List of United States Tri-Service aircraft designations

This list of United States Tri-Service aircraft designations includes prototype, pre-production and operational type designations under the United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system, which replaced the 1924 Air Force, 1922 Navy, and 1956 Army designation systems in 1962.
For pre-1962 Air Force aircraft designations, see List of United States Air Force aircraft designations (1919–1962). For pre-1962 Navy aircraft designations, see List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962). For aircraft that did not receive formal designations—including those procured before 1919 when no designation system was in force, and later aircraft that did not receive designations for other reasons—see List of undesignated military aircraft of the United States.
For the comparable list of post-1962 designations of rockets and missiles see 1963 United States Tri-Service rocket and guided missile designation system.

A: Attack aircraft

A-1 Skyraider – Douglas
A-1 Skyraider II – Air Tractor/L3Harris
A-2 Savage – North American
A-3 Skywarrior – Douglas
A-4 Skyhawk – Douglas
A-5 Vigilante – North American
A-6 Intruder – Grumman
A-7 Corsair II – Ling-Temco-Vought
A-8 – General Dynamics
A-9 – Northrop
A-10 Thunderbolt II – Fairchild RepublicA-11 – skipped
A-12 Avenger II – McDonnell Douglas/General Dynamics A-13 – skipped
A-14 Super Tucano – Embraer

Non-sequential designations

B: Bomber

B-1 Lancer – Rockwell
B-2 Spirit – Northrop Grumman

Non-sequential designation

B-21 Raider – Northrop Grumman
[Lockheed Glenn L. Martin Company|Martin FB-22|FB-22] – Lockheed Martin
FB-111 Aardvark – General Dynamics

C: Cargo/Transport

C-1 Trader – Grumman
C-2 Greyhound – Grumman
C-3 – Martin
[Grumman Gulfstream Aerospace|Gulfstream I|C-4 Academe] – Grumman
C-5 Galaxy – Lockheed
C-6 – Beechcraft
C-7 Caribou – de Havilland Canada
C-7 – de Havilland Canada
C-8 Buffalo – de Havilland Canada
C-9 Nightingale/Skytrain II – McDonnell Douglas
C-10 Jetstream – Handley Page
C-10 Extender – McDonnell Douglas
C-11 – Gulfstream
C-12 Huron – Beechcraft
* RC-12 Guardrail – BeechcraftC-13 – skipped
C-14 – Boeing
C-15 – McDonnell DouglasC-16 – skipped
C-17 Globemaster III – Boeing
C-18 – Boeing
C-19 – Boeing
C-20 – Gulfstream
* C-20F/G/H/J – Gulfstream
C-21 – Learjet
C-22 – Boeing
C-23 Sherpa – Short
C-24 – Douglas
C-25 – Boeing
C-26 – Fairchild
C-27 Spartan – Aeritalia
* C-27J Spartan – Alenia
C-28 Titan – Cessna
C-29 – British Aerospace C-30 – skipped
C-31 Troopship – Fokker
C-32 – Boeing
C-33 – BoeingC-34 – skipped
C-35 – CessnaC-36 – reserved for a four-engined aircraft, speculated to have been the Boeing YAL-1
C-37 – Gulfstream
* C-37B – Gulfstream
C-38 – GulfstreamC-39 – skipped
C-40 Clipper – Boeing
C-41 – CASAC-42 – skippedC-43 – skippedC-44 – skipped
C-45 – EADS/Northrop Grumman
C-46 Pegasus – Boeing

Revived 1924-1962 sequence (2005-present)

Only aircraft designated after the adoption of the Tri-Service system are listed below. For aircraft in the sequence designated before 1962, see.

Non-sequential designations

C-767 – Boeing
C-880 – Convair

D: Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control segment

The "D" sequence is assigned to ground control stations for UAVs.

