With regard to aircraft, the Military Designation System follows these rules:
The letter to the immediate left of the dash is the BASIC MISSION symbol. This includes C for Transport (Cargo), F for Fighter and B for Bomber, etc.
If it’s a non-standard aerospace vehicle, this may be modified by the VEHICLE TYPE such as ‘H’ for Helicopter.
The number to the immediate right of the dash is the DESIGN NUMBER submitted to the organisation responsible for designation of military aerospace vehicles, HQ AFMC/LGSI. For example, F-16 means that it was the 16th design for a fighter aircraft submitted for designation.
The letter immediately after the design number is the SERIES DESIGNATOR. The British use the Mark system. For example, CH-47D is Transport (Cargo) Helicopter – 47th design submitted and fourth series in the design (ie D). The Brits would call it HC.1 Mk III Helicopter Cargo Type 1, third series. (Any pommies out there, correct me if this is not accurate.)
A POPULAR NAME for aerospace systems (including missiles, rockets, fixed wings, space vehicles) is decided upon after submissions from interested persons or units. These are then assessed and checked for suitability / PC / copyright, etc.
As for naming aircraft in the US Army, any helicopter (and FW I think) is normally given a name representing an Indian tribe;
Some great, and not so great, helicopters:
Mohave, Cayuse, Choctaw, Chikasaw, Creek, Apache, Cheyenne, Iroquois, Chinook, Black Hawk, Comanche, Kiowa, Sioux, and so on.
For more info on the MDS, go to the following website:
http://www.designation-systems.net/u...afji16-401.pdf