The Rotary-winged military aircraft of the United States include a variety of types, designated primarily in two seperate numbering sequences.
In 1962 when the Unified Designation System was adopted, six former Navy and Army types received new designations in the H-1 to H-6 series, which can be found here. However, the original sequence was also continued, and remains in use to the present, with the next designation available being H-73.
Sequence | Name | Manufacturer | Image | First flight | Notes/Notable variants |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
R-1 | Platt-Lepage Aircraft |
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12 May 1941 | ||
R-2 | Kellett Autogiro | Modified from YG-1C. | |||
R-3 | Kellett Autogiro |
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Modified from YG-1B. | ||
R-4 | "Hoverfly" | Sikorsky Aircraft |
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13 January 1942 | |
R-5/H-5 | "Dragonfly" | Sikorsky Aircraft |
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18 August 1943 | Redesignated H-5 in 1948. |
R-6 | "Hoverfly II" | Sikorsky Aircraft |
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15 October 1943 | Redesignated H-6 in 1948. |
R-7 | Sikorsky Aircraft | - | Not built. | ||
R-8 | Kellett Autogiro |
|
7 August 1944 | Redesignated H-8 in 1948. | |
R-9 | Firestone Aircraft |
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1946 | Redesignated H-9 in 1948. | |
R-10 | Kellett Autogiro |
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24 April 1947 | Redesignated H-10 in 1948. | |
R-11 | Rotorcraft Corporation |
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1947 | Redesignated H-11 in 1948. | |
R-12 | Bell Helicopter |
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1947 | Redesignated H-12 in 1948. | |
H-12 | Bell Helicopter |
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1947 | Redesignated H-12 in 1948. | |
R-13 | Sioux | Bell Helicopter |
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8 December 1945 | Redesignated H-13 in 1948. Some variants formerly HTL, HUL. |
H-13 Sioux | Sioux | Bell Helicopter |
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8 December 1945 | Redesignated H-13 in 1948. Some variants formerly HTL, HUL. |
R-14 | Firestone Aircraft | - | Not built. | ||
R-15 | Bell Helicopter | 1948 | Redesignated H-15 in 1948. | ||
H-15 | Bell Helicopter | 1948 | Redesignated H-15 in 1948. | ||
R-16 | Transporter | Piasecki Helicopter |
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23 October 1953 | Redesignated H-16 in 1948. H-16A formerly H-27. |
H-16 | Transporter | Piasecki Helicopter |
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23 October 1953 | Redesignated H-16 in 1948. H-16A formerly H-27. |
R-17 | "Flying Crane" | Hughes Helicopters |
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23 October 1952 | Redesignated H-17 in 1948. |
H-17 | "Flying Crane" | Hughes Helicopters |
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23 October 1952 | Redesignated H-17 in 1948. |
H-18 | Sikorsky Aircraft |
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12 February 1947 (S-52) |
||
H-19 | Chickasaw | Sikorsky Aircraft |
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10 November 1949 | Some variants formerly HRS, HO4S. |
H-20 Little Henry | Little Henry | McDonnell Aircraft |
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29 August 1947 | |
H-21 | Shawnee Workhorse "Flying Banana" |
Piasecki Helicopter |
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April 1952 | |
H-22 | Kaman Aircraft |
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July 1949 (K-225) |
||
H-23 Raven | Raven | Hiller Helicopters |
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1948 (Model 360) |
|
H-24 | Sky Hawk | Seibel Helicopter |
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April 1951 | |
H-25 | Army Mule | Piasecki Helicopter |
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March 1948 | Some variants formerly HUP. |
H-26 Jet Jeep | Jet Jeep | American Helicopter |
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January 1952 | |
H-27 | Transporter | Piasecki Helicopter | - | Redesignated as H-16A. | |
H-28 | Hughes Helicopters | - | Not built. | ||
H-29 | McDonnell Aircraft | - | Not built. | ||
H-30 | McCulloch Aircraft |
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March 1951 (MC-4) |
||
H-31 | Doman Helicopters |
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27 April 1953 | ||
