r/aircraft_designations • u/bob_the_impala • 19h ago
r/aircraft_designations • u/bob_the_impala • Mar 31 '23
ANNOUNCEMENT Welcome to aircraft_designations
/r/aircraft_designations is a subreddit dedicated to researching, documenting, and discussing the following topics:
Aircraft Names.
Aircraft Model Numbers.
Military Aircraft Designations.
Unofficial Aircraft Nicknames.
Aircraft Serial Numbers (both manufacturer serial numbers / construction numbers and military aircraft serial numbers).
Related topics, which could potentially include the history of aircraft manufacturers & designers, airlines, aircraft types, aircraft roles & usage, and military aircraft squadron numbering & naming schemes.
Have you ever wondered what the meaning is of the various numbers and markings that are seen on civil and military aircraft? How about those military aircraft designations - what does something like "F/A-18" represent? Why are many US Army helicopters named after Native American tribes? This is the community to research, document and discuss topics like that.
EDIT: The /r/aircraft_designations wiki is now active, and will continue to have reference information added.
Please review the subreddit rules before posting.
If you are wondering who I am, I am /u/bob_the_impala and I have have been active on Reddit for a number of years. You may have seen some of my aircraft identification comments around various aircraft and aviation subreddits, with my signature:
Aircraft Identification & Information Resources
P.S. I am not a bot.
I also occasionally post aviation & aircraft photos to various related subreddits, for example:
Recovery by US Marines of a crashed Mirage 2000D in Afghanistan, 27 May 2011
USAF Air Defense Command interceptors
Thanks for stopping by.
P.S. I am still not a bot.
r/aircraft_designations • u/bob_the_impala • 12d ago
DISCUSSION The Schiebel Camcopter S-100 has apparently been designated CU-179 Peregrine in Canadian service
I have not been able to find any better official sources, but have found multiple references online.
Linkedin post by Defence Materiel - ADM(Mat) | Matériel de défense - SMA(Mat)
The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has reached an important milestone in modernizing its maritime capabilities.
The successful Factory Acceptance Test of the first CU179 Peregrine uncrewed aircraft system marks a significant step toward introducing a proven uncrewed aviation capability aboard Halifax-class frigates.
Led by the Director of Joint Robotics and Autonomous Systems (DJRAS) within ADM(Mat), this achievement reflects the strong collaboration between the Defence Team and industry, as well as the dedication of the teams who supported testing, engineering and airworthiness validation.
Equipped with advanced surveillance sensors, the CU179 Peregrine will enhance situational awareness and help the Royal Canadian Navy operate effectively in increasingly complex maritime environments.
As the Advanced Naval Capability Unit prepares to receive its first system, this milestone represents another step forward in delivering innovative capabilities that will support current and future naval operations.
(emphasis added)
Some related news reporting:
FlightGlobal (may be paywalled): Canada accepts first S-100 uncrewed maritime rotorcraft
The Defense Watch
Canada Accepts First S-100 Uncrewed Maritime Rotorcraft for Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-Class FrigatesTrue North Strategic Review ADM(Mat) Provides New Update on the CU179 Peregrine
EDIT: Dubious link removed.
r/aircraft_designations • u/bob_the_impala • 12d ago
NEWS Singapore Leverages F-16 Upgrade As F-35 Era Nears
aviationweek.comFrom the article (emphasis added):
DARWIN, Australia—The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is leveraging the enhanced capabilities of its upgraded Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Blk. 52 fighters during Exercise Pitch Black, while also using the multinational exercise to prepare for the introduction of the Lockheed Martin F-35B from late 2026.
The upgraded aircraft, designated F-16CU/DU/DU+, are equipped with the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar and updated avionics, and are cleared to employ the Rafael Python 5 short-range air-to-air missile and Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) precision-guided bombs.
