J.F.
January 11th 08, 03:28 PM
How to Understand US Military Aircraft Designations
United States military aircraft are all given specific designations by the
Department of Defense known as MDS designations (Mission Design Series) that
identify their design and purpose. This joint designation system was
introduced by the Department of Defense in 1962, replacing the separate
systems of the US Air Force, US Navy, US Marine Corps, US Army, and US Coast
Guard. This article will explain what those designations mean and how to
read them.
1.. Understand what the MDS designation tells you about the vehicle. The
system consists of six different designations which identify:
1.. the type of aircraft
2.. the basic mission of the aircraft
3.. the modified mission of the aircraft
4.. the design number
5.. the series letter
6.. the status prefix
2.. Become familiar with the format. The order in which this designation
is presented is actually (6)(3)(2)(1) - (4)(5).
3.. Read from the hyphen out to the left. Then read everything after the
hyphen, to the right.
4.. Check the type of aircraft. If it is anything other than an airplane
(e.g. heavier than air, atmospheric craft) you will see one of the following
symbols immediately to the left of the hyphen. Otherwise, skip to the next
step.
a.. D - UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) Control Segment; these are not the
actual UAVs, but rather the manned aircraft controlling and, "D," for
Directing them)
b.. G - Glider (including motorgliders used for unpowered flight; fixed
wing; use air currents for normal lift; may have an engine)
c.. H - Helicopter (any rotary wing aircraft)
d.. Q - UAS (Unmanned Aerial System, this is the actual vehicle)
e.. S - Spaceplane (can operate both within and outside the atmosphere;
see Tips below)
f.. V - VTOL/STOL (Vertical TakeOff and Landing / or, Short distance
TakeOff and Landing)
g.. Z - Lighter than air (e.g. weather balloons, spy balloons, think of
the old Zeppelins to remember the "Z" designator)
5.. Determine the basic mission. The letter immediately to the left of the
dash (when a type designation is not present) indicates the basic mission
purpose of that aircraft. Occasionally, the basic mission designation is
left out if the type and the modified mission (see next step) are included
(e.g. MQ-9A).
a.. A - Ground Attack ("A" is from Attack)
b.. B - Bomber
c.. C - Transport ("C" from Cargo mover)
d.. E - Special Electronic Installation ("E" stands for the addition of
extensive Electronic equipment)
e.. F - Fighter (air combat, think of the "F" for Fighting/dogFighting)
f.. H - Search and Rescue (Think of the "H" as in Hospital, flying
Hospital ships, and also the common destination for those who are rescued)
g.. K - Tanker (think of the "K" in tanKer or Kerosene, it carries and
transfers aviation fuel--frequently a kerosene blend--in flight to other
aircraft)
h.. L - Laser-equipped (Laser weaponry against air and ground targets; a
new designation)
i.. O - Observation (Observation of enemy or potential enemy positions)
j.. P - "P" for Patrol, maritime (as in over the ocean)
a.. NOTE: Prior to 1962's "modernized" designations, "P" was commonly
used for WWI, WWII and Korean War "Pursuit" planes, the first
fighter/interceptors
k.. R - Reconnaissance (air reconnaissance of enemy forces, territory,
and facilities)
l.. S - Anti-Submarine ("S" from enemy Submarines' search, locate, and
attack; see Tips below)
m.. T - Trainer
n.. U - Utility (base support aircraft)
o.. X - Special Research ("X" from eXperimental design and developmental
pure research programs, with no operational mission intended or feasible)
6.. Find the modified mission. The letter left of the basic mission
designation indicates that a particular aircraft has been optionally
modified for a mission different than its original design purpose. There
should only be one letter for the modified mission designation, but there
are a few exceptions (e.g. EKA-3B). These symbols are similar to the basic
mission symbols, but contain a few extra descriptors.
