has a multipurpose role. The first letter(s) identify its mission. A number after the hyphen specifies the design number of the aircraft. A letter other than A (A being the original design) after the design number shows a change in the original design. For example, in F/A-18E, the F means fighter and A means attack aircraft. Its design number is 18, and it has been modified four times, represented by the E (fifth letter of the alphabet). Another example is the A-6A. When it is modified to perform early-warning missions, it then becomes the EA-6B   Prowler   because of the special electronic installation required for such missions. If both the special-use letter and the modified mission letter apply to the same aircraft, the special-use letter comes first. For example, YEP-3E refers to a prototype (Y), early warning (E), patrol aircraft (P), design number 3, and the design has been modified four times. Table 2-1 gives the basic mission, design number, manufacturer, and popular name of most naval aircraft. 2-18 BASIC MISSION AND DESIGN NUMBER CONTRACTOR/ MANUFACTURER POPULAR NAME AV-8 McDonnell-Douglas Harrier C-2 Grumman Greyhound C-9 McDonnell-Douglas Skytrain II C-12 Beechcraft Kingair C-20 Gulfstream-Aerospace Gulfstream C-130 Lockheed Hercules E-2 Grumman Hawkeye E-6 Boeing Mercury EA-6 Grumman Prowler F-14 Grumman Tomcat F/A-18 McDonnell-Douglas Hornet P-3 Lockheed Orion S-3 Lockheed Viking T-2 North American Buckeye T-34 Beech Mentor T-45 McDonnell-Douglas Goshawk OV-10 North American Bronco HH-1 Bell Iroquois/Huey AH-1 Bell Corbra SH-2 Kaman Seasprite SH-3 Sikorsky Sea King CH-46 Boeing-Vertol Sea Knight H-57 Bell Jet Ranger SH-60 Sikorsky Sea Hawk RH-53 Sikorsky Sea Stallion V-22 Bell-Boeing Osprey Table 2-1.—Naval Aircraft Identification, Manufacturers and Names