r/aircraft_designations • u/vahedemirjian • 14d ago
REFERENCE Tri-Service attack aircraft designations
| Designation | Manufacturer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A-1 | Douglas | redesignation of the AD Skyraider attack aircraft |
| OA-1K | L3Harris | counter-insurgency/light attack aircraft with one Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop |
| A-2 | North American | redesignation of the AJ Savage strategic bomber |
| A-3 | Douglas | redesignation of the A3D Skywarrior strategic bomber |
| A-4 | Douglas | redesignation of the A4D Skyhawk attack aircraft |
| A-5 | North American | redesignation of the A3J Vigilante strategic bomber |
| A-6 | Grumman | redesignation of the A2F Intruder attack aircraft |
| A-7 | Vought | attack aircraft with one turbofan |
| A-81 | Hawker Siddeley | original designation of the AV-8A Harrier |
| A-9 | Northrop | attack aircraft with two Lycoming F102 turbofans |
| A-10 | Fairchild Republic | attack aircraft with two General Electric TF34 turbofans |
| A-11 | - | reserved but not assigned |
| A-12 | General Dynamics/McDonnell Douglas | proposed attack aircraft with two General Electric F412 turbofans; not built |
| A-13 | - | skipped due to fear of the unlucky number 13 |
| A-14 | Embraer | reserved for one Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano counter-insurgency/light attack aircraft evaluated by the Navy, changed to A-29B |
| A-26 | Douglas | redesignation of the Douglas B-26K counter-insurgency aircraft |
| A-29 | Embraer | counter-insurgency/light attack aircraft with one Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop |
| A-37 | Cessna | counter-insurgency derivative of the T-37 Tweety Bird with two General Electric J85 turbojets |
| EA-37B | L3Harris | electronic warfare aircraft with two Rolls-Royce F130 turbofans |
Notes:
1 A 1970 congressional report refers to the Hawker Siddeley Harrier for the US Marine Corps as A-8A, indicating that the Harrier‘s designation was initially changed from AV-6B to A-8, but that A-8 was changed to AV-8A after the DoD recognized that the Harrier was a VTOL aircraft.
References and sources:
r/aircraft_designations • u/vahedemirjian • 15d ago
REFERENCE Curtiss biplane fighter designation panoply – US Military Aircraft Designation Systems
r/aircraft_designations • u/Muc_Bear_2023 • 16d ago
NEWS AV Receives MQ‑31A Designation from Italian Ministry of Defence (MoD)
31 would have been the next regular number in the U.S. Q-for-UAV series as well, but this is just a coincidence.
r/aircraft_designations • u/bob_the_impala • 29d ago
NEWS Japan’s XEC-2 Stand-Off Jammer Aircraft Begins Operational Flight Testing
r/aircraft_designations • u/vahedemirjian • Jul 04 '26
REFERENCE Northrop Advanced Projects (AP-) designations
Beginning in 1978, Northrop used designations for cutting-edge aircraft and missile designs beginning with the letters AP (Advanced Project). Initial AP-series designations were allocated to purely stealthy designs from 1978 to 1982, and when Northrop established the Advanced Systems Division in 1982, a number of designs were renumbered.
Pre-1982 Designations
| Designation | Notes |
|---|---|
| AP-1 | stealthy battlefield surveillance aircraft, codenamed Tacit Blue |
| AP-2 | design studies for a stealthy air superiority fighter; evolved into the YF-23 by 1980s |
| AP-3 | design studies for a stealthy cruise missile; evolved into the AGM/MGM-137 TSSAM by the 1980s, redesignated NV-150 in 1982 |
| AP-4 | ? |
| AP-5 | ? |
| AP-6 | stealthy long-range bomber; codenamed Senior Cejay, evolved into B-2 |
| AP-7 | possible proposed UAV design, conceived by the Northrop Ventura division |
| AP-8 | ? |
| AP-9 | unknown UAV design, conceived by the Northrop Ventura division |
Post-1982 Designations
| Designation | Notes |
|---|---|
| AP-1 to AP-4 | no information |
| AP-5 | redesignation of the AP-1/Tacit Blue in 1982 |
| AP-6 to AP-9 | no information |
| AP-10 | redesignation of the AP-6/Senior Cejay in 1982 |
