List of military aircraft of the United States

This list of military aircraft of the United States includes prototype, pre-production and operational types. For aircraft currently in service, see the List of active United States military aircraft. Prototypes are normally prefixed with "X" and 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 "Y".

The United States Air Force currently employs a designation and naming system to identify all aircraft type with distinct names. Until 1962, both the Army and Air Force maintained one system, while the United States Navy maintained a separate system. In 1962, these were unified into a single system heavily reflecting the Army/Air Force method. For more complete information on the workings of this system, refer to United States Department of Defense Aerospace Vehicle Designations.

A collection of NASA experimental aircraft, including the X-31, F-15, SR-71, F-106, F-16XL, X-38, Radio Controlled Mothership, and X-36.

Airship

Navy, 1922-1962

Airship, commissioned vessel

::This series of four airships (two one-offs and two production Akron-class vessels) were the only airships in American history to be commissioned as ships of the United States Navy.
* ZR-1 USS Shenandoah
* ZR-3 USS Los Angeles
* ZRS-4 USS Akron
* ZRS-5 USS Macon

Airship, Airborne Early Warning, 1952-?

* ZWG - Goodyear
* ZWN Reliance - Goodyear

Airship, Patrol , 1947-1962

* ZPG - Goodyear
* ZPK - Goodyear
* ZP2K - Goodyear
* ZP3K - Goodyear
* ZP4K - Goodyear
* ZP5K - Goodyear
* ZPM - Goodyear
* ZPN - Goodyear
* ZP2N - Goodyear

Airship, Scout, 1954-?

* ZSG - Goodyear
* ZS2G - Goodyear

Airship, Training, 1947-?

* ZTG - Goodyear
* ZTL - Goodyear

Unified system, 1962-present

* Z-1 - Goodyear
* Z-2 Sentinel - Westinghouse Airships

Ambulance

Army Air Service, 1919-1924

* A-1 - Cox-Klemin
* A-2 - Fokker

Navy, 1922-1962

Hospital, 1929-1942

* HE - Piper
* HL - Loening

Ambulance, 1943

* AE - Piper

Attack

Army Air Service, 1919-1924

Pursuit, Ground Attack, 1922

* PG-1 - Aeromarine

Ground Attack, 1920-1922

* GA-1 - Boeing
* GA-2 - Boeing

Army Air Corps/Army Air Forces/Air Force, 1924-1948

* A-1 - skipped
* XA-2 - Douglas
* A-3 - Curtiss
* A-4 - Curtiss
* A-5 - Curtiss
* A-6 - Curtiss
* XA-7 - Fokker
* XA-8 Shrike - Curtiss
* XA-9 - Lockheed
* YA-10 - Curtiss
* XA-11 - Consolidated
* A-12 Shrike - Curtiss
* YA-13 - Northrop
* YA-14 Shrike - Curtiss
* XA-15 - Martin
* XA-16 - Northrop
* A-17 - Northrop
* A-18 Shrike - Curtiss
* YA-19 - Vultee
* A-20 Havoc - Douglas
* XA-21 - Stearman
* A-22 Maryland - Martin
* XA-23 Baltimore - Martin
* A-24 Banshee - Douglas (survivors redesignated F-24 in 1948)
* A-25 Shrike - Curtiss
* A-26 Invader - Douglas (redesignated B-26 in 1948; designation restored to A-26 in 1962)
* A-27 - North American
* A-28 Hudson - Lockheed
* A-29 Hudson - Lockheed
* A-30 Baltimore - Martin
* A-31 Vengeance - Vultee
* A-32 - Brewster
* A-33 - Douglas
* A-34 - Brewster
* A-35 Vengeance - Convair
* A-36A Apache - North American
* XA-37 - Hughes
* XA-38 Grizzly - Beechcraft
* XA-39 - Kaiser-Fleetwings
* XA-40 - Curtiss
* XA-41 - Vultee
* XA-42 Mixmaster - Douglas
* XA-43 Blackhawk - Curtiss-Wright
* XA-44 - Consolidated
* XA-45 - Martin

Navy, 1922-1962

Attack, 1946-1962

A-1 Skyraider, United States, 2003

* AD Skyraider - Douglas (redesignated A-1 in 1962)
* A2D Skyshark - Douglas
* A3D Skywarrior - Douglas (redesignated A-3 in 1962)
* A4D Skyhawk - Douglas (redesignated A-4 in 1962)
* AF Guardian - Grumman
* A2F Intruder - Grumman (redesignated A-6 in 1962)
* AH Phantom II - McDonnell Douglas (redesignated F4H, then F-4 in 1962)
* AJ Savage - North American
* A2J Super Savage - North American
* A3J Vigilante - North American (redesignated A-5 in 1962)
* AM Mauler - Martin
* AU Corsair - Vought
* A2U Cutlass - Vought

Unified system, 1962-present

USAF A-10 Thunderbolt II

* A-1 Skyraider - Douglas (formerly designated AD)
* A-2 Savage - North American (formerly designated AJ)
* A-3 Skywarrior - Douglas (formerly designated A3D)
* A-4 Skyhawk - McDonnell Douglas (formerly designated A4D)
* A-5 Vigilante - North American (formerly designated A3J)
* A-6 Intruder - Grumman (formerly designated A2F)
* A-7 Corsair II - Vought
* A-7 Strikefighter - Ling-Temco-Vought
* AV-8 Harrier - McDonnell Douglas
* YA-9 - Northrop
* A-10 Thunderbolt II - Republic
* A-11 Astra - Lockheed Martin (General Dynamics)
* A-12 Avenger II - McDonnell Douglas/General Dynamics
* A-37 Dragonfly - Cessna (Originally AT-37)

Attack helicopters

* AH-1 Cobra - Bell
* AH-6J Little Bird - Hughes
* AH-56 Cheyenne - Lockheed
* AH-64 Apache - Hughes
* RAH-66 Comanche - Boeing-Sikorsky

Fixed wing gunships

* AC-47 Spooky - Douglas
* AC-54 Skymaster - Douglas Not a gunship but used for electronic calibration in the l950's. Link will redirect to C-54 page.
* AC-119 Shadow/Stinger - Fairchild
* AC-123 Provider - ''Unofficial designation, see NC-123K
* AC-130 Spectre/Spooky - Lockheed

P-3 Orion of the US navy

Bomber

Army Air Service, before 1919

* MB-1 - Martin
* MB-2 - Martin

Army Air Service, 1919-1924

Day Bombardment

* DB-1 - Gallaudet

Night Bombardment, Long Distance

* XNBL-1 - Witteman-Lewis--The "Barling Bomber"
* XNBL-2 - Martin

Night Bombardment, Short Distance

* NBS-1 - Martin
* XNBS-2 - Lowe-Willard-Fowler
* XNBS-3 - Elias
* XNBS-4 - Curtiss
* XNBS-5 - Gallaudet

Army Air Service, 1924-1926

Light Bomber

* LB-1 - Huff-Daland (later Keystone)
* LB-2 - Fokker
* XLB-3 - Keystone
* XLB-4 - Martin
* LB-5 - Keystone
* LB-6 - Keystone
* LB-7 - Keystone
* LB-8 - Keystone
* LB-9 - Keystone
* LB-10 - Keystone
* LB-11 - Keystone
* XLB-12 - Keystone
* LB-13 - Keystone
* LB-14 - Keystone

