United States military aircraft designation systems
Multiple designation systems have been used to specify United States military aircraft. The first was designed in 1919 when the US Army's Aeronautical Division became the United States Army Air Service. Before this, aircraft were put into service under their manufacturers' designations. History. United States Army Air Service system 1919–1924. During this period Type Designations used by the United States Army Air Service were allotted, using two or three letters, which were an abbreviation of the aircraft's purpose. Examples include GA for Ground Attack aircraft, NO for Night Observation aircraft, and NBS  for Night Bombardment, Short Distance aircraft. Army aviation system 1924–1962. From 1924 to 1947 the Air Service, United States Army Air Corps, United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force used a designation system based on mission category, with each model in a category numbered sequentially. In 1947, the designation system was extensively overhauled, with several categories being dispensed with, and others renamed. For instance, the Lockheed P-80 "Shooting Star" (Pursuit) was redesignated as F-80 (Fighter), while the A-26 medium bomber/attack aircraft was redesignated as the B-26, reusing the designation, the Martin B-26 having retired in the  meantime. US Navy system pre-1962. The United States Navy (including United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard) had several systems for designating aircraft beginning with the 1911 system which was followed shortly by the 1914 system. The 1922 system used a completely separate designation system, based on both "mission" and "manufacturer" and lasted until 1962. United States Army system 1956–1962. From 1956 to 1962 the United States Army used a separate designation system from that of the United States Air Force. Tri-service aircraft system (Air Force/Army/Navy) 1962–present. Starting 18 September 1962, a joint system  of "mission"-based designations was used, with most of these restarting from 1. Various previously-designated models from the pre-1962 Army-Air Force system (such as the F-111) were not redesignated. All in-use USN/USMC aircraft from the pre-1962 system were redesignated within the new system. An attempt was made to retain the original Type Sequence numbers for as many aircraft as possible. Thus, the F2H Banshee became the F-2, the F4H Phantom II became the F-4 and the F8U Crusader became the F-8. External links. A comprehensive explanation can be found at Systems of Designation. United States military aircraft