NATO code name

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The NATO code names were designations for weapons, weapon systems, equipment and vehicles of the Warsaw Pact states or other socialist states such as the People's Republic of China and North Korea . In some publications the designations are used as DIA code .

The assignment of code names was already a tradition: During the Second World War , Japanese aircraft were given code names by the Americans because their official designation was unknown, difficult to pronounce or difficult to remember. However, systems geared to a purely civilian purpose were also given NATO codes, such as the commercial aircraft of the Tupolev design office .

Russia uses the GRAU index to catalog its own weapons systems .

US Air Force Catalog

The USAF used after the Second World War for several years one consisting of consecutive numbers method for cataloging new Soviet aircraft designs. The USAF numbered the Soviet types in the order they became known or received information and guesses.

The USAF catalog began by listing the machines shown at the Tushino air parade on August 18, 1946 .

However, this naming scheme was anything but simple and systematic. Some of the names given turned out to be simply forgeries in the trade press, which was relatively widespread at the time. Other aircraft types were given multiple type designations because they were either identified multiple times or it was just a different version.

As a solution to this dilemma , the USAF introduced a new designation scheme for Soviet aircraft in 1955 , which replaced the type numbers with more memorable code names and which was also adopted by NATO's Air Standards Coordinating Committee. In the case of aircraft, ships and missiles in particular, the NATO codes were also part of Western public news. The original names of the (mostly) Soviet manufacturers were not used, because these were often not known. Most often, new aircraft were first spotted on images from reconnaissance satellites, and even when photos were published in Soviet media, the name was kept secret. Even if the names were known later, the NATO code names were retained, if only because the Russian names are sometimes difficult to pronounce for West European native speakers. Sometimes original names were combined with the code. While names were given for their own weapons that sounded dangerous and powerful, e.g. B. Tornado , Lightning (lightning) or Fighting Falcon (fighting falcon), the NATO code names were rather belittling names, e.g. B. Atoll , Curl (Locke), or unflattering names such as Fishpot (fish pot), Sandal (sandal) or Galosh (Galosche) used.

The names were English words and were assigned according to a certain system, so that one could deduce from the name the type of weapon system. All identified machines (including American designs in the service of the Soviet Union!) That were in use or being tested were given a designation, the first letter of which indicates the main purpose or type of construction. In the case of aircraft, names with one syllable for propeller-driven machines and names with two syllables for jet aircraft were given. The first letter was the most important criterion:

  • A: air-to-air missiles ( A ir to Air)
  • B: B omber
  • C: Transport aircraft ( C argo)
  • F: Fighter aircraft ( F ighter)
  • G: Air defense missiles ( G round to Air)
  • H: helicopter ( H elicopter)
  • K: Air-to-surface missiles
  • M: other aircraft ( M iscellaneous)
  • S: ground-ground missiles ( S urface to Surface)

In this system, different versions were distinguished by a letter appended after the code name, which was assigned depending on the time of identification. The first version was called -A , the second identified version -B etc. Since the letters I (India) and J (Juliett) (see: NATO alphabet ) can be mixed up depending on the spelling, the letter I (India) not used.

For rockets, a letter designation with a serial number was assigned in addition to the name. Here were air-to-air missiles , the letters AA (Air-to-Air), ground-to-air missiles SA (Surface-to-Air), ground-to-ground missiles SS (Surface-to-Surface) and air-ground Missile AS (Air-to-Surface). An appended N (Navy, or Naval), such as B. the SA-N-2, meant that it was a sea-based weapon. In common parlance, an M for missile (e.g. SAM ) was often added. In Chinese missiles, the generic abbreviation was prefixed with a C.

Such code names were also assigned to radar or radio systems and warships (especially submarines ) (see: List of Russian submarine classes ). Code designations for other weapon types (small arms, artillery, surface ships) were quickly replaced by simplified original designations.

List of NATO code names (aircraft)

Bomber (bomber)

Tu-16K-10 "Badger-C"
Tu-95MS "Bear-H"
Tu-160 "Blackjack"
Jak-28I "Brewer-C"
"Backfin" Tu-98
"Backfire" Tu-145 (Tu-22M)
"Backfire-B" Tu-22M2
"Backfire-C" Tu-22M3
"Badger" Tu-88 / Tu-16
"Bank" North American B-25 (USA)
"Barge" Tu-85
"Bark" Il-2
"Bat" Tu-2
"Beagle" Il-28 and Harbin H-5 (China)
"Bear" Tu-95/142
"Beast" Il-10
"Beauty" later "Blinder" / Tu-105
"Bison" M-4 / M-6
"Blackjack" Tu-160
"Blind man" Tu-105
"Blowlamp" Il-54
"Bob" Il-4
"Boat" Tu-91
"Bosun" Tu-14
"Bounder" M-50 /52
"Box" Douglas A-20 (USA)
"Brassard" later "Brewer" / Jak-28
"Brawny" Il-40
"Brewer" ex "Brassard" / Jak-28
"Buck" Pe-2
"Bull" Tu-4 (B-29 replica)
"Butcher" Tu-82

Transporter (cargo)

Il-76 "Candid"
Tu-154 "Careless"
Tu-144 "Charger"
An-72 "Coaler"
An-2 "Colt"
An-225 "Cossack"
An-12 "Cub"
"Cab" Li-2 (DC-3 under license)
"Camber" Il-86
"Camel" Tu-104
"Camp" An-8
"Candid" Il-76
"Candid-B" Il-76M
"Careless" Tu-154 / -155
"Cart" Tu-70 / Tu-75
"Cash" An-28
"Cat" An-10
"Charger" Tu-144
"Clam" Il-18 (1946)
"Clank" An-30
"Classic" Il-62
"Cleat" Tu-114
"Cline" An-32
"Clobber" Jak-42
"Clod" An-14
"Coach" Il-12
"Coaler" An-72 / An-74
"Cock" An-22
"Codling" Yak-40
"Coke" An-24
"Colt" An-2
"Condor" An-124
"Cooker" Tu-110
"Cookpot" Tu-124
"Coot" Il-18 / -20 / -22 / -24
"Coot-A" Il-20 ECM / Elint
"Cork" Jak-16
"Cossack" An-225
"Crate" Il-14
"Crate-C" Il-14 ECM / Elint
"Creek" Jak-12
"Crib" Jak-6 / -8?
"Crow" Jak-12
"Crusty" Tu-134 / Tu-134A
"Cub" An-12
"Cuff" Be-30 / Be-32
"Curl" An-26

