Pre-1963 Designations Of U.S. Missiles And Drones

Copyright © 2000-2007 Andreas Parsch

1 Introduction

2 Missiles

2.1 Army Air Force, 1941 - 1947

2.2 Navy, 1941 - 1945

2.3 Navy, 1946 - 1947

2.4 Joint Navy/Army/Air Force System of 1947

2.4.1 Navy, 1947 - 1963
2.4.2 Army, 1948 - 1955
2.4.3 Air Force, 1947 - 1951

2.5 Air Force, 1951 - 1955

2.6 Army, 1955 - 1963

2.7 Air Force, 1955 - 1963

3 Drones

3.1 Navy, 1942 - 1946

3.2 Navy, 1946 - 1963

3.3 Army Air Force, 1943 - 1947

3.4 Air Force, 1947 - 1963

4 Other Vehicles

4.1 Rockets

4.2 Space Launch Vehicles

5 Interim USAF System for Missiles, Rockets, and Spacecraft, 1961

6 Sources

1 Introduction

Until 1963, when the current Joint Designation System for all US military unmanned aerospace vehicles was introduced, the US armed services used several kinds of designation systems for their missiles and rockets. While there exist - in addition to the article on this site - several good references to the current designation system (see Link page), the older systems are much less known.

The purpose of this article is to provide a reference to all alpha-numerical designation systems used for unmanned aerospace vehicles prior to 1963. From time to time, aircraft-like designations were assigned to missiles and/or drones. The aircraft designation systems are not detailed in this text, but a good reference to the US military aircraft designation systems can be found in

http://www.hazegray.org/faq/designat.htm © by Emmanuel Gustin

Notes for the designation lists:

• For each designation system used, a list of assigned designations is provided. In these lists, only "basic" type designators are listed. Variants and modifications (designated by suffix letters and/or numbers, depending on the system) are not detailed.
• For most missiles, only the manufacturer and the missile name is given. This should provide a useful reference in most cases. Only for vehicles without a name, or for some "less known" vehicles (i.e. not normally found in standard sources) are a few details given - only if I know any details, of course ;-)!
• A link in the designation column leads to a page in the Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles about either the missile itself or a closely related one. The linked page includes more information about the missile, like one or more photos and reference to the major differences between the variants.

2 Missiles

2.1 Army Air Force, 1941 - 1947

Between 1941 and 1943, the USAAF introduced some categories for missiles and guided bombs into its aircraft designation scheme:

• BG - Bomb Glider (1942 - 1944; glider loaded with explosive warhead)
• BQ - Guided Bomb (1942 - 1945; ground-launched, radio-controlled attack drone)
• GB - Glide Bomb (1941 - 1947; an unpowered guided bomb)
• GT - Glide Torpedo (1943 - 1947; GB with torpedo)
• JB - Jet Bomb (1943 - 1947; a missile powered by turbojet, ramjet or rocket)
• VB - Vertical Bomb (1943 - 1947; a free fall bomb with guidance system and fins)

These categories were discontinued in 1947, when the Army Air Force started to use the 1947 system. The few surviving projects were redesignated in the new system.

Designation List:

2.2 Navy, 1941 - 1945

From 1941 to 1945, the Navy used the LB category ("Bomb-Carrying Glider") for a few unpowered air-to-ground glide bombs. Powered assault drones were initially designated in the TD ("Target Drone") category (see section 3.1), but around 1944 a single assault drone was allocated a BD designation.

2.3 Navy, 1946 - 1947

In March 1946, the Navy included missiles and drones in its aircraft designation scheme and introduced the K class with the following type designations:

• KA - Anti-aircraft Missile
• KD - Drone (see section 3.2)
• KG - Ground-attack Missile
• KS - Anti-ship Missile
• KU - Research and Test Missile

The KA, KG and KS classes had been already defined preliminarily in October 1945. When the 1947 joint designation system was introduced, all categories except KD were dropped. Existing missiles were redesignated.

Designation List:

2.4 Joint Navy/Army/Air Force System of 1947

In 1947, the services agreed on a joint designation system for guided missiles, including research and test vehicles. The system was originally established by the Army Air Forces and the Navy in May 1947 (the Navy officially redesignated existing vehicles on 30 September 1947). The system was formally approved with small changes (the introduction of the "service letter" in the designation, see below) for use by all three services on 25 February 1948. Joint use of the system was officially discontinued on 12 July 1951.

