Abbreviations

‎‎

Abbreviations per language A-Z (quicklinks)
A		N
B		O
C	Chinese Czech	P	Polish
D		Q
E	English	R	Romanian Russian
F	Finnish French	S	Spanish Swedish
G	German	T
H	Hungarian	U
I	Italian	V
J	Japanese	W
K		X
L		Y
M		Z

Chinese

Chinese abbreviations (quicklinks)‎
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Chinese is spoken as a military language in the following countries: (PRC) People's Republic of China Listed as (CN) Mainland China (ROC) Republic of China Listed as (TW) Island of Taiwan
Vehicle (CN) Vehicle (CN) Air (CN) Ground Weaponry and munition (CN) Weaponry and munition (TW) Weaponry and munition Manufacturer/Designer (CN) Manufacturer/Designer (TW) Manufacturer/Designer Military (CN) Military structure (TW) Military structure

Side note: Due to the usage of ROC year at Taiwan Island, there are sometimes when their documents or thesis from both Mainland China (for conversion) and Taiwan Island which used ROC year in their content.

The easiest way to convert them into western calendar is taking 1911 as ROC 1 (where ROC 100 is 2011 due to the Xinhai Revolution in 1911, instead of the official establishment in 1912/1/).

(CN) Vehicle

(CN) Air

Prefix		Chinese	Full title	Meaning	Example
First	Second
C	J	初教	初级教练机	Basic Trainer	CJ-6
H	-	轰	轰炸机	Bomber	H-5
J	-	歼	歼击机	Fighter/Interceptor	J-6A
	H	歼轰	歼击轰炸机	Fighter-Bomber	JH-7A
	L	教练	教练机	Trainer	JL-9
	Z	歼侦	歼击侦察机	Fighter-Reconnaissance	JZ-8F
K	J	空警	空中预警机	AEWCS	KJ-2000
Q	-	强	强击机	Attacker	Q-5A
S	H	水轰	水上轰炸机	Hydroplane Bomber	SH-5
Y	-	运	运输机	Transport	Y-20
Z	-	直	直升机	Helicopter	Z-9

(CN) Ground

This list is in accordance to the now obsolete GJB 4528-2002 《装甲车辆命名规则》 (Standard Nomenclature Details of Armored Vehicles) accepted on 01/05/2003. A new standard was issued on 01/10/2012 (currently classified). See User:Sakaban_Sharkigu's page.

(Strikethroughs need further clarification under current naming standards)

* Due to classifications of wheeled assault guns, PLT02 belongs to artillery corps; while ZLT11 belongs to mechanized corps.
** These vehicles adhere to a different naming convention that is not based on the year.

***Received new codes after 2012 nomenclature revision as ZLT (装甲-两栖-突击）

1st Letter	2nd Letter	3rd Letter	Number	Example
Z – 装甲车辆 – AFV	B – 步兵战车 – IFV	D – 履带 – Tracked L – 轮式 – Wheeled	1900-2099 (The first 2 digits can be ignored in normal use)	ZBD86
	G – 工程保障车辆 – Engineering support vehicle	Q – 架桥 – Bridge layer L – 扫(布)雷 – Mine sweeper/layer G – 工程作业车 – Engineering operation		ZGQ84 ZGG84
	S – 装甲输送车 – APC	D – 履带 – Tracked L – 轮式 – Wheeled		ZSD63 ZSL92
	T – 坦克 – Tank	D – 履带 – Tracked L – 轮式 – Wheeled Q – 轻型 – Light Z – 主战/中型坦克 – Main battle/medium tank S – 水陆 – Amphibious (literally: Water and land)		***ZTD05 ***ZTL11 ZTQ62 ZTZ99 ZTS63
	Z – 战斗勤务车辆 – Combat service vehicle	Z – 指挥 – Command C – 侦察 – Scout T – 通信 – Communication D – 电子对抗 – ECM M – 密钥加注 – Battlefield cryptography F – 防爆 – EOD (literally: Anti-explosion) X – 综合信息 – Integrated battlefield information		ZZZ81 ZZC81 **ZZT1
P – 炮 – Artillery	G – 高射炮 – Anti-aircraft gun (literally: High firing gun)	L – 轮式 – Wheeled Z – 自走 – Self-propelled		PGZ04A
	H – 火箭弹 – Rocket			PHL03 PHZ89
	L – 榴弹炮 – Howitzer / Gun-mortar (literally: grenade gun)			PLL05 PLZ05
	T – 突击炮 – Assault gun			PTL97 *PTL02
	C – 车载 – Vehicle-mounted	L – 榴弹炮 – Howitzer		PCL09 **PCL181
		P – 迫击炮 – Mortar		**PCP001

Additionally, numerous vehicles come with an "industrial code", such as WZ123 for the ZTZ99 series. These are typically indicative of the manufacturer and purpose of the vehicle, for example the second letter "W" indicates an export model, while most "WZ" series vehicles are intended for domestic service only. There are also numerous variations, including WMZ (e.g. WMZ551), WZG (e.g. WZG121), WXLZ (e.g. WXLZ602), and more.

Designation	Example
WZ – 五机部装甲车辆 – 5th Ministry of Machine Building armoured vehicle	WZ120 (ZTZ59)
WA - Unknown	WA320 (PTZ89)
BW – 包头外贸 – Baotou Foreign Trade (Export)	BW121 (ZTZ69-II)
BK – 包头科研 – Baotou Scientific Research	BK1990
YW – 永定外贸 – Yongding Foreign Trade (Export)	YW531 (ZSD63)
YD - Unknown	YD801

The Chinese company Norinco has their own unique designation system for their export vehicles. The meanings of each designation is not strict, as some vehicles within each system have very different roles. Furthermore, vehicles prefixed with "CS/" (e.g. CS/AA5) are not built by Norinco, but instead by other companies such as CSGC or Poly Technologies.