D-1 – General Atomics, ground equipment for the MQ-1 Predator
D-2 – Northrop Grumman, ground equipment for the RQ-4 Global Hawk
D-3 – Northrop Grumman, ground equipment for the MQ-4C Triton
D-4 – Northrop Grumman, ground equipment for the MQ-8 Fire Scout
D-5 – US Navy, ground equipment for the MQ-25 Stingray

E: Special electronic installation

E-1 Tracer – Grumman
E-2 Hawkeye – Grumman
E-3 Sentry – Boeing
E-4 – Boeing
*E-4C – Boeing/Sierra Nevada Corporation
E-5 Eagle – Windecker
E-6 Mercury – BoeingE-7 – designation proposed for EC-18B but not approved
E-8 Joint STARS – Northrop Grumman
E-9 Widget – de Havilland Canada
E-10 MC2A – Boeing/Northrop Grumman
E-11 – Bombardier/Northrop Grumman

Non-sequential designations

E-130 – Lockheed Martin

F: Fighter

F-1 Fury – North American
* F-1E/F Fury – North American
F-2 Banshee – McDonnell
F-3 Demon – McDonnell
F-4 Phantom II – McDonnell Douglas
F-5 Freedom Fighter/Tiger II – Northrop
* F-5G – Northrop
F-6 Skyray – Douglas
F-7 Sea Dart – Convair
F-8 Crusader – Vought
F-9 Panther – Grumman
* F-9F/H/J Cougar – Grumman
F-10 Skyknight – Douglas
F-11 Tiger – Grumman
F-12 – Lockheed
* F-12C – Lockheed F-13 – skipped
F-14 Tomcat – Grumman
F-15 Eagle – McDonnell Douglas
* NF-15B STOL/MTD - McDonnell Douglas
* F-15E Strike Eagle – McDonnell Douglas/Boeing
* F-15EX Eagle II - Boeing
* F-15J - Mitsubishi/McDonnell Douglas
F-16 Fighting Falcon – General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin
* NF-16D VISTA – General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin
* F-16XL – General Dynamics
F-17 Cobra – Northrop
F/A-18 Hornet – McDonnell Douglas
* F/A-18E/F Super Hornet – Boeing
* EA-18G Growler – BoeingF-19 – skipped
F-20 Tigershark – Northrop
F-21 Kfir – Israel Aerospace Industries
F-22 Raptor – Lockheed Martin
* YF-22 – Lockheed Martin
* FB-22 – Lockheed Martin
F-23 – Northrop/McDonnell Douglas

Non-sequential designations

Other designations

Designations YF-110 and YF-112 through YF-116 were acquired foreign aircraft used for evaluation and aggressor training. Designations YF-117 and YF-118 were black projects, with the F-117 designation later becoming the official Tri-Service designation of the production variant of the former. These designations chronologically continued the pre-1962 "F" series.YF-24 – mentioned in a USAF test pilot's official biography, possibly classified

YF-110
* YF-110B – Mikoyan-Gurevich
* YF-110C – Chengdu
* YF-110D – Mikoyan-Gurevich
* YF-110E/L/M – captured aircraft of unknown type under Have Phoenix
YF-112
* YF-112C/D – Sukhoi
YF-113
* YF-113A – Mikoyan-Gurevich
* YF-113B – Mikoyan-Gurevich
* YF-113C – Shenyang
* YF-113D – Mikoyan-Gurevich
* YF-113G – possible USAF "black project"
* YF-113H – captured aircraft of unknown type under Have Phoenix
YF-114
* YF-114C – Mikoyan-Gurevich
* YF-114D – Mikoyan-Gurevich
YF-116
* YF-116A – Mikoyan-Gurevich
YF-117
* YF-117A Senior Trend – Lockheed
* YF-117D Tacit Blue – Northrop
YF-118
* YF-118G Bird of Prey – Boeing

G: Glider

G-1 – Schweizer
G-2 – Schweizer
G-3 – Schweizer
G-4 – Schweizer
G-5 – Schweizer
G-6 – Schweizer
G-7 – Schweizer
G-8 – Schweizer
G-9 – Schleicher
G-10 – Let
G-11 – Stemme
G-12 – Caproni VizzolaG-13 – skipped
G-14 – Aeromot
G-15 – Schempp-Hirth
* G-15B – Schempp-Hirth
G-16 – DG Flugzeugbau

H: 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.