Each missile would be designated by a letter/number combination as follows:

The letters (1) and (2) show the launch and target environment:

• A - Air
• S - Surface
• U - Underwater

Letter (3) is the developing service:

• A - Air Force
• G - Army
• N - Navy

If a missile was developed by more than one service, multiple service letters would be used (e.g. XSSM-AGN-1), but I don't know any actual designation using more than one service letter.

(4) is a number, assigned consecutively, starting from 1. Originally, it was planned that the Navy would use even numbers, and the Army (and presumably, after separation, the Air Force too) would use odd numbers (as in aircraft engine designations), but see note below. The Navy followed this scheme initially (see section 2.4.1), while the Air Force used consecutive numbers for each missile category (see section 2.4.3) and the Army used a single numerical sequence for all types of missiles, including test vehicles (see section 2.4.2). Because the numbers assigned in 1947 by the Army Air Forces were considered Air Force projects, the Army numbering restarted from 1 in 1948.

Note to (3) and (4): In the original May 1947 version of the system there was no service letter used in the designations. Instead, the Army Air Forces would use only odd numbers, while the Navy would assign even numbers to its missiles. Therefore, some early designations - those originally assigned in 1947 - are sometimes quoted without the service letter (e.g. SAM-2, LTV-1 instead of SAM-N-2, LTV-A-1). In the listings below, all designations are given with the service letter, even if this was not originally part of the designation.

(5) is an optional prefix:

• X - Experimental
• Y - Service Test

(6) is an optional lower case suffix, denoting a modification of the missile. The first version would use no suffix, the second version would be "a", etc.

The research and test vehicles were designated like:

Letter (1) is the purpose of the test vehicle:

• C - Control
• L - Launching
• P - Propulsion
• R - Research and General Testing (including high altitude research)

For (3), (4) and (6), see missile designations above.

2.4.1 Navy, 1947 - 1963

The Navy continued to use the 1947 system until the introduction of today's joint system in 1963. After the joint use had been discontinued, a few minor changes were made:

• The odd numbers were also used.
• Two additional status prefix letters were introduced:
  R - Research, Scientific Evaluation, Component Testing (e.g. the landing gear-equipped Regulus II test vehicle was XRSSM-N-9a)
  T - Training (e.g. TAAM-N-6 for an inert training version of the Sparrow III)
• In 1953, the xTV-N-n designations for test vehicles were replaced by RV-N-n for all types of research vehicles.

Designation List:

Notes:

The following Navy missiles did not receive xxM-N-n designations:

• Lockheed Polaris (formal designation: FBM (Fleet Ballistic Missile) or A1/A2/A3); would have been USM-N-n; became UGM-27 in 1963
• Convair Tartar (formal designation: Mk 15); would have been SAM-N-n; became RIM-24 in 1963
• Goodyear Subroc (formal designation: Mk 28); would have been UUM-N-n; became UUM-44 in 1963

2.4.2 Army, 1948 - 1955

The Army continued to use the 1947 system until 1955, with the following changes after joint use had been discontinued:

• The service letter "A" was used instead of "G" (a logical decision as the Air Force dropped the system completely).
• All research and test vehicles were designated as RV-A-n, regardless of testing purpose.
• Training vehicles were to be designated TV-A-n

Existing missiles in 1951 were redesignated in the modified system. This also included already completed projects, which were nevertheless formally redesignated.

Designation List:

Notes:

2.4.3 Air Force, 1947 - 1951

The Air Force used the 1947 system until 1951.

Designation List:

2.5 Air Force, 1951 - 1955

In its early years, the Air Force regarded missiles as "pilotless aircraft". Therefore, in May 1951, the Air Force assigned aircraft designations to all its missiles:

• B - Ground-attack missile ("pilotless bomber", i.e. SSM, ASM)
• F - Anti-aircraft missile ("pilotless fighter", i.e. SAM, AAM)
• X - research vehicle (RTV)

Existing missiles were redesignated in the new system.

Designation List:

Notes:

2.6 Army, 1955 - 1963

In June 1955, the Army stopped using the 1947/1951 system. Until the introduction of the joint system in 1963, Army missiles were designated (like any other Army equipment) with "Ordnance Numbers" only. These numbers are usually assigned as soon as a new equipment enters the Army inventory. I will only give a brief synopsis of this designation system here. For details, look at the description of the current Army Nomenclature System.

Number (1) is an arbitrary number. Usually, numbers are unique within a certain category of equipment (like missiles, tanks, guns, etc.).
(2) In the test and development phase, the designation is prefixed with an "X".
(3) is an optional letter/number suffix used to denote modifications.

