What do the numbers on fighter jets mean?

At present, all US military aircraft follow the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system. The first letter (‘F’ or ‘B’) denotes the mission of the aircraft, while the number denotes the design number. The designation system produces a Mission-Design-Series (MDS) designation.

How are military aircraft numbered?

They get the number by the numerical order of the design after they started the new numbering system(with a couple exceptions). So the F-16 was the 16th fighter design to receive a designation. It came after the F-15 and competed against the YF-17.

Do military planes have n numbers?

In the United States, all military aircraft display a serial number to identify individual aircraft. These numbers are located on the aircraft tail, so they are sometimes referred to unofficially as “tail numbers”. Individual agencies have each evolved their own system of serial number identification.

What does the roundel on a military aircraft mean?

Of course, that is not true. However, the roundel – a circular design derived from medieval heraldry – is the standard way of telling your friends and enemies the nationality of your military aircraft.

What did the East German Air Force aircraft look like?

During this modernization period East German Air Force aircraft always looked quite resplendent to me, with their earthy camouflage colour schemes, bright red numbers and high-viz roundels.

Is the British roundel a fan of the German Cross?

Not a fan. The origins of the British roundel are based on a similar desire to avoid confusion; British aircraft originally carried the Union Flag, which at a distance could be confused with Germany’s cross design. I have to mark this one down for originality though.

What is the history of the roundel?

At the start of World War I, the Royal Flying Corps commander Brigadier-General Sir David Henderson was considering how he could mark his aircraft to avoid friendly forces shooting them down. On attending a concert by the rock band ‘The Who’ he was impressed by the ‘roundel’ design worn by the band and some of its Mod fans.