Medium Bomber

* XB-1 - Huff-Daland
* B-2 Condor - Curtiss

Heavy Bomber

* XHB-1 - Huff-Daland
* XHB-2 - Fokker
* XHB-3 - Huff-Daland

Army Air Corps/Army Air Forces/Air Force, 1926-1962

In 1926, the newly formed Army Air Corps decided to unify all bombers under the B- series. Two already existed in this series, so the series was taken up at the designation B-3.
* XB-1 - Huff-Daland-Keystone
* B-2 Condor - Curtiss
* B-3 - Keystone
* B-4 - Keystone
* B-5 - Keystone
* B-6 - Keystone
* Y1B-7 - Douglas
* XB-8 - Fokker
* Y1B-9 - Boeing
* B-10 - Martin
* YB-11 - Douglas
* B-12 - Martin
* XB-13 - Martin
* XB-14 - Martin
* XB-15 - Boeing
* XB-16 - Martin
* B-17 Flying Fortress - Boeing
* B-18 Bolo - Douglas
* XB-19 - Douglas
* Y1B-20 - Boeing
* XB-21 - North American
* XB-22 - Douglas
* B-23 Dragon - Douglas
* B-24 Liberator - Consolidated
* B-25 Mitchell - North American
* B-26 Marauder - Martin
** B-26 Invader - designation of A-26 Invader from 1948 to 1962
* XB-27 Super Marauder - Martin
* XB-28 Dragon - North American
* B-29 Superfortress - Boeing
* XB-30 - Lockheed
* XB-31 - Douglas

USAF B-52

* B-32 Dominator/Terminator - Consolidated
* XB-33 Super Marauder - Martin
* B-34 Lexington/Ventura - Lockheed
* YB-35 - Northrop
* B-36 - Convair
* B-37 - Lockheed
* XB-38 Flying Fortress - Boeing
* XB-39 Superfortress - Boeing
* YB-40 Flying Fortress - Boeing
* XB-41 Liberator - Consolidated
* XB-42 Mixmaster - Douglas
* XB-43 Jetmaster - Douglas
* XB-44 Superfortress - Boeing
* B-45 Tornado - North American
* XB-46 - Convair
* B-47 Stratojet - Boeing
* XB-48 - Martin
* YB-49 - Northrop
* B-50 Superfortress - Boeing
* XB-51 - Martin
* B-52 Stratofortress - Boeing
* XB-53 - Convair
* B-54 - Boeing
* XB-55 - Boeing
* B-56 - Boeing
* B-57 Canberra - Martin/English Electric
* B-58 Hustler - Convair
* XB-59 - Boeing
* YB-60 - Convair
** TM-61 Matador - missile designation
** SM-62 Snark - missile designation
** XGAM-63 Rascal - missile designation
** SM-64 Navaho - missile designation
** SM-65 Atlas - missile designation
* B-66 Destroyer - Douglas
** GAM-67 Crossbow - missile designation
* XB-68 - Martin
** SM-68 Titan - missile designation
* RB-69 - Lockheed
* XB-70 Valkyrie - North American
** IM-70 Talos - missile designation
* SR-71 Blackbird - 'strategic reconnissance' designation
** GAM-71 Buck Duck - missile designation
** XGAM-72 Quail - missile designation
** XSM-73 Goose - missile designation
** SM-75 Thor - missile designation
** TM-76 Mace - missile designation
** GAM-77 Hound Dog - missile designation
** SM-78 Jupiter - missile designation
** GAM-79 White Lance - missile designaton
** SM-80 Minuteman - missile designation
** RM-81 Agena - missile designation
** XRM-82 - missile designation
** GAM-83 Bullpup - missile designation
** XRM-84 - missile designation
** XRM-85 - missile designation
** XRM-86 - missile designation
** GAM-87 Skybolt - missile designation
** SRM-88 - missile designation
** XRM-89 Blue Scout 1 - missile designation
** XRM-90 Blue Scout 2 - missile designation
** XRM-91 Blue Scout Junior - missile designation
** XRM-92 Air Force Scout - missile designation''

Navy, 1922-1962

Bomber

* BD Havoc - Douglas
* BG - Great Lakes
* B2G - Great Lakes
* BM - Martin
* BN - Naval Aircraft Factory
* BT - Northrop
* B2T - Northrop
* BY Fleetster - Consolidated
* B2Y - Consolidated

Bomber Fighter

* BFB - Boeing
* BFC Goshawk - Curtiss
* BF2C Goshawk - Curtiss

Bomber Torpedo

* BTC - Curtiss
* BT2C - Curtiss
* BTD Destroyer - Douglas
* BT2D Destroyer II/Skyraider - Douglas
* BTK - Kaiser-Fleetwings
* BTM Mauler - Martin

Patrol Bomber

* XPBB Sea Ranger - Boeing
* PB2B - Boeing (PBY built by Boeing)
* PBJ Mitchell - North American
* PBM Mariner - Martin
* XPB2M Mars - Martin
* PBN Nomad - Naval Aircraft Factory
* PBO Hudson - Lockheed
* PBS - Sikorsky
* PB2S Catalina - Boeing-Canada
* PBV - Canadian Vickers
* PBY Catalina - Consolidated (formerly designated P3Y)
* PB2Y Coronado - Consolidated
* PB3Y - Consolidated
* PB4Y Privateer - Consolidated (redesignated P-4 in 1962)

Patrol Torpedo Bomber

* XPTBH - Hall-Aluminum Aircraft Corporation

Scout Bomber

* SBA - Brewster
* SB2A Buccaneer - Brewster
* SBC Helldiver - Curtiss-Wright
* SB2C Helldiver - Curtiss-Wright
* SB3C - Curtiss-Wright
* SBD Dauntless - Douglas
* SB2D Destroyer - Douglas
* SBF - Grumman
* SBF Helldiver - Fairchild
* SBG - Great Lakes
* SBN - Naval Aircraft Factory
* SBT - Northrop
* SBU - Vought
* SB2U Vindicator - Vought
* XSB3U - Vought
* SBW Helldiver - Canadian Car & Foundry
* SOC Seagull - Curtiss-Wright

Torpedo Bomber

* TBD Devastator - Douglas
* TB2D Skypirate - Douglas
* TBF Avenger - Grumman
* TB2F - Grumman
* TB3F Guardian - Grumman
* TBG - Great Lakes
* TBM Avenger - General Motors
* TBU Sea Wolf - Vought
* TBV Georgia - Vultee
* TBY Sea Wolf - Consolidated