Note: Ordnance numbers are sometimes written with a dash between the M and the number, but this is incorrect.

Designation List:

Drones and unguided rockets also received M numbers, but in different numerical sequences. For the sake of completeness, these are listed in the following table:

The following missiles were also developed and/or deployed by the Army in the 1955 - 1963 time period. They may also have received ordnance numbers.

• Nord SS.10 (French anti-tank missile); became MGM-21 in 1963
• Nord SS.11/AS.11; became AGM-22 in 1963
• Nord Entac; became MGM-32 in 1963
• General Dynamics Redeye; became MIM-43 in 1963
• Convair Mauler; became MIM-46 in 1963

2.7 Air Force, 1955 - 1963

On 15 August 1955, the Air Force dropped the aircraft designations for missiles and introduced a new system. The designations remained similar to aircraft designations, but new type letters were introduced.

The letters (1) denote the type of the missile:

• GAM - Guided Air-launched Missile (ASM)
• GAR - Guided Air-launched Rocket (AAM)
• IM - Intercept Missile (SAM)
• RM - Research Missile
• SM - Strategic Missile (long range SSM)
• TM - Tactical Missile (short range SSM)

Former B-type missiles were redesignated as SM, TM or GAM. F-type missiles became IM or GAR. Existing research missiles, however, were not redesignated.

(2) is a sequence number. The SM-, TM-, IM-, GAM- and RM-types used a single numerical sequence (continued from 67, the last B-number originally assigned to a missile). For the GARs, a new sequence was started at 1.

(3) is an optional suffix letter, denoting a modification of the missile. The first version would use no suffix, the second version would be "A", etc.

(4) is an optional status prefix:

• H - Hardened (used for silo-launched ICBMs, e.g. HSM-80A)
• R - Reconnaissance version (used only briefly for proposed XRSM-62)
• S - Space (e.g. SRM-81A)
• T - Training (used with GAM, e.g. TGAM-83A)
• U - Training (used with SM, e.g. USM-68A)
• X - Experimental
• Y - Service test

Designation List:

Notes:

Many popular reference sources indicate that the missiles shared the number sequence with the manned bombers, but this is not true. Instead, both bomber and missile numbers were continued with 68, the next available number after the introduction of the new missile designations. This is clearly demonstrated by the fact that numbers 68, 69 and 70 were used for both bombers and missiles.

Missile projects, which were cancelled in the design or early testing phase, have never received a designation. Among those are:

• Convair Pye Wacket
• Minneapolis-Honeywell Wagtail
• University of Michigan Wizard

There were also a few test vehicles, which didn't receive a designation:

• Lockheed WS-199C High Virgo: ALBM test missile
• Martin WS-199B Bold Orion: ALBM test missile
• McDonnell WS-199D Alpha Draco: hypersonic aeroballistic (boost-glide) research missile
• Aerophysics Development HTV: hypersonic test vehicle

Additionally, the Air Force launched numerous research missiles and sounding rockets. These include, but are not limited to:

• Aerojet Aerobee-Hi (Aerobee-150): high-altitude research rocket (one version was designated XRM-84)
• Aerojet Astrobee series: high-altitude research rockets
• Jaguar: air-launched sounding rocket
• Aerolab Jason (Argo E-5): 5-stage sounding rocket
• Aerolab Javelin (Argo D-4): 4-stage upper atmospheric research missile
• Nike boosters with various upper stages (e.g. Nike-Apache)

New System in 1961

In late 1961, a new designation system for missiles, rockets, and spacecraft was devised by the U.S. Air Force. However, none of the existing missiles were redesignated, and because the introduction of the Joint Designation System of 1963 was imminent, the 1955 system was - to all intents and purposes - used until 1963. For details and notes about the 1961 system, see section 5.

3 Drones

3.1 Navy, 1942 - 1946

In 1942, the Navy introduced the TD designation for target drones into its aircraft designation system.

Designation List:

3.2 Navy, 1946 - 1963

In March 1946, the Navy included missiles and drones in its aircraft designation scheme and introduced the K class with the type designation KD for drones. Most existing TD drones were redesignated. Drone conversions of manned aircraft received normal aircraft designations with a K suffix. The latter designations are not listed below. A single TD drone was redesignated in the short-lived U (for "Unmanned") category.

