U.S. Military Aircraft  "Airpower has become predominant, both as a deterrent to war, and - in the eventuality of war - as the devastating force to destroy an enemy�s potential and fatally undermine his will to wage war."
- Omar Bradley U.S. Military Aircraft Specifications Aircraft Designations Vehicle TypeThe Vehicle Type indicates what type of special aircraft that we are dealing with. For normal aircraft this is ignored, it mainly concerns helicopters and other special aircraft. G - Glider
H - Helicopter
S - Spaceplane
V - VTOL/STOL
Z - Lighter than air
Basic Mission The Basic Mission indicates what the primary function of the aircraft is. (For example, the B-2 would be profiled as a bomber; while the F/A-18 would be classified as a fighter/attack aircraft) A - Attack
B - Bomber
C - Cargo/ transport
E - Special electronic installation
F - Fighter
O - Observation
P - Patrol
R - Reconnaissance:
ER - Electronic Reconnaissance
SR - Strategic Reconnaissance
TR - Tactical Reconnaissance
S - Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
T - Trainer
U - Utility
X - Research Modified MissionThe Modified Mission indicates that the vehicle has been modified for a specific mission and/or purpose. This symbol preceeds the Basic Mission designator. A - Attack
C - Cargo/ transport
D - Drone control
E - Special electronic installation
F - Fighter
H - Search and Rescue (SAR)
K - Tanker (from Kerosine tanker)
L - Cold weather
M - Multi-mission
O - Observation
P - Patrol
Q - Drone
R - Reconnaissance
S - Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
T - Trainer
U - Utility
V - Staff/VIP transport
W - Weather Status PrefixThe Status Prefix indicates that the vehicle is not standard due to tests, modifications, or experiments. This prefix precedes the modified and basic mission symbols. G - Permanently grounded
J - Special test temporary
N - Special test permanent
X - Experimental
Y - Prototype
Z - Planning | 
ASW