H-1 – Bell
* UH-1 Iroquois – Bell
** UH-1N Twin Huey – Bell
** UH-1Y Venom – Bell
* AH-1 Cobra – Bell
** AH-1J/T/W SeaCobra/SuperCobra – Bell
** AH-1Z Viper – Bell
H-2 Seasprite – Kaman
* H-2G Super Seasprite – Kaman
H-3 Sea King – Sikorsky
* H-3C/E/F Sea King – Sikorsky
H-4 – Bell
H-5 – Fairchild Hiller
H-6 Cayuse – Hughes/ McDonnell Douglas/MD Helicopters
* AH-6 Little Bird – Boeing
* MH-6 Little Bird – Hughes/ McDonnell Douglas/MD Helicopters

Continuation of 1948 sequence

Only aircraft designated after the adoption of the Tri-Service system are listed below. For aircraft in the sequence designated before 1962, see.

H-46 Sea Knight – Boeing Vertol
H-47 Chinook – Boeing Vertol
H-48 – Bell
H-49 – Boeing Vertol
H-50 DASH – Gyrodyne
H-51 – Lockheed
H-52 Sea Guard – Sikorsky
H-53 Sea Stallion – Sikorsky
* MH-53 Pave Low – Sikorsky
* CH-53E Super Stallion – Sikorsky
* CH-53K King Stallion – Sikorsky
H-54 Tarhe – Sikorsky
H-55 Osage – Hughes
H-56 Cheyenne – Lockheed
H-57 Sea Ranger – Bell
H-58 Kiowa – Bell
H-59 – Sikorsky
H-60 Black Hawk – Sikorsky
* Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk – Sikorsky
* Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk – Sikorsky
* Sikorsky MH-60 Jayhawk – Sikorsky
H-61 – Boeing Vertol
H-62 – Boeing Vertol
H-63 – Bell
H-64 Apache – Hughes
H-65 Dolphin – Aérospatiale
H-66 Comanche – Boeing/Sikorsky
H-66 Sage – Robinson
H-67 Creek – Bell
H-68 Stingray – AgustaH-69 – skipped
H-70 Arapaho – Bell
H-71 Kestrel – Lockheed Martin
H-72 Lakota – Eurocopter
H-73 Koala – AgustaWestland

Non-sequential designations

K: 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.

L: Laser-equipped

L-1 – Boeing

O: Observation

O-1 Bird Dog – Cessna
O-2 Skymaster – Cessna
O-3 Quiet Star – LockheedO-4 – reserved for a quiet observation aircraft, speculated to have been the Wren 460QB
O-5 ARL – de Havilland Canada
O-6 – de Havilland Canada

P: Maritime patrol

P-1 – skipped

P-2 Neptune – Lockheed
P-3 Orion – Lockheed
* EP-3 Orion/ARIES – Lockheed
* WP-3D Orion – Lockheed
P-4 Privateer – Consolidated
P-5 Marlin – Martin P-6 – skipped
P-7 – Lockheed
P-8 Poseidon – Boeing
P-9 – De Havilland Canada