Unified system, after 1962

USAF B-2 Spirit

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

Cargo/Transport

Army Air Service, 1919-1925

Transport

* T-1 - Martin
* T-2 - Fokker
* T-3 - Lowe-Willard-Fowler

Army Air Service/Army Air Corps/Army Air Force/Air Force 1925-1948

Cargo

* C-1 Millirole - Douglas
* C-2 - Fokker
* C-3 - Ford
* 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 Alpha - Northrop
* C-20 - Fokker
* C-21 Dolphin - Douglas
* C-22 Fleetster - Consolidated
* C-23 Altair - Lockheed
* Y1C-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-Reisner
* C-32 - Douglas
* C-33 - Douglas
* C-34 - Douglas
* XC-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
* XC-44 - Messerschmitt
* C-45 Expeditor - Beechcraft
* C-46 Commando - Curtiss
* C-47 Skytrain - Douglas
* C-48 Skytrain - Douglas--civilian DC-3 in military service
* C-49 Skytrain - Douglas-- ditto
* C-50 Skytrain - Douglas-- ditto
* C-51 Skytrain - Douglas-- ditto
* C-52 Skytrain - Douglas-- ditto
* C-53 Skytrooper - Douglas
* C-54 Skymaster - Douglas
* C-55 Commando - Curtiss
* C-56 Lodestar - Lockheed
* C-57 Lodestar - Lockheed
* C-58 Bolo - Douglas
* C-59 Lodestar - Lockheed
* C-60 Lodestar - Lockheed
* C-61 Forwarder - Fairchild
* C-62 - Waco
* C-63 Hudson - Lockheed
* C-64 Norseman - Noorduyn
* C-65 Skycar - Stout
* C-66 Lodestar - Lockheed
* C-67 Dragon - Douglas
* C-68 - Douglas
* C-69 Constellation - Lockheed
* C-70 Nightingale - Howard
* C-71 Executive - Spartan
* C-72 - Waco
* C-73 - Boeing
* C-74 Globemaster - Douglas
* C-75 Military Transport - Boeing
* C-76 Caravan - Curtiss
* C-77 - Cessna
* C-78 Bobcat - Cessna
* C-79 - Junkers
* C-80 - Harlow
* C-81 Reliant - Stinson
* C-82 Packet - Fairchild
* C-83 Coupe - Piper
* C-84 - Douglas
* C-85 Orion - Lockheed
* C-86 Forwarder - Fairchild
* C-87 Liberator Express - Consolidated
* C-88 - Fairchild
* C-89 - Hamilton
* C-90 - Luscombe
* C-91 - Stinson
* C-92 - Akron-Funk
* C-93 Conestoga - Budd Company
* C-94 - Cessna
* C-95 Grasshopper - Taylorcraft
* C-96 - Fairchild
* C-97 Stratofreighter - Boeing
* C-98 - Boeing
* XC-99 - Convair
* C-100 Gamma - Northrop
* C-101 Vega - Lockheed
* C-102 Speedster - Rearwin
* C-103 - Grumman
* C-104 - Lockheed
* XC-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
* XC-112 - Douglas
* C-113 Commando - Curtiss
* C-114 Skymaster - Douglas
* C-115 Skymaster - Douglas
* C-116 Skymaster - Douglas
* C-117 Super Skytrain - Douglas
* C-118 Liftmaster - Douglas
* C-119 Flying Boxcar - Fairchild
* C-120 Packplane - Fairchild
* C-121 Constellation - Lockheed
* C-122 - Fairchild
* C-123 Provider - Fairchild
* C-124 Globemaster II - Douglas
* C-125 Raider - Northrop
* C-126 - Cessna
* C-127 - Boeing
* C-128 Flying Boxcar - Fairchild
* C-129 Super Skytrain - Douglas
* C-130 Hercules - Lockheed
* C-131 Samaritan - Convair
* C-132 - Douglas
* C-133 Cargomaster - Douglas
* YC-134 - Stroukoff
* C-135 Stratotanker - Boeing
* YC-136 - Fairchild
* C-137 Stratoliner - Boeing
* Fairchild C-138 - Fairchild
* C-139 - Lockheed
* C-140 Jetstar - Lockheed
* C-141 Starlifter - Lockheed
* XC-142 - Vought
* C-143 - Curtiss-Wright (later redesignated X-19)

Navy, 1922-1962

Helicopter, Transport

* HCH - McDonnell
* HRB Sea Knight - Boeing Vertol
* HRH - McDonnell
* HRP Rescuer - Piasecki
* HRS - Sikorsky
* HR2S - Sikorsky
* HR3S - Sikorsky

Transport, Single Engine

* GB Traveler - Beechcraft

Transport

* RA - Fokker
* RB - Budd Company
* RC - Curtiss
* R2C - Curtiss
* R3C - Curtiss
* R4C Condor - Curtiss-Wright
* R5C Commando - Curtiss-Wright
* RD - Douglas
* R2D - Douglas
* R3D - Douglas
* R4D - Douglas
* R5D - Douglas
* R6D - Douglas
* RE - Bellanca
* RM - Martin
* RN - Stinson
* R2K - Fairchild
* RO - Lockheed
* R2O - Lockheed
* R3O - Lockheed
* XR4O - Lockheed
* R5O - Lockheed
* R6O - Lockheed (later R6V)
* R7O - Lockheed (later R7V)
* RQ - Fairchild
* R2Q - Fairchild
* R4Q - Fairchild
* RR - Ford
* R6V - Lockheed (earlier R6O)
* R7V - Lockheed (earlier R7O)
* R8V - Lockheed
* RY - Consolidated
* R2Y - Consolidated
* R3Y Tradewind - Convair
* R4Y - Convair

Utility Transport

Unified system, 1962-present

Cargo

* C-1 Trader - Grumman
* C-2 Greyhound - Grumman
* C-3 - Martin
* C-4 Academe - Gulfstream
* C-5 Galaxy - Lockheed
* C-6 Ute - Beechcraft
* C-7 Caribou - de Havilland Canada
* C-8 Buffalo - de Havilland Canada
* C-9 Skytrain II/Nightingale - Douglas
* C-10 Extender - Douglas
* C-11 Gulfstream II - Gulfstream
* C-12 Huron - Beechcraft
* C-13 Huron - Beechcraft
* YC-14 - Boeing
* YC-15 - McDonnell Douglas
* C-16 Caravan - Cessna
* C-17 Globemaster III - Boeing
* C-18 - Boeing
* C-19 - Boeing
* C-20 Gulfstream III/IV - Gulfstream
* C-21 Learjet - Learjet
* C-22 - Boeing
* C-23 Sherpa - Short
* C-24 - Douglas
* C-25 - Boeing
* C-26 Metroliner - Fairchild
* C-27 Spartan - Alenia
* C-28 - Cessna
* C-29 - BAE Systems
* C-30 - Northrop Grumman
* C-31 Troopship - Fokker
* C-32 - Boeing
* C-33 - Boeing
* C-34 - apparently skipped
* C-35 Citation Ultra/Encore - Cessna
* YC-36 - Boeing
* C-37 Gulfstream V - Gulfstream
* C-38 Courier - Israeli Aircraft Industries
* C-39 - apparently skipped
* C-40 Clipper - Boeing
* C-41 - CASA

Cargo Helicopter

Army Chinook sling-loads a Howitzer Gun

* CH-3 Sea King - Sikorsky
* CH-19 Chickasaw - Sikorsky
* CH-21 Shawnee - Piasecki
* CH-34 Choctaw - Sikorsky
* CH-37 Mojave - Sikorsky
* CH-46 Sea Knight - Boeing
* CH-47 Chinook - Boeing
* CH-53 Sea Stallion - Sikorsky
* CH-54 Tarhe - Sikorsky
* CH-62 - Boeing

Drone

Army Air Forces, 1941-1948

Aerial Target, 1940-1941

* A-1 - Fleetwings
* A-2 - Radioplane
* A-3 - Curtiss
* A-4 - Douglas
* A-5 - Boeing
* A-6 - Douglas
* A-7 Airacobra - Bell
* A-8 Cadet - Culver

Aerial Target (Man Carrying), 1942-1947

* PQ-8 Cadet - Culver
* PQ-9 - Culver
* PQ-10 - Culver
* PQ-11 - Fletcher
* PQ-12 - Fleetwings
* PQ-13 - ERCO
* PQ-14 Cadet - Culver
* PQ-15 - Culver

Aerial Target (Model Airplane), 1942-1947

* OQ-2 - Radioplane
* OQ-3 - Radioplane/Frankfort
* OQ-4 - Brunswick-Balke-Collender
* OQ-5
* 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 - Radioplane

Bomb, Controllable, 1942-1945

* BQ-1 - Fleetwings
* BQ-2 - Kaiser-Fleetwings
* BQ-3 - Fairchild
* BQ-4 - Interstate
* BQ-5 - Interstate
* BQ-6 - Interstate
* BQ-7 Flying Fortress - Boeing
* BQ-8 Liberator - Consolidated

Target Control (1942-1947)

* CQ-1 - Fletcher
* CQ-2 - Stinson
* CQ-3 Expeditor - Beech
* CQ-4 Flying Fortress - Boeing

Air Force, 1948-1962

Aerial Target, 1948-1962

* Q-1 - Radioplane
* Q-2 Firebee - Ryan
* Q-3 - Radioplane
* Q-4 - Radioplane/Bendix
* Q-5 Kingfisher - Lockheed
* Q-6
* Q-7
* Q-8
* Q-9
* Q-10 - Radioplane
* Q-12 Challenger - Beech
* Q-14 Cadet - Culver

Navy, 1922-1962

Drone, 1945-1962

* KDA Firebee - Ryan
* KDB Cardinal - Beech
* KD2B - Beech
* KDC - Curtiss-Wright
* KD2C Snipe - Curtiss-Wright
* KD3C Snipe - Curtiss
* KDD Katydid - McDonnell
* KDG Snipe - Globe
* KD2G Firefly - Globe
* KD3G Snipe - Globe
* KD4G Quail - Globe
* KD5G - Globe
* KD6G Firefly - Globe
* KDH Katydid - McDonnell
* KDM Plover - Martin
* KDN Gorgon IIB - Naval Aircraft Factory
* KD2N Gorgon - Martin/Naval Aircraft Factory
* KDR Quail - Radioplane
* KD2R Quail/Shelduck - Radioplane
* KD4R - Radioplane
* KDT Teal - Temco
* KDU Regulus - Chance Vought
* KD2U Regulus II - Vought