H-32 Hornet | Hornet | Hiller Helicopters |
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1950 | YH-32A Serial No. 55-4965 is believed to be the world's first helicopter gunship. [1] |
H-33 | Bell Helicopter | - | Redesignated as V-3. | ||
H-34 | Choctaw Seabat Seahorse |
Sikorsky Aircraft |
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8 March 1954 | Some variants formerly HUS, HSS-1. |
H-35 | McDonnell Aircraft | - | Redesignated as V-1. | ||
H-36 | Skipped | Possibly assigned to
V-2. Possibly assigned to Project LONG EARS. | |||
H-37 Mojave | Mojave | Sikorsky Aircraft |
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1953 | H-37C formerly HR2S. |
H-38 | Skipped | Possibly assigned to Project SHORT TAIL. | |||
H-39 | Sikorsky Aircraft | 1954 | Modified from H-18. | ||
H-40 | Bell Helicopter |
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20 October 1956 | Produced as H-1. | |
H-41 Seneca | Seneca | Cessna |
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1953 (CH-1) |
|
H-43 Huskie | Huskie | Kaman Aircraft |
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1953 | Some variants formerly HOK, HTK, HUK. |
H-44 | Skipped | Possibly assigned to Project BIG TOM. | |||
H-45 | Skipped | Possibly assigned to Project STEP CHILD. | |||
H-46 Sea Knight | Sea Knight | Boeing Vertol |
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August 1962 | Formerly HRB-1. UH-46B formerly H-49. H-46C formerly HC-1A. |
H-47 Chinook | Chinook | Boeing Vertol |
|
August 1962 | Formerly HC-1B. |
H-50 DASH | DASH | Gyrodyne |
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1959 | Formerly DSN. |
H-51 | Lockheed Corporation | 100px | 2 November 1962 | ||
H-52 | Seaguard | Sikorsky Aircraft |
|
1959 (S-62) |
Formerly HU2S. |
H-53 Sea Stallion | Sea Stallion "Super Jolly Green Giant" Pave Low Super Stallion Sea Dragon |
Sikorsky Aircraft |
![]() ![]() |
14 October 1964 (YCH-53A) 1 March 1974 (YCH-53E) |
[2] MH-53 Pave Low CH-53E Super Stallion CH-53K Super Stallion |
H-54 Tarhe | Tarhe | Sikorsky Aircraft |
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9 May 1962 | |
H-55 Osage | Osage | Hughes Helicopters |
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2 October 1956 Model 269 |
|
H-56 Cheyenne | Cheyenne | Lockheed Corporation |
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21 September 1967 | |
H-57 | Sea Ranger | Bell Helicopter |
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10 January 1966 (Model 206A) |
|
H-58 Kiowa | Kiowa Kiowa Warrior |
Bell Helicopter |
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10 January 1966 (Model 206A) 6 October 1983 (OH-58D) |
|
H-59 | Sikorsky Aircraft |
![]() |
26 July 1973 | ||
H-60 Black Hawk | Black Hawk Seahawk Jayhawk Pave Hawk Nighthawk Oceanhawk Rescue Hawk "Whitehawk" "Knighthawk" DAP |
Sikorsky Aircraft |
![]() ![]() |
26 July 1973 |
SH-60 Seahawk HH-60 Pave Hawk HH-60 Jayhawk |
H-61 | Boeing Vertol |
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November 1974 | ||
H-62 | Boeing Vertol |
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- | Never flown. | |
H-63 KingCobra | Bell Helicopter |
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1 October 1975 | ||
H-64 Apache | Apache Apache Longbow |
Hughes Helicopters McDonnell Douglas Boeing Helicopters |
![]() |
30 September 1975 | |
H-65 Dolphin | Dolphin |
Aérospatiale Eurocopter |
|
1980 | |
H-66 Commanche | Comanche | Boeing Helicopters Sikorsky Aircraft |
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4 January 1996 | |
H-67 Creek | Creek | Bell Helicopter |
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1993 | |
H-68 | Stingray | AgustaWestland |
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2000 |
[2] Leased 2000-2008 |
H-69 | Skipped | ||||
H-70 | "Arapaho" | Bell Helicopter |
![]() |
20 July 2006 | [2] |
H-71 Kestrel | Kestrel | AgustaWestland Lockheed Martin Bell Helicopter |
![]() |
3 July 2007 | [2] |
H-72 Lakota | Lakota | Eurocopter |
![]() |
19 June 1999 (EC145) |
[2] |
The Rotary-winged military aircraft of the United States include a variety of types, designated primarily in two seperate numbering sequences.
In 1962 when the Unified Designation System was adopted, six former Navy and Army types received new designations in the H-1 to H-6 series, which can be found here. However, the original sequence was also continued, and remains in use to the present, with the next designation available being H-73.