Q: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

Q-1 Predator – General Atomics
* Q-1C Gray Eagle – General Atomics
Q-2 Pioneer – AAI/Israel Aerospace Industries
Q-3 Dark Star – Lockheed Martin/Boeing
Q-4 Global Hawk – Northrop Grumman
* Q-4C Triton – Northrop Grumman
Q-5 Hunter – Israel Aerospace Industries
Q-6 Outrider – Alliant
Q-7 Shadow – AAI
Q-8 Fire Scout – Northrop Grumman
* Q-8C Fire Scout – Northrop Grumman
Q-9 Reaper – General Atomics
Q-10 SnowGoose – MMIST
Q-11 Raven – AeroVironment
Q-12 – AeroVironmentQ-13 – skipped
Q-14 Dragon Eye – AeroVironment
Q-15 Neptune – DRS
Q-16 T-Hawk – Honeywell
Q-17 SpyHawk – MTC Technologies
Q-18 Hummingbird – Boeing
Q-19 Aerosonde – AAI
Q-20 Puma – AeroVironment
Q-20 Avenger – General Atomics
Q-21 Integrator – Boeing Insitu
Q-22 – AeroVironment
Q-23 – NASC
Q-24 – Kaman
Q-25 Stingray – Boeing
Q-26 – Aeronautics
Q-27 – Boeing
Q-28 – Skydio

Non-sequential designations

Q-35 – Shield AI
Q-42 – General Atomics
Q-44– Anduril Industries
Q-58 – Kratos
Q-67 – General Atomics
Q-72 Great Horned Owl – Northrop Grumman
Q-170 Sentinel – Lockheed Martin

R: Reconnaissance

R-1 – Lockheed

S: Anti-submarine warfare

S-1 – skipped

S-2 Tracker – Grumman
S-3 Viking/Shadow – Lockheed

S: Spaceplane

S is also used as a vehicle type designator spaceplanes.

S-1 – DARPA

SR: Strategic Reconnaissance

The "SR" sequence is a continuation of the original USAF bomber sequence, which ended at B-70.

SR-71 Blackbird – Lockheed
SR-72 – Lockheed Martin

T: Trainer

Despite the adoption of the unified Mission Designation System in 1962, only two aircraft were designated in the new sequence, both former Navy types. New trainer aircraft after 1962 continued to use the original sequence. In 1990, an alternate sequence was started, with the first designation being T-1, though the old sequence continues to be used. The next designation available in the 'T' series is T-55 or T-8, depending on which series is continued.

Continued original sequence (1962–present)

Only aircraft designated after the adoption of the Tri-Service system are listed below. For aircraft in the sequence designated before 1962, see.

T-41 Gulfstream – Grumman
T-41 Mescalero – Cessna
T-42 Seminole – Beechcraft
T-42 Cochise – Beechcraft
T-43 – Boeing
T-44 Pegasus – Beechcraft
T-45 Goshawk – McDonnell Douglas/BAE Systems
T-46 – Fairchild
T-47 – Cessna
T-48 – Cessna
T-48 MPATS – unknown contractor
T-49 – Boeing
T-50 Golden Eagle – Korea Aerospace Industries
T-51 – Cessna
T-52 – Diamond
T-53 – Cirrus
T-54 – Beechcraft

1962 redesignations

T-1 SeaStar – Lockheed
T-2 Buckeye – North American

1990 Sequence

T-1 Jayhawk – Raytheon/Hawker BeechcraftT-2 – skipped
T-3 Firefly – SlingsbyT-4 – skippedT-5 – skipped
T-6 Texan II – Hawker Beechcraft
T-7 Red Hawk – Boeing

U: Utility

U-1 Otter – de Havilland Canada
U-2 – Lockheed
U-3 – Cessna
U-4 – Aero Commander
U-5 Twin Courier – Helio
U-6 Beaver – de Havilland Canada
U-7 Super Cub – Piper
U-8 Seminole – Beechcraft
* NU-8F – Beechcraft
U-9 – Aero Commander
U-10 Super Courier – Helio
U-11 Aztec – Piper U-12 – skippedU-13 – skippedU-14 – skippedU-15 – skipped
U-16 Albatross – Grumman
U-17 Skywagon – Cessna
U-18 Navion – North American/Ryan
U-19 Sentinel – Stinson
U-20 – Cessna
U-21 Ute – Beechcraft
U-22 Pave Eagle – Beechcraft
U-23 Peacemaker – Fairchild Hiller/Pilatus
U-24 Stallion – Helio
U-25 Huron – Beechcraft
U-25 Guardian – Dassault
U-26 Super Skywagon – Cessna
U-27 Caravan – Cessna
U-28 – Pilatus