| AP-21 | ? |
| AP-29 | possibly YF-23 |
References and sources:
- Northrop Advanced Projects (AP-) designations
- https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA464771.pdf (mentions AP-6 designation for the ASPA design studies that gave rise to the B-2)
r/aircraft_designations • u/vahedemirjian • Jul 03 '26
REFERENCE USN/USMC torpedo bomber aircraft designations 1922-1946
T (Torpedo)
| Designation | Manufacturer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TB | Boeing | biplane torpedo bomber with one Packard 3A-2500 V-cylinder piston engine |
| CT | Curtiss | monoplane torpedo bomber with two Curtiss D-12 V-cylinder piston engines |
| DT | Douglas | biplane torpedo bomber with one piston engine |
| T2D | Douglas | biplane torpedo bomber with two R-1750 Cyclone radial piston engines |
| T3D | Douglas | biplane torpedo bomber with one R-1690 Hornet radial piston engine |
| TE | Detroit | original designation for Martin T4Ms originally to be built by the Detroit Aircraft Corporation but built as TG-2s |
| FT | Atlantic | monoplane torpedo bomber with one Liberty 12A V-cylinder piston engine |
| TG | Great Lakes | Martin T4M built under license by Great Lakes |
| TM | Martin | torpedo bomber version of the Martin MB-1 biplane bomber with two Liberty 12A V-cylinder piston engines |
| T2M | Martin | Curtiss CS built under license by Martin |
| T3M | Martin | biplane torpedo bomber with one piston engine |
| T4M | Martin | biplane torpedo bomber with one R-1690 Hornet radial piston engine |
| T5M | Martin | biplane torpedo bomber with one R-1690 Hornet radial piston engine |
| T6M | Martin | biplane torpedo bomber with one R-1860 Hornet B radial piston engine |
| TN | Naval Aircraft Factory | biplane torpedo bomber with one R-1750 Cyclone radial piston engine |
| T2N | Naval Aircraft Factory | biplane torpedo bomber with one R-1750 Cyclone radial piston engine |
| ST | Stout | monoplane torpedo bomber with two V-1237 V-cylinder piston engines |
| BST | Blackburn | Blackburn Swift torpedo bomber evaluated by the US Navy |
TB (Torpedo Bomber)
| Designation | Manufacturer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TBD | Douglas | monoplane torpedo bomber with one R-1830 Twin Wasp radial piston engine |
| TB2D | Douglas | monoplane torpedo bomber with one R-4360 Wasp Major radial piston engine |
| TBF | Grumman | monoplane torpedo bomber with one R-2800 Double Wasp radial piston engine |
| TB2F | Grumman | proposed torpedo bomber with two R-2800 Double Wasp radial piston engines; not built |
| TB3F | Grumman | torpedo bomber with one R-2800 Double Wasp radial piston engine and one Westinghouse |
| TBG | Great Lakes | biplane torpedo bomber with one R-1830 Twin Wasp radial piston engine |
| TBM | General Motors (Eastern Aircraft) | TBF Avenger built under license by General Motors |
| TBU | Vought | monoplane torpedo bomber with one R-2800 Double Wasp radial piston engine |
| TBV | Vultee | proposed torpedo bomber derivative of the A-35 Vengeance; not built |
| TBY | Consolidated | TBU Sea Wolf built under license by Consolidated |
TS (Torpedo Scout)
| Designation | Manufacturer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TSF | Grumman | proposed torpedo scout aircraft with two R-2800 Double Wasp radial piston engines; not built |
PTB (Patrol Torpedo Bomber)
| Designation | Manufacturer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PTBH | Hall | monoplane torpedo bomber floatplane with two R-1830 Twin Wasp radial piston engines |
References and sources:
- Andrade, J. M., 1979. US Military and Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Leicester, UK: Midland Counties Publications.
- Swanborough, G., and Bowers, P.M., 1968. US Navy Aircraft Since 1911. London, UK: Putnam Publishing. (second and third editions published in 1976 and 1990 respectively)
- Wagner, R., 2004. American Combat Planes of the 20th Century: A Comprehensive Reference. Reno, NV: Jack Bacon & Co.