Sequence | Name | Manufacturer | Image | First flight | Notes/Notable variants |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
R-1 | Platt-Lepage Aircraft |
![]() |
12 May 1941 | ||
R-2 | Kellett Autogiro | Modified from YG-1C. | |||
R-3 | Kellett Autogiro |
![]() |
Modified from YG-1B. | ||
R-4 | "Hoverfly" | Sikorsky Aircraft |
![]() |
13 January 1942 | |
R-5/H-5 | "Dragonfly" | Sikorsky Aircraft |
![]() |
18 August 1943 | Redesignated H-5 in 1948. |
R-6 | "Hoverfly II" | Sikorsky Aircraft |
![]() |
15 October 1943 | Redesignated H-6 in 1948. |
R-7 | Sikorsky Aircraft | - | Not built. | ||
R-8 | Kellett Autogiro |
|
7 August 1944 | Redesignated H-8 in 1948. | |
R-9 | Firestone Aircraft |
![]() |
1946 | Redesignated H-9 in 1948. | |
R-10 | Kellett Autogiro |
![]() |
24 April 1947 | Redesignated H-10 in 1948. | |
R-11 | Rotorcraft Corporation |
![]() |
1947 | Redesignated H-11 in 1948. | |
R-12 | Bell Helicopter |
![]() |
1947 | Redesignated H-12 in 1948. | |
H-12 | Bell Helicopter |
![]() |
1947 | Redesignated H-12 in 1948. | |
R-13 | Sioux | Bell Helicopter |
![]() |
8 December 1945 | Redesignated H-13 in 1948. Some variants formerly HTL, HUL. |
H-13 Sioux | Sioux | Bell Helicopter |
![]() |
8 December 1945 | Redesignated H-13 in 1948. Some variants formerly HTL, HUL. |
R-14 | Firestone Aircraft | - | Not built. | ||
R-15 | Bell Helicopter | 1948 | Redesignated H-15 in 1948. | ||
H-15 | Bell Helicopter | 1948 | Redesignated H-15 in 1948. | ||
R-16 | Transporter | Piasecki Helicopter |
![]() |
23 October 1953 | Redesignated H-16 in 1948. H-16A formerly H-27. |
H-16 | Transporter | Piasecki Helicopter |
![]() |
23 October 1953 | Redesignated H-16 in 1948. H-16A formerly H-27. |
R-17 | "Flying Crane" | Hughes Helicopters |
![]() |
23 October 1952 | Redesignated H-17 in 1948. |
H-17 | "Flying Crane" | Hughes Helicopters |
![]() |
23 October 1952 | Redesignated H-17 in 1948. |
H-18 | Sikorsky Aircraft |
![]() |
12 February 1947 (S-52) |
||
H-19 | Chickasaw | Sikorsky Aircraft |
![]() |
10 November 1949 | Some variants formerly HRS, HO4S. |
H-20 Little Henry | Little Henry | McDonnell Aircraft |
![]() |
29 August 1947 | |
H-21 | Shawnee Workhorse "Flying Banana" |
Piasecki Helicopter |
![]() |
April 1952 | |
H-22 | Kaman Aircraft |
![]() |
July 1949 (K-225) |
||
H-23 Raven | Raven | Hiller Helicopters |
![]() |
1948 (Model 360) |
|
H-24 | Sky Hawk | Seibel Helicopter |
![]() |
April 1951 | |
H-25 | Army Mule | Piasecki Helicopter |
![]() |
March 1948 | Some variants formerly HUP. |
H-26 Jet Jeep | Jet Jeep | American Helicopter |
![]() |
January 1952 | |
H-27 | Transporter | Piasecki Helicopter | - | Redesignated as H-16A. | |
H-28 | Hughes Helicopters | - | Not built. | ||
H-29 | McDonnell Aircraft | - | Not built. | ||
H-30 | McCulloch Aircraft |
![]() |
March 1951 (MC-4) |
||
H-31 | Doman Helicopters |
![]() |
27 April 1953 | ||
H-32 Hornet | Hornet | Hiller Helicopters |
![]() |
1950 | YH-32A Serial No. 55-4965 is believed to be the world's first helicopter gunship. [1] |
