| Mission | Description | Period | Service |
|---|
| | Undesignated Aircraft | | Various US Military |
| | Undesignated Aircraft | 1909-1919 | Various US Military |
| A | Ambulance | 1919-1924 | U.S. Air Force |
| A | Ambulance | 1943-1943 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| A | Amphibian | 1948-1962 | U.S. Air Force |
| | Search and Rescue | | |
| A | Attack | 1926-1947 | U.S. Air Force |
| | Reconnaissance | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| A | Attack | 1946-1962 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | All weather operation | | |
| | Anti-submarine | | |
| | Drone director | | |
| | Early warning | | |
| | Electronic countermeasures | | |
| | Night fighter | | |
| | Night fighter modified for cold weather | | |
| | Night fighter modified for day attack | | |
| | Photographic reconnaissance/Survey | | |
| | Special armament | | |
| | Special electronic installation | | |
| | Special search | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| | Utility | | |
| | Winterized | | |
| A | Attack | 1962- | U.S. Tri-Service |
| | Observation | | |
| | Reconnaissance | | |
| | Special electronic installation | | |
| | Staff Transport | | |
| | Tanker | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| | Utility | | |
| AC | Airplane, Cargo | 1956-1962 | U.S. Air Force |
| AERO | Aerobatic aircraft | | Various US Military |
| AG | Assault Glider | 1942-1944 | U.S. Air Force |
| AO | Airplane, Observation | 1956-1962 | U.S. Air Force |
| AT | Advanced Trainer | 1924-1948 | U.S. Air Force |
| B | Bomber | 1924- | U.S. Air Force |
| | Drone director | | |
| | Radio controlled drone | | |
| | Reconnaissance | | |
| | Special electronic installation | | |
| | Staff transport | | |
| | Tanker | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| | Transport | | |
| | Utility | | |
| | Weather reconnaissance | | |
| B | Bomber | 1941-1943 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| B | Bomber | 1962- | U.S. Tri-Service |
| BC | Basic Combat | 1936-1940 | U.S. Air Force |
| BF | Bomber-Fighter | 1934-1937 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| BQ | Bomb, Guided | 1942-1945 | U.S. Air Force |
| BT | Basic Trainer | 1930-1947 | U.S. Air Force |
| | Instrument Trainer | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| BT | Bomber-Torpedo | 1942-1945 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| C | Transport | 1925-1962 | U.S. Air Force |
| | Anti-submarine | | |
| | Drone director | | |
| | Liaison | | |
| | Medical evacuation | | |
| | Missile launch capacity | | |
| | Multi-mission | | |
| | Radio controlled drone | | |
| | Reconnaissance | | |
| | Search and Rescue | | |
| | Special electronic installation | | |
| | Staff transport | | |
| | Tactical support | | |
| | Tanker | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| | Utility | | |
| | Weather reconnaissance | | |
| | Winterized | | |
| C | Transport | 1962- | U.S. Tri-Service |
| | Reconnaissance | | |
| | Special electronic installation | | |
| | Staff Transport | | |
| | Staff transport | | |
| | Tanker | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| | Utility | | |
| CG | Transport Glider | 1941-1947 | U.S. Air Force |
| CO | Corps Observation | 1919-1924 | U.S. Air Force |
| COA | Corps Observation, Amphibian | 1919-1924 | U.S. Air Force |
| CQ | Target Control | 1942-1947 | U.S. Air Force |
| | Air Launched | | |
| DS | Drone, Anti-Submarine | 1959-1962 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| E | Electronics | 1962- | U.S. Tri-Service |
| | Reconnaissance | | |
| | Tanker | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| F | Fighter | | U.S. Air Force |
| F | Fighter | 1922-1962 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | All weather operation | | |
| | Anti-submarine | | |
| | British (Lend-Lease) version | | |
| | Cannon armament | | |
| | Drone conversion | | |
| | Drone director | | |
| | Drop tanks | | |
| | Electronic countermeasures | | |
| | Miscellaneous modifications | | |
| | Missile launch capacity | | |
| | Night fighter | | |
| | Photographic reconnaissance/Survey | | |
| | Radio-controlled drone | | |
| | Special armament | | |
| | Special electronic installation | | |
| | Special powerplant | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| | USAAF Contract | | |
| | Winterized | | |