Drone, Antisubmarine, 1959-1962

* DSN DASH - Gyrodyne

Target Drone, 1942-1946

Unpiloted Drone, 1946-1955

* UC-1 - Culver

Unified system, 1962-present

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, 1997-present

* Q-1 Predator - General Atomics
* Q-2 Pioneer - Pioneer UAV
* Q-3 Darkstar - Lockheed/Boeing
* Q-4 Global Hawk - Teledyne Ryan
* Q-5 Hunter - TRW/Israel Aircraft Industries
* Q-6 Outrider - Alliant Techsystems
* Q-7 Shadow - AAI Corporation
* Q-8 Fire Scout - Northrop Grumman/Ryan
* Q-9 Predator B - General Atomics
* Q-10 Snow Goose - mmIST
* Q-11 Raven - Aerovironment

Electronic

Modified aircraft, before 1962

* EB-47 Stratojet - Boeing
* ERB-47 Stratojet - Boeing
* EB-57 Canberra - English Electric
* EB-66 Destroyer - Douglas
* EC-47 Skytrain - Douglas
* EC-54 Skymaster - Douglas
* EC-121 Warning Star - Lockheed
* EC-130 Compass Call - Lockheed
* EC-135 Looking Glass - Boeing
* ERF-80 Shooting Star - Lockheed
* EF-82 Twin Mustang - North American
* EF-105 Thunderchief - Republic
* EF-111 Raven - General Dynamics

Modified aircraft, 1962-present

* EA-1 Skyraider - Douglas
* EA-3 Skywarrior - Douglas
* EA-4 Skyhawk - McDonnell Douglas
* EA-6 Prowler - Grumman
* EA-18 Growler - Northrop Grumman/Boeing
* EC-18 ARIA - Boeing
* EC-20 Gulfstream III - Gulfstream
* EC-24 - McDonnell Douglas
* EF-4 Phantom II - McDonnell Douglas
* EF-10 Skynight - Douglas
* EH-1 Quick Fix - Bell Aircraft Corporation
* EH-6 Cayuse - Hughes
* EH-60 Quick Hawk - Sikorsky
* EP-3 Aries II - Lockheed
* ES-2 Tracker - Grumman
* ES-3 Shadow - Lockheed

Navy, 1922-1962

Airborne Early Warning

Unified system, 1962-present

USAF E-3 Sentry

* E-1 Tracer - Grumman
* E-2 Hawkeye - Grumman
* E-3 Sentry - Boeing
* E-4 NAOC - Boeing
* E-5 - Windecker
* E-6 Mercury - Boeing
* E-7 - Boeing
* E-8 Joint STARS - Boeing
* E-9 Widget - de Havilland Canada
* E-10 MC2A - Boeing
* Aerial Common Sensor

Fighter

Army Air Service, 1919-1924

Pursuit, Air-cooled

Pursuit, Ground Attack

Pursuit Night

Pursuit Special/Alert Pursuit

Pursuit Watercooled

*PW-8 - Curtiss

*PW-9 - Boeing

Two-seat Pursuit

Army Air Corps, 1924-1941

Fighter, Multiplace

* YFM-1 Airacuda - Bell

Pursuit, Biplace

* PB-1 - Berliner-Joyce
* PB-2 - Consolidated

Army Air Corps/Army Air Forces, 1924-1948

Designated P- for "pursuit" until 1948, when the United States Air Force was founded. After this, all P- designations were changed to F- ("fighter"), but the original numbers were retained. The designation PW- indicates "pursuit, water-cooled engine".
* P-1 Hawk - Curtiss
* P-2 Hawk - Curtiss
* P-3 Hawk - Curtiss
* XP-4 - Boeing
* P-5 Hawk - Curtiss
* P-6 Hawk - Curtiss
* XP-7 - Boeing
* XP-8 - Boeing
* XP-9 - Boeing
* XP-10 - Curtiss
* P-11 Hawk - Curtiss
* P-12 - Boeing
* XP-13 Viper - Thomas Morse
* XP-14 - Curtiss
* XP-15 - Boeing
* P-16 - Berliner-Joyce
* XP-17 Hawk - Curtiss
* XP-18 - Curtiss
* XP-19 - Curtiss
* YP-20 Hawk - Curtiss
* XP-21 - Curtiss
* XP-22 Hawk - Curtiss
* XP-23 Hawk - Curtiss
* YP-24 - Lockheed
* Y1P-25 - Consolidated
* P-26 Peashooter - Boeing
* YP-27 - Consolidated
* Y1P-28 - Consolidated
* YP-29 - Boeing
* P-30 - Consolidated
* XP-31 - Curtiss
* XP-32 - Boeing
* XP-33 - Consolidated
* XP-34 - Wedell-Williams
* P-35 - Seversky
* P-36 Hawk - Curtiss
* XP-37 - Curtiss
* P-38 Lightning - Lockheed
* P-39 Airacobra - Bell
* P-40 - Curtiss
* XP-41 - Seversky
* XP-42 - Curtiss
* P-43 Lancer - Republic
* XP-44 Rocket - Republic
* XP-45 - Bell
* XP-46 - Curtiss
* P-47 Thunderbolt - Republic
* XP-48 - Douglas
* XP-49 - Lockheed
* XP-50 - Grumman
* P-51 Mustang - North American
* XP-52 - Bell
* XP-53 - Curtiss
* XP-54 Swoose Goose - Vultee
* XP-55 Ascender - Curtiss
* XP-56 Black Bullet - Northrop
* XP-57 - Tucker
* XP-58 Chain Lightning - Lockheed
* P-59 Airacomet - Bell
* P-60 - Curtiss
* P-61 Black Widow - Northrop
* XP-62 - Curtiss
* P-63 Kingcobra - Bell
* P-64 - North American
* XP-65 - Grumman
* P-66 Vanguard - Vultee
* XP-67 Bat - McDonnell
* XP-68 Tornado - Vultee
* XP-69 - Republic
* P-70 - Douglas
* XP-71 - Curtiss
* XP-72 - Republic
* XP-73 - Hughes (officially never assigned)
* P-74 - skipped
* XP-75 Eagle - Fisher
* XP-76 - Bell
* XP-77 - Bell
* XP-78 - North American
* XP-79 Flying Ram - Northrop

Air Force, from 1948

* P-80/F-80 Shooting Star - Lockheed
* XP-81 - Convair
* F-82 Twin Mustang - North American
* XP-83 - Bell
* P-84/F-84 Thunderjet - Republic Aircraft Company
* XP-85/XF-85 Goblin - McDonnell
* F-86 Sabre - North American
* XP-87/XF-87 Blackhawk - Curtiss
* XP-88/XF-88 Voodoo - McDonnell
* F-89 Scorpion - Northrop
* XF-90 - Lockheed
* XF-91 Thunderceptor - Republic
* XF-92A - Convair
* YF-93A - North American
* F-94 - Lockheed
* YF-95A - North American
* YF-96A - Republic
* F-97 Starfire - Lockheed
* Hughes XF-98 became Hughes AIM-4 Falcon missile
* F-99 became Bomarc missile
* F-100 Super Sabre - North American
* F-101 Voodoo - McDonnell
* F-102 Delta Dagger - Convair
* Republic XF-103 - Republic
* F-104 Starfighter - Lockheed
* F-105 Thunderchief - Republic
* F-106 Delta Dart - Convair
* F-107 - North American
* XF-108 Rapier - last fighter project by North American
* Bell XF-109 - Bell; supersonic VTOL fighter; never flew
* F-110 Spectre - became F-4C Phantom II
* F-111 Aardvark - General Dynamics
* F-112 to F-116 used for foreign aircraft eval.
* F-117 Nighthawk - Lockheed

