How Do You Understand US Military Aircraft Designations?
Understand what the MDS designation tells you about the vehicle. The system consists of six different designations which identify: • the type of aircraft • the basic mission of the aircraft • the modified mission of the aircraft • the design number • the series letter • the status prefix • Become familiar with the format. The order in which this designation is presented is actually (6)(3)(2)(1) – (4)(5). • Read from the hyphen out to the left. Then read everything after the hyphen, to the right. • Check the type of aircraft. If it is anything other than an airplane (e.g. heavier than air, atmospheric craft) you will see one of the following symbols immediately to the left of the hyphen. Otherwise, skip to the next step. • D – UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) Control Segment; these are not the actual UAVs, but rather the manned aircraft controlling and, “D,” for Directing them) • G – Glider (including motorgliders used for unpowered flight; fixed wing; use air currents for normal lift; may