| F | Fighter | 1948- | U.S. Air Force |
| | Bomber | | |
| | Drone director | | |
| | Radio controlled drone | | |
| | Reconnaissance | | |
| | Special electronic installation | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| F | Fighter | 1962- | U.S. Tri-Service |
| | Attack | | |
| | Drone | | |
| | Drone director | | |
| | Multi-mission | | |
| | Reconnaissance | | |
| | Special electronic installation | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| F | Photographic | 1930-1947 | U.S. Air Force |
| | Restricted | | |
| FG | Fuel Glider | 1944-1947 | U.S. Air Force |
| FM | Fighter, Multiplace | 1936-1941 | U.S. Air Force |
| G | Glider | 1948-1955 | U.S. Air Force |
| G | Glider | 1962- | U.S. Tri-Service |
| | Reconnaissance | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| G | Gyroplane (Autogiro) | 1935-1939 | U.S. Air Force |
| G | Tanker | 1958-1962 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | Utility | | |
| G | Transport, Single-Engined | 1939-1941 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| GLID | | | U.S. Air Force |
| | Air Launched | | |
| H | Helicopter | 1948- | U.S. Air Force |
| | Anti-submarine | | |
| | Multi-mission | | |
| | Observation | | |
| | Radio controlled drone | | |
| | Reconnaissance | | |
| | Search and Rescue | | |
| | Special electronic installation | | |
| | Staff transport | | |
| | Tactical support | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| | Transport | | |
| | Utility | | |
| | Winterized | | |
| H | Helicopter | 1962- | U.S. Tri-Service |
| | Anti-submarine | | |
| | Attack | | |
| | Fighter | | |
| | Multi-mission | | |
| | Observation | | |
| | Reconnaissance | | |
| | Search and Rescue | | |
| | Special electronic installation | | |
| | Staff Transport | | |
| | Staff transport | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| | Transport | | |
| | Utility | | |
| H | Hospital (Ambulance) | 1929-1942 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| HB | Heavy Bomber | 1925-1927 | U.S. Air Force |
| HC | Helicopter, Cargo | 1956-1962 | U.S. Air Force |
| HJ | Helicopter, Utility | 1944-1949 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| HN | Helicopter, Training | 1944-1948 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| HO | Helicopter, Observation | 1944-1962 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | Coast Guard version | | |
| HO | Helicopter, Observation | 1956-1962 | U.S. Air Force |
| HR | Helicopter, Transport | 1944-1962 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | Early warning | | |
| HS | Helicopter, Anti-Submarine | 1951-1962 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | All weather operation | | |
| | Coast Guard | | |
| | Special powerplant | | |
| | Staff transport | | |
| | Winterized | | |
| HT | Helicopter, Training | 1948-1962 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | Coast Guard version | | |
| | Drone conversion | | |
| HU | Helicopter, Utility | 1950-1962 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | Amphibious | | |
| | Anti-submarine | | |
| | Coast Guard version | | |
| | Missile launch capacity | | |
| | Staff transport | | |
| | Utility | | |
| | Winterized | | |
| HU | Helicopter, utility | 1956-1962 | U.S. Air Force |
| IM | Aerial Intercept Missile | | U.S. Tri-Service |
| J | General Utility | 1931-1955 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | Drone director | | |
| | Miscellaneous modifications | | |
| J | Transport | 1926-1931 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| JR | Utility Transport | 1935-1955 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | British (Lend-Lease) version | | |
| | Coast Guard version | | |
| | Miscellaneous modifications | | |
| KD | Target Drone | 1945-1962 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| L | Liaison | 1942-1962 | U.S. Air Force |
| | Radio controlled drone | | |
| | Reconnaissance | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| LB | Glider, Bomb-Carrying | 1941-1945 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| LB | Light Bomber | 1925-1932 | U.S. Air Force |
| LN | Glider, Training | 1941-1945 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| LR | Glider, Transport | 1941-1945 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| M | Messenger | 1919-1924 | U.S. Air Force |