Navy, from 1922

* FA - General Aircraft
* F2A - Brewster
* F3A Corsair - Brewster
* FB - Boeing
* F2B - Boeing
* F3B Seahawk - Boeing
* F4B - Boeing
* F5B - naval designation of Boeing XP-15
* F6B - Boeing
* F7B - Boeing
* F8B - Boeing
* FC - Curtiss
* F2C - Curtiss
* F3C - Curtiss
* F4C - Curtiss
* F5C - skipped
* F6C Hawk - Curtiss
* F7C Seahawk - Curtiss
* F8C Falcon - Curtiss
* F8C-2 Helldiver - Curtiss, different from F8C-1 and F8C-3
* F9C Sparrowhawk - Curtiss
* F10C Helldiver - Curtiss, modified F8C-2
* F11C Goshawk - Curtiss, later BFC
* F12C - Curtiss, later SBC
* F13C - Curtiss
* F14C - Curtiss
* F15C - Curtiss
* FD - Douglas
* F2D - skipped
* F3D Skyknight - Douglas
* F4D Skyray - Douglas, later F-6
* F5D Skylancer - Douglas
* F6D Missileer - Douglas
* FH Phantom - McDonnell (earlier FD)
* F2H Banshee - McDonnell (earlier F2D)
* FF Fifi - Grumman
* F2F - Grumman
* F3F - Grumman
* F4F Wildcat - Grumman
* XF5F Skyrocket - Grumman
* F6F Hellcat - Grumman
* F7F Tigercat - Grumman
* F8F Bearcat - Grumman
* F9F Cougar - Grumman
* F9F Panther - Grumman
* XF10F Jaguar - Grumman
* F11F Tiger - Grumman
* F12F - Grumman
* FG - Eberhart
* F2G - Eberhart
* FG Corsair - Goodyear
* F2G - Goodyear
* FH - Hall-Aluminum Aircraft Corporation
* FH Phantom - McDonnell
* F2H Banshee - McDonnell (later F-2)
* F3H Demon - McDonnell (later F-3)
* F4H Phantom II - McDonnell (later F-4)
* Berliner-Joyce FJ - Berliner-Joyce
* Berliner-Joyce F2J - Berliner-Joyce (also P-16)
* FJ Fury - North American (later F-1)
* FL - Loening
* XFL Airabonita - Bell (version of P-39)
* F2L Kingcobra - Bell (version of P-63)
* FM Wildcat - General Motors (version of F4F)
* F2M Wildcat - General Motors (version of F4F)
* F3M - General Motors (version of F8F)
* FN - Seversky
* FO Lightning - Lockheed (version of P-38)
* FR Fireball - Ryan
* XF2R Dark Shark - Ryan
* FT - Northrop (version of A-17)
* F2T Black Widow - Northrop (version of P-61)
* Vought VE-7 "Bluebird" - Chance Vought
* FU - Chance Vought
* F2U - Chance Vought
* F3U - Chance Vought
* F4U Corsair - Chance Vought
* XF5U - Chance Vought
* F6U Pirate - Chance Vought
* F7U Cutlass - Chance Vought
* F8U Crusader - Chance Vought
* XFV - Lockheed
* F2W - Wright
* F3W Apache - Wright
* XFY Pogo - Convair
* F2Y Sea Dart - Convair

Unified system, from 1962

* F-1 Fury - North American, was FJ
* F-2 Banshee - McDonnell, was F2H
* F-3 Demon - McDonnell, F3H
* F-4 Phantom II - McDonnell Douglas, was F4H
* F-5 Freedom Fighter/F-5 Tiger - Northrop
* F-6 Skyray - Douglas, was F4D
* F-7 Sea Dart - Convair, was F2Y
* F-8 Crusader - Vought, was F8U
* F-9 Cougar - Grumman, was F9F
* F-10 Skyknight - Douglas, was F3D
* F-11 Tiger - Grumman, was F11F
* YF-12 - Lockheed
* F-13 never assigned
* F-14 Tomcat - Grumman
* F-15 Eagle - McDonnell Douglas
* F-16 Fighting Falcon - General Dynamics
* YF-17 Cobra - Northrop
* F/A-18 Hornet - McDonnell Douglas
* F-19 - either unused or still classified; possibly the F-117
* F-20 Tigershark - Northrop
* F-21 Kfir - Israel Aircraft Industries
* F-22 Raptor - Lockheed Martin
* YF-23 Black Widow II - Northrop/McDonnell Douglas
* F-35 Lightning II - Lockheed Martin

Glider

Army Air Forces, 1941-1948

Assault Glider, 1942-1944

* AG-1 - Christopher
* AG-2 - Timm

Bomb Glider, 1942-1944

* BG-1 - Fletcher
* BG-2 - Fletcher
* BG-3 - Cornelius

Cargo Glider, 1941-1948

* CG-1 - Frankfort
* CG-2 - Frankfort
* CG-3 - Waco
* CG-4 Hadrian - Waco
* CG-5 - St. Louis
* CG-6 - St. Louis
* CG-7 - Bowlus/Douglas
* CG-8 - Bowlus/Douglas
* CG-9 - AGA Aviation
* CG-10 Trojan Horse - Laister-Kauffman
* CG-11 - Snead
* CG-12 - Read-York
* CG-13 - Waco
* CG-14 - Chase
* CG-15 Hadrian - Waco
* CG-16 - General Airborne Transport
* CG-17 - Douglas
* CG-18 - Chase
* CG-19 - Douglas
* CG-20 - Chase

Fuel Glider, 1930-1948

* FG-1 - Cornelius

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 - SZD
* TG-8 Grasshopper - Piper
* TG-9 - Briegleb
* TG-10 - Wichita Engineering
* TG-11 - Schempger
* TG-12 - Bowlus
* TG-13 - Briegleb
* TG-14 - Stiglemeier
* TG-15 - Franklin
* TG-16 - A.B.C.
* TG-17 - Franklin
* TG-18 - Midwest
* TG-19 - Schweyer
* TG-20 - Laister-Kauffman
* TG-21 - Notre Dame
* TG-22 - Melrose
* TG-23 - Harper-Corcoran
* TG-24 - Bowlus-Dupont
* TG-25 - Plover
* TG-26 - Universal
* TG-27 - Grunau
* TG-28 - Haller
* TG-29 - Volmer Jensen
* TG-30 Bluebird - Smith
* TG-31 - Aero Industries
* TG-32 - Pratt-Read
* TG-33 - Aeronca

Air Force, 1948-1962

* G-2 - Ridgefield
* G-3 - Waco
* G-4 Hadrian - Waco
* G-10 Trojan Horse - Laister-Kauffman
* G-13 - Waco
* G-14 - Chase
* G-15 Hadrian - Waco
* G-18 - Chase
* G-20 - Chase

Navy, 1922-1962

Gliding Bomb, 1941-1945

* LBD Gargoyle - McDonnell
* LBE Glomb - Pratt-Read/Gould
* LBP Glomb - Piper
* LBT Glomb - Taylorcraft

Trainer Glider, 1941-1945

* LNE - Pratt-Read/Gould
* LNP Grasshopper - Piper
* LNR Grasshopper - Aeronca
* LNS - Schweizer
* LNT Grasshopper - Taylorcraft

Transport Glider, 1941-1945

* LRA - Allied
* LR2A - Allied
* LRG - AGA Aviation
* LRH - Snead
* LRN - Naval Aircraft Factory
* LR2N - Naval Aircraft Factory
* LRQ - Bristol
* LRW - Waco
* LR2W - Waco

Unified System, 1962-present

* 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 - Schleicher
* TG-10 - Let Flugzeugwerke
* TG-11 - Stemme GmbH
* TG-12 - Caproni Vizzola
* TG-14 - Grupo Aeromat
* TG-15 - Schempp-Hirth