Designation	General Meaning	Example
VT	Tank	VT2
VN	Infantry Fighting Vehicle	VN17
VP	MRAP or Light Tactical Vehicle	VP22
VA	Light Strike Vehicle	CS/VA1
VE	Reconnaissance & Command Vehicle	VE36
VS	Armored Recovery Vehicle	VS27
SH	Self-Propelled Artillery	SH15
SM	Self-Propelled Mortar	CS/SM4
SS	Self-Propelled Mortar	CS/SS6
AR	Guided Rocket Launcher System	AR3
SR	Self-Propelled Rocket Launcher System	SR4
ST	Self-Propelled Anti-Tank Gun	ST1
SA	Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Weapon	CS/SA5
AA	Self-Propelled Multi-Purpose Weapon	CS/AA5
SWS	Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Weapon	SWS2

(CN) Weaponry and munition

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Penta-Service Weaponries

Under a certain standard nomenclature of PLA weaponries since mid-2000s, weapons which are known by their shorten name or codename do in fact have a official name for them, as follows (appendix pending):

Alphabet	Chinese	Type of weaponry	Known examples	Note
A	导弹类	Missiles	AFT08- HJ-8 AFT09- HJ-9 AKD-10 AKF088C- YJ-82C/KD-88C
B	侦查情报类	Reconnaissance & Intelligence
C	车辆类	(Wheeled) Vehicles	Dongfeng CSK131 "Mengshi 猛士"	Wheeled vehicles developed by PLA
D	炮弹类	Ammunitions	DTC10-125 DTW2-105 DTW2-105	including fuse; refer to appendix chart 3-2 of the standard
E/	二炮专用装备类	SAC (now PLARF) equipment
F	防化类	NBC
G	工程类	Engineering
H/	海军专用装备类	Navy equipment	H/PJ12- Type 730
J	机要类	Confidential
K/	空军专用装备类	Air Force equipment	K/LLQ120 land-based radar
L	雷达类	Radar	LLQ120
P	火炮类	Artillery	PG99-35-2 PG87	Refer to appendix chart 3-3 of the standard
Q	枪械类	Firearms	QBZ191 QSZ92 QBS09
R	电子对抗类	ECM
S	技术侦查类	Surveillance		Specified purpose
T	通信类	Communication
X	气象类	Meteorology
Y/	仪器类	Instruments
Z	装甲类	Armored vehicles	As above in the vehicle prefixes

Tank & Artillery Shells

1st Letter	2nd Letter	3rd Letter	Example
D – 弹 – Shell	T – 坦克 – Tank	B – 爆破 – Blasting	DTB1-105 – HE-FS (literally: Shell-tank-blast)
		P – 破甲 – Breaker	DTP-125 – HEATFS (literally: Shell-tank-breaker)
		W – 尾翼 – Tail	DTW2-105 – APFSDS (literally: Shell-tank-tail)
		C –	DTC10-125 – APFSDS
	Y – 尾翼 – Tail	W – 稳定 – Stable	DYW1-120 – APFSDS (for anti-tank guns only) (literally: Shell-tail-stable)
		S –	DYS-120 – HE
	K – 防空 – Anti-aircraft	G –	DKG01A – API-T
		P –	DKP01A – HEI-T
		Y –	DKY1 – HE-VT

Additionally, the GP name (e.g. GP105) is used for guided projectiles, ranging from gun-launched ATGMs to guided artillery munitions. The designation is seen primarily at arms expositions and is unclear whether it is used within the PLA.

On the export market, APFSDS shells are called BTA, such as BTA4 (an export version of DTW125)

Missiles

Generally speaking, missiles of all types have a two-letter (two-character) "code name". Most missiles also have alternative designations, such as HJ-10 also being called AFT-10.

• FM – 飞蠓: Export sea and land based SAM (literally: Flying midge)
• FN – 飞弩: Export MANPADS (literally: Flying crossbow)
  • FN-6, domestic version known as HN-6
• HF – 火发: Rocket pod (literally: Fire-launching)
• HJ – 红箭: Land-based ATGM (literally: Red arrow)
  • HJ-73E
• HN – 红缨: Domestic MANPADS (literally: Red tassel)
  • HN-6, exported as FN-6
• (H)HQ – (海)红旗: Sea and land-based SAM (literally: (Sea) Red banner) (from the ideology of “三面红旗” [Three Red Banners] in the Great Leap Forward)
• HY – 海鹰: SM (before 1980s) (literally: Sea eagle)
• KD – 空地: AGM (literally: Air-ground)
• PL – 霹雳: AAM (literally: Lightning)
  • PL-5B
• QW – 前卫: A series of MANPADS family in parallel with HN series (literally: Vanguard)
• SY – 上游: ASM (literally: Upstream) (from Mao Zedong's “鼓足干劲，力争上游” [Go all-out and aim high] slogan in the Great Leap Forward)
• TY – 天燕: Helicopter-carried AAM (literally: Sky swallow)
• YJ – 鹰击: Tri-service ASM (after 1980s) (literally: Eagle strike)

(TW) Weaponry and munition

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Character	Pinyin/Bopomofo (Romanised)	Literal meaning	Weapon system	Examples
擎	qíng / ㄑㄧㄥˊ	to raise	SRBM up to ICBM
雄	xióng / ㄒㄩㄥˊ (Hsiung)	powerful	Cruise missile	雄風 Hsiung Feng-2E (HF-2E)
風	fēng / ㄈㄥ	wind	ASM	雄風 Hsiung Feng-3 (HF-3)
玄	xuán / ㄒㄩㄢˊ (Hsian)	mysterious	ECM
劍	jiàn / ㄐㄧㄢˋ (Chian)	sword	AAM	天劍 Tian Chian-1 (TC-1) – IR AAM 天劍 Tian Chian-2 (TC-2) – ARH AAM
萬	wàn / ㄨㄢˋ	10 thousand	Cluster munition	萬劍 Wan Chian cluster bomb dispenser
迅	xùn / ㄒㄩㄣˋ (Hsiun)	rapid	Naval vessel	Project 迅海 Hsiun Hai – Tuo Chiang-class corvette
評/昇	píng / shēng / ㄆㄧㄥˊ / ㄕㄥ	evaluate / rise	Upgrade program	Project 翔昇 Hsiang Sheng – F-CK-1 (IDF) C/D upgrade
捷	jié / ㄐㄧㄝˊ (Che)	swift	Land-based system	捷羚 Che Ling – Antelope Air Defense System
翔	xiáng / ㄒㄧㄤˊ (Hsiang)	to soar	Aircraft	Project 安翔 An Hsiang – F-CK-1 (IDF)
安	ān / ㄢ	safe	AA system
隼	sǔn / ㄙㄨㄣˇ or ㄓㄨㄣˇ	falcon	Missile system	紅隼 Hong Zhun – Kestrel anti-tank rocket