Designation List:

3.3 Army Air Force, 1940 - 1947

In 1940, the Army Air Force introduced an "A for Aerial Targets" category in its aircraft designation scheme. This evidently duplicated the "A for Attack" category and was replaced in June 1941 by the following categories, with existing "A" models being redesignated:

• OQ - Model Airplane Target
• PQ - Full-Scale Target (with provision for pilot)

When the Air Force became a separate organization, the OQ and PQ categories were discontinued and replaced by the Q category.

Designation List:

Notes:

3.4 Air Force, 1947 - 1963

The Air Force introduced the Q category for drones in 1947. Existing PQ models were redesignated. While no new OQ-numbers were assigned, existing OQ drones retained their designations.

Designation List:

Notes:

4 Other Vehicles

4.1 Rockets

Prior to 1963, there was no formal designation system for unguided rockets. The rockets were usually designated like other ordnance. Rockets of the 1947-1963 time frame include:

4.2 Space Launch Vehicles

From 1962 to the late 1970's / early 1980's (I don't know the exact time frame), the Air Force assigned SLV ("Standard Launch Vehicle") designations to its launch rockets.

Notes:

5 Interim USAF System for Missiles, Rockets, and Spacecraft, 1961

According to source [15], the U.S. Air Force revised and extended its missile designation system in late 1961. The new system was to include all kinds of unmanned aerospace vehicles, including satellites and spacecraft. The following designation letters are listed:

Vehicle Type:

• G - Booster
• J - Spacecraft
• M - Missile
• P - Probe
• R - Rocket
• S - Satellite

Missile Launching Method:

• A - Aircraft
• C - Coffin
• G - Ground Vehicle
• H - Silo
• M - Multiple
• P - Soft Pad
• R - Railroad Car
• S - Space

Mission:

• B - Communications
• C - Cargo and Logistic Supply
• E - Early Warning
• I - Intercept
• K - Tanker
• N - Test
• P - Propulsion
• Q - Target
• R - Reconnaissance
• S - Strategic
• W - Weather
• X - Research

The author does not mention, in which sequence the letters were supposed to be used (although Launch Method-Mission-Vehicle Type seems reasonable), or what numbering scheme was intended (e.g. one global sequence, or one per vehicle type). The system combines elements from the 1955 USAF System and the forthcoming Joint Designation System of 1963. It is interesting to note, that this system already included designators for space vehicles of all kind, something which wasn't included in today's system until 1990.

Because this designation system was effective only for a very short period of time, it has remained essentially unknown. I don't know any designations which were definitely issued under this system, but I have a few designators, which just might make some sense with the 1961 system in mind:

• AIM-101: This designation was allocated to the Sparrow missile by the Air Force, before the redesignation to AIM-7D in 1963. Apparently this was an application (possibly the only unclassified one!) of the 1961 system.
• XJN-1: This designation was originally proposed for the Dynasoar vehicle, but was rejected in favour of X-20. Up to now, the XJN designator was a complete mystery to me, but with the 1961 system, the three letters (Research, Spacecraft, Test) seem actually applicable to the Dynasoar (although the sequence looks strange with today's system in mind, where the vehicle type comes last).

6 Sources

In no particular order:

[1] John M. Andrade: "U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials 1909-1979", Midland, 1979
[2] Bill Gunston: "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rockets and Missiles", Salamander Books Ltd, 1979
[3] Jacob Neufeld: "Ballistic Missiles in the United States Air Force, 1945-1960", Office of Air Force History, 1990
[4] James C. Fahey: "The Ships and Aircraft of the US Fleet", 6th, 7th and 8th ed., U.S. Naval Institute, 1955, 1958, 1965
[5] James C. Fahey: "United States Air Force and United States Army Aircraft 1947-1956"
[6] Jay Miller: "The X-Planes X-1 to X-45", Midland Publishing, 2001
[7] Monographs about Army missile programs
[8] Mark Wade: "Encyclopedia Astronautica"
[9] Roy A. Grossnick: "United States Naval Aviation 1910-1995", Naval Historical Center, 1997
[10] Kenneth P.Werrell: "The Evolution of the Cruise Missile", Air University Press, 1985
[11] US Army Air Forces: "Army Aircraft Model Designations", 1946
[12] US Navy: "Model Designations of Naval Aircraft", 1947 and 1950
[13] Norman Friedman: "US Naval Weapons", Conway Maritime Press, 1983
[14] Norman J. Bowman: "The Handbook of Rockets and Guided Missiles", Perastadion Press, 1963
[15] BuAer Instruction 05030.4A: "Model Designation of Naval Aircraft, KD Targets, and BuAer Guided Missiles", Dept. of the Navy, 1958
[16] Department of Defense Missile Nomenclature Records