Helicopter

Army Air Forces/Air Force, 1941-1948

Rotary Wing

* R-1 - Platt-LePage
* R-2 - Kellett
* R-3 - Kellett
* R-4 Hoverfly - Sikorsky
* R-5 Dragonfly - Sikorsky
* R-6 Hoverfly II - Sikorsky
* R-7 - Sikorsky
* R-8 - Kellett
* R-9 - Firestone
* R-10 - Kellett
* R-11 - Rotorcraft
* R-12 - Bell
* R-13 Sioux - Bell
* R-14 - Firestone
* R-15 - Bell

Navy, 1922-1962

Rotorcraft

Rotorcycles

* ROE - Hiller
* RON - Gyrodyne

Unified System, 1948-present

* H-1 Cobra - Bell
* H-2 Seasprite - Kaman
* H-3 Sea King - Sikorsky
* H-4 - Bell
* H-5 Dragonfly - Sikorsky
* H-6 Cayuse - Hughes
* H-7
* H-8
* H-9
* H-10
* H-11
* H-12 - Hiller
* H-13 Sioux - Bell
* H-14
* XH-15 - Kellett
* H-16 - Piasecki
* H-17 - Hughes/Kellett
* YH-18 - Sikorsky
* H-19 Chickasaw - Sikorsky
* XH-20 - McDonnell
* H-21 Workhorse/Shawnee - Piasecki
* YH-22 - Kaman
* H-23 - Hiller
* YH-24 - Siebel
* XH-33 - Bell Helicopter
* H-34 Choctaw - Sikorsky
* H-35 - McDonnell
* H-36
* H-37 Mojave - Sikorsky
* H-38
* XH-39 - Sikorsky
* XH-40 - Bell
* YH-41 Seneca - Cessna
* H-42
* H-43 - Kaman
* XH-44 - Hiller
* H-45
* H-46 Sea Knight - Boeing
* H-47 Chinook - Boeing
* H-48 - Bell
* H-49 - Boeing Vertol
* H-50 DASH - Gyrodyne
* H-51 - Lockheed
* H-52 Sea Guard - Sikorsky
* H-53 Sea 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
* H-61 - Boeing
* H-62 - Boeing
* H-63 Kingcobra - Bell
* H-64 Apache - Hughes
* H-65 Dolphin - Aerospatiale
* H-66 Comanche - Boeing/Sikorsky
* H-67 Creek - Bell
* H-68 Stingray - Agusta
* H-71 - Lockheed Martin
* H-72 - Eurocopter

Laser

Unified system, 1962-present

* YAL-1 - Boeing

Messenger

Army Air Service, 1919-1924

Observation/Liaison

Army Air Service, 1919-1924

Artillery Observation

* AO-1 - Fokker-Atlantic

Corps Observation

* CO-1 - Engineering Division
* CO-2 - Engineering Division
* CO-3 - Engineering Division
* CO-4 - Fokker
* CO-5 - Fokker
* CO-6 - Engineering Division
* CO-7 - Boeing
* CO-8 - Fokker

Infantry Liaison

* IL-1 - Orenco

Night Observation

* NO-1 - Douglas
* NO-2 - Douglas

Army Air Corps, 1924-1941

Gyroplane

* G-1 - Kellett
* G-2 - Pitcairn

Observation

Observation Amphibian

* 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 - Republic

Army Air Forces, 1942-1962

Liaison

* L-1 Vigilant - Stinson
* L-2 Grasshopper - Taylorcraft
* L-3 Grasshopper - Aeronca
* L-4 Grasshopper - Piper
* L-5 Sentinel - Stinson
* L-6 Grasshopper - Interstate
* L-7 - Universal Aircraft
* L-8 Cadet - Interstate
* L-9 - Stinson
* L-10 - Ryan
* L-11 - Bellanca
* L-12 Reliant - Stinson
* L-13 - Stinson/Convair
* L-14 Army Cruiser - Piper
* L-15 Scout - Boeing
* L-16 Champion - Aeronca
* L-17 Navion - North American/Ryan
* L-18 Super Cub - Piper
* L-19 Bird Dog - Cessna
* L-20 Beaver - de Havilland Canada
* L-21 Super Cub - Piper
* L-22 Navion - Ryan
* L-23 Seminole - Beechcraft
* L-24 Courier - Helio
* L-25 - McDonnell
* L-26 Commander - Aero Design
* L-27 - Cessna
* L-28 Super Courier - Helio

Navy, 1922-1962

Helicopter, Observation

* HOE Hornet - Hiller
* HOG - Gyrodyne
* HOK - Kaman
* HOS - Sikorsky
* HO2S - Sikorsky
* HO3S Dragonfly - Sikorsky
* HO4S - Sikorsky
* HO5S - Sikorsky

Observation

*OC - Curtiss (previously F8C)
*O2C - Curtiss
*O3C - Curtiss
*OE - Cessna
*OF - Grumman
*OJ - Berliner-Joyce
*OL Spoonbill - Loening/Keystone
*O2L - Loening
*Pitcairn XOP - Pitcairn-Cierva
*O2U Corsair - Vought
*O3U Corsair - Vought
*OY - Stinson
*XOZ - Wilford

Observation Scout

*XOSE - Edo
*OS2N Kingfisher - Naval Aircraft Factory
*OS2U Kingfisher - Voughtsee also "scout" and "scout observation" sections

Unified System, 1962-present

Observation

* O-1 Bird Dog - Cessna
* O-2 Skymaster - Cessna
* YO-3A Quiet Star - Lockheed (see also X-26 Frigate)
* ZO-4A - Wren (see also Cessna 182 and Peterson 260SE)
* O-5 Caribou - De Havilland Canada

Patrol

Navy, 1922-1962

Helicopter, Antisubmarine

* HSL - Bell
* HSS Seabat/Sea King - Sikorsky

Patrol

* PB - Boeing
* P2B - Boeing
* PD - Douglas
* P2D - Douglas
* P3D - Douglas
* PH - Hall-Aluminum Aircraft Corporation
* PJ - General Aviation
* PK - Keystone
* PM - Martin
* P2M - Martin
* P3M - Martin
* P4M Mercator - Martin
* P5M Marlin - Martin (later P-5)
* P6M SeaMaster - Martin
* P7M SubMaster - Martin
* PN - Naval Aircraft Factory
* PO - Lockheed
* PV Harpoon - Lockheed (later P-1)
* P2V Neptune - Lockheed (later P-2)
* PY - Consolidated
* P2Y - Consolidated
* P3Y - Consolidated (later PBY)
* XP4Y - Consolidated
* P5Y - Consolidated
* P6Y - Convair

Patrol Bomber

* XPBB Sea Ranger - Boeing
* PB2B - Boeing (PBY built by Boeing)
* PBJ Mitchell - North American
* PBM Mariner - Martin
* XPB2M Mars - Martin
* PBN Nomad - Naval Aircraft Factory
* PBO Hudson - Lockheed
* PBS - Sikorsky
* PBV - Canadian Vickers
* PBY Catalina - Consolidated (formerly designated P3Y)
* PB2Y Coronado - Consolidated
* PB3Y - Consolidated
* PB4Y Privateer - Consolidated (redesignated P-4 in 1962)

Patrol Torpedo Bomber

* XPTBH - Hall-Aluminum Aircraft Corporation

Unified system, after 1962

* P-1 - apparently skipped
* P-2 Neptune - Lockheed
* P-3 Orion - Lockheed
* P-4 Privateer - Consolidated Aircraft
* P-5 Marlin - Martin (earlier P5M)
* P-6 - According to official DOD information, this was skipped at the behest of the US Navy
* P-7 - Lockheed
* P-8 Multimission Maritime Aircraft - Boeing

Pursuit

See Fighter above.