(CN) Manufacturer/Designer

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Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) 中国航空工业集团有限公司; Previously Ministry of Aviation Industry 航空工业部
Full name	Abbreviation	Factory codes	City and province	Products
Changhe Aviation Industries Corporation 昌河飞机工业(集团)有限责任公司	CAIC 昌河	372	Jingdezhen, Jiangxi	Helicopters
Chengdu Aerospace Industry 成都飞机工业（集团）有限责任公司	CAC 成飞	132	Chengdu, Sichuan	Fighters; UCAVs
Guizhou Aircraft Industry Corporation 贵州航空工业（集团）有限责任公司	GAIC 贵飞	162	Anshun, Guizhou	Trainers
Harbin Aircraft Industry Group 哈尔滨飞机工业（集团）有限责任公司	HAIG Hafei 哈飞	122	Harbin, Heilongjiang	Bombers; helicopters
Hongdu Aircraft Industry Group 江西洪都航空工业集团有限责任公司 Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation 南昌飞机制造厂	HAIG Hongdu 洪都 Nanchang 南昌	320	Nanchang, Jiangxi	Attackers; trainers
Shenyang Aircraft Industry 沈阳飞机工业（集团）有限公司	SAC 沈飞	112	Shenyang, Liaoning	Fighters
Xi'an Aircraft Industry 西安飞机工业（集团）有限责任公司	XAC 西飞	172	Xi'an, Shaanxi	Bombers; transporters; AECWS

China North Industries Group Corporation Limited; NORINCO 中国兵器工业集团有限公司 / 中国北方工业集团有限公司
Full name	Factory/institute codes	City and province	Products and services
Chongqing Tiema Industry Group 重庆铁马工业集团	256	Chongqing	Wheeled APC; amphibious vehicle
Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group 内蒙古第一机械集团	617	Baotou, Inner Mongolia	MBT; Light tank; artillery etc.
Jianglu Machinery and Electronics Group Co. Ltd 江麓机电集团有限公司	627	Xiangtan, Hunan	Light tank; amphibious vehicle
China North Vehicle Research Institute 中国北方车辆研究所	201	Beijing	MBT R&D

• CSGC – China South Industries Group Corporation 中国南方工业集团公司 (中国兵器装备集团公司)

(TW) Manufacturer/Designer

Composition of Taiwan's defence industry
Full name	Abbreviation	Head office location	Products and services
Aviation Industry Development Corporation (Post-2006) 漢翔航空工業股份有限公司 Aviation Industry Development Center (1983-2006) 航空工業發展中心	AIDC 漢翔/航發中心	Xitun District, Taichung City	Aircraft; jet engine
National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology 國家中山科學研究院	NCSIST 中科院	Longtan District, Taoyuan City	Equipment R&D
Ordnance Research Development Center, ROCA 陸軍兵工整備發展中心	ORDC 兵整中心	Jiji Township, Nantou County	Armored vehicle

(CN) Military structure

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Head of military development: MoDPRC- Ministry of Defense of the People's Republic of China 中华人民共和国国防部
Supreme command: CMC- Central Military Commission of the Chinese Communist Party 中国共产党中央军事委员会
People's Liberation Army 中国人民解放军
Full name	Abbreviation	Branches
People's Liberation Army Ground Force 中国人民解放军陆军	PLAGF 陆军	Army aviation 陆军航空兵 Artillery troops 炮兵 Air Defense troops 防空兵 Armored troops 装甲兵 etc.
People's Liberation Army Air Force 中国人民解放军空军	PLAAF 空军	Airborne Corps 空降兵军
People's Liberation Army Navy 中国人民解放军海军	PLAN 海军	Suface forces 水面舰艇部隊 Submarine forces 潜艇部队 Naval Aviation 海军航空兵 Marine Corps 海军陆战队 Coastal defence 岸防部队
People's Liberation Army Rocket Force （Post-2016） 中国人民解放军火箭军 Second Artillery Corps （Pre-2016） 第二炮兵部队	PLARF 火箭军 SAC 二炮	Nuclear missile troops 核导弹部队 Conventional missile troops 常规导弹部队 Logistic troops 作战保障部队
People's Liberation Army Strategic Support Force 中国人民解放军战略支援部队	PLASSF 战略支援部队	Network Systems Department 网络系统部 Space Systems Department 航空航天部
Chinese People's Armed Police Force （Paramilitary） 中国人民武装警察部队	PAP 武警	Coast Guard 海警

(TW) Military structure

Supreme command and head of military development: MND- Ministry of National Defense, Republic of China 中華民國國防部
Republic of China Armed Forces 中華民國國軍
Commanding unit	Branches	Abbreviation	Sub-branches
Army Headquarters 國防部陸軍司令部	Republic of China Army 中華民國陸軍	ROCA 陸軍	Army Aviation and Special Forces Command 航空特戰指揮部
Air Force Headquarters 國防部空軍司令部	Republic of China Air Force 中華民國空軍	ROCAF 空軍	Air Defense and Artillery Command 防空暨飛彈指揮部
Navy Headquarters 國防部海軍司令部	Republic of China Navy 中華民國海軍	ROCN 海軍	Republic of China Marine Force 海軍陸戰隊
Armed Forces Police Command 國防部憲兵指揮部	Republic of China Military Police 中華民國憲兵	MP 憲兵	N/A

Czech

Czech abbreviations (quicklinks)‎
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Czech is spoken as a military language in the following countries: (CS) (Former) Czechoslovakia (today Czech republic) (CZ) Czech republic (part of former Czechoslovakia)
Vehicle (CS) Vehicle (CS) Air (CS) Ground Manufacturer/Designer (CS) Manufacturer/Designer

(CS) Vehicle

(CS) Air

• C – Cvicna letadla: Trainer
• S – Stihaci: Fighter
  • S-199
• CS – Cvicna stihaci: Fighter trainer
• B – Bitevni letadla: Bomber
• LB – Lehka bombardovaci: Light bomber
• CB – Cvicna bitevni: Bomber trainer
• D – Dopravni: Transport
• K – Kuryrni: Liaison
• NK – Nakladni Kluzak: Glider
• VR – Vrtulník: Helicopter

Notes: This system was only adopted in 1945 and used until 1958, replaced later by simply using manufacturer type designations.