Fighter

MiG-15 "Fagot"
MiG-19P "Farmer-B"
Su-24 "Fencer"
Tu-128 "Fiddler"
MiG-21MF "Fishbed-J"
Su-7BKL "Fitter"
Su-15 "Flagon-A"
Su-27 "Flanker"
Jak-25 "Flashlight"
MiG-25 "Foxbat"
MiG-31 "Foxhound"
Su-25T "Frogfoot"
MiG-29 "Fulcrum-A"
Su-34 "Fullback"
"Faceplate" MiG E-2 ( MiG-21 - prototypes )
"Fagot" MiG-15
"Fagot-B" MiG-15bis
"Faithless" MiG-23PD (E-23)
"Falcon" later "Fagot" / MiG-15
"Catch" La-11
"Fantail" La-15
"Fantan" NAMC Q-5 / A-5 (China)
"Fargo" MiG-9
"Farmer" MiG-19 and J-6 (China)
"Farmer-B" MiG-19P
"Farmer-C" MiG-19S / MiG-19SF
"Farmer-D" MiG-19PF
"Farmer-E" MiG-19PM
"Feather" Jak-15 / Jak-17
"Fencer" Su-24
"Fencer-D" Su-24MK
"Fencer-E" Su-24MR
"Fencer-F" Su-24MP
"Felon" Su-57
"Fiddler" Tu-128
"Fin" La-7
"Finback" Shenyang J-8 (China)
"Firebar" Jak-28P
"Firkin" Su-47
"Fishbed" MiG-21 and J-7 (China)
"Fishbed-C" MiG-21F13
"Fishbed-D" MiG-21PFM / MiG-21SPS / MiG-21SPS-K
"Fishbed-G" MiG-21M
"Fishbed-J" MiG-21MF
"Fishbed-L / N" MiG-21bis SAU / MiG-21bis LASUR
"Fishbed-C" MiG-21
"Fishpot" Su-9B
"Fishpot-C" Su-11
"Fitter" Su-7 / Su-17 / Su-20 / Su-22
"Fitter-A" Su-7BM
"Fitter-B" Su-7IG (S-22I)
"Fitter-C" Su-17M / Su-20
"Fitter-D" Su-17M2
"Fitter-E" Su-17M2D
"Fitter-F" Su-22
"Fitter-G" Su-17UM3 / Su-17UM3-K
"Fitter-H" Su-17M3 / Su-22M3
"Fitter-J" Su-22
"Fitter-K" Su-22M4
"Flagon" Su-15
"Flagon-A" Su-15
"Flagon-B" Su-15WD (Su-DPD)
"Flagon-C" Su-15
"Flagon-D" Su-15UT
"Flagon-F" Su-15bis / Su-21?
"Flanker-A" Sukhoi T-10 ( Su-27 - prototypes )
"Flanker-B" Su-27 / J-11
"Flanker-C" Su-27UB / Su-30
"Flanker-D" Su-27K / Su-33
"Flanker-E" Su-35
"Flanker-F" Su-37
"Flanker-G" Su-30MKK
"Flanker-H" Su-30MKI
"Flashlight" Jak-25
"Flatpack" MiG 1.44
"Pinball" MiG E-152
"Flogger" MiG-23 / MiG-27
"Flogger-B" MiG-23MF
"Flogger-C" MiG-23UB
"Flogger-D" MiG-27
"Flogger-F" MiG-23BN
"Flogger-G" MiG-23ML
"Flora" Jak-23
"Flounder" Xian JH-7 (China)
"Forger" Jak-38
"Foxbat" MiG-25
"Foxhound" MiG-31
"Foxhound-B" MiG-31M
"Frank" Jak-9
"Fred" Bell P-63 (USA)
"Freehand" Jak-36
"Freestyle" Jak-141
"Fresco" MiG-17 and J-5 (China)
"Fresco-A" MiG-17
"Fresco-C" MiG-17F
"Fresco-D" MiG-17PF
"Fritz" La-9
"Frogfoot" Su-25 / Su-28 / Su-39
"Frogfoot-A" Su-25
"Frogfoot-B" Su-25UB / UT / UTG
"Frosty" Tu-10
"Fulcrum" MiG-29
"Fulcrum-A" MiG-29A
"Fulcrum-B" MiG-29UB
"Fulcrum-C" MiG-29S
"Fulcrum-D" MiG-29K
"Fulcrum-E" MiG-29M
"Fulcrum-F" MiG-35
"Fullback" Su-34

Helicopters

Mi-26 "Halo"
Mi-14 "Haze"
Ka-27 "Helix"
Mi-24P "Hind-F"
"Halo" Wed-26
"Hare" Mi-1 and PZL SM-1 (Poland)
"Rake" Wed-10
"Harp" Ka-20
"Has" Ka-10
"Havoc" Wed-28
"Haze" Wed-14
"Haze-A" Mi-14PL
"Haze-B" Mi-14BT
"Helix" Ka-27 / -28 / -29 / -31 / -32
"Hen" Ka-15
"Hermit" Wed-34
"Hind" Wed-24 / -25 / -35
"Hind-D" Mi-24D
"Hind-P" Mi-24P
"Hip" Mi- 8/9/13/17/19 / -171 / -172
"Hip-A" W-8A
"Hip-B" W-8B
"Hip-C" Mi-8T, -8P, -8S
"Hip-E" Mi-8TB
"Hip-G" Wed-9
"Hip-H" Mi-8MT, -8MTW, -17
"Hip-K" Mi-8PPA
"Hog" Ka-18
"Hokum" Ka-50
"Homer" Wed-12
"Hoodlum" Ka-26 / -126 / -226
"Hook" Wed-6
"Hoop" Ka-22
"Hoplite" Wed-2
"Hormones" Ka-25
"Horse" Jak-24
"Hound" Mi-4 and Z-5 (China)
"Hound-B" Wed-4MÄ

