For a revised US tri-service designation system

[Stargazer]

The 1962 system was meant to simplify the process of designating and identifying US military aircraft... Yet, almost half a century down the line, it appears that some of the old 1948-system designations are still in use: C-130, F-104, T-38... and recently the US Coast Guard even managed to revive the old C-list with the creation of C-143 and C-144!

So it would be a good idea to mark the 50th anniversary of the tri-service system to have a rationalized/simplified system with only ONE system for each letter. Here is my first contribution to the idea, the H-, O- and T- lists, by adding to the existing 1962-created lists while taking into account only the remaining aircraft in the inventory.







I'd love to know your opinions, criticism, suggestions as to this hypothetical system... Thanks in advance!

[Slerski]

I disagree with the O-10 designation... Thunderbolt II was born as attack plane, which led to A-10 designation. However, this is a great work you've made 

[Robert]

I think that, for the most part, the current designation system is fine - just wish they would actually follow it all the time instead of giving us designations like F-35, AL-1, F/A-18, F-117, etc.

[Stargazer]

I think that, for the most part, the current designation system is fine - just wish they would actually follow it all the time instead of giving us designations like F-35, AL-1, F/A-18, F-117, etc.

Yep. That's the reason for my "revised" system. No more out-of-sequence designations, no more dual-system use (i.e. C-130 and C-32 type designations used at the same time, and new additions to both lists).