(CS) Ground

• LT – Lehký tank: Light tank
  • LT vz. 38
• ST – Střední tank: Medium tank
  • ST vz. 39
• OA – Obrněný automobil: Armoured car
• vz. – vzor: Version

(CS) Manufacturer/Designer

• ČKD – Českomoravská Kolben-Daněk
• ZB – Zbrojovka Brno

English

English abbreviations (quicklinks)‎
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English is spoken as a military language in (among others) the following countries: (UN) Universal (AU) Australia (CA) Canada (NZ) New Zealand (PH) Philippines (SA) South Africa (UK) United Kingdom (US) United States of America
Vehicle (UN) Vehicle (UN) Ground (UN) Naval (UK) Vehicle (UK) Ground (UK) Air (US) Vehicle (US) Ground (US) Air (US) Army (pre-1962) (US) Navy (pre-1962) (US) Post 1962 (US) Naval Manufacturer/Designer (AU) Manufacturer/Designer (UK) Manufacturer/Designer (US) Manufacturer/Designer (US)(Army) Air Force (US Navy Weaponry (UK) Weaponry (US) Weaponry Munition Munition (UK) Munition (US) Munition Military (AU) Military (CA) Military (NZ) Military (UK) Military (US) Military

(UN) Vehicle

(UN) Ground

• AA – Anti-Air
• AAA – Anti-Air Artillery
• APC – Armoured Personnel Carrier
  • Type 60 APC
• CFV – Cavalry Fighting Vehicle
  • M3A3 CFV
• IFV – Infantry Fighting Vehicle
  • Type 89 IFV
• MBT – Main Battle Tank
  • MBT-70
• MCV – Mobile Combat Vehicle
  • Type 16 MCV
• MGS – Mobile Gun System
  • M1128 MGS
• MLRS – Multiple Launch Rocket System
  • Type 75 MLRS
• RCV – Recon Combat Vehicle
  • Type 87 RCV
• SAM – Surface-to-Air Missile
  • Type 93 SAM
• SPAA – Self-Propelled Anti-Air (Gun)
  • Type 87 SPAA
• SPG – Self-Propelled Gun
• SPH – Self-Propelled Howitzer
  • Type 75 SPH
• SPRG – Self-Propelled Recoilless Gun
  • Type 60 SPRG

(UN) Naval

Country	Prefix	Meaning	Example
	HMAS	His/Her Majesty's Australian Ship	HMAS Tobruk
	HMCS	His/Her Majesty's Canadian Ship	HMCS Haida
	FGS	Federal German Ship – NATO designation	FGS Lübeck
	LÉ	Long Éireannach – Irish ship	LÉ Orla
	IJN	Imperial Japanese Navy – Not official	IJN Shimakaze
	JDS	Japanese Defense Ship	JDS Yūgure
	HMNZS	His/Her Majesty's New Zealand Ship	HMNZS Leander
	HMS	His/Her Majesty's Ship	HMS Southampton
	HMT	His/Her Majesty's Trawler	HMT Liscomb
	HMMGB	His/Her Majesty's Motor Gun Boat	HMMGB Grey Fox
	USS	United States Ship	USS Atlanta

(UK) Vehicle

(UK) Ground

• A – Armour Index of the General Staff (historical index number)
  • Infantry Tank Mk IV A22 "Churchill" Mk I
• AVRE – Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers
  • Centurion Mk.5 AVRE
• FV – Fighting Vehicle (modern index number)
  • FV4202

(UK) Air

• F – Fighter
  • Spitfire F.24
• FR – Fighter-Reconnaissance
  • Firefly FR.V
• FAW – Fighter All-Weather
  • Sea Venom FAW 20
• FG – Fighter/Ground attack
  • Phantom FG.1
• FGA – Fighter/Ground Attack
  • Sea Hawk FGA.6
• FGR – Fighter/Ground attack/Reconnaissance
  • Phantom FGR.2
• LF – Low-altitude Fighter (Spitfire only)
  • Seafire L.III
• LF – Low-altitude Fighter (Spitfire only)
  • Spitfire LF.IX
• FB – Fighter-Bomber
  • Sea Fury FB 11
• GR – Ground attack/Reconnaissance
  • Harrier GR.1
• B – Bomber
  • Lancaster B.III
• B(I) – Bomber (Interdictor)
  • Canberra B(I).6
• MR – Maritime Reconnaissance
  • Shackleton MR.2
• S – Strike (nuclear capability)
  • Buccaneer S.2
• TB – Torpedo Bomber
  • Hampden TB.I
• TF – Torpedo-Fighter
  • Firebrand TF.IV

(US) Vehicle

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(US) Ground

• T – Trial (model)
  • Assault Tank T14: Trial model 14 heavy tank
• M – Model
  • Medium Tank, M4 Sherman: Model 4 medium tank
• A – Advancement
  • Medium Tank, M4A1 Sherman: Model 4, Advancement 1 medium tank
• E – Experimental
  • Assault Tank M4A3E2 Jumbo: Model 4, Advancement 3, Experimental 2 assault tank
• W – Wet munition storage
  • M4A2 (76) W
• HVSS – Horizontal Volute Spring Suspension
  • Medium Tank M4A3 (105) HVSS Sherman
• LVT – Landing Vehicle, Tracked
  • LVT-4/40
• (A) – Armored
  • LVT(A)-1
• CCKW – General Motors designation: C – designed in 1941, C – conventional cab, K – all-wheel drive, W – dual rear axles
  • CCKW 353 AA
• HMC – Howitzer Motor Carriage
  • M8 HMC
• GMC – Gun Motor Carriage
  • M18 GMC
• CGMC – Combination Gun Motor Carriage
  • M15A1 CGMC
• MGMC – Multiple Gun Motor Carriage
  • M16 MGMC
• HC – Heavy Common
  • M1A1 HC
• IP – Improved Performance
  • IPM1
• RISE – Reliability Improved Selected Equipment
  • M60A1 RISE (P)
• AOS – Add-On Stabilization
  • M60A1 (AOS)
• TTS — Tank Thermal Sight
  • M60A3 TTS
• AMBT — Affordable Main Battle Tank
  • M60 AMBT

(US) Air

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(US) Army (pre-1962)

Code	Meaning	Example
A	Attacker	A-26
B	Bomber	B-17
F	Fighter	F-100
H	Helicopter	H-34
P	Pursuit	P-38
X-	Experimental	XA-38
Y-	Pre-production test	YP-38

(US) Navy (pre-1962)

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• A – Attacker
  • AD-4
• F – Fighter
  • F4F-3
• BT – Bomber (torpedo)
  • BTD-1
• P – Patrol
  • PV-2D
• PB – Patrol Bomber
  • PBY-5a Catalina
• SB – Scout Bomber (Dive bomber):
  • SB2U-2
• TB – Torpedo Bomber
  • TBD-1
• OS – Observation Scout
  • OS2U-1: Navy Observation Scout 2, Vought No.1