Various types

A-50 "Mainstay"
Jak-18 "Max"
L-29 "Maya"
Be-42 "Mermaid"
MiG-15UTI "Midget"
Jak-11 "Moose"
"Madcap" An-71 ("An-72-AWACS")
"Madge" Be-6
"Maestro" Jak-28U
"Magnet" Jak-17UTI
"Magnum" Jak-30
"Maiden" Su-9U
"Mail" Be-12
"Mainring" KJ-2000 ("Il-76 AWACS")
"Mainstay" A-50 ("Il-76 AWACS")
"Mallow" Be-10
"Mandrake" Jak-25RW
"Mangrove" Jak-25R and Jak-27R
"Mantis" Jak-32
"Mare" Jak-14
"Mark" Jak-7U
"Mascot" Il-28U
"Max" Jak-18 and CJ-5 / -6 (China)
"Max cathedrals" Il-86WKP / Il-80
"May" Il-38
"Maya" Aero L-29 (ČSSR)
"Mermaid" Be-42
"Midas" Il-78 ("Il-76 Tanker")
"Midget" MiG-15UTI
"Mink" Jak UT-2
"Damn" Z-25
"Mole" Be-8
"Mongol" MiG-21U
"Mongol-A" MiG-21U
"Mongol-B" MiG-21UM / MiG-21US
"Moose" Jak-11
"Mop" GST ( Consolidated PBY-5 , USA)
"Moss" Tu-126
"Mote" MBR-2
"Moujik" Su-7U
"Mouse" Jak-18A / Jak-18M
"Mug" MDR-6 and Be-4
"Mule" Po-2
"Mystic-A" M-17
"Mystic-B" M-55

List of NATO code names (missiles)

Military missiles are classified according to their carrier and target using a two-letter and number identifier; First the carrier ( S = Surface for ground-based missiles and A = Air for air-based weapons) and then the target with the same letters is named. An exception to this rule are guided anti-tank missiles, which are assigned the AT ( anti-tank ) identifier . The artillery missiles of the FROG series ( Free Rocket Over Ground ) are another exception .

For ship-based weapons is -N ( naval ) appended to the letter identifier, for sea-based ground-ground missiles, however, no further distinction on type of application uses ( SLBM , anti-ship missiles , cruise missiles hit, anti-submarine weapons, etc.) (whereas practically all land-based weapons with SS identification are ballistic missiles ). For land-based anti-ship missiles, a -C ( coastal ) is added. Experimental weapons are identified with an -X appended to the identifier .

Weapons made in the People's Republic of China are denoted by a prefixed C.

The code name of the weapons is based on the intended use, similar to that of the aircraft, which determines the first letter of the code name. These are as follows:

  • Air-to-Air Missiles (AA): A.
  • Air-to-surface missiles (AS): K
  • Surface-to-surface missiles (SS and AT): S
  • Surface-to-air missiles (SA): G

Variants and derivatives are described in the same way as for aircraft with letters appended to the code names.

Air to air

AA-1 "Alkali"
AA-6 "Acrid"
AA-1 "Alkali" Kaliningrad K-5
AA-2 "Atoll" Wympel K-13 (R-3S)
AA-3 "Anab" Kaliningrad K-8
AA-4 "Awl" Raduga K-9
AA-5 "Ash" Bisnowat R-4
AA-6 "Acrid" Molniya R-40
AA-7 "Apex" Wympel R-23
AA-8 "Aphid" Molniya R-60
AA-9 "Amos" Wympel R-33
AA-10 "Alamo" Wympel R-27
AA-11 "Archer" Wympel R-73 (AKU-72)
AA-12 "Adder" Wympel R-77
AA-X-13 "Arrow" Wympel R-37
AAM-L KS-172
CAA-1 PL-2 / PL-3 (China)
CAA-2 PL-9 (China)

Air to surface

AS-4 "Kitchen"
AS-10 "Karen"
AS-15 "Kent"
AS-1 "Kennel" KS-1
AS-2 "Tipper" K-10S
AS-3 "Kangaroo" Ch-20
AS-4 "Kitchen" Ch-22
AS-5 "Kelt" KSR-2P / 2M
AS-6 "Kingfish" KSR-11
AS-7 "Kerry" Ch-23
AS-8 "Spiral" AT-6 Spiral (mistakenly awarded and withdrawn after it became clear that it was an anti-tank guided missile)
AS-9 "Kyle" Ch-28
AS-10 "Karen" Ch-25
AS-11 "Kilter" Ch-58
AS-12 "Bowler" Ch-25 P
AS-13 "Kingbolt" Ch-59
AS-14 "Kedge" Ch-29
AS-15 "Kent" Ch-55
AS-16 "Kickback" Ch-15
AS-17 "Krypton" Ch-31
AS-18 "Kazoo" Ch-59M
AS-19 "Koala bear" Ch-80
AS-20 "Kayak" Ch-35 / Ch-37
CAS-1 "Kraken" YJ-6 / C-601 (China)

Anti-tank missile

AT-3A "Sagger-A"
AT-5 "Spandrel"
AT-8 "Songster"
AT-1 "Snapper" 3M6 "Schmel" (from 1958 in mass production)
AT-2 "Swatter - A" 3M11 "Flyta"
AT-2 "Swatter - B" 9M17M "Falanga-M"
AT-2 "Swatter - C" 9M17P "Falanga-P"
AT-3A "Sagger - A" 9M14 "Maljutka"
AT-3B "Sagger - B" 9M14M "Malyutka-M"
AT-3C "Sagger - C" 9M14P "Malyutka-P"
AT-4 "Spigot" 9M111 "Fagot"
AT-5 "Spandrel" 9M113 "bankruptcy"
AT-6 "Spiral" 9M120 "Schturm"
AT-7 "Saxhorn" 9M115 "Metis"
AT-8 "Songster" 9M112 "Cobra"
AT-9 "Spiral-2" 9M117 "Ataka"
AT-10 "Stabber" 9M117 "Bastion" / "Kastet"
AT-11 "Sniper" 9M119 "Swir" / 9M119M "Refleks"
AT-12 "Swinger" 9K116-2 "Scheksna"
AT-13 "Saxhorn-2" 9M131 "Metis-M"
АТ-14 "Spriggan" 9M133 "Kornet"
АТ-15 "Springer" 9M123 "Chrisantema"
AT-16 "Scallion" 9M127 "Wichr"
CAT-1 HJ-73, Chinese replica of the 9M14 "Maljutka"

