Brazilian Military Aircraft Designations
Copyright © 2001-2026 Andreas Parsch
1 Brazilian Aircraft Designation Systems
1 Brazilian Aircraft Designation Systems
Força Aerea Brasileira (Brazilian Air Force)
In 1950, the Força Aerea Brasileira (FAB) started to assign USAF-style designations to all its aircraft. I.e., one or more type letters designating the primary mission of the aircraft are followed by a model number. The following type letters are defined:
- A - Ataque (Attack)
- B - Bombardeio (Bomber)
- C - Cargo e Transporte de Tropas (Cargo and Troop Transport)
- E - Eletrônica (Electronics)
- F - Caça (Fighter)
- G - Rebocador de planador (Glider Tug)
- H - Helicóptero (Helicopter)
- I - Inspeção em voo (Flight Inspection)
- K - Tanque (Tanker)
- L - Ligação (Liaison)
- M - Maritime
- O - Observação (Observation)
- P - Patrulha (Patrol)
- Q - Alvos (Drone, UAV)
- R - Reconhecimento (Reconnaissance)
- S - Busca e Salvamento (Search and Rescue)
- T - Treinamento (Trainer)
- U - Utilitário (Utility)
- V - Transporte Executivo (VIP Transport)
- X - Experiência ou Experimental (Experimental)
- Z - Planador (Glider)
Aircraft with a U.S. military designation usually (but not always!) keep this designation in Brazilian service. The other types receive a new designation, including the appropriate type letter(s), and model number. The number is not assigned sequentially (neither by type letter nor overall), but is usually chosen to be unique, and - if possible - related to the manufacturer's designation of the aircraft.
When a type is modified or built for a different mission than originally designed, either the new mission letter is prefixed to the designation (e.g. C-93, EC-93), or the mission letter is replaced (e.g. C-95, P-95). In any case, the model number does not change. If there is more than one version of an aircraft type, alphabetical series letters are used (e.g. R-99A, R-99B). The suffix "M" is frequently used to designate an upgraded version, and this sometimes results in two-letter suffixes (e.g. A-1AM)
Força Aeronaval da Marinha do Brasil (Brazilian Naval Air Arm) - Current System
Currently, the Marinha uses essentially the same aircraft designation system as the FAB. As far as I know the type letters are the same, except for
- I - Instrução (Instruction)
which is used instead of "T" for trainers.
Força Aeronaval da Marinha do Brasil (Brazilian Naval Air Arm) - Old System
Beginning in the 1930's and continuing through World War II, the Brazilian Navy used an aircraft designation system, which was very similar to the old (pre-1962) U.S. Navy system. A type letter (describing the aircraft's purpose or mission) was followed by a sequential model number (one sequence per manufacturer and type letter), and by a manufacturer code. Other than in the U.S. Navy system, the model number "1" was not omitted. Another difference was in the use of suffix numbers to designate variants. In the Brazilian system, the first version used no suffix, the second version used suffix 1 (without dash), etc. The system was also briefly used in the 1950's for the Navy's helicopters. At that time, however, handling of model and suffix numbers was following U.S. Navy practice.
The following type letters existed (the letters in light gray were never used, and must be regarded as unconfirmed):
- A - Ataque (Attack)
- B - Bombardeio (Bomber)
- C - Caça (Fighter)
- D - Correio (Courier, Mail)
- E - Esclarecimento (Reconnaissance)
- F - Fotografia Aérea (Aerial Photography)
- HT - Training Helicopter
- HU - Utility Helicopter
- I - Instrução Elementar (Basic Trainer)
- J - Serviços gerais da Esquadra (General Squadron Service)
- O - Observação (Observation)
- P - Patrulha (Patrol)
- S - Ambulância (Ambulance)
- T - Torpedeiro (Torpedo)
- U - Utilizaçao geral (General Utility)
- V - Adestramento (Advanced Trainer)
- X - Experiência (Experiment)
- Z - Transporte (Transport)
Note: The letter "D" is replaced by "M" in some sources.