(US) Post 1962

• AH – Attack Helicopter
  • AH-1Z
• UH – Utility Helicopter
  • UH-1B

(US) Naval

Back to the English table

• AM – Minesweeper
  • USS Candid (AM-154)
• DD – Destroyer
  • Fletcher (DD-445)
• DL – Destroyer Leader
  • USS Wilkinson (DL-5)
• DE – Destroyer, Escort
• CL – Cruiser, Light: Light cruiser
  • USS Brooklyn (CL-40)
• CA – Cruiser, Armoured: Heavy cruiser
  • USS Pensacola (CA-24)
• CV – Cruiser, Voler: Aircraft carrier (historically based on aviation cruisers)
  • USS Lexington (CV-2)
• CB – Cruiser, Battle: Battlecruiser
• BB – Battleship
  • USS North Dakota (BB-29)
• PF - Patrol Frigate
  • USS Hoquiam (PF-5)
• PG – Patrol Gunboat
  • PG 02
• PGH – Patrol Gunboat Hydrofoil
  • PGH-2
• PGM – Patrol Gunboat Motor (later PG)
  • USS Asheville (PGM-84)
• PT – Patrol Torpedo boat
  • PT-20
• PTF – Patrol Torpedo boat, Fast
  • PTF-7
• PC – Patrol Chaser
  • PC-451
• SC – Submarine Chaser
  • SC-497
• LCT – Landing Craft, Tank
• LCS – Landing Craft, Support
  • LCS(L)(3)
• (L) – Large
  • LCS(L)(3)
• SS – Submarine
• SSN – Submarine, Nuclear-powered
• SSBN – Ballistic Missile Submarine, Nuclear-powered

(AU) Manufacturer/Designer

Back to the English table

• CAC – Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
  • CAC Boomerang Mk I
• DAP – Department of Aircraft Production
  • DAP Beaufort Mk VIII

(UK) Manufacturer/Designer

• AEC – Associated Equipment Company
  • AEC Mk.II
• BAe – British Aerospace
  • BAe Swingfire
• G – Gloster
  • Meteor F Mk 8 G.41K
• MB – Martin-Baker
  • MB.5

(US) Manufacturer/Designer

Back to the English table

• GMC – General Motors Company (not to be confused with Gun Motor Carriage)

(US)(Army) Air Force

Code	Manufacturer	Location	Example
AD	Aero Design & Engineering Co.	Bethany, OK
AE	Aeronca	Middletown, OH
AG	Air Glider	Akron, OH
AH	American Helicopter	Manhattan Beach, CA
AV	Avro Canada	Montreal, QC, Canada
BA	Bell Aircraft Co.	Atlanta, GA
BB	Babcock Aircraft	DeLand, FL
BC	Bell Aerosystems	Buffalo, NY
BE	Bell Aircraft Co.	Buffalo, NT
BF	Bell Aircraft Co.	Fort Worth, TX
BH	Beechcraft Aircraft Co.	Wichita, KS
BL	Bellanca	New Castle, DE
BN	Boeing	Renton, WA	B-29A-BN
BO	Boeing	Seattle, WA
BR	Briegleb Sailplane	Beverley Hills, CA
BS	Bowlus	San Francisco, CA
BU	Budd	Philadelphia, PA
BV	Boeing-Vertol	Morton, PA
BW	Boeing	Wichita, KS
CA	Chase Aircraft	West Trenton, NJ
CC	Canadian Commercial Corp.	Toronto, ON, Canada
CE	Cessna	Wichita, KS
CF	Convair / Consolidated-Vultee	Fort Worth, TX
CH	Christopher Aircraft	St. Louis, MO
CK	Curtiss-Wright	Louisville, KY
CL	Culver	Wichita, KS
CM	Commonwealth Aircraft	Kansas City, MO
CN	Chase Aircraft	Willow Run, MI
CO	Convair / Consolidated-Vultee	San Diego, CA	B-24D-25-CO
CR	Cornelius	Dayton, OH
CS	Curtiss-Wright	St. Louis, MO
CU	Curtiss-Wright	Buffalo, NY	P-40F-10-CU¹
CV	(Chance) Vought	Dallas, TX
CAN	Canadair Ltd.	Canada
DA	Doak Aircraft	Torrance, CA
DC	Douglas Aircraft Co.	Chicago, IL
DE	Douglas Aircraft Co.	El Segundo, CA
DH	De Havilland Canada	Toronto, ON, Canada
DJ	SNCA Sud-Ouest	Marignane, France
DK	Douglas Aircraft Co.	Oklahoma City, OK
DL	Douglas Aircraft Co.	Long Beach, CA
DM	Doman Helicopter	Danbury, CT
DO	Douglas Aircraft Co.	Santa Monica, CA
DT	Douglas Aircraft Co.	Tulsa, OK	A-26C-45-DT
FA	Fairchild	Hagerstown, MD
FB	Fairchild	Burlington, NC
FE	Fleet	Fort Erie, ON, Canada
FL	Fleetwings	Bristol, PA
FO	Ford	Willow Run, MI
FR	Frankfort	Joliet, IL
FS	Firestone	Los Angeles, CA
FT	Fletcher Aviation	Pasadena, CA
FIAT	Fiat Aviation	Italy	F-86K-FIAT¹
GA	G & A Aircraft	Willow Grove, PA
GC	General Motors (Fisher)	Cleveland, OH
GE	General Aircraft	Astoria, Long Island, NY
GF	Globe	Fort Worth, TX
GK	General Motors	Kansas City, KS
GM	General Motors (Fisher)	Detroit, MI
GN	Gibson Refrigerator	Greenville, MI
GO	Goodyear Aircraft Co.	Akron, OH
GR	Grumman Aircraft Engineering Co.	Bethpage, Long Island, NY
GT	Grand Central Aircraft Eng.	Tucson, AZ
GY	Gyrodyne Co., of America	St. James, Long Island, NY
HE	Helio	Norwood, MA
HI	Higgins Aircraft	New Orleans, LA
HI	Hiller	Palo Alto, CA
HO	Howard Aircraft	Chicago, IL
HP	Handey Page	Radlett, Herts, UK
HS	Hawker Siddeley Aviation	Kingston, Surrey, UK
HU	Hughes Aircraft	Culver City & San Diego CA
IN	Interstate A. & Eng.	El Segundo, CA
KA	Kaman	Windsor Locks, CT
KE	Kellet	Philadelphia, PA
KM	Kaiser Manufacturing	Willow Run, MI
LK	Laister-Kauffman	St. Louis, MO
LM	Lockheed Aircraft	Marietta, GA
LO	Lockheed Aircraft	Burbank, CA	P-38L-5-LO
MA	Glenn L. Martin Co.	Baltimore, MD
MC	McDonnell Aircraft Co.	St. Louis, MO
MD	Glenn L. Martin Co.	Baltimore, MD
MF	Glenn L. Martin Co.	Orlando, FL
MH	McCulloch Motors	Los Angeles, CA
MM	McDonnell Aircraft Co.	Memphis, TN
MIT	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.	Japan	F-86F-40-MIT¹
MO	Glenn L. Martin Co.	Omaha, NE
NA	North American Aviation	Inglewood, CA	P-51H-5-NA
NC	North American Aviation	Kansas City, KS
ND	Noorduyn Aviation	Montreal, QC, Canada
NF	North American Aviation	Fresno, CA
NH	North American Aviation	Columbus, OH
NI	North American Aviation	Downey, CA
NK	Nash-Kelvinator	Detroit, MI
NO	Northrop Co.	Hawthorne, CA	P-61C-1-NO¹
NT	North American Aviation	Dallas, TX	P-51C-11-NT
NW	Northwestern Aeronautical Co.	St. Paul, MN
OM	On Mark Engineering	Van Nuys, CA
PA	Piper	Lock Haven, PA
PH	Piasecki	Morton, PA
PI	Piper	Lockhaven, PA
PI	Piasecki	Philadelphia, PA
PL	Platt-LePage	Eddystone, PA
PR	Pratt, Read & Co.	Deep River, CT
RA	Republic Aircraft Co.	Evansville, IN	P-47D-23-RA
RD	Read-York	Kenosha, WI
RE	Republic Aircraft Co.	Farmingdale, Long Island, NY	F-84G-21-RE
RI	Ridgefield Mfg.	Ridgeville, NJ
RO	Robertson Aircraft	St. Louis, MO
RP	The Radioplane Co.	Van Nuys, CA
RY	Ryan Aeronautical	San Diego, CA
SA	Stroukoff	West Trenton, NJ
SE	Seibel Helicopter	Wichita, KS
SI	Sikorsky Aircraft Co.	Stratford, CT
SL	St. Louis Aircraft	St. Louis, MO
SP	Spartan	Tulsa, OK
SW	Schweizer	Elmira, NY
TA	Taylorcraft	Alliance, OH
TE	Temco	Dallas, TX
TG	Texas Engineering & Manufacturing	Greenville, TX
TI	Timm	Van Nuys, CA
TP	Texas Engineering & Manufacturing	Grand Prairie, TX
UH	United Helicopter	Palto Alto, CA
UN	Universal Molded Products	Bristol, VA
VE	Vega Aircraft Corp.	Burbank, CA	B-17G-60-VE
VI	Canadian Vickers	Montreal, Canada
VL	Vertol Aircraft	Morton, PA
VN	Vultee	Nashville, TN
VO	Chance Vought	Dallas, TX
VU	Vultee	Downey, CA
VW	Vultee	Wayne, MI
WA	Ward Furniture Co.	Fort Smith, AR
WI	Wichita Engineering	Wichita Falls, TX
WO	Waco	Troy, OH