Boden - Boden (surface to surface)

SS-1c "Scud-B"
SS-9 "Scarp"
SS-12 "Scaleboard"
SS-18 "Satan"
SS-20 "Saber"
SS-25 "Sickle"
SS-1 "Scunner" R-1
SS-1 " Scud " R-11 / R-300 / R-17
SS-2 "Sibling" R-2
SS-3 "Shyster" R-5 / R-5M
SS-4 "Sandal" R-12 / Kosmos B-1
SS-5 "Skean" R-14 / Cosmos C-1 / Cosmos-3 (M)
SS-6 "Sapwood" R-7
SS-7 "Saddler" R-16
SS-8 "Sasin" R-9 / R-9A; also mistakenly the R-26 missile
SS-9 "Scarp" R-36
SS-10 "Scrag" UR-200 / GR-1 "Grom"
SS-11 "Sego" UR-100
SS-12 "Scaleboard" 9M76
SS-13 "Savage" RT-2
SS-14 "Scapegoat" / "Scamp" RT-15
SS-15 "Scrooge" RT-20P
SS-16 "Sinner" 12Zh42
SS-17 "Spanker" MR-UR-100
SS-18 "Satan" R-36M
SS-19 "Stiletto" UR-100N
SS-20 "Saber" RSD-10 / 15Zh45
SS-21 "Scarab" 9M79 "Totschka"
SS-22 "Scaleboard" 9M76
SS-23 "Spider" 9M714
SS-24 "Scalpel" RT-23
SS-25 "Sickle" RT-2PM
SS-X-26 "Stone" 9M723K1
SS-27 "Sickle-B" RT-12PM Topol-M
SS-X-28 "Saber" 15Zh53
SSC-1A "Shaddock" P-5
SSC-2A "Salish" S-2 Sopka
SSC-2B "Samlet" S-2 "Sopka"
SSC-3 "Styx" P-15M / 4K51 "Rubesch"
SSC-X-4 "Slingshot" 3K10 "garnet"
SSC-X-5 "Scorpion" P-750 "Grom"
SSC-5 "Stooge" 3M55 "Bastion"
SSC-6 "Sennight" 3M24 "uranium"
SSC-X-9 "Skyfall" Burewestnik
CSS-2 Dongfeng 3 (DF-3)
CSS-3 Dongfeng 4 (DF-4)
CSS-4 Dongfeng 5 (DF-5) ICBM
CSS-5 Dongfeng 21 (DF-21)
CSS-6 Dongfeng 15 (DF-15)
CSS-7 Dongfeng 11 (DF-11)
CSS-9 Dongfeng 31 (DF-31)
CSS-C-2 "Silkworm" HY-1A
CSS-C-3 "Seersucker" HY-2 / C-201
CSS-N-5 YJ-16 / SY-2 / C-101
CSS-C-6 "Sawhorse" HY-3 / C-301
CSS-C-7 "Sadsack" HY-4 / C-401
CSS-C-8 "Saccade" YJ-2 / C-802
CSSC-X-6 C-301 / HY-3
FROG-1 Rocket 3R2 / Complex 2K4 "Filin"
FROG-2 Rocket 3R1 / Complex 2K1 "Mars"
FROG-3 Missile 3R9 / Complex 2K6 "Luna"
FROG-4 Further development of the 3R9 rocket
FROG-5 Rocket 3R10 / Complex 2K6 "Luna"
FROG-6 Variant of the complex 2K6 "Luna"
FROG-7 Rockets 9M21 and 3R11 / Complex 9K52 "Luna-M"

Ground - ground, sea-based (surface to surface, naval)

SS-N-2 "Styx"
SS-N-3A "Shaddock"
SS-N-12 "Sandbox"
SS-N-22 "Sunburn"
SS-N-26 "Strobile"
SUW-N-1
SS-N-1 "Scrubber" 4K32 P-1 "Strela" / "Shchuka"
SS-N-2 "Styx" 4K40 / 4K51 P-15 "Termite"
SS-N-3A "Shaddock" 4K44 / 3M44 P-5 "Pjatjorka" / P-35 "Progress"
SS-N-3C "Sepal" 4K95 P-6 / P-7 "Progress"
SS-N-4 "Sark" 4K50 R-13
SS-N-5 "Serb" 4K55 R-21
SS-N-6 "Serb" 4K10 R-27
SS-N-7 "Starbright" 4K66 P-70 "Ametist"
SS-N-8 "Sawfly" 4K75 R-29
SS-N-9 "Siren" 4K85 P-120 "Malachite"
SS-NX-10
SS-NX-11
SS-N-12 "Sandbox" 4K77 / 4K80 P-500 "Basalt"
SS-NX-13 R-27K
SS-N-14 "Silex" 83R / 84R / 85R UPRK-3 "Metel" / UPRK-4 "Musson"
SS-N-15 "Starfish" 82R PRK-2 "Wijuga"
SS-N-16 "Stallion" 86R / 88R RPK-6 "Wodopad" / PRK-7 "Worbej"
SS-N-17 "Snipe" RS-16 / R-31
SS-N-18 "Stingray" 3M65 / 4K75 R-29R or RSM-50 "Wisota"
SS-N-19 "Shipwreck" 3M45 P-700 "Granite"
SS-N-20 "Sturgeon" 3M20 / 3M65 R-29 "Rif" / RSM-52
SS-N-21 "Sampson" 3K10 RK-55 / Ch-55 "Granat"
SS-N-22 "Sunburn" 3M80 Ch-41 / P-270 "mosquito"
SS-N-23 "Skiff" 3M27 R-29RM "Schtil" / R-29RM "Sinewa"
SS-N-24 "Scorpion" 3M25 P-750 "Meteorit-M"
SS-N-25 "Switchblade" 3M24 Ch-35 "Uranium"
SS-N-26 "Strobile" 3M55 P-800 "Jachont" / "Bolid"
SS-N-27 "Sizzler" 3M54 P-900 "Alfa" / "Klub"
SS-NX-28 R-39 / RSM-52V
SS-N-29 89R RPK-9 "Medwjedka"
SS-N-30 3M14 "Club"
SS-N-32 R-30 RSM-56 "Bulava"
CSS-N-1 "Scrubbrush" SY-1 / FL-1
CSS-N-2 "Safflower" HY-1
CSS-N-3 "Sabbot" SY-2 / FL-2
CSS-N-4 "Sardine" YJ-8 / C-802
CSS-N-5 "Saples" YJ-16 / SY-2 / C-101
SUW-N-1