The manufacturers' codes included:
- A - Avro
- AvN - Av. Naval
- B - Boeing
- Be - Beechcraft
- C - Consolidated
- F - Fairey
- FW - Focke-Wulf
- H - DeHavilland
- H - Hughes
- L - Luscombe
- M - Martin
- NA - North American
- S - Savoia-Marchetti
- V - Vought
- W - Waco
- W - Westland-Sikorsky
Exército Brasileiro (Brazilian Army)
The Exército uses a very simple designation system for its helicopters. A role prefix is followed by a sequential number (one sequence per prefix). The following prefixes are in use:
- HA - Helicóptero de Ataque (Attack Helicopter)
- HM - Helicóptero de Manobra (Maneuver Helicopter)
2 Designation Listing
The list shows all assigned designations in numerical sequence. Also included are aircraft, which were/are operated under their original U.S. military designations (the majority are World War II types). These are shown in blue.
Força Aerea Brasileira (Air Force)
| Designation | Manufacturer | Model; Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| A-1 | AMX International | AMX; variants include A-1A (AMX), A-1B (AMX-T) and A-1AM/BM (AMX upgrade) |
| VC-1 | Airbus | A319-133X(CJ); designated VC-1A |
| H-1 | Bell | UH-1 Iroquois; variants include SH-1D, UH-1D and UH-1H |
| VC-2 | Embraer | E190PR |
| P-3 | Lockheed-Martin | Orion; P-3AM (upgraded P-3A) |
| U-3 | Pilatus | P.3; originally designated L-3 and O-3 |
| TZ-3 | Fournier | RF.5 |
| H-4 | Bell | Model 206B JetRanger III; variants include VH-4 and OH-4 (originally LH-4) |
| L-4 | Piper | L-4 Cub |
| F-5 | Northrop | F-5B Freedom Fighter; F-5E/F, F-5EM/FM Tiger II |
| H-5 | Fairchild-Hiller | FH-1100 |
| O-6 | Neiva | Model 56B/D Paulistinha; originally designated L-6/L-6A |
| T-6 | North American | AT-6B/C/D, T-6D/G Texan |
| L-7 | Neiva | N.582 Campeiro |
| T-7 | Beechcraft | Model 18 (USAAF AT-7) |
| TF-7 | Gloster | Meteor T.Mk.7; originally redesignated T-7 |
| U-7 | Embraer | EMB-810C; license-built Piper PA-34 Seneca; U-7A variant had STOL modifications |
| C-8 | Beechcraft | Queen Air B80; originally designated U-8; variants include C-8 and EU-8 |
| F-8 | Gloster | Meteor F.Mk.8 |
| L-8 | Neiva | N.591 Regente; original deignation for L-42 |
| T-8 | Microleve | MXL (T-8A), MXL-2 (T-8B) |
| U-9 | Embraer | EMB-121 Xingu; variants include VU-9 and EC-9 |
| CA-10 | Consolidated | PBY-5 Catalina (originally designated PA-10); variants include CA-10 (PBY-5) and CA-10A (PBY-5A), later redesignated as C-10 and C-10A |
| T-11 | Beechcraft | Model 18 (USAAF AT-11 Kansan) |
| H-13 | Bell | Model 47 |
| TZ-13 | Let | L-13 Blanik |
| T-15 | Vultee | BT-15 Valiant |
| P-15 | Lockheed | P-2E Neptune |
| Z-15 | Glasflügel | Model 201B Libelle |
| P-16 | Grumman | S-2 Tracker; variants include P-16A, P-16E (S-2E), P-16H (Turbo Tracker) and UP-16 |
| S-16 | Grumman | HU-16A Albatross; originally designated A-16, U-16 and M-16 |
| Z-16 | IPE | KW-1b2 Quero Quero |
| B-17 | Boeing | SB-17G Flying Fortress |
| T-17 | Aerotec | A-132 Tangará (originally designated T-23B Uirapuru II) |