Note:

1. Not designated as such in-game.

(US) Navy

Back to the English table

• A – Brewster
  • F2A-1 Buffalo: Navy Fighter 2, Brewster No. 1
• C – Curtiss
  • SB2C-4 Helldiver: Navy Scout Bomber 2, Curtiss No. 4
• D – Douglas
  • SBD-3 Dauntless: Navy Scout Bomber, Douglas No. 3
• F – Grumman
  • F6F-5 Hellcat: Navy Fighter 6, Grumman No. 5
• H – McDonnell
  • F2H-2 Banshee: Navy (Jet) Fighter 2, McDonnell No. 2
• J – North American
  • PBJ-1H Mitchell: Navy Patrol Bomber, North American No. 1
• M – Martin
  • PBM-3 Mariner: Navy Patrol Bomber, Martin No. 3
• U – Vought (military designation)
  • OS2U-1 Kingfisher: Navy Observation Scout 2, Vought No.1
• V – Vought (company designation)
  • V-156-B1
• Y – Consolidated
  • PBY-5 Catalina: Navy Patrol Bomber, Consolidated No. 5

(UK) Weaponry

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• BL – Breech-loading (cannon): Usually for (naval) guns of 5 inch calibre and upwards.
  • 6 inch/45 BL Mark XII (152 mm)
• QF – Quick-firing (cannon): Usually for (naval) guns of up to 5 inch calibre.
  • 6 inch/50 QF Mark N5 (152 mm)
• RP – Remote-powered (control): System of direct unified control of turrets (RP.10: Hydraulic, RP.50: Electric)
• HA – High-angle (mount): Mounting for large-calibre AA guns.
• CP – Central-pivot (mount): Mounting for naval guns.
• BD – Between decks (mount): Low profile mountings, noticeably for being flush with the flight decks on carriers
• STAAG – Stabilized tachymetric anti-aircraft gun (mount)
  • QF STAAG Mark II (40 mm)
• ADEN – Armament Development Establishment, Enfield
  • ADEN (30 mm)
• RARDEN – Royal Armament, Research and Development Establishment, Enfield
  • L21A1 RARDEN (30 mm)
• pdr – Pounder: Gun designations based on the pound (lb) weight of their projectiles.
  • 20pdr OQF Mk.I (84 mm)
• cwt – Hundredweight (centum weight): Gun designations based on weight (barrel and breech) in cwt (1 cwt = 112 lb)
  • OQF 3in 20cwt (76 mm) (20 cwt = 2,250 lb)
• GO – Gas Operated

(US) Weaponry

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• CITV – Commander Independent Thermal Viewer
• MCLOS – Manual Command to Line of Sight
• SACLOS – Semi-Automatic Command to Line of Sight
• TOW – Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided
  • BGM-71 TOW
• VADS – Vulcan Air Defense System
• AN – Army/Navy
  • AN/M2 (20 mm)
• HB – Heavy Barrel
  • M2HB (12.7 mm)

The 1963 tri-service designation system introduced 3-letter codes for all unmanned guided vehicles (missiles, drones, and probes). This is not a complete list and only contains relevant listings.