| M | U.S.M.C. Expeditionary | 1922-1923 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| N | Trainer | 1922-1926 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | Armament added | | |
| | Miscellaneous modification | | |
| NBL | Night Bombardment, Long range | 1919-1924 | U.S. Air Force |
| NBS | Night Bombardment, Short range | 1919-1924 | U.S. Air Force |
| NO | Night Observation | 1919-1924 | U.S. Air Force |
| NX | Experimental/Research aircraft | | U.S. Air Force |
| O | Observation | 1922-1962 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | Arrester gear | | |
| O | Observation | 1924-1942 | U.S. Air Force |
| O | Observation | 1962- | U.S. Tri-Service |
| | Special electronic installation | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| OA | Observation, Amphibian | 1925-1947 | U.S. Air Force |
| OQ | Aerial Target, Flying Model | 1942-1947 | U.S. Air Force |
| OS | Observation Scout | 1935-1945 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| P | Patrol | 1923-1962 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | All weather operation | | |
| | Anti-submarine | | |
| | Coast Guard version | | |
| | Drone conversion | | |
| | Drone director | | |
| | Early warning | | |
| | Electronic countermeasures | | |
| | Miscellaneous modification | | |
| | Miscellaneous modifications | | |
| | Missile launch capacity | | |
| | Photographic reconnaissance/Survey | | |
| | Reinforced for catapulting/Carrier landing | | |
| | Special armament | | |
| | Special electronic installation | | |
| | Special powerplant | | |
| | Special search | | |
| | Staff transport | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| | Utility | | |
| | Winterized | | |
| P | Patrol | 1962- | U.S. Tri-Service |
| | Anti-submarine | | |
| | Attack | | |
| | Drone | | |
| | Drone director | | |
| | Multi-mission | | |
| | Observation | | |
| | Reconnaissance | | |
| | Special electronic installation | | |
| | Staff transport | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| | Utility | | |
| | Weather reconnaissance | | |
| | Winterized | | |
| P | Pursuit | 1923-1923 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| P | Pursuit | 1925-1947 | U.S. Air Force |
| | Photographic | | |
| | Restricted | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| PB | Patrol Bomber | 1935-1962 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | All weather operation | | |
| | Ambulance | | |
| | Amphibious | | |
| | Anti-submarine | | |
| | Armament added | | |
| | British (Lend-Lease) version | | |
| | Cannon armament | | |
| | Coast Guard version | | |
| | Equivalent to USAAF J | | |
| | Land-based | | |
| | Missile launch capacity | | |
| | Special RADAR | | |
| | Special armament | | |
| | Special electronic installation | | |
| | Transport | | |
| PION | Pioneer (Pre WW-I) | 1909-1919 | U.S. Air Force |
| PION | Pioneer (Pre WW-I) | 1909-1919 | U.S. Tri-Service |
| PQ | Aerial Target, Manned | 1942-1947 | U.S. Air Force |
| PT | Primary Trainer | 1925-1947 | U.S. Air Force |
| PTB | Patrol, Torpedo-Bomber | 1937-1937 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| PW | Pursuit, Watercooled | 1919-1924 | U.S. Air Force |
| Q | Aerial Target | 1948-1962 | U.S. Air Force |
| Q | Unmanned Aerial Vehicle | 1946-1955 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| Q | Unmanned Aerial Vehicle | 1962- | U.S. Tri-Service |
| | Multi-mission | | |
| | Reconnaissance | | |
| | Air Launched | | |
| | Drone | | |
| | Reconnaissance | | |
| R | Racer | 1919-1924 | U.S. Air Force |
| R | Racer | 1922-1928 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| R | Reconnaissance | 1962- | U.S. Tri-Service |
| | Trainer | | |
| R | Rotary Wing (Helicopter) | 1941-1947 | U.S. Air Force |
| R | Transport | 1931-1962 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | Anti-submarine | | |
| | Coast Guard version | | |
| | Electronic countermeasures | | |
| | Flagship conversion | | |
| | Miscellaneous modification | | |
| | Photographic reconnaissance/Survey | | |
| | Staff transport | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| | Winterized | | |
| RO | Rotorcycle | 1954-1959 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| S | Anti-Submarine | 1946-1962 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | Photographic reconnaissance/Survey | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| | Utility | | |