Surface to air

SA-2 "Guideline"
SA-7 "Grail"
SA-10 "Grumble"
SA-20 "Gargoyle"
SA-1 "Guild" S-25 "Berkut"
SA-2 "Guideline" S-75 / HQ-2 (China)
SA-2D "Guideline 1" S-75 / HQ-2 (China)
SA-2D / SA-2F "Guideline 3 / Guideline 5" S-75 / HQ-2 (China)
SA-3 "Goa" S-125 "Neva"
SA-3C "Goa" S-125 "Neva"
SA-4 "Ganef" 2K11 "Krug" or ZRK-SO
SA-5 "Gammon" Almaz NPO S-200
SA-6 "Gainful" RK-SD "Kub"
SA-7a "Grail" 9M32
SA-7b "Grail" 9M32M
SA-8 "Gecko" Antey 9K33 "Osa"
SA-9 "Gaskin" 9M31 and 9M31M
SA-10 "Grumble" S-300 P
SA-10b "Grumble" S-300 PMU
SA-11 "Gadfly" Novator 9K37 "Buk"
SA-12 A "Gladiator" 9K81, S-300 W, Antey-300 and HQ-18 (China)
SA-12 B "Giant" 9A82
SA-13 "Gopher" ZRK-BD "Strela 10"
SA-14 "Gremlin" 9K34
SA-15 "Gauntlet" Antey 9K330 / 9K331 / 9K332 "Gate"
SA-16 "Gimlet" 9K310
SA-17 "Grizzly" 9K38 "Buk-M1-2"
SA-18 "Grouse" 9K38
SA-19 "Grison" 9M111 "Tunguska"
SA-20 "Gargoyle" S-300 PM-1 Wolchow / S-300PMU-1 / S-300PM-2 Favorit / S-300PMU-2 Favorit-S
SA-21 "Growler" S-400
SA-22 "Greyhound" Panzir-S1
SA-23 "Gladiator / Giant" S-300WM
SA-24 "Grinch" Igla-S
CSA-1 HQ-2
CSA-2 HQ-61
CSA-4 HQ-7
CSA-5
CSA-7 FM-90

Surface to air, naval

SA-N-9 "Gauntlet"
SA-N-1 "Goa" S-125 Neva (SA-3)
SA-N-2 "Guideline" V-75 Dwina / Wolchow / Desna (SA-2)
SA-N-3 "Goblet" 4K60 / 4K65 Schtorm
SA-N-4 "Gecko" 9K33 Osa (SA-8)
SA-N-5 "Grail" 9K32 Strela-2 (SA-7)
SA-N-6 "Grumble" S-300P Angara (SA-10)
SA-N-7 "Gadfly" 9K37 Buk (SA-11)
SA-N-8 "Gremlin" 9K36Strela-3 (SA-14)
SA-N-9 "Gauntlet" 9K330 / 9K331 / 9K332 gate (SA-15)
SA-N-10 "Grouse" 9K38 Igla (SA-18)
SA-N-11 or
CADS-N-1 		"Grison" SA-19 ​​missiles with 30mm Gatling cannon
SA-N-12 "Grizzly" 9K37 Buk-M1 (SA-17)
CSA-N-1
CSA-N-2 HQ-61

Ballistic Missile Defense Missiles (ABM)

There is no uniform system for naming anti-ballistic missiles , at least in terms of letter identification; either the term ABM used by the American Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) or the term SAM is used. In the meantime, the DIA also used the abbreviation SH to classify the missiles. The designation SA-5 for the first Soviet ABM was later reused for the so-called surface-to-air missile and the defense missile was not renamed.

The designation with code names corresponds to the designation of surface-to-air missiles; ergo all code names start with a G.

SA-5 "Griffon" V-1000 / RZ-25
ABM-1a "Galosh Mod. 0" A-350, A-35-ABM system
ABM-1b "Galosh Mod. 1" A-350, A-35-ABM system
ABM-3 "Gazelle" 53T6 , A-135 ABM system
ABM-4 "Gorgon" 51T6 , A-135 system

Space launch vehicles

Two designation systems were also used for space flight launch vehicles of the Soviet Union. The simpler one uses the designation SL for (Satellite Launcher or Space Launcher) and the order in which it became known. The second form includes information on basic types (e.g. A for offshoots of the R-7 , D for proton ). A number for the number of upper levels and small letters for explanation could follow:

  • e for Escape (leaving the earth orbit for lunar and planetary probes)
  • m - maneuverable (multiple ignition)
  • r - recoverable (for traceable satellites)
Launch missile codes
US designations Missile type typical payload (selection)
SL-1 A. sputnik Sputnik 1
SL-2 A. sputnik Sputnik 2 , 3
At the Vostok Poljot
SL-3 A-1 Vostok Vostok , Lunik , Kosmos
A-1-m Vostok cosmos
SL-4 A-2 Soyuz Vozhod , Soyuz , Progress , Kosmos
SL-5 B-1 Cosmos 1st type Cosmos, intercosmos
SL-6 A-2-e Molnija Molnija , Luna 4-14 , Venera 1-8 , Cosmos
A-2-m Molnija cosmos
SL-7 C-1 Cosmos 2nd type Cosmos, Interkosmos, Oreol , Bhaskara
SL-8 F-1 2-stage cyclone cosmos
SL-9 D. Proton 2-stage Proton 1-3
SL-10 F-1-r cyclone Cosmos <an earth orbit
SL-11 F-1-m cyclone cosmos
SL-12 D-1-e Proton 4-stage Luna 15-24, Mars 2-4 , Sond 5-8 , Fobos
D-1-m Proton 4-stage Gorisont , Raduga , Ekran , Garnet
SL-13 D-1-H Proton 3-stage Salyut , Mir , Kwant , Cosmos
SL-14 F-2 3-stage cyclone Meteor , cosmos
SL-15 G-1 N1 Orbital station (project)
G-1-e N1 Moon flight (project)
SL-16 J-1 Zenith cosmos
SL-17 Energija 2-stage Buran space shuttle
CSL-1 CZ-1 Dong Fang Hong satellite
CSL-2 CZ-2 Double Star , Iridium , KOMPSat , Shenzhou , Yaogan
CSL-3 CZ-3 Dong Fang Hong