a.. A - Ground Attack
b.. C - Transport (Cargo)
c.. D - Drone Detector (modified to control unmanned aerial vehicles
such as drones)
d.. E - Special Electronic Installation (addition of extensive
electronic equipment)
e.. F - Fighter (air combat)
f.. K - Tanker (carries and transfers aviation fuel in flight to other
aircraft)
g.. L - Cold Weather Operations (Arctic or Antarctic environments)
h.. M - Multi-mission (catch-all category)
i.. O - Observation (observation of enemy or potential enemy positions)
j.. P - Maritime Patrol
k.. Q - UAV or drone
l.. R - Reconnaissance (Reconnaissance by air of enemy forces,
territory, and facilities)
m.. S - Anti-Submarine (search for, locate, and attack enemy submarines)
n.. T - Trainer
o.. U - Utility (base support aircraft)
p.. V - VIP/Presidential Staff Transport (comfortable accommodations)
q.. W - Weather Reconnaissance (weather monitoring and air sampling)
7.. See if there is a status prefix. If this symbol is present, it will be
all the way to the left, and it is only needed if an aircraft is not in
normal operational service.
a.. C - Captive. Rockets and missiles that are incapable of launch.
b.. D - Dummy. Non-flying rockets and missiles, usually for ground
training.
c.. G - Permanently Grounded. Usually for ground training of crews and
support. Rare.
d.. J - Special Testing, Temporary. Aircraft with equipment temporarily
installed for testing.
e.. N - Special Testing, Permanent. Aircraft with equipment installed
for testing and that cannot be returned to original configuration.
f.. X - Experimental. Aircraft not yet finalized or accepted for
service.
g.. Y - Prototype. Think of the "Y" in prototYpe, this is a final
aircraft creation which is intended for mass production.
h.. Z - Planning phase. In the planning/pre-development phase. Not for
actual aircraft.
8.. Look for the design number to the right of the hyphen. The first
number after the hyphen is an aircraft designation. The rule, although often
violated, is that normal aircraft are to be designated in a strict numerical
series according to their basic mission. The easiest examples are found in
the Fighter class of US airplanes: F-14, then the F-15, F-16 and so on. But,
there are exceptions. For example, the X-35, which was a research plane, was
later redesignated the F-35 when it became fighter capable, even though the
next number in the Fighter sequence was F-24.
9.. Review the series letter. A suffix letter designates variants of a
basic aircraft, with the first model being "A" and subsequent series letters
being assigned the next letters of the alphabet (skipping "I" and "O" to
avoid confusion with the numbers "1" and "0"). As with other symbols, there
are exceptions with out-of-sequence suffixes (e.g. to designate a specific
customer, like the "N" in F-16N designated "Navy").
10.. Make note of any additional elements. There are three additional
symbols which you may encounter, and which are optional. E.g. F-15E-51-MC
Eagle, EA-6B-40-GR Prowler
a.. Assigned popular name. "Eagle" and "Prowler" in the examples given.
b.. Block number. Distinguishes between minor sub-variants of a specific
aircraft variant. "51" and "40" in the examples above. Sometimes the hyphen
before the block number is replaced by the word "block" (e.g. B-2A Block
30).
c.. Manufacturer code letters. Identifies manufacturing plant. (See
Sources and Citations section below to find a list of abbreviations.)
11.. Some confusion can arise from the fact that both the type and the
basic mission designators have "S" symbols. Interestingly, the "S"
designation S-for-Spaceplane has been used only once in designating the
SR-71 as a Spaceplane Reconnaissance aircraft, actually named the RS-71,
correctly, at first. When President Lyndon Johnson made reference to the
incredible fastest jet plane ever, he made a verbal slip. As part of a
nationally televised speech, he transposed the "R" and "S" letters, and his
designation stood. Designers and military personnel then adjusted the
abbreviations. The reconnaissance plane that flew at the edge of outer
space, "RS," became instead, the spaceplane that performed reconnaissance,
"SR."
a.. The only two S-for-Antisubmarine designations are the S-2 and S-3. In
the particular case of the SR-71, as just described above, the "S"
designation is used as a MODIFIED mission indicator.
b.. Most of the symbols used have a corresponding letter in their
description to help remember them all. (A - ground Attack ; P - maritime
Patrol). Try to remember these and this process becomes much easier.
c.. As with any system or set of rules, there are exceptions to these
designations.
a.. This in no way constitutes a complete or wholly accurate account of
United States Military Aircraft designations.
b.. An aircraft with dual, basic roles may sometimes use a '/' designator
between roles, such as the F/A-18E (Fighter/Attack aircraft).