| S | Anti-Submarine | 1962- | U.S. Tri-Service |
| | Reconnaissance | | |
| | Special electronic installation | | |
| | Tanker | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| | Utility | | |
| S | Scout | 1922-1946 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | Miscellaneous modifications | | |
| S | Supersonic Research | 1946-1947 | U.S. Air Force |
| S-CA | Anti-Submarine (Canada) | 1946-1962 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| SB | Scout Bomber | 1934-1946 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | British (Lend-Lease) version | | |
| | Cannon armament | | |
| | Photographic reconnaissance/Survey | | |
| | Special electronic installation | | |
| | USAAF Contract | | |
| SN | Scout trainer | 1939-1948 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | Ambulance | | |
| | Electronic countermeasures | | |
| | Equivalent to USAAF C | | |
| | Photographic reconnaissance/Survey | | |
| | Reinforced for catapulting/Carrier landing | | |
| | Special armament | | |
| SO | Scout Observation | 1934-1946 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | Arrester gear | | |
| | Drone conversion | | |
| | Miscellaneous modification | | |
| T | Torpedo Bomber | 1922-1935 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| T | Trainer | 1948- | U.S. Air Force |
| | Calibration | | |
| | Drone director | | |
| | Liaison | | |
| | Radio controlled drone | | |
| | Reconnaissance | | |
| | Special electronic installation | | |
| | Staff transport | | |
| | Tactical support | | |
| | Transport | | |
| T | Trainer | 1948-1962 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | Drone director | | |
| | Electronic countermeasures | | |
| | Radio-controlled drone | | |
| T | Trainer | 1962- | U.S. Tri-Service |
| | Drone director | | |
| | Transport | | |
| T | Transport | 1927-1930 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| TB | Torpedo Bomber | 1935-1946 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | Amphibious | | |
| | Anti-submarine | | |
| | Cannon armament | | |
| | Electronic countermeasures | | |
| | Missile launch capacity | | |
| | Night fighter | | |
| | Photographic reconnaissance/Survey | | |
| | Searchlight equipped | | |
| | Special RADAR | | |
| | Special electronic installation | | |
| | Special search | | |
| | Special weather equipment | | |
| | Transport | | |
| | Utility | | |
| TD | Target Drone | 1942-1946 | U.S. Air Force |
| TD | Target Drone | 1942-1946 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| TG | Training Glider | | U.S. Air Force |
| TG | Training Glider | 1941-1947 | U.S. Air Force |
| TRAI | Trainer / Utility Transport (Single Engine) | | Various US Military |
| TS | Torpedo Scout | 1943-1943 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| TW | Training, Watercooled | 1919-1924 | U.S. Air Force |
| U | Utility | 1952 | U.S. Air Force |
| U | Utility | 1952- | U.S. Air Force |
| | Radio controlled drone | | |
| | Reconnaissance | | |
| | Search and Rescue | | |
| | Special electronic installation | | |
| | Tactical support | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| | Weather reconnaissance | | |
| | Winterized | | |
| U | Utility | 1955-1962 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | Coast Guard version | | |
| | Trainer | | |
| | Winterized | | |
| V | Convertiplane | 1952-1956 | U.S. Air Force |
| V | V/STOL | 1956- | U.S. Air Force |
| | Anti-submarine | | |
| | Fighter | | |
| | Multi-mission | | |
| | Observation | | |
| | Reconnaissance | | |
| | Search and Rescue | | |
| | Special electronic installation | | |
| | Tactical support | | |
| | Transport | | |
| | Utility | | |
| VZ | VTOL Research | 1956-1962 | U.S. Air Force |
| W | Airborne Early Warning | 1952-1962 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| | Electronic countermeasures | | |
| | Special electronic installation | | |
| X | | | U.S. Tri-Service |
| X | Research | 1948- | U.S. Air Force |
| ZMC | Airship, Metal Clad | 1922-1939 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| ZN | Airship, Training | 1941-1954 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| ZP | Airship, Patrol | 1941-1962 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
| ZS | Airship, Scout | 1941-1962 | U.S. Navy / Marines |
