AIRCRAFT MODEL DESIGNATIONS
All aircraft have tri-service designations; that is, a
given aircraft has the same alphanumeric identification
symbol, regardless of which service uses the aircraft.
Look at table 8-2. Here, you can find the four basic parts
of an aircraft model designation.
1. Mission/type modification symbol
2. Basic mission/type symbol
3. Aircraft series number
4. Model series letter
Now, let’s try out this system of aircraft designation.
For example:
EA-6B Prowler
1. Find the letter “E” in the first column of the
table. This aircraft has special electronics.
2. Find the letter “A” in the second column of the
table. The basic mission symbol tells you that
this is an attack aircraft.
3. The third column of the table explains the
number after the dash. This is the sixth aircraft
of this series.
8-34
Figure 8-40.—Rotary-wing aircraft.
Mission/type
modification symbol
Basic mission/type
symbol
Aircraft series
number
Model series
letter
A
Attack
A
Attack
These numbers are
assigned sequentially
within each basic mission
category. The number is
separated from the basic
mission symbol by a
dash.
This letter, added to the
series number, indicates an
improvement or alteration
of the basic mode. These
are assigned in sequence;
for example: F-4A, F-4B,
F-4C, and so forth.
C
Cargo/transport
B
Bomber
D
Drone control
C
Cargo/transport
E
Special electronics
E
Special electronics
H
Search and rescue
F
Fighter
K
Tanker
H
Helicopter
L
Cold weather
operations
K
Tanker
M
Missile capability
O
Observation
O
Observation
P
Patrol
Q
Drone
S
Antisubmarine
R
Reconnaissance
T
Trainer
S
Antisubmarine
U
Utility
T
Trainer
V
Vertical takeoff and
landing (VTOL)/short
takeoff and landing
(STOL)
U
Utility
X
Research
V
Staff transport
W
Weather
reconnaissance
Table 8-2.—Aircraft Model Designations
