 | ||
| V-23 Dominion Skytrader -External links:*... |
Scout | Dominion Aircraft | 21 April 1975 (Skytrader) |
||
Un-designated foreign aircraft operated by the United States
- Airspeed HorsaAirspeed HorsaThe Airspeed AS.51 Horsa was a British World War II troop-carrying glider built by Airspeed Limited and subcontractors and used for air assault by British and Allied armed forces...
- Airspeed Ltd - Airspeed OxfordAirspeed OxfordThe Airspeed AS.10 Oxford was a twin-engine aircraft used for training British Commonwealth aircrews in navigation, radio-operating, bombing and gunnery during the Second World War.-Design and development:...
- Airspeed - Bristol BeaufighterBristol BeaufighterThe Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design...
- Bristol Aeroplane CompanyBristol Aeroplane CompanyThe Bristol Aeroplane Company, originally the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company, was both one of the first and one of the most important British aviation companies, designing and manufacturing both airframes and aero engines... - Boulton Paul DefiantBoulton Paul DefiantThe Boulton Paul Defiant was a British interceptor aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force early in the Second World War. The Defiant was designed and built by Boulton Paul Aircraft as a "turret fighter", without any forward-firing guns. It was a contemporary of the Royal Navy's Blackburn Roc...
- Boulton Paul AircraftBoulton Paul AircraftBoulton Paul Aircraft Ltd was a British aircraft manufacturer that was created in 1934, although its origins lay in 1914, and lasted until 1961... - CAC WirrawayCAC WirrawayThe Wirraway was a training and general purpose military aircraft manufactured in Australia by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation between 1939 and 1946...
- Commonwealth Aircraft CorporationCommonwealth Aircraft CorporationThe Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation was an Australian aircraft manufacturer. The CAC was established in 1936, to provide Australia with the capability to produce military aircraft and engines.-History:... - de Havilland Dominie - de Havilland
- de Havilland Moth Minor - de Havilland.
- de Havilland Tiger MothDe Havilland Tiger MothThe de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth is a 1930s biplane designed by Geoffrey de Havilland and was operated by the Royal Air Force and others as a primary trainer. The Tiger Moth remained in service with the RAF until replaced by the de Havilland Chipmunk in 1952, when many of the surplus aircraft...
- de Havilland - Diamond DA20Diamond DA20The Diamond DA20 is a two-seat tricycle gear general aviation aircraft designed for flight training. In addition to its role as a civil and military training aircraft, it is also used for personal flying by pilot-owners.-Development:...
- Diamond Aircraft - Hawker HurricaneHawker HurricaneThe Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...
- Hawker AircraftHawker AircraftHawker Aircraft Limited was a British aircraft manufacturer responsible for some of the most famous products in British aviation history.-History:... - Heinkel HD 22Heinkel HD 22|-See also:-External links:* Joe Baugher,...
- Heinkel Flugzeugwerke - M28 Skytruck - PZLPZLPZL was the main Polish aerospace manufacturer of the interwar period, based in Warsaw, functioning in 1928-1939...
- Mil Mi-17Mil Mi-17The Mil Mi-17 is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude...
- MilMil Moscow Helicopter PlantMil Helicopters is the short name of the Soviet Russian helicopter producer Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant , named after the constructor Mikhail Mil. Mil participates in the Euromil joint venture with Eurocopter.... - Miles MasterMiles Master-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Amos, Peter and Don Lambert Brown. Miles Aircraft Since 1925, Volume 1. London: Putnam Aeronautical, 2000. ISBN 0-85177-787-0....
- Miles Aircraft Ltd - Morane-Saulnier MS-234
- Percival ProctorPercival ProctorThe Percival Proctor was a British radio trainer and communications aircraft of the Second World War. The Proctor was a single-engine, low-wing monoplane with seating for three or four, depending on the model.-Design and development:...
- Supermarine SpitfireSupermarine SpitfireThe Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
- Westland LysanderWestland LysanderThe Westland Lysander was a British army co-operation and liaison aircraft produced by Westland Aircraft used immediately before and during the Second World War...
See also
- "SR-91 Aurora"
- F/A-XXF/A-XXNext Generation Air Dominance is a development and acquisition program for a future sixth generation air superiority fighter to replace the US Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet beginning in 2025. It is planned to incorporate sixth generation stealth capability. The aircraft is to be operated with or...
- List of active United States military aircraft
- List of military aircraft of the United States (1909-1919)
- List of military aircraft of the United States (naval) (Pre-1962 designation aircraft only)
- United States unified missile designation sequence
- U.S. DoD aircraft designations tableU.S. DoD aircraft designations tableThis is a table of 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system with selected letter sequences and number. Two previous USAF/AAF/AAC number series are included due to their impact and partial incorporation into the tri-service system .Key: Rows are by number and columns are by single...
- United States military aero engine designationsUnited States military aero engine designationsThe United States military aero engine designation system was introduced in 1926, originally for piston engines it was expanded in the 1947 to include a separate system for turbine and rocket engines.-Piston engines:...
- United States military aircraft serialsUnited States military aircraft serialsIn the United States, all military aircraft display a serial number to identify individual aircraft. Because these numbers are located on the aircraft tail, they are sometimes referred to unofficially as "tail numbers"...
External links
- OrBat United States of America - MilAvia Press.com: Military Aviation Publications
- U.S. Military Aircraft and Weapon Designations
- Designation-Systems.Net
- http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/
- Main Aircraft Page
- National Museum of the USAF - Home
- OrBat United States Air Force - MilAvia Press.com: Military Aviation Publications
- http://www.microworks.net/pacific/aviation/
- Uncommon Aircraft