Brazilian Military Aircraft Designations

Copyright © 2001-2005 Andreas Parsch

1 Brazilian Aircraft Designation Systems

2 Designation Listing

3 Sources

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)
  • H - Helicóptero (Helicopter)
  • 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).

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-1 (AMX) and A-1B (AMX-T)

H-1

Bell

UH-1 Iroquois; variants include SH-1D and UH-1D

TZ-3

Fournier

RF.5

U-3

Pilatus

P.3; originally designated L-3 and O-3

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 Tiger II

H-5

Fairchild-Hiller

FH-1100

O-6

Neiva

Model 56B Paulistinha; originally designated L-6

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; 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

BT-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-16E (S-2E) and P-16H (Turbo Tracker)

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)

B-18

Douglas

B-18 Bolo

H-19

Sikorsky

UH-19D

T-19

Fairchild

PT-19

U-19

Embraer

EMB-201R Ipanema

B-20

Douglas

A-20 Havoc; various models, including A-20K

Z-20

Schleicher

ASW-20

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

Fouga/Potez

CM.170-2 Magister

B-25

North American

B-25B/C/J Mitchell; a few later converted to CB-25

T-25

Neiva

N.621 Universal

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 and AT-27

T-28

North American

T-28A Trojan

A-29

Embraer

ALX; derivative of EMB-314 Super Tucano; variants include A-29 and AT-29

CH-33

Eurocopter (Aérospatiale)

SA-330L Puma

T-33

Lockheed

T-33; variants include T-33 (T-33A) and TF-33A (AT-33A)

CH-34

Eurocopter (Aérospatiale)

AS-332M Super Puma/Cougar; naval version is UH-14

A-35

Vultee

A-35B Vengeance

C-35

Learjet

Learjet 35A; variants include C-35, R-35A and VU-35

T-37

Cessna

T-37C

U-37

Cessna

Model 185

P-36

Curtiss

P-36A Hawk

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 Regente; originally designated C-42 and L-42

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-47D Thunderbolt

UH-50

Helibrás

HB-350B Esquilo; license-built Aérospatiale AS-350B Ecureuil; naval version is UH-12

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

C-60

Lockheed

Model 18 Lodestar; also C-66; some later redesignated as VC-60

C-61

Fairchild

UC-61A

C-64

Noorduyn

UC-64A Norseman

C-66

Lockheed

Model 18 Lodestar; also C-60

VC-66

Lockheed

Model 10A Electra

F-80

Lockheed

F-80C Shooting Star

C-82

Fairchild

C-82A Packet

C-87

Convair

Liberator Transport

C-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) and XU-93

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 208A Caravan

R-99

Embraer

EMB-145; variants include R-99A (EMB-145SA) and R-99B (EMB-145RS)

F-103

Dassault

Mirage IIIBR; variants include F-103D (IIIDBR) and F-103E (IIIEBR)

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) and KC-130H (L.382C-47D)

KC-137

Boeing

Model 707-320B

C-295

CASA/EADS

Model 295

Força Aeronaval da Marinha do Brasil (Navy)

Designation

Manufacturer

Model; Remarks

AF-1

McDonnell-Douglas

A-4 Skyhawk; variants include AF-1 (A-4KU) and AF-1A (TA-4KU)

IH-1

Bell

Model 47; variants include IH-1 (47D1) and IH-1A (47G)

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

AH-11

Westland

Lynx Mk.21; variants include SAH-11 (Mk.21) and AH-11A (Mk.21A Super 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

H-34

Sikorsky

SH-34J

Exército Brasileiro (Army)

Designation

Manufacturer

Model; Remarks

HA-1

Helibrás

HB-350L1 Fennec; license-built Aérospatiale AS-350L Fennec

HM-1

Helibrás

HB-565 Pantera; license-built Eurocopter (Aérospatiale) AS-565 Panther

HM-2

Sikorsky

S-70A Blackhawk

HM-3

Eurocopter

AS-532M1 Cougar

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 F-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-3 Corsair

O2V

Vought

V-66B

P1M

Martin

PM

P1S

Savoia-Marchetti

S-55A

V1NA

North American

NA-46

3 Sources

[1] John M. Andrade: "Latin American Military Aviation", 1982
[2] "Aviação Militar Brasileira" Website (formerly at http://www.aviacao.militar.nom.br/, but now extinct!)
[3] Frank Noort: Scramble on the Web
[4] Lotnictwo morskie Brazylii




Comments and corrections to: Andreas Parsch

 

Back to Non-U.S. Military Aircraft and Missile Designations home page



Last Updated: 1 June 2005