| The Japanese Serial System |
On this page you can find an explanation of the several serial systems used within the Air Force, Navy and Army.
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| JASDF Serials |
The aircraft and helicopters of the Japanese Air Self Defence Force are wearing USAF style serial numbers on the tail of the aircraft and the last three digits on the nose. Despite the fact that they look similar to USAF serials the JASDF has it's own serial system.
The serials consist of six digits: Let's take the following example
Hiko Kyodotai F-15DJ 92-8068
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| The first digit |
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The first digit is the last digit of the year the aircraft was delivered, in case of the example serial: 1989
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| The second digit |
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The second digit is assigned to the aircraft type in this case 2 is for the Mitsubishi F-15 Eagle.
An overview of the aircraft types is given below
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| The third digit |
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The third digit is presenting the role of the aircraft. An overview of the aircraft types is given below
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| The last three digits |
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The last three digits are a sequence number starting with _01 for the first aircraft. These digits are carried on the nose of the aircraft as well.
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| Second digit types |
| Digit |
Aircraft |
| 1 |
T-3, T-400 |
| 2 |
F-15, U-125A, YS11 |
| 3 |
F-2, MU-2 |
| 4 |
E-767, E-2, KV107 |
| 5 |
C-130, T-1, U-4 |
| 6 |
UF-104, T-4 |
| 7 |
F-4, RF-4, CH-47 |
| 8 |
C-1, UH-60 |
| 9 |
T-2, U-125 |
| 0 |
F-1, Boeing 747 |
| Third digit roles |
| Digit |
Role |
| 1 |
Transport |
| 3 |
Miscellaneous |
| 4 |
Helicopters |
| 5 |
Training |
| 6 |
Tactical reconnaissance |
| 8 |
Tactical fighter |
| 0 |
Prototypes |
| JMSDF Serials |
The aircraft and helicopters of the JMSDF have four digit serial numbers on the tail and the last two digits on the nose. The first digit explains the role of the aircraft. Assigned digits can be found below.
Series start with __01 and follow-up in sequence.
JMSDF aircraft used to carry Japanese Kana-Characters on the aircrafts tail to identify its home base. This system is now almost discontinued.
Only the aircraft assigned to the Omura, Ominato and Komatsushima Kokutais as well as rescue helicopters still carry the Japanese Kana-characters to identify their respective homebases. Orion and YS11 units can be identified by the badges worn on the tail of the aircraft. Beside this, also the squadronnumber is carried on the tail. Other fixed wing aircraft only carry the squadronnumber on the tail.
The used Kana characters can be found in the JMSDF orbat.
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| JMSDF first digits |
| Digit |
Role |
| 2 |
ASW single engined |
| 4 |
ASW two-engined |
| 5 |
ASW four-engined |
| 6 |
Trainers |
| 7 |
Communications/trainers |
| 8 |
Helicopters |
| 9 |
Utility/transport/liaison |
| JGSDF Serials |
The helicopters and aircraft of the JGSDF have five digit serial numbers on the nose and the last four digits are presented on the tail preceded by the letters JG-. The first digit explains the role of the aircraft. Again, the assigned digits can be found below.
JGSDF units can be indentified by one or two letter codes applied on the aircraft in black. See the JGSDF OrBat for an overview of the squadron/code tie-ups.
Individual Hikotai's for the Homen Herikoputatai's and the Taisensha Herikoputatai's can be identified by means of lines on the wheelwells, rear fuselage or nose. Unfortunately details are not known with us.
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| JGSDF first digits |
| Digit |
Role |
| 1 |
Fixed wing liaison/observation |
| 2 |
Fixed wing miscellaneous |
| 3 |
Scout/reconnaissance helicopter |
| 4 |
Utility/transport helicopter |
| 5 |
Transport helicopter |
| 6 |
Training helicopter |
| 7 |
Tactical support helicopter |
| 8 |
Trainers |
| 0 |
Special transport |
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Nyutabaru Agressors
Photos: Cees-Jan van der Ende
82-8063, F-15DJ, Hiko Kyodotai
92-8068, F-15DJ, Hiko Kyodotai
02-8072, F-15DJ, Hiko Kyodotai
02-8073, F-15DJ, Hiko Kyodotai
Orion Variants
Photos: Perry Dirkx & JMSDF
P-3C 5060, 9 Kokutai
UP-3D 9162, 81 Kokutai
UP-3C 9151, 51 Kokutai
EP-3 9171, 81 Kokutai
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