List of NATO code names (ships)

Jiangwei II
Kara
Kashin
Kiev
Kirov
Kresta I
Krivak II
Kynda
Luda III
Luhai
Nanuchka
Osa II
Slava
Sovremenny

Where possible, code names are used for Soviet and Russian warships that correspond to the name of the type ship (e.g. Udaloy class , Kirov class ). Due to the restrictive information policy during the Cold War, however, these ship names were often not known to NATO. Hence, new classes were initially named after the places where they were first sighted. (e.g. Riga class )

Since the number of Soviet naval bases was limited, this nomenclature soon reached its limits. Subsequent designations were therefore based on the following guidelines:

  • Russian insect names were used for speedboats. Since the Soviet Union also used this nomenclature, there was some overlap. So is z. For example, the high-speed rocket boat from Project 1241.1 “Molnija” is known by NATO under the name “ Tarantul ”, but vice versa this was again the Russian proper name of Project 205 (NATO: Stenka ).
  • Smaller units such as mine clearers, corvettes and light frigates were given reduced Russian first names (e.g. Grischa , Petya )
  • Air cushion boats were given Russian bird names (e.g. Aist , German: Storch)
  • Larger units such as destroyers and cruisers were given vaguely Slavic-sounding names beginning with K (e.g. Kara , Kresta )

In contrast to the ship classes, which were named after the type ship, these names were created within NATO. The seemingly incorrect spelling after the English transcription is therefore often used in German-speaking countries as well.

In addition to this naming convention, new sightings were sometimes temporarily named with a code, e.g. B. BAL-COM 1-10 , the abbreviation for Bal tic Com batant (analogously: Baltic Sea combat unit).

After the end of the Cold War, the information situation improved, so that currently new classes are always named after the type ship.

Chinese ships were referred to by various Chinese terms and names such as Jianghu or Jiangwei .

"Admiral Kuznetsov" Project 1143.5 "Brezhnev" / "Kremlin"
"Alligator" Project 1171 "Tapir"
"Bora" Project 1239 "Siwutsch" (sometimes also under the NATO name "Dergach class")
"Frog I" Hoyerswerda class (Volksmarine)
"Gorya" Project 1266
"Grisha" Project 1124.1 / P / M / K / ME "Albatros"
"Heku" Chinese type 024
"Hola" Chinese type 021
"Houbei" Chinese type 022
"Houdong" Chinese type 021
"Houjian" Chinese type 037-II
"Houxin" Chinese type 037-IG
"Huangfeng" Chinese type 021
"Huchuan" Chinese type 025
"Ivan Rogov" Project 1174
"Ivan Susanin" Project 97P
"Jianghu IV" Chinese types 053H / H1 / H2 / HT-H and H1G
"Jiangkai I / II" Chinese types 054 and 054A
"Jiangwei I / II" Chinese types 053H2G and 053H3
"Rabbit fur" Project 57A "Gnewni"
"Kapusta" Project 1941 "Titan"
"Kara" Project 1134B "Berkut B"
"Kashin" Project 61
"Kiev" Project 1143 "Kretschet"
"Kildin" Project 56EM / M / U
"Kirov" Project 1144 "Orlan"
"Kola" Project 42
"Komar" Project 183R
"Koni" Project 1159
"Kotlin" Project 56 "Spokoinij"
"Kresta I" Project 1134 "Berkut"
"Kresta II" Project 1134A "Berkut A"
"Krivak I" Project 1135 "Burawestnik"
"Krivak II" Project 1135M "Burawestnik M"
"Krivak III" Project 1135.5 "Nerei"
"Krivak IV" Project 1135.2
"Kronshtadt" Project 122bis
"Krupny" Project 57bis
"Kynda" Project 58 "Grozny"
"Luda" Chinese type 051
"Luhai" Chinese type 051B
"Luhu" Chinese type 052
"Luyang-I" Chinese type 052B
"Luyang-II" Chinese type 052C
"Luyang-III" Chinese type 052D
"Luzhou" Chinese type 051C
"Matka" Project 206MR "Wichr"
"Moskva" Project 1123 "Condor"
"Mirka" Project 35 / 35M
"Modified Kashin" 61MP project
"Muravey" Project 133 "Antares"
"Nanuchka" Project 1234 "Owod"
"Natya" Project 266M "Akwamarin"
"Neustrashimy" Project 11540 "Jastreb"
"Osa" Project 205 / 205U "Tsunami"
"P-6" Project 183 "Bolshevik"
"Parchim" Project 133
"Pauk" Project 1241.2 "Molnija-2"
"Petya" Project 159
"Polnochny" Project 770
"Pomorik" Project 1232.2 "Subr"
"Poti" Project 204
"Renhai" Chinese type 055
"Riga" Project 50 "Gornostai"
"Ropucha" Project 775
"Sarancha" Project 1240 "Uragan"
"Sasha" Project 265
"Shershen" Project 206 "Schtorm"
"Slava" Project 1164 "Atlant"
"Sonya" Project 1265 "Jachont"
"Sovremenny" Project 956 "Saritsch"
"Stenka" Project 205 "Tarantul"
"Sverdlov" Project 68B
"T43" Projects 254K / M / GR, 245A, 513
"T58" Project 254A
"Tallinn" Project 41
"Tarantul" Project 1241.1 "Molnija"
"Turya" Project 206M "Schtorm"
"Udaloy" Project 1155 "Fregat"
"Udaloy II" Project 1155.1 "Fregat II"
"Ulyanovsk" Project 1143.7 "Oryol"
"Vanya" Project 257
"Yevgenya" Project 1258 "Corundum"
"Yurka" Project 266 "Rubin"
"Zhuk" Project 1400 "Grif"

List of NATO code names (submarines)

Alfa
Akula II
Charlie I
Delta IV
Foxtrot
Han
Mike
father
Typhoon
Yankee

The submarine classes of the Soviet Navy were initially designated by letters of the ICAO alphabet , but terms that go beyond that are now also used. Modernizations are designated with a Roman numeral. In addition, additional words are added to denote variants.