| Z-17 | Schempp-Hirth | Discus; variants include Z-17 (Discus CS) and TZ-17 (Duo Discus XL) |
| B-18 | Douglas | B-18 Bolo |
| H-19 | Sikorsky | UH-19D |
| L-19 | Cessna | Model 180/305; variants include L-19 (180B), L-19A (305A) and L-19E (305E) |
| T-19 | Fairchild | PT-19 |
| U-19 | Embraer | EMB-201R Ipanema; variants include U-19/G-19 (EMB-201R) and G-19A (EMB-202A) |
| B-20 | Douglas | A-20 Havoc; various models, including A-20K |
| Z-20 | Schleicher | ASW-20 |
| TZ-20 | DG Flugzeugbau | DG-1001 |
| T-21 | Fokker | S.11-4 |
| T-22 | Fokker | S.12-2 |
| T-23 | Aerotec | A-122A Uirapuru |
| TZ-23 | Let | L-23 Super Blanik |
| T-24 | Aérospatiale (Fouga/Potez) | CM.170-2 Magister |
| B-25 | North American | B-25B/C/D/J Mitchell; a few later converted to CB-25 |
| T-25 | Neiva | N.621 Universal; variants include UT-25 and T-25M (upgrade) |
| B-26 | Douglas | B-26B/C Invader |
| C-26 | Piper | Aztec 250 |
| T-26 | Embraer | EMB-326 Xavante; variants include AT-26 (EMB-326GB) and RT-26 (EMB-326G) |
| T-27 | Embraer | EMB-312 Tucano; variants include T-27, AT-27 and T-27M (upgrade) |
| A-28 | Lockheed | A-28A Hudson; variants include A-28A and C-28 |
| T-28 | North American | T-28A Trojan |
| A-29 | Embraer | EMB-314 Super Tucano; variants include A-29A (single-seater) and A-29B (two-seater) |
| KC-30 | Airbus | A330-243 |
| A-31 | Vultee | A-31 Vengeance |
| CH-33 | Eurocopter (Aérospatiale) | SA-330L Puma |
| T-33 | Lockheed | T-33; variants include T-33 (T-33A) and TF-33A (AT-33A) |
| Z-33 | Let | L-33 Solo |
| B-34 | Lockheed | PV-1 Ventura / PV-2 Harpoon; variants include B-34 (PV-1) and B-34A (PV-2) |
| H-34 | Eurocopter (Aérospatiale) | AS-332M Super Puma/Cougar; variants include CH-34 (AS-332M) and VH-34 (AS-332M1); naval version is UH-14 |
| A-35 | Vultee | A-35B Vengeance |
| C-35 | Learjet | Learjet 35A; variants include C-35, R-35A and VU-35A |
| UC-35 | Beechcraft | A-35 Bonanza |
| VH-35 | Airbus Helicopters | H135M (EC635) |
| H-36 | Airbus Helicopters | H225M (EC725); variants include H-36 and VH-36 |
| P-36 | Curtiss | P-36A Hawk |
| T-37 | Cessna | T-37C |
| U-37 | Cessna | Model 185 |
| F-39 | Saab | Gripen; variants include F-39E (Gripen E) and F-39F (Gripen F) |
| P-40 | Curtiss | P-40E/K/M/N |
| UC-40 | Lockheed | Model 12A |
| C-41 | Morane-Saulnier | MS.760A Paris |
| U-42 | Neiva | N.591/592 Regente; variants include U-42 (N.591; originally designated C-42) and L-42 (Model N.592; originally designated L-20) |
| UC-43 | Beechcraft | Model 17 |
| C-45 | Beechcraft | Model 18; later redesignated as U-45 |
| C-46 | Curtiss | C-46A Commando |
| C-47 | Douglas | DC-3/C-47 Skytrain |
| P-47 | Republic | P-47B/D Thunderbolt |
| UH-50 | Helibrás | HB-350B Esquilo, license-built Aérospatiale AS-350B Ecureuil; variants include CH-50 and TH-50; naval version is UH-12 |
| IU-50 | Embraer | Legacy 500 |
| C-54 | Douglas | DC-4/C-54G Skymaster |
| C-55 | Beechcraft | Baron C55 |
