What is aircraft designation M primarily used for?

Aircraft designated with the letter "M" primarily refer to missile carriers. In military aviation terminology, each letter in a designation system signifies a specific purpose or type of aircraft. The "M" indicates that the aircraft is designed to carry, deploy, or utilize missiles as a primary function. This includes both air-to-air and air-to-ground missile capabilities, signifying that these aircraft play a critical role in strike operations or in providing combat support by engaging enemy targets from the air using missiles.

While other designations exist for tankers, helicopters, and observation missions, they have their own unique letters corresponding to those specific functions, such as "A" for attack aircraft or "H" for helicopters. This structured approach helps in identifying the primary role of various aircraft in the military, ensuring clarity and effectiveness in operations.