Racer

Army Air Service, 1919-1924

Navy, 1922-1962

Reconnaissance

Army Air Corps/Army Air Force, 1926-1948

Photographic Reconnaissance

* 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 Havilland
* F-9 Flying Fortress - Boeing
* F-10 Mitchell - North American
* XF-11 - Hughes
* XF-12 Rainbow - Republic
* F-13 Superfortress - Boeing
* XF-14 Shooting Star - Lockheed
* F-15 Reporter - Northrop
* XF-16 Stratofortress - Boeing

Air Force, 1948-1962

Unified system, 1962-present

* TR-1 Dragon Lady - Lockheed
* TR-3 Black Manta - Northrop (rumored "Black Project")
* SR-3 Blackstar - ? (rumored "Black Project")

Modified Planes

* RA-2 Savage
* RA-3 Skywarrior
* RA-5 Vigilante - North American
* RB-17 Flying Fortress - Boeing
* RB-26 Invader
* RB-29 Superfortress - Boeing
* RB-36 Peacemaker
* RB-45 Tornado
* RB-47 Stratojet - Boeing
* RB-52 Stratofortress - Boeing
* RB-57 Canberra
* RB-58 Hustler
* RB-66 Destroyer
* RB-69 Neptune
* RC-7 Caribou
* RC-12 Guard Rail - Beech Aircraft
* RC-45 Expeditor
* RC-47 Skytrain
* RC-54 Skymaster
* RC-121 Warning Star - Lockheed
* RC-130 Hercules - Lockheed
* RC-131 Samaritan
* RC-135 Rivet Joint - Boeing
* RF-4 Phantom II - McDonnell Douglas
* RF-5 Tigereye
* RF-8 Crusader - Chance Vought
* RF-9 Cougar
* RF-51 Mustang
* RF-61 Reporter
* RF-80 Shooting Star - Lockheed
* RF-84 Thunderflash
* RF-86 Sabre
* RF-87 Blackhawk
* RF-100 Super Sabre
* RF-101 Voodoo
* RF-104 Starfighter - Lockheed
* RF-105 Thunderchief
* U-2 - Lockheed

Reconnaissance-Strike

Air Force, 1948-1962

* RS-70 Valkyrie - North American
* SR-71 Blackbird - Lockheed

Scout

Navy, 1922-1962

Scout, 1922-1946

*SC - Curtiss
* S2C - Curtiss
*XS3C - Curtiss
*S4C - Curtiss
*SC Seahawk - Curtiss
* SDW - Dayton-Wright
* SE - Bellanca
*SF - Grumman
*XSG - Great Lakes
* SL - Loening
* S2L - Loening
* SS - Sikorsky
*SU Corsair - Vought

Scout Observation, 1934-1946

*SOC Seagull - Curtiss
* SO2C - Curtiss
*SO3C Seamew - Curtiss
* SOE - Bellanca
* SOK - Fairchild
*SON Seagull - Naval Aircraft Factory
* SOR Seamew - Ryan
* SOU - not used to avoid confusion with OSU
*XSO2U - Voughtsee also "observation" and "observation scout" categories

Torpedo Scout, 1943

* XTSF - Grumman

Search

Navy, 1922-1962

Unified system, 1962-present

Seaplane

Army Air Service, 1919-1924

Anti-Submarine

Navy, 1946-1962

* S2F Tracker - Grummansee also "scout" category

Unified system, 1962-present

* S-1 - skipped
* S-2 Tracker - Grumman
* S-3 Viking - Lockheed

Anti-Submarine Helicopters

* SH-2 Seasprite - Kaman
* SH-34 Seabat - Sikorsky

Tanker

Navy, 1922-1962

Modified aircraft

* KA-2 Savage - North American
* KA-3 Skywarrior - Douglas
* KA-6 Intruder - Grumman
* KB-29 Superfortress - Boeing
* KB-47 Stratojet - Boeing
* KB-50 Superfortress - Boeing
* KC-10 Extender - McDonnell Douglas
* KC-97 Stratotanker - Boeing
* KC-124 Globemaster II - Douglas
* KC-130 Hercules - Lockheed
* KC-135 Stratotanker - Boeing

Note: Navy aircraft can be fitted with buddy packs to refuel other aircraft.

Trainer

Army Air Service, before 1919

* Curtiss Jenny - Curtiss

Army Air Service, 1919-1924

Trainer, Air-cooled

* TA-1 - Elias
* TA-2 - Huff-Daland
* TA-3 - Wright
* TA-4 - Engineering Division
* TA-5 - Wright
* TA-6 - Huff-Daland

Trainer, Water-cooled

* TW-1 - Engineering Division
* TW-2 - Cox-Klemin
* TW-3 - Wright
* TW-4 - Fokker
* TW-5 - Keystone

Army Air Service/Army Air Corps/Army Air Forces, 1924-1948

Advanced Trainer

* AT-1 - Huff-Daland
* AT-2 - Huff-Daland
* AT-3 - Boeing
* AT-4 Hawk - Curtiss
* AT-5 Hawk - Curtiss
* AT-6 Texan - North American
* AT-7 Navigator - Beechcraft
* AT-8 Bobcat - Cessna
* AT-9 Jeep - Curtiss-Wright
* AT-10 Wichita - Beechcraft
* AT-11 Kansan - Beechcraft
* AT-12 Guardsman - Republic
* XAT-13 Gunner - Fairchild
* XAT-14 Gunner - Fairchild
* XAT-15 Crewmaker - Boeing-Stearman
* AT-16 - Noorduyn
* AT-17 Bobcat - Cessna
* AT-18 Hudson - Lockheed
* AT-19 Reliant - Stinson
* AT-20 Anson - Federal
* AT-21 Gunner - Fairchild
* AT-22 Liberator - Consolidated
* AT-23 Marauder - Martin
* AT-24 Mitchell - North American

Basic Combat

* BC-1 - North American
* BC-2 - North American
* BC-3 - VulteeSuperseded by Advanced Trainer (AT-).

Basic Trainer

* BT-1 - Douglas
* BT-2 - Douglas
* YBT-3 - Stearman
* XBT-4 - Curtiss
* YBT-5 - Stearman
* BT-6 - Consolidated
* Y1BT-7 - Consolidated
* BT-8 - Seversky
* BT-9 - North American
* Y1BT-10 - North American
* BT-11 - Aircraft Research
* BT-12 - Fleetwings
* BT-13 Valiant - Vultee
* BT-14 - North American
* BT-15 Valiant - Vultee
* XBT-16 Valiant - Vultee
* XBT-17 - Boeing-Stearman

Primary Trainer

* PT-1 Trusty - Consolidated
* XPT-2 Trusty - Consolidated
* PT-3 Trusty - Consolidated
* PT-4 Trusty - Consolidated
* XPT-5 Trusty - Consolidated
* YPT-6 - Consolidated
* YPT-7 Pinto - Mohawk
* XPT-8 - Consolidated
* YPT-10 - Stearman
* YPT-10 - Verville
* PT-11 - Consolidated
* PT-12 - Consolidated
* PT-13 Kaydet - Boeing-Stearman
* PT-14 - Waco
* YPT-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 Moth - de Havilland
* YPT-25 - Ryan
* PT-26 Cornell - Fairchild
* PT-27 Kaydet - Boeing-Stearman

Air Force, 1948-1962

The AT-6 Texan, AT-7 Navigator, and AT-11 Kansan, were given T- designations. The sequence began at 28, one number higher thatn the PT- sequence had reached.
* T-6 Texan - North American
* T-7 Navigator - Beechcraft
* T-11 Kansan - Beechcraft
* T-28 Trojan - North American
* T-29 Flying Classroom - Convair
* XT-30 - Douglas
* XT-31 - Fairchild
* XT-32 - Convair
* T-33 Shooting Star - Lockheed
* T-34 Mentor - Beechcraft
* T-35 Buckaroo - Temco
* XT-36 Mentor - Beechcraft/Canadair
* T-37 - Cessna
* T-38 Talon - Northrop
* CT-39 Sabreliner - North American
* T-40 JetStar - Lockheed
* T-41 Mescalero - Cessna
* T-42 Cochise - Beechcraft
* T-43 - Boeing
* T-44 Pegasus - Beechcraft
* T-45 Goshawk - McDonnell Douglas
* XT-46 Eaglet - Fairchild
* T-47 - Cessna
* T-48
* T-49 - Boeing
* T-50 Golden Eagle - Korean Aerospace Industries
* T-51 - Cessna

Navy, 1922-1962

Helicopter, Trainer, 1944-1948

* HNS Hoverfly - Sikorsky

Helicopter, Training, 1948-1962

* HTE - Hiller
* HTK - Kaman
* HTL - Bell

Trainer, 1922-1926(?)