Chinese submarines were codenamed by NATO for terms from the Chinese language or history such as Han , Ming , and Yuan . The Chinese names, however, mostly followed a simple, consecutive type numbering.

" Alfa " Project 705 "Lira"
" Akula I " Project 971 "Shchuka-B"
" Beluga " Project 1710 "Mackerel"
" Bravo " Project 690 "Kefal"
" Charlie I " Project 670 "Skat"
" Charlie II " Project 670M "Skat-M"
" Delta I " Project 667B "Murena"
" Delta II " Project 667BD "Murena-M"
" Delta III " Project 667BDR "Kalmar"
" Delta IV " Project 667BDRM "Dolphin"
" Echo I " Project 659 / 659T
" Echo II " Project 675 / 675М / 675МК / 675МУ / 675МКВ
" Foxtrot " Project 641
" Golf I " Project 629
" Golf II " Project 629B
" Golf III " Project 601
" Golf IV " Project 605
" Golf V " Project 619
" Golf SSQ " Project 629R
" Graney " Project 885 "Jasen"
" Han " Chinese type 091
" Hotel I " Project 658
" Hotel II " Project 658M
" Hotel III " Project 701
" India " Project 940 "Lenok"
" Jin " Chinese type 094
" Juliett " Project 651
" Kilo I " Project 877 "Paltus"
" Improved Kilo " Project 636 "Varshavyanka"
" Lima " Project 1840
" Losos " Project 865 "Piranja"
" Ming " Chinese type 035
" Mike " Project 685 "Plawnik"
" November " Project 627 "Kit"
" Oscar I " Project 949 "Granite"
" Oscar II " Project 949A "Antej"
" Papa " Project 661 "Anchar"
" Quebec " Project 615
" Romeo " Project 633
" Shang " Chinese type 093
" Sierra I " Project 945 "Barracuda"
" Sierra II " Project 945A "Condor"
" Song " Chinese type 039
" Tango " Project 641B "Som"
" Typhoon " Project 941 "Akula"
" Victor I " Project 671A / 671B / 671K "Jorsch"
" Victor II " Project 671RT "Sjomga"
" Victor III " Project 671RTM / 671.7 "Shchuka"
" Whiskey " Project 613
" Whiskey Single Cylinder " Project 613 submarine S-146
" Whiskey Twin Cylinder " Project 644
" Whiskey Long Bin " Project 665
" Yankee I " Project 667A
" Yankee II " Project 667AM
" Yankee Notch " Project 667AR
" Yankee Sidecar " Project 667M
" Yankee Pod " Project 667A submarine K-403
" Yuan " Chinese type 041
" Xia " Chinese type 092
" Zulu " Project 611

List of NATO code names (radars)