| H-55 | Helibrás | HB-355F Esquilo; license-built Aérospatiale AS-355F Ecureuil; variants include CH-55 and VH-55; naval version is UH-13 |
| VU-55 | Learjet | Learjet 55 |
| C-60 | Lockheed | Model 18 Lodestar; also C-66; some later redesignated as VC-60 |
| UH-60 | Sikorsky | UH-60 Blackhawk |
| C-61 | Fairchild | UC-61A |
| C-64 | Noorduyn | UC-64A Norseman |
| C-66 | Lockheed | Model 18 Lodestar (see also C-60); became VC-66 |
| VC-66 | Lockheed | Model 10A Electra |
| F-80 | Lockheed | F-80C Shooting Star |
| C-82 | Fairchild | C-82A Packet |
| C-87 | Convair | Liberator Transport |
| VC-90 | Vickers | Viscount |
| C-91 | Hawker Siddeley | HS.748 Srs.2A Andover |
| VC-92 | BAC | One-Eleven 423ET |
| C-93 | BAe (Hawker Siddeley) | BAe.125 (HS.125); variants include EC-93 (HS.125 Srs.3B/RA), VC-93 (BAe.125 Srs.3B/RA), EU-93 (BAe.125 Srs.403B), VU-93 (BAe.125 Srs.403B), XU-93 and EU-93A/IU-93A (Hawker 800XP) |
| C-95 | Embraer | EMB-110 Bandeirante; variants include C-95 (EMB-110), C-95A (EMB-110K1), C-95B (EMB-110P1K), C-95C (EMB-110P1A), EC-95 (EMB-110A/P1), SC-95B (EMB-110P1K Bandeirusca), P-95A/B (EMB-111A Bandeirulha), R-95 (EMB-110B) |
| VC-96 | Boeing | Model 737-2N3 |
| VC-97 | Embraer | EMB-120R Brasilia |
| C-98 | Cessna | Model 208 Caravan; variants include C-98 (Model 208A) and C-98A (Model 208B) |
| R-99 | Embraer | EMB-145; variants include R-99 (EMB-145SA, originally R-99A), E-99 (EMB-145RS, originally R-99B), E-99M (modernized E-99), C-99A (EMB-145ER), VC-99A (ERJ-145LR), VC-99B (EMB-135BJ) and VC-99C (EMB-135LR) |
| U-100 | Embraer | EMB-500 Phenom 100EV |
| F-103 | Dassault | Mirage IIIBR; variants include F-103D (IIIDBR) and F-103E (IIIEBR) |
| C-105 | CASA/EADS | C-295 Amazonas; variants include C-105 (C-295), C-105A (C-295M) and SC-105A (SAR) |
| C-115 | DeHavilland Canada | DHC-5A Buffalo |
| C-118 | Douglas | DC-6B |
| C-119 | Fairchild | C-119G Flying Boxcar |
| C-130 | Lockheed | Model 382 Hercules; variants include C-130E (L.382-16B, L.382C-5D, L.382C-8D), SC-130E (L.382C-47D), C-130H (L.382C-45D), KC-130H (L.382C-47D), C-130M and KC-130M |
| KC-137 | Boeing | Model 707-320B |
| KC-390 | Embraer | KC-390 Millenium |
| RQ-450 | Elbit | Hermes 450 |
| RQ-900 | Elbit | Hermes 900 |
| RQ-1150 | IAI | Heron |
| F-2000 | Dassault | Mirage 2000; variants include F-2000B (Mirage 2000B) and F-2000C (Mirage 2000C) |
Força Aeronaval da Marinha do Brasil (Navy)
| Designation | Manufacturer | Model; Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| AF-1 | McDonnell Douglas | A-4 Skyhawk; variants include AF-1 (A-4KU), AF-1A (TA-4KU), AF-1B (A-4KU upgrade) and AF-1C (TA-4KU upgrade) |
| IH-1 | Bell | Model 47; variants include IH-1 (47G) and IH-1A (47D1) |
| UH-1 | Westland-Sikorsky | WS-51 Widgeon (originally designated HUW) |
| HU-1 | Fairchild-Hiller | FH-1100 |
| UH-2 | Westland | Wasp; variants include UH-2 (originally designated SH-2) and UH-2A |