First Letter (launch environment)	Second Letter (mission type)	Third Letter (projectile type)	Examples
A – Air-launched	G – Surface-Attack	M – Missile	BGM-71A TOW AIM-9B Sidewinder AGM-12B Bullpup UGM-133 Trident II MGM-51B Shillelagh MIM-146 ADATS
B – Multiple-launched
M – Mobile-launched	I – Intercept-Aerial
U – Underwater-launched

Munition

Back to the English table

• B – Ball-Point
• I – Incendiary
• I-T – Incendiary Tracer
• IAI – Immediate Action Incendiary
• FI – Fragmentation Incendiary
• FI-T – Fragmentation Incendiary Tracer
• T – Tracer
• P – Practice
• PT – Practice Tracer
• SAP – Semi-Armour-Piercing
• SAPI – Semi-Armour-Piercing Incendiary
• AP – Armour-Piercing
• API – Armour-Piercing Incendiary
• AP-T – Armour-Piercing Tracer
• API-T – Armour-Piercing Incendiary Tracer
• APC – Armour-Piercing Capped
• APCBC – Armour-Piercing Capped Ballistic Capped
• APCR – Armour-Piercing Composite Rigid
• APHE – Armour-Piercing High-Explosive
• APDS – Armour-Piercing Discarding Sabot
• APFSDS – Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot
• HVAP – High-Velocity Armour-Piercing
• HVAP-T – High-Velocity Armour-Piercing Tracer
• HE – High-Explosive
• HEF – High-Explosive Fragmentation
• HE-I – High-Explosive Incendiary
• HEFI – High-Explosive Fragmentation Incendiary
• HEF-T – High-Explosive Fragmentation Tracer
• HEFI-T – High-Explosive Fragmentation Incendiary Tracer
• HESH – High-Explosive Squash-Head
• HEAT – High-Explosive Anti-Tank
• HEATFS – High-Explosive Anti-Tank Fin-Stabilized
• ATGM – Anti-Tank Guided Missile
• GP – General Purpose (bomb)
• MC – Medium Capacity (bomb)
• HC – High Capacity (bomb)

(UK) Munition

• RP – Rocket Projectile
  • RP-3

(US) Munition

• HVAR – High Velocity Aircraft Rocket
  • HVAR
• FFAR – Forward-Firing Aircraft Rocket or Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket
  • FFAR Mighty Mouse
• WAFAR – Wrap-Around Fin Aerial Rocket
• SSWAFAR – Spin-Stabilized Wrap-Around Fin Aerial Rocket

(AU) Military

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• RAAF – Royal Australian Air Force

(CA) Military

• RCAF – Royal Canadian Air Force

(NZ) Military

• RNZAF – Royal New Zealand Air Force

(UK) Military

• RAF – Royal Air Force
• RN – Royal Navy
• FAA – Fleet Air Arm: Royal Navy Air Force

(US) Military

Back to the English table

• USAAF – United States Army Air Force
• USAF – United States Air Force
• USMC – United States Marine Corps
  • M3A1 (USMC)
• USN – United States Navy
• VMF – Marine Fighter Squadron: V – Fixed-wing aircraft, M – Marine Corps, F – Fighter
  • F4U-4B VMF-214: Marine Fighter Squadron No. 214
• VMA – Marine Attacker Squadron: V – Fixed-wing aircraft, M – Marine Corps, A – Attacker

Finnish

Finnish abbreviations (quicklinks)‎
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Vehicle (FI) Vehicle (FI) Air Force designations (FI) Finnish Armour Registry Weaponry (FI) Weaponry Manufacturer/Designer (FI) Manufacturer/Designer

(FI) Vehicle

(FI) Air Force designations

Finnish Air Force designations are painted on the side of aircraft and acts as the prefix to their airframe number.

In-Game

• BW – Brewster (Designation for the Brewster Buffalo model 239 (F2A (Family)))
  • B-239
• CU – Curtis (Designation for the Curtiss Hawk 75 series)
  • CUc – Curtis Cyclone (Designation for the Curtiss Hawk 75 series with Wright R-1820 Cyclone engine)
  • CUw – Curtis Wasp (Designation for the Curtiss Hawk 75 series with Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp engine
    • ▀Hawk H-75A-2
• FR – Fokker (Designation for the Fokker D.XXI series)
  • FRm – Fokker Mercury (Designation for the Fokker D.XXI with Bristol Mercury engine)
    • Fokker D.XXI series 1
    • okker D.XXI series 3
  • FRw – Fokker Wasp (Designation for the Fokker D.XXI with Pratt & Whitney R-1535 Twin Wasp Junior engine)
• HC – Hurricane (Designation for the Hawker Hurricane series)
  • ▄Hurricane Mk I/L
• JK – Junkers (Designation for the Junkers Ju 88 series)
  • ▄Ju 88 A-4
• MG – MiG (Designation for the MiG-21 series)
  • ▄MiG-21bis
  • MGT – MiG Tiedustelu: MiG Reconnaissance (Designation for the Finnish reconnaissance version of the MiG-21F-13)
  • MGBT – MiG Bis Tiedustelu: MiG Bis Reconnaissance (Designation for the Finnish reconnaissance version of the MiG-21bis)
• MS – Morane-Saulnier (Designation for the Morane-Saulnier M.S.406C1, M.S.410)
  • MSv – Morane-Saulnier VK or Morane-Saulnier Venäläinen: Morane-Saulnier Russian (Designation for the Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 with Russian VK-105 engine)
    • Mörkö-Morane
• MT – Messerschmitt (Designation for the Messerschmitt Bf 109 series)
  • ▄Bf 109 G-2
  • ▄Bf 109 G-6
  • ▄Bf 109 G-6 (Erla canopy)
• PM – Pyörremyrsky (Designation for the VL Pyörremyrsky)