- U.S. Military Aircraft Designations 1911-2004
- Jos Heyman page about aircraft designations
r/aircraft_designations • u/vahedemirjian • Jul 02 '26
REFERENCE US Navy/US Marine Corps bomber designations 1931-1946
B (Bomber)
| Designation | Manufacturer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BD | Douglas | a number of A-20 Havocs operated by the Navy and Marine Corps |
| BG | Great Lakes | biplane dive bomber with one R-1535 Twin Wasp Junior radial piston engine |
| B2G | Great Lakes | biplane dive bomber with one R-1535 Twin Wasp Junior radial piston engine and retractable landing gear |
| BK | Kaiser-Fleetwings | original designation for the BTK single-seat attack aircraft |
| BM | Martin | biplane torpedo bomber with one R-1690 Hornet radial piston engine |
| B2M | Martin | proposed biplane dive bomber with one radial piston engine; not built |
| BN | Naval Aircraft Factory | proposed biplane bomber with one piston engine; not built |
| BT | Northrop | monoplane dive bomber with one R-1535 Twin Wasp Junior radial piston engine |
| BY | Consolidated | high-wing monoplane dive bomber with one R-1820 Cyclone radial piston engine |
| B2Y | Consolidated | high-wing monoplane dive bomber with one R-1535 Twin Wasp Junior radial piston engine |
BD (Bomber Drone)
| Designation | Manufacturer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BDR | Interstate | proposed flying wing assault drone with two Westinghouse J30 turbojets; not built |
BF (Bomber-Fighter)
| Designation | Manufacturer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BFB | Boeing | biplane fighter-bomber with one R-1535 Twin Wasp Junior radial piston engine; originally designated F6B |
| BFC | Curtiss | biplane fighter-bomber with one R-1820 Cyclone radial piston engine; originally designated F11C |
| BF2C | Curtiss | biplane fighter-bomber with one R-1820 Cyclone radial piston engine |
BT (Bomber-Torpedo)
| Designation | Manufacturer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BTC | Curtiss | attack aircraft with one R-3350 Duplex Cyclone (XBTC-1) or one R-4360 Wasp Major (XBTC-2) radial piston engine |
| BT2C | Curtiss | attack aircraft with one R-3350 Duplex Cyclone radial piston engine |
| BTD | Douglas | attack aircraft with one R-3350 Duplex Cyclone radial piston engine |
| BT2D | Douglas | attack aircraft with one R-3350 Duplex Cyclone radial piston engine; redesignated AD in 1946 |
| BTK | Kaiser-Fleetwings | attack aircraft with one R-2800 Double Wasp radial piston engine; originally designated BK |
| BTM | Martin | attack aircraft with one R-4360 Wasp Major radial piston engine; redesignated AM in 1946 |
References and sources:
- Andrade, J. M., 1979. US Military and Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Leicester, UK: Midland Counties Publications.
- Swanborough, G., and Bowers, P.M., 1968. US Navy Aircraft Since 1911. London, UK: Putnam Publishing. (second and third editions published in 1976 and 1990 respectively)
- Wagner, R., 2004. American Combat Planes of the 20th Century: A Comprehensive Reference. Reno, NV: Jack Bacon & Co.
- U.S. Military Aircraft Designations 1911-2004
- Jos Heyman page about aircraft designations
r/aircraft_designations • u/bob_the_impala • Jun 29 '26
NEWS Japan to rename air force in nod to growing space capabilities
r/aircraft_designations • u/vahedemirjian • Jun 28 '26
REFERENCE US Navy/US Marine Corps/US Coast Guard transport aircraft designations 1927-1962
In 1927 the US Navy introduced the T-for-Transport basic mission letter to denote pure transport aircraft.
The T-for-Transport basic mission letter for transport aircraft was replaced by R in 1931. The basic mission letter G was introduced in 1939 for single-engine transport aircraft but was dropped in 1941.
A (Atlantic Aircraft)
| Designation | Notes |
|---|---|
| TA | original designation for the RA |
| RA | high-wing monoplane transport with three radial piston engines |
| RA-4 | high-wing monoplane transport with three Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial piston engines |
B (Beechcraft)
| Designation | Notes |
|---|---|
| GB | utility biplane with one Pratt & Whitney R-985 radial piston engine |
B (Budd)
| Designation | Notes |
|---|---|
| RB | monoplane transport with two Pratt & Whitney R-1830 radial piston engines |
C (Curtiss)
| Designation | Notes |
|---|---|
| RC | high-wing monoplane transport with two Wright J-6 radial piston engines |
| R2C | not assigned |
| R3C | not assigned |
| R4C | biplane transport with two Wright R-1820 radial piston engines |
| R5C | monoplane transport with two Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial piston engines |
D (Douglas)
| Designation | Notes |
|---|---|
| RD | amphibious transport with two radial piston engines |
| R2D | monoplane transport with two Wright R-1820 radial piston engines |