United States military aircraft are all given specific designations by the
Department of Defense known as MDS designations (Mission Design Series) that
identify their design and purpose. This joint designation system was
introduced by the Department of Defense in 1962, replacing the separate
systems of the US Air Force, US Navy, US Marine Corps, US Army, and US Coast
Guard. This article will explain what those designations mean and how to
read them.
1.. Understand what the MDS designation tells you about the vehicle. The
system consists of six different designations which identify:
1.. the type of aircraft
2.. the basic mission of the aircraft
3.. the modified mission of the aircraft
4.. the design number
5.. the series letter
6.. the status prefix
2.. Become familiar with the format. The order in which this designation
is presented is actually (6)(3)(2)(1) - (4)(5).
3.. Read from the hyphen out to the left. Then read everything after the
hyphen, to the right.
4.. Check the type of aircraft. If it is anything other than an airplane
(e.g. heavier than air, atmospheric craft) you will see one of the following
symbols immediately to the left of the hyphen. Otherwise, skip to the next
step.
a.. D - UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) Control Segment; these are not the
actual UAVs, but rather the manned aircraft controlling and, "D," for
Directing them)
b.. G - Glider (including motorgliders used for unpowered flight; fixed
wing; use air currents for normal lift; may have an engine)
c.. H - Helicopter (any rotary wing aircraft)
d.. Q - UAS (Unmanned Aerial System, this is the actual vehicle)
e.. S - Spaceplane (can operate both within and outside the atmosphere;
see Tips below)
f.. V - VTOL/STOL (Vertical TakeOff and Landing / or, Short distance
TakeOff and Landing)
g.. Z - Lighter than air (e.g. weather balloons, spy balloons, think of
the old Zeppelins to remember the "Z" designator)
5.. Determine the basic mission. The letter immediately to the left of the
dash (when a type designation is not present) indicates the basic mission
purpose of that aircraft. Occasionally, the basic mission designation is
left out if the type and the modified mission (see next step) are included
(e.g. MQ-9A).
a.. A - Ground Attack ("A" is from Attack)
b.. B - Bomber
c.. C - Transport ("C" from Cargo mover)
d.. E - Special Electronic Installation ("E" stands for the addition of
extensive Electronic equipment)
e.. F - Fighter (air combat, think of the "F" for Fighting/dogFighting)
f.. H - Search and Rescue (Think of the "H" as in Hospital, flying
Hospital ships, and also the common destination for those who are rescued)
g.. K - Tanker (think of the "K" in tanKer or Kerosene, it carries and
transfers aviation fuel--frequently a kerosene blend--in flight to other
aircraft)
h.. L - Laser-equipped (Laser weaponry against air and ground targets; a
new designation)
i.. O - Observation (Observation of enemy or potential enemy positions)
j.. P - "P" for Patrol, maritime (as in over the ocean)
a.. NOTE: Prior to 1962's "modernized" designations, "P" was commonly
used for WWI, WWII and Korean War "Pursuit" planes, the first
fighter/interceptors
k.. R - Reconnaissance (air reconnaissance of enemy forces, territory,
and facilities)
l.. S - Anti-Submarine ("S" from enemy Submarines' search, locate, and
attack; see Tips below)
m.. T - Trainer
n.. U - Utility (base support aircraft)
o.. X - Special Research ("X" from eXperimental design and developmental
pure research programs, with no operational mission intended or feasible)
6.. Find the modified mission. The letter left of the basic mission
designation indicates that a particular aircraft has been optionally
modified for a mission different than its original design purpose. There
should only be one letter for the modified mission designation, but there
are a few exceptions (e.g. EKA-3B). These symbols are similar to the basic
mission symbols, but contain a few extra descriptors.