Non-sequential designations

U-38 Twin Condor – Schweizer

V: Vertical take-off/short take-off and landing (VTOL/STOL)

V-1 Mohawk – Grumman
V-2 Caribou – de Havilland Canada
V-3 – Bell
V-4 Hummingbird – Lockheed
V-5 Vertifan – Ryan
V-6 Kestrel – Hawker Siddeley
V-7 Buffalo – de Havilland Canada
V-8 – Ryan
V-8 Harrier – Hawker Siddeley
* V-8B Harrier II – McDonnell Douglas/British Aerospace
V-9 – Hughes
[North American Rockwell International|Rockwell OV-10 Bronco|V-10 Bronco] – Rockwell/Boeing
V-11 Marvel – Parsons
V-12 – Pilatus
V-12 – Rockwell V-13 – skippedV-14 – skipped to avoid confusion with X-14
V-15 – Bell
V-16 Harrier – McDonnell Douglas/British Aerospace V-17 – assigned to a U.S. Army project but not used
V-18 Twin Otter – de Havilland CanadaV-19 – assigned to a U.S. Navy project but canceled
V-20 Chiricahua – PilatusV-21 – rumored designation of an Airship Industries project
V-22 Osprey – Bell/Boeing
V-23 Scout – Dominion
V-24 LightningStrike – Aurora

X: Special research

In addition to aircraft intended to support military operations, the unified system includes experimental craft designed to push the boundaries of aeronautical and aerospace knowledge. These aircraft are designated in the "X-series", which led them to become known as "X-planes". Only those designated after 1962 are listed here. Some aircraft did not have military sponsors, but since they were designated under the same sequence they are listed here. For aircraft in the sequence designated before 1962, see.

X-21 – Northrop
X-22 – Bell
X-23 PRIME – Martin Marietta
X-24 – Martin Marietta
X-25 – Bensen
X-26 Frigate – Schweizer
X-27 – Lockheed
X-28 –
X-29 – Grumman
X-30 – Rockwell
X-31 – Rockwell/MBB
X-32 – Boeing
X-33 – Lockheed Martin
X-34 – Orbital
X-35 – Lockheed Martin
X-36 – McDonnell Douglas
X-37 – Boeing
X-38 – NASA/Scaled Composites
X-39 – unknown contractor
X-40 – Boeing
X-41 – unknown contractor
X-42 – unknown contractor
X-43 – NASA
X-44 MANTA – Lockheed Martin
X-44 – Lockheed Martin
X-45 – Boeing
X-46 – Boeing
X-47 Pegasus – Northrop Grumman
* X-47B – Northrop Grumman
* X-47C – Northrop Grumman
X-48 – Boeing
X-49 SpeedHawk – Piasecki
X-50 Dragonfly – Boeing
X-51 Waverider – BoeingX-52 – skipped
X-53 – Boeing
X-54 – Gulfstream
X-55 – Lockheed Martin
X-56 – Lockheed Martin
X-57 Maxwell – NASA X-58 – skipped
X-59 QueSST – Lockheed Martin
X-60 – Generation
X-61 Gremlins – Dynetics
X-62 VISTA – General Dynamics X-63 – skippedX-64 – skipped
X-65 CRANE – Aurora
X-66 – Boeing

Z: Lighter-than-air

Z-1 – Goodyear
Z-2 Sentinel – Westinghouse/Airship Industries
Z-3 – American Blimp
Z-4 – Hybrid Air Vehicles