| IH-2 | Hughes | Model 269; variants include IH-2 (269A; originally designated HTH-1), IH-2A (269A1) and IH-2B (269B) |
| SH-3 | Sikorsky | AS-61/SH-3D/SH-3H Sea King; variants include SH-3A and SH-3B; SH-3 designation was originally allocated to UH-5 |
| HU-3 | Bell | Model 47J |
| UH-5 | Westland | Whirlwind III; originally designated SH-3 |
| H-6 | Bell | Model 206B JetRanger III; variants include HU-6, IH-6 (originally HI-6), IH-6A (originally HI-6A) and IH-6B (Model 206B-3) |
| AH-11 | Westland | Lynx Mk.21; variants include SAH-11 (Mk.21), AH-11A (Mk.21A Super Lynx) and AH-11B (Mk.21B Wild Lynx) |
| UH-12 | Helibrás | HB-350B Esquilo; license-built Aérospatiale AS-350B Ecureuil; FAB version is UH-50 |
| UH-13 | Helibrás | HB-355F2 Esquilo; license-built Aérospatiale AS-355F-2 Ecureuil; FAB version is CH/VH-55 |
| UH-14 | Eurocopter (Aérospatiale) | AS-332F Super Puma/Cougar; FAB version is CH-34 |
| UH-15 | Airbus Helicopters | H225M (EC725); variants include UH-15, UH-15A, AH-15 and AH-15B; FAB version is H-36 |
| SH-16 | Sikorsky | S-70B |
| UH-17 | Airbus Helicopters | H135M |
| IH-18 | Airbus Helicopters | H125 |
| H-34 | Sikorsky | SH-34J |
Exército Brasileiro (Army)
| Designation | Manufacturer | Model; Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| HA-1 | Helibrás | HB-350L1 Fennec; license-built Aérospatiale AS-350L Fennec |
| HA-2 | Mil | Mi-35M |
| HM-1 | Helibrás | HB-565 Pantera; license-built Eurocopter (Aérospatiale) AS-565 Panther |
| HM-2 | Sikorsky | S-70A Blackhawk |
| HM-3 | Eurocopter | AS532M1 Cougar |
| HM-4 | Eurocopter | EC725 |
Força Aeronaval da Marinha do Brasil (Navy) - Old Designations
| Designation | Manufacturer | Model; Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| C1B | Boeing | Model 256 (F4B-4) |
| D1Be | Beechcraft | D-17A |
| D1C | Consolidated | NY-2 |
| D1L | Luscombe | Phantom |
| D2FW | Focke-Wulf | FW-58B Weihe; also license-built in Brazil as D2AvN |
| D1W | Waco | CSO |
| D2W | Waco | CJC |
| D3W | Waco | CPF-5 |
| E1F | Fairey | Gordon |
| HTH | Hughes | Model 269A; later redesignated as IH-2 |
| HUW | Westland-Sikorsky | WS-51 Widgeon; later redesignated as UH-1 |
| HU2W | Westland-Sikorsky | WS-55 Whirldwind I |
| I1A | Avro | Model 504K; possibly only a "paper designation" |
| I2A | Avro | Model 504N/O |
| I1AvN | Focke-Wulf | FW-44J Stieglitz; license-built in Brazil by Fábrica do Galeão |
| I1H | DeHavilland | DH-60T Moth Trainer |
| I2H | DeHavilland | DH-82 Tiger Moth; variants include I2H (DH-82) and I2H1 (DH-82A) |
| I3H | DeHavilland | DH-83 Fox Moth |
| O1V | Vought | O2U-2A Corsair |
| O2V | Vought | V-66B |
| P1M | Martin | PM |
| P1S | Savoia-Marchetti | S-55A |
| V1NA | North American | NA-46 |
3 Main Sources
[1] John M. Andrade: "Latin American Military Aviation", 1982
[2] Scramble Website: Brazil
[3] Rudnei Dias da Cunha: Designativos e matrículas de tipos de aeronaves na FAB, March 2021
[4] Lotnictwo morskie Brazylii
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Last Updated: 30 January 2026