a.. A - Ground Attack
b.. C - Transport (Cargo)
c.. D - Drone Detector (modified to control unmanned aerial vehicles
such as drones)
d.. E - Special Electronic Installation (addition of extensive
electronic equipment)
e.. F - Fighter (air combat)
f.. K - Tanker (carries and transfers aviation fuel in flight to other
aircraft)
g.. L - Cold Weather Operations (Arctic or Antarctic environments)
h.. M - Multi-mission (catch-all category)
i.. O - Observation (observation of enemy or potential enemy positions)
j.. P - Maritime Patrol
k.. Q - UAV or drone
l.. R - Reconnaissance (Reconnaissance by air of enemy forces,
territory, and facilities)
m.. S - Anti-Submarine (search for, locate, and attack enemy submarines)
n.. T - Trainer
o.. U - Utility (base support aircraft)
p.. V - VIP/Presidential Staff Transport (comfortable accommodations)
q.. W - Weather Reconnaissance (weather monitoring and air sampling)
7.. See if there is a status prefix. If this symbol is present, it will be
all the way to the left, and it is only needed if an aircraft is not in
normal operational service.
a.. C - Captive. Rockets and missiles that are incapable of launch.
b.. D - Dummy. Non-flying rockets and missiles, usually for ground
training.
c.. G - Permanently Grounded. Usually for ground training of crews and
support. Rare.
d.. J - Special Testing, Temporary. Aircraft with equipment temporarily
installed for testing.
e.. N - Special Testing, Permanent. Aircraft with equipment installed
for testing and that cannot be returned to original configuration.
f.. X - Experimental. Aircraft not yet finalized or accepted for
service.
g.. Y - Prototype. Think of the "Y" in prototYpe, this is a final
aircraft creation which is intended for mass production.
h.. Z - Planning phase. In the planning/pre-development phase. Not for
actual aircraft.
8.. Look for the design number to the right of the hyphen. The first
number after the hyphen is an aircraft designation. The rule, although often
violated, is that normal aircraft are to be designated in a strict numerical
series according to their basic mission. The easiest examples are found in
the Fighter class of US airplanes: F-14, then the F-15, F-16 and so on. But,
there are exceptions. For example, the X-35, which was a research plane, was
later redesignated the F-35 when it became fighter capable, even though the
next number in the Fighter sequence was F-24.
9.. Review the series letter. A suffix letter designates variants of a
basic aircraft, with the first model being "A" and subsequent series letters
being assigned the next letters of the alphabet (skipping "I" and "O" to
avoid confusion with the numbers "1" and "0"). As with other symbols, there
are exceptions with out-of-sequence suffixes (e.g. to designate a specific
customer, like the "N" in F-16N designated "Navy").
10.. Make note of any additional elements. There are three additional
symbols which you may encounter, and which are optional. E.g. F-15E-51-MC
Eagle, EA-6B-40-GR Prowler
a.. Assigned popular name. "Eagle" and "Prowler" in the examples given.
b.. Block number. Distinguishes between minor sub-variants of a specific
aircraft variant. "51" and "40" in the examples above. Sometimes the hyphen
before the block number is replaced by the word "block" (e.g. B-2A Block
30).
c.. Manufacturer code letters. Identifies manufacturing plant. (See
Sources and Citations section below to find a list of abbreviations.)
11.. Some confusion can arise from the fact that both the type and the
basic mission designators have "S" symbols. Interestingly, the "S"
designation S-for-Spaceplane has been used only once in designating the
SR-71 as a Spaceplane Reconnaissance aircraft, actually named the RS-71,
correctly, at first. When President Lyndon Johnson made reference to the
incredible fastest jet plane ever, he made a verbal slip. As part of a
nationally televised speech, he transposed the "R" and "S" letters, and his
designation stood. Designers and military personnel then adjusted the
abbreviations. The reconnaissance plane that flew at the edge of outer
space, "RS," became instead, the spaceplane that performed reconnaissance,
"SR."
a.. The only two S-for-Antisubmarine designations are the S-2 and S-3. In
the particular case of the SR-71, as just described above, the "S"
designation is used as a MODIFIED mission indicator.
b.. Most of the symbols used have a corresponding letter in their
description to help remember them all. (A - ground Attack ; P - maritime
Patrol). Try to remember these and this process becomes much easier.
c.. As with any system or set of rules, there are exceptions to these
designations.
a.. This in no way constitutes a complete or wholly accurate account of
United States Military Aircraft designations.
b.. An aircraft with dual, basic roles may sometimes use a '/' designator
between roles, such as the F/A-18E (Fighter/Attack aircraft).