This manual is primarily a ready reference to assist the ground observer in aircraft recognition and identification. It provides information on current operational aircraft of the United States and foreign countries, which may be observed worldwide in the combat area. It can be used as source material for personnel conducting unit training in visual aircraft recognition. The procedures in this publication apply throughout the US Army. The data is based on the best information available at the time of publication; however, it is not all-inclusive because of some classification guidelines. This publication, by nature, has a built-in time lag, and some aircraft may still be under development or classified at the time of writing, but may be fielded or unclassified at, or after, publication.

From 2008 through 2013, the DoD plans to invest over $16 billion to develop and procure additional unmanned aircraft systems. DoD recognizes that it must achieve greater commonality among the military services' unmanned aircraft programs. This report assessed the progress of selected unmanned aircraft acquisition programs, examined the extent to which the services are collaborating and identifying commonality among those programs, and identified key factors impacting the effectiveness their collaboration. It analyzed cost, schedule, and performance data for eight unmanned aircraft systems -- accounting for over 80% of DoD's total planned investment in unmanned aircraft systems from 2008 through 2013 -- and two payload programs.