* NB - Boeing
* N2B - Boeing
* NC - not used to avoid confusion with NC flying boats
* N2C - Curtiss
* NE - Piper
* HN - Huff Daland
* NH - Howard
* NJ - North American
* NK - Keystone
* NL - Langley
* N·m - not used
* N2M - Martin
* NN - not used
* N2N - NAF
* N3N - NAF
* N4N - reserved, not used
* N5N - NAF
* NP - Spartan
* NQ - Fairchild
* NR Recruit - Ryan
* NS - Stearman
* N2S Kaydet - Stearman
* NT - New Standard
* N2T Tutor - Timm
* NY - Consolidated
* N2Y - Consolidated
* N3Y - Consolidated
* N4Y - Consolidated

Scout Trainer, 1939-1948

* SNB Navigator - Beechcraft
* SNC Falcon - Curtiss
* SNJ Texan - North American
* XSN2J - North American
* SNV Valiant - Vultee

Trainer, 1948-1962

* XTE - Edo
* TF Trader - Grumman
* TJ Texan - North American
* T2J Buckeye - North American
* T3J Sabreliner - North American
* TO Shooting Star - Lockheed
* TT Pinto - Temco
* TV Shooting Star - Lockheed
* T2V Sea Star - Lockheed

Unified system, 1962-present

* T-1 Sea Star - Lockheed
* T-1 Jayhawk - Beechcraft
* T-2 Buckeye - North American
* T-3 Firefly - Slingsby Aviation
* T-4
* T-5
* T-6 Texan II - Beechcraft

Utility

Air Force, 1948-1962

Navy, 1922-1962

* J2F Duck - Grumman

Transport, Utility

* JR2S - Sikorsky

Helicopter, Utility

* HJD Whirlaway - McDonnell
* HJH Whirlaway - McDonnell
* HJP - Piasecki
* HJS - Sikorsky
* HUK - Kaman
* HU2K Seasprite - Kaman
* HUL - Bell
* HUM - McCulloch
* HUP Retriever - Piasecki
* HUS Seahorse - Sikorsky
* HU2S Sea Guard - Sikorsky

Unified system, 1962-present

Utility

* U-1 Otter - de Havilland Canada
* U-2 Dragon Lady - Lockheed
* 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 - Beech
* U-9 Aero Commander - Aero Design
* U-10 Super Courier - Helio
* U-11 Aztec - Piper
* U-12 - not used
* U-13 - not used
* U-14 - not used
* U-15 - not used
* U-16 Albatross - Grumman
* U-17 Skywagon - Cessna
* U-18 Navion - North American/Ryan
* U-19 Sentinel - Stinson
* U-20 - Cessna
* U-21 Ute - Beech
* U-22 - Beech
* U-23 Peacemaker - Fairchild Hiller/Pilatus
* U-24 - Helio
* U-25 Huron - Beech
* U-25 Guardian - Dassault-Breguet
* U-26 Turbo Stationcar - Cessna
* U-27 Caravan - Cessna
* U-28 - Pilatus
* U-38 Twin Condor - Schweizer

Utility Helicopters

* UH-1 Iroquois - Bell "Huey"
* H-3 Sea King - Sikorsky
* UH-34 Seahorse - Sikorsky
* UH-60 Blackhawk - Sikorsky
* HH-60 Pave Hawk - Sikorsky

Short/Vertical Takeoff and Landing (S/VTOL)

Army, 1956-1962

Vertical Takeoff and Landing Research, 1956-1962

* VZ-1 Pawnee - Hiller
* VZ-2 - Boeing Vertol
* VZ-3 Vertiplane - Ryan
* VZ-4 Convertiplane - Doak
* VZ-5 Fledgling - Fairchild
* VZ-6 - Chrysler
* VZ-7 - Curtiss-Wright
* VZ-8 Airgeep - Piasecki
* VZ-9 - Avro Canada
* VZ-10 Hummingbird - Lockheed
* VZ-11 Vertifan - Ryan
* VZ-12 Kestrel - Hawker Siddeley

Unified system, 1962-present

* OV-1 Mohawk - Grumman
* CV-2 Caribou - de Havilland Canada
* XV-3 - Bell Helicopter
* XV-4 Hummingbird - Lockheed
* XV-5 Vertifan - Ryan
* V-6 Kestrel/Harrier - Hawker Siddeley/British Aerospace
* CV-7 Buffalo - de Havilland Canada
* XV-8 Fleep - Ryan
* AV-8 Harrier II - McDonnell Douglas/British Aerospace
* XV-9 - Hughes
* OV-10 Bronco - Rockwell International
* XV-11 Marvel - Parsons
* OV-12 - Pilatus
* FV-12 - North American Rockwell
* XV-15 - Bell Helicopter
* AV-16 - McDonnell Douglas/Hawker Siddeley
* UV-18 Twin Otter - de Havilland Canada
* UV-20 Chiricahua - Pilatus
* V-22 Osprey - Bell Helicopter/Boeing
* UV-23 - Skytrader

Experimental

Army Air Forces, 1946-1947

Supersonic/Special Test

* XS-1 - Bell
* XS-2 - Bell
* XS-3 Stiletto - Douglas
* XS-4 Bantam - Northrop
* XS-5 - Bell

Army Air Force/Air Force/Unified System, 1941-present

Main article: X-plane

* X-1 - Bell, first supersonic aircraft
* X-2 - Bell
* X-3 Stiletto - Douglas
* X-4 Bantam - Northrop
* X-5 - Bell swing-wing
* X-6 - Convair
* X-7 - Lockheed missile propulsion testbed
* X-8 - Aerojet General missile
* X-9 Shrike - Bell missile
* X-10 - North American missile
* X-11 - Convair ICBM prototype
* X-12 - Convair ICBM
* X-13 Vertijet - Ryan VATOL
* X-14 - Bell VTOL
* X-15 - North American rocket plane
* X-16 - Bell, cancelled U-2 competitor
* X-17 - Lockheed experimental rocket
* X-18 - Hiller tilt-wing
* X-19 - Curtiss-Wright
* X-20 Dyna-Soar - Boeing
* X-21 - Northrop
* X-22 - Bell
* X-23 - Martin Marietta
* X-24 - Martin Marietta lifting body
* X-25 - Bensen
* X-26 Frigate - Schweizer
* X-27 - Lockheed
* X-28 Sea Skimmer - Pereira
* X-29 - Grumman forward-swept wing jet
* X-30 - Hypersonic jet or "Orient Express"
* X-31 - Rockwell/MBB Enhanced Fighter Maneuverability Demonstrator
* X-32 - Boeing Joint Strike Fighter candidate
* X-33 - Lockheed Martin
* X-34 - Orbital Sciences
* X-35 - Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter winner
* X-36 - McDonnell Douglas
* X-37 Future-X - Boeing
* X-38 - NASA Johnson Space Center Crew Return Vehicle prototype
* X-39 - unused designation reserved for Future Aircraft Technology Enhancements program
* X-40 - Boeing
* X-41 - classified re-entry vehicle
* X-42 - classified upper stage rocket
* X-43 - Boeing with others, scramjet-powered
* X-44 MANTA - Lockheed Martin
* X-45 - Boeing UCAV (unpiloted)
* X-46 - Boeing
* X-47 Pegasus - Northrop Grumman
* X-48 - Boeing
* X-49 - Sikorsky/Piasecki
* X-50 Dragonfly - Boeing
* X-51 - Boeing/US Air Force Research Laboratory

References and external links

*
* Fahey, James C. 1946 U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946
* http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/d/o/dob104/aviation/us/index.html
* http://www.designation-systems.net/index.html
* http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/
* http://www.aerofiles.com/aircraft.html
* http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/
* http://www.microworks.net/pacific/aviation/
* http://fire.prohosting.com/hud607/uncommon/