Other designations

• BL – Blenheim (Designation for the Bristol Blenheim, Mk I, Blenheim Mk IV)
• BU – Bulldog (Designation for the Bristol Bulldog series)
• CA – Caudron (Designation for the Caudron C.R.714)
• DK – Draken (Designation for the Saab 35 Draken series)
• DN – Dornier (Designation for the Dornier Do 17 series)
• FA – Freccia (Designation for the Fiat G.50 series)
• FK – Fokker (Designation for the Fokker C.X)
• GL – Gladiator (Designation for the Gloster Gladiator series)
• GN – Gnat (Designation for the Folland Gnat)
• GT – Gauntlet (Designation for the Gloster Gauntlet)
• HM – Humu (Designation for the VL Humu)
• HW – Hawk (Designation for the BAE Systems Hawk)
• IH – Istrebitel Hävittäjät: Istrebitel (Истребитель) Fighter (Designation for the Polikarpov I-15 M-22, I-15bis)
• IT – Istrebitel Tiedustelulentokoneet: Istrebitel (Истребитель) Reconnaissance aircraft (Designation for the Polikarpov I-153 M-62)
• JF – Jaktfalken (Designation for the Svenska Aero Jaktfalken series)
• KH – Kittyhawk (Designation for the Curtis P-40 Kittyhawk series)
• LG – LaGG (Designation for the Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3 series)
• MY – Myrsky (Designation for the VL Myrsky series)
• NH – Neuvostoliittolainen Hinauskone: Soviet Towing-plane (Designation for the IL-28, IL-28R)
• PE – Petlyakov (Designation for the Petlyakov Pe-2 series and Pe-3 series)
• SB – Skorostnoi Bombardirovschik: (Скоростной бомбардировщик) High-speed Bomber (Designation for the Tupolev SB 2M series)
• VA – Vampire (Designation for the de Havilland Vampire Mk 52)
• VH – Venäläinen Hävittäjät: Russian Fighter (Early designation for the Polikarpov I-15 series)
• VP – Vänäläinen Pommikoneet: Russian Bomber (Early designation for the Tupolev SB 2M series)
• VT – Vampire Trainer (Designation for the de Havilland Vampire Mk 55)

(FI) Finnish Armour Registry

Only in-game equipment will be noted.

The Panssarirekisteri, translated as Armour Registry is an index for Finnish armoured vehicles ranging from recovery vehicles, tanks and other.

• Ps. 001 - 099 | Armoured Car

• Ps. 100 - 199 | Light Tank

• Ps. 141 - PT-76B
• Ps. 161 - Vickers Mk.E (Inc. T-26E)

• Ps. 200 - 299 | Tank

• Ps. 221 - PzKw IV J
• Ps. 231 - T-34-76
• Ps. 241 - T-28
• Ps. 245 - T-34-85
• Ps. 251 - Charioteer Mk VII
• Ps. 252 - Comet I
• Ps. 262 - T-54
• Ps. 264 - T-72M1
• Ps. 272 - KV-1E
• Ps. 273 - Leopard 2A4
• Ps. 274 - Leopard 2A6NL

• Ps. 300 - 399 | ...

• Ps. 400 - 499 | Anti-Air

• Ps. 455 - ItPsv 41 (L-62 ANTI II)
• Ps. 461 - ItPsv SU-57 (ZSU-57-2)
• Ps. 477 - ItO 90M

• Ps. 500 - 599 | Self-propelled guns

• Ps. 511 - BT-42

• Ps. 600 - 699 | Armoured personnel carriers
• Ps. 700 - 799 | Engineering Vehicles

(FI) Weaponry

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• Psv. – Panssarivaunu: Tank
  • Psv.K – Panssarivaunu Kanuuna: Tank Cannon
    • 37 Psv.K/36 (Swedish Kan m/36 (37 mm))
    • 45 Psv.K/32 – 38 (▂ 20-K (45 mm) model 32 – 38)
    • 75 Psv.K/40 (▀ KwK40 L48 (75 mm) and StuK40 L48 (75 mm))
    • 76 Psv.K/27 (▂ L-10 (76 mm))
    • 76 Psv.K/34 (▂ F-32 (76 mm))
    • 76 Psv.K/F-34 (▂ F-34 (76 mm))
    • 76 Psv.K/39 (▂ ZiS-5 (76 mm))
    • 85 Psv.K/44 (▂ ZiS-S-53 (85 mm))
    • 152 Psv.K/37 (▂ ML-20S (152 mm))
  • Psv.H – Panssarivaunu Haupitsi: Tank Howitzer
    • 114 Psv.H/18 (British Q.F. 4.5 inch Howitzer Mk 2)
• LKk – LentoKonekivääri : Aircraft machine gun (literally: Air Machine rifle)
  • 12.7 mm LKk/42 machine gun
• ItO – Ilmatorjuntaohjus: Anti-air missile (literally: Air protection missile)
  • ItO 90M (vehicle named after its weapon system)
• ItPsv - Ilmatorjuntapanssarivaunu: Anti-air tank (literally: Air protection tank)
  • ItPsv 41 (L-62 ANTI II)
  • ItPsv SU-57 (ZSU-57-2)

(FI) Manufacturer/Designer

• IVL – Ilmailuvoimien Lentokonetehdas: The Air Force's aircraft factory
• VL – Valtion Lentokonetehdas: State Aircraft factory
• VKT – Valtion Kivääritehdas: State Rifle factory

French

French abbreviations (quicklinks)‎
Back to the language table
French is spoken as a military language in (among others) the following countries: (BE) Belgium (CA) Canada (CH) Switzerland (FR) France
Vehicle (FR) Vehicle Weaponry (FR) Weaponry (BE) Weaponry Munition (FR) Munition Prefix/Suffix (FR) Prefix/Suffix Manufacturer/Designer (FR) Manufacturer/Designer (BE) Manufacturer/Designer Military (FR) Military

(FR) Vehicle

• Char – Char de bataille: Battle tank
  • Char 25t
• AMC – Automitrailleuse de Combat: Combat machine gun (vehicle)
  • AMC.34 YR
• AMD – Automitrailleuse de Découverte: Scout machine gun (vehicle)
  • AMD.35
• AMR – Automitrailleuse de Reconnaissance: Scout machine gun (vehicle)
  • AMR.35 ZT3
• AML – Automitrailleuse Légère: Light machine gun (vehicle)
  • AML-90
• DCA – Défense contre avions: Anti-air defence
  • AMX-30 DCA
• EBR – Engin Blindé de Reconnaissance: Armoured reconnaissance vehicle
  • E.B.R. (1954)
• VTT – Véhicule de transport de troupe: Armoured personnel carrier (literally: Troop transport vehicle)
• CA – Canon d'assaut: Tank destroyer (literally: Assault cannon)
  • CA Lorraine
• CAu – Canon automoteur: Self-propelled gun
  • CAu SAu 40
• CC – Chasseur de Chars: Tank destroyer (literally: Tank hunter)
  • CC Lorraine
• TRC – Tracteur de ