How to Understand Military Aircraft Designations

How to Understand Military Aircraft Designations

Summary: Every military aircraft is given a specific designation by the Department of Defense. These are commonly known as MDS or mission design series designations. Understanding how to read these can immediately tell you the basic specifications about any military aircraft.

Mission: Learn how to read MDS designations. Then, practice your knowledge with the concept.

Lesson: MDS designations have a total of 6 parts. Arrange steps in this order to form designation:

(6)(3)(2)(1)­(4)(5) 1) Type of Aircraft

­This symbol is only present if the aircraft is not an airplane. If present, it is located directly to the left of the hyphen. The following symbols can occur in this position:

D­ Unmanned Aerial System Control Segment G­ Gliders

Takeoff/Landing)

H­ Helicopter

Q­ Unmanned aerial system (Actual aircraft)

2) Basic Mission

S­Space plane

V­ VTOL/STOL (Vertical/Short Distance

Z­Lighter Than Air

­The basic mission is located directly left of the hyphen if the type of aircraft is not mentioned. The basic mission specifies an aircrafts main purpose. The following symbols can be used in this position:

A­ Ground Attack

B­ Bomber

C­ Transport

E­ Special Electronic Installation F­ Fighter

H­ Search and Rescue

K­ Tanker

L­ Laser Equipped

3) Modified Mission

M­ Multi­Mission O­ Observation

P­ Maritime Patrol R­ Reconnaissance

S­ Anti Submarine T­ Trainer

U­ Utility

X­ Experimental

­The modified mission indicates an aircraft was optionally modified from its original design. If this symbol is present it will be located directly left of the basic mission. The following symbols can be located in this position:

A­ Ground Attack P­ Maritime Patrol

C­ Transport

D­ Drone Detector

E­ Special Electronic Installation F­ Fighter

K­Tanker

L­ Cold Weather Operations

M­ Multi­mission

O­ Observation

4) Design Number

Q­