H-33 | Bell Helicopter | - | Redesignated as V-3. | ||
H-34 | Choctaw Seabat Seahorse |
Sikorsky Aircraft |
![]() |
8 March 1954 | Some variants formerly HUS, HSS-1. |
H-35 | McDonnell Aircraft | - | Redesignated as V-1. | ||
H-36 | Skipped | Possibly assigned to
V-2. Possibly assigned to Project LONG EARS. | |||
H-37 Mojave | Mojave | Sikorsky Aircraft |
![]() |
1953 | H-37C formerly HR2S. |
H-38 | Skipped | Possibly assigned to Project SHORT TAIL. | |||
H-39 | Sikorsky Aircraft | 1954 | Modified from H-18. | ||
H-40 | Bell Helicopter |
![]() |
20 October 1956 | Produced as H-1. | |
H-41 Seneca | Seneca | Cessna |
![]() |
1953 (CH-1) |
|
H-43 Huskie | Huskie | Kaman Aircraft |
![]() |
1953 | Some variants formerly HOK, HTK, HUK. |
H-44 | Skipped | Possibly assigned to Project BIG TOM. | |||
H-45 | Skipped | Possibly assigned to Project STEP CHILD. | |||
H-46 Sea Knight | Sea Knight | Boeing Vertol |
![]() |
August 1962 | Formerly HRB-1. UH-46B formerly H-49. H-46C formerly HC-1A. |
H-47 Chinook | Chinook | Boeing Vertol |
|
August 1962 | Formerly HC-1B. |
H-50 DASH | DASH | Gyrodyne |
![]() |
1959 | Formerly DSN. |
H-51 | Lockheed Corporation | 100px | 2 November 1962 | ||
H-52 | Seaguard | Sikorsky Aircraft |
|
1959 (S-62) |
Formerly HU2S. |
H-53 Sea Stallion | Sea Stallion "Super Jolly Green Giant" Pave Low Super Stallion Sea Dragon |
Sikorsky Aircraft |
![]() ![]() |
14 October 1964 (YCH-53A) 1 March 1974 (YCH-53E) |
[2] MH-53 Pave Low CH-53E Super Stallion CH-53K Super Stallion |
H-54 Tarhe | Tarhe | Sikorsky Aircraft |
![]() |
9 May 1962 | |
H-55 Osage | Osage | Hughes Helicopters |
![]() |
2 October 1956 Model 269 |
|
H-56 Cheyenne | Cheyenne | Lockheed Corporation |
![]() |
21 September 1967 | |
H-57 | Sea Ranger | Bell Helicopter |
![]() |
10 January 1966 (Model 206A) |
|
H-58 Kiowa | Kiowa Kiowa Warrior |
Bell Helicopter |
![]() |
10 January 1966 (Model 206A) 6 October 1983 (OH-58D) |
|
H-59 | Sikorsky Aircraft |
![]() |
26 July 1973 | ||
H-60 Black Hawk | Black Hawk Seahawk Jayhawk Pave Hawk Nighthawk Oceanhawk Rescue Hawk "Whitehawk" "Knighthawk" DAP |
Sikorsky Aircraft |
![]() ![]() |
26 July 1973 |
SH-60 Seahawk HH-60 Pave Hawk HH-60 Jayhawk |
H-61 | Boeing Vertol |
![]() |
November 1974 | ||
H-62 | Boeing Vertol |
![]() |
- | Never flown. | |
H-63 KingCobra | Bell Helicopter |
![]() |
1 October 1975 | ||
H-64 Apache | Apache Apache Longbow |
Hughes Helicopters McDonnell Douglas Boeing Helicopters |
![]() |
30 September 1975 | |
H-65 Dolphin | Dolphin |
Aérospatiale Eurocopter |
|
1980 | |
H-66 Commanche | Comanche | Boeing Helicopters Sikorsky Aircraft |
![]() |
4 January 1996 | |
H-67 Creek | Creek | Bell Helicopter |
![]() |
1993 | |
H-68 | Stingray | AgustaWestland |
![]() |
2000 |
[2] Leased 2000-2008 |
H-69 | Skipped | ||||
H-70 | "Arapaho" | Bell Helicopter |
![]() |
20 July 2006 | [2] |
H-71 Kestrel | Kestrel | AgustaWestland Lockheed Martin Bell Helicopter |
![]() |
3 July 2007 | [2] |
H-72 Lakota | Lakota | Eurocopter |
![]() |
19 June 1999 (EC145) |
[2] |