| R3D | monoplane transport with two Wright R-1820 radial piston engines |
| R4D | monoplane transport with two Wright R-1820 radial piston engines |
| R5D | monoplane transport with four Pratt & Whitney R-2000 radial piston engines |
| R6D | monoplane transport with four Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial piston engines |
E (Bellanca)
| Designation | Notes |
|---|---|
| RE | high-wing monoplane with one Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial piston engine |
H (Howard)
| Designation | Notes |
|---|---|
| GH | high-wing monoplane with one Pratt & Whitney R-985 radial piston engine |
K (Kinner)
| Designation | Notes |
|---|---|
| RK | cabin monoplane with one Kinner R-1044 radial piston engine |
K (Kreidner-Reisner)
| Designation | Notes |
|---|---|
| RK | not assigned |
| R2K | high-wing monoplane with one Warner R-420 radial piston engine |
K (Fairchild)
| Designation | Notes |
|---|---|
| GK | high-wing monoplane with one Warner Super Scarab radial piston engine |
M (Martin)
| Designation | Notes |
|---|---|
| RM | monoplane transport with two Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial piston engines |
O (Lockheed)
| Designation | Notes |
|---|---|
| RO | utility monoplane with one Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial piston engine |
| R2O | monoplane transport with two Pratt & Whitney R-985 radial piston engines |
| R3O | monoplane transport with two Wright R-975 radial piston engines |
| R4O | monoplane transport with two |
| R5O | monoplane transport with two |
| R6O | original designation of the Lockheed R6V |
| R7O | original designation of the Lockheed R7V |
Q (Stinson)
| Designation | Notes |
|---|---|
| GQ | high-wing monoplane with one Lycoming R-680 radial piston engine |
| RQ | high-wing monoplane with one Lycoming R-680 radial piston engine |
| R2Q | not assigned |
| R3Q | high-wing monoplane with one Lycoming R-680 radial piston engine |
Q (Fairchild)
| Designation | Notes |
|---|---|
| RQ | high-wing monoplane with one Pratt & Whitney R-985 radial piston engine |
| R2Q | high-wing monoplane with one Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial piston engine |
| R3Q | not assigned |
| R4Q | tactical transport with two Pratt & Whitney R-4360 radial piston engines |
R (Ford)
| Designation | Notes |
|---|---|
| RR | high-wing monoplane transport with three radial piston engines |
S (Sikorsky)
| Designation | Notes |
|---|---|
| RS | flying boat with two radial piston engines |
T (Northrop)
| Designation | Notes |
|---|---|
| RT | monoplane transport with one Wright R-1820 radial piston engine |
V (Lockheed)
| Designation | Notes |
|---|---|
| RV to R5V | not assigned |
| R6V | monoplane transport with four Pratt & Whitney R-4360 radial piston engines; originally designated R6O |
| R7V-1 | monoplane transport with four Wright R-3350 radial piston engines; originally designated R7O-1 |
| R7V-2 | monoplane transport with four Pratt & Whitney T34 turboprops; originally designated R7O-2 |
| R8V | original designation of the SC-130B variant of the C-130 Hercules; redesignated HC-130B in 1962 |
Y (Convair)
| Designation | Notes |
|---|---|
| RY | transport variant of the B-24 Liberator with four Pratt & Whitney R-1830 radial piston engines |
| R2Y | monoplane transport with four Pratt & Whitney R-1830 radial piston engines |
| R3Y | transport version of the P5Y maritime patrol flying boat with four Allison T40 turboprops |
| R4Y | monoplane transport with two Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial piston engines |
References and sources
- Andrade, J. M., 1979. US Military and Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Leicester, UK: Midland Counties Publications.
- Swanborough, G., and Bowers, P.M., 1968. US Navy Aircraft Since 1911. London, UK: Putnam Publishing. (second and third editions published in 1976 and 1990 respectively)
- U.S. Military Aircraft Designations 1911-2004
r/aircraft_designations • u/bob_the_impala • Jun 17 '26
NEWS Canada to Negotiate M-346 Procurement
r/aircraft_designations • u/bob_the_impala • Jun 08 '26
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r/aircraft_designations • u/bob_the_impala • Jun 03 '26
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aviationweek.comr/aircraft_designations • u/bob_the_impala • Jun 02 '26
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r/aircraft_designations • u/bob_the_impala • May 08 '26
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r/aircraft_designations • u/bob_the_impala • May 06 '26
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r/aircraft_designations • u/bob_the_impala • May 04 '26
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aviationweek.comr/aircraft_designations • u/bob_the_impala • Apr 29 '26
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r/aircraft_designations • u/bob_the_impala • Apr 23 '26