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The United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Air Force and its predecessors, and United States Coast Guard operated aircraft when specific alphanumerical designation systems were not in use; these aircraft were referred to by their manufacturers' designations. There were also aircraft in service later that did not receive designations for other reasons, such as foreign military aircraft used for testing or special operations, and civil aircraft purchased off-the-shelf or impressed into service.
For aircraft of the Air Force and its preceding Army air services after the introduction of the 1919 United States Army Air Service aircraft designation system, see the list of United States Air Force aircraft designations (1919–1962). For Navy and Marine Corps aircraft that received designations from 1911–1917 and post–1922 United States Navy aircraft designation system, see the list of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962). For the Army designation system used from 1956 to 1962, after the creation of the Air Force, see 1956 United States Army aircraft designation system. For all United States military aircraft after the implementation of the unified 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system, see list of United States Tri-Service aircraft designations.