P-37 "Bar Lock"
64N6E2 "Big Bird"
N007 "Flash Dance"
P-15 "Flat Face-A"
P-40 "Long Track"
30N6 "Flap Lid"
PRW-13 "Odd Pair"
PRW-17 "Odd Group"
1S32 "Pat Hand"
Don-2M "Pill Box"
P-18 "Spoon Rest"
Duga-3 "Steel Yard"
ST68U "Tin Shield"
Radar equipment of a "Kirov" cruiser v. l. right: "Top Steer", "Top Pair", "Top Sail", "Big Net"
"Back Net" Cabina 66
"Band Stand" Search and target radar for anti-ship missiles SS-N-9/22
"Bar Lock" P-20 "Periscope" / P-35 "Saturn"
"Bar Lock B" P-37
"Bass Tilt" MR-105 "Turel" / MR-123 "Wympel", fire control radar of the CIWS system AK-630
"Bee Hind" Tail warning radar on bombers Tu-16, Tu-22 and Tu-95
"Big Bird" 64N6E2, target acquisition radar of the SA-20 and SA-21. Called HT-233 in China
"Big Bulge" Search radar of the Tu-95U and Ka-25
"Big Mesh" P-30 "Chrustal", early warning radar
"Big Net" Marine surveillance radar for SA-N-1/2
"Big Nose" "Smertsch", aircraft radar of the Tu-28
"Big Screen" Aerial surveillance radar on board the Kara class
"Bill Board" 9S15 "Ozbor-3", surveillance radar at SA-12
"Box Tail" Tail warning radar of the Tu-142
"Cake Stand" Ship-based guidance radar for Kiev-class carrier aircraft
"Cat House" Dunay-3U, long-range ABM radar
"Chair Back" Fire control radar of the SA-17
"Cheese Board" 96L6, altitude finding radar of the SA-10 / SA-20 / SA-21
"Cheesecake" Target acquisition radar of the SS-N-9
"Clam Shell" 96L6, low level detection radar of the SA-10 / SA-20 / SA-21
"Cross Dome" MR-352, radar for the CADS-N-1 system of the Neustraschimy class
"Cross Sword" 3R95, fire control radar of the SA-N-9
"Crown Drum" Control radar for guided missiles of the Tu-95 K
"Dog House" Dunay-2, long range ABM radar
"Down Beat" Leninez LN, Tu-22K control radar for Ch-22 missiles
"Drum Tilt" PUS M-104 "Rys", target acquisition radar for anti-aircraft guns AK-230
"Dumbo" P-3, early warning and ground control radar
"Eye Bowl" SS-N-14 fire control radar
"Fan Song" Fire control radar of the SA-2
"Fan Tail" Fire control radar for the rear gun of the Tu-22M
"Fire Dome" 2S35, SA-11 fire control radar
"Flash Dance" N007 Zaslon, aircraft radar of the MiG-31
"Flap Lid" 30N6, SA-10 fire control radar
"Flat Face" P-15 , SA-3 targeting radar
"Flat Face A" P-15 "Tropa", surveillance and targeting radar, 1RL12
"Flat Face B" P-19 "Dunajob", surveillance and targeting radar, 1RL134
"Flat Screen" MR-700, marine search radar on the Slava class
"Fly Screen" Ship-based guidance radar for helicopters
"Fly Trap" Auxiliary landing radar on aircraft carriers
"Front Door" / "Front Piece" Submarine-based guidance radar for SS-N-3 and SS-N-12
"Front Dome" Target acquisition radar for SA-N-7
"Foxfire" Smertsch-A, aircraft radar of the MiG-25 P
"Went Sling B" ZD-2, Chinese version of the Soviet search radar SNR-75 (Fan Song)
"Grave Stone" 92N2, SA-21 fire control radar
"Grill Pan" 9S32-1, SA-12 fire control radar
"Half Plate" Part of the "Strut Pair" system
"Hawk Search" Fire control radar for anti-aircraft guns, navy
"Head Lights" Fire control radar for SA-N-3 and SS-N-14
"Head Net" Airspace surveillance on the Kynda and Kashin ship classes
"Hen House" Anti-Ballistic Missile Radar
"High Fix" RP-1D "Isumrud", aircraft radar u. a. with Jak-25 , MiG-17 PFU and Su-9
"High Guard" YLC-2A, long-range surveillance radar
"High Lark" Sapfir-23D, aircraft radar of the MiG-23 M
"High screen" 9S19 "Imbir", SA-12's sector tracking radar
"Hot Shot" 1RL144M, SA-19 ​​fire control radar
"Jay Bird" RP-22SM, aircraft radar, etc. a. the MiG-23MS and the Su-22
"Kite Screech" MR-184, fire control radar for AK-130
"Knife Rest A" P-8, early warning and ground control radar
"Knife Rest B" P-10, early warning and ground control radar
"Land Roll" Fire control radar of the SA-8
"Long Track" P-40 "Bronja", early warning and target acquisition radar on SA-4, SA-6 and SA-8, 1S12
"Low Blow" Fire control radar of the SA-3
"Muff Cob" MR-103 "Bars", fire control radar for AK-725
"Mushroom" Tu-16A bomb targeting and navigation radar
"Odd Pair" PRW-13 , altitude finding radar
"Odd Group" PRW-17 , altitude finding radar
"Palm Fond" Surveillance and navigation radar on ships
"Peel Cone" "Reid" multipurpose radar on the Babochka class
"Peel Pair" Navigation and surveillance radar on the Nanuchka class
"Pat Hand" 1S32, fire control radar of the SA-4
"Pill box" Don-2N, long range radar of the A-135-ABM system
"Plank Shave" Garpun, all-round vision and target tracking radar for anti-ship missiles SS-N-2 and SS-N-25
"Plinth Net" Steering radar for SS-N-3B
"Pop Group" Fire control radar for SA-N-4
"Positive-E" Parchim II class multipurpose radar
"Post Lamp" Early fire control radar on torpedo boats
"Pot Head" " Reja ", panoramic and search radar on anti-submarine boats, e.g. B. Project 201
"Pot Drum" " Baklan ", panoramic and search radar on torpedo boats
"Puff Ball" Target acquisition radar for surface-to-air missiles (including AS-2/5/6) on Tu-16C and Ka-25
"Punch Bowl" Submarine search radar mounted on the periscope
"Round House" Ship-based radar for tactical control of aircraft
"Scoop Pair" Fire control radar of the SS-N-3B
"Score Board" Friend-foe identification radar
"Screech Owl" MR-105 "Turel", fire control radar for AK-726
"Scrum Half" Fire control radar of the SA-15
"Ship Globe" Surveillance radar for tracking long-range missiles and satellites
"Short Horn" Navigation and target radar for AS-5/6 on board Tu-16, Tu-22 and Tu-95
"Side Net" PRW-11 , altitude detection radar of the SA-3 and SA-5
"Skin Head" " Sarniza ", panoramic and search radar on torpedo boats (e.g. P-4 class)
"Skip Spin" "Oriol-D", aircraft radar a. a. at the Su-11
"Sky Watch" Phased array ship radar on aircraft carriers
"Slim Net" Multipurpose radar on Petya, Mirka and Riga classes
"Slot Back" N019 "Sapfir 29" look-down radar of the MiG-29 and Su-27
"Snoop Pair / Plate / Slab / Tray" Periscope-mounted submarine radars, etc. a. in Typhoon and Oscar class
"Snow Drift" 9S18M2 "Kupol-2", search radar of the SA-11 and SA-17
"Soft Ball" Ramona passive radar
"Spin Through" Search and navigation radar, etc. a. on the Krivak class
"Spoon Rest" P-12 “Yenisei”, early warning and ground control radar
"Spoon Rest D" P-18 , early warning radar, 1RL131
"Square Pair" 5N62 / K1, SA-5 fire control radar
"Square Tie" Search and target acquisition radar for SS-N-2 on the Osa class
"Squat Eye" alternative target acquisition radar of the SA-3
"Steel Yard" Duga-3 over-the-horizon radar, see Woodpecker
"Straight flush" 1S91, SA-6 fire control radar
"Strut Curve" Multipurpose search radar on smaller frigates / corvettes
"Strut Pair" Air search radar, consisting of two “Strut Curve” or “Half Plate” radars
"Sun Visor" Gun fire control radar on the ship classes Riga, Kotlin and Sverdlov
"Tall King" P-14 , early warning and ground control radar on SA-5
"Thin skin" Altitude finding radar from SA-4, SA-6 and SA-8
"Tin Shield" ST-68U / 36D6, surveillance radar
"Toadstool" An-12 navigation radar
"Tomb Stone" Fire control radar of the SA-20
"Top Dome" 3R41 "Wolna", fire control radar for SA-N-6
"Top Knot" Kiev-class tactical control radar
"Top Pair" MR-75, surveillance radar for SA-N-6
"Top Plate" Udaloy-class multipurpose search radar
"Top Sail" Moskva and Kiev class early warning radar
"Top Steer" MR-800 "Woschod", surveillance radar for SA-N-6
"Trap Door" Guide radar for SS-N-12
"Trash can" Passive radar Tamara
"Tube arm" 9S18, search radar of the SA-11
"Twin Scan" RP-26 "Taifun-M", aircraft radar of the Su-15 T and Su-15TM
"Wet Eye" Surface search radar on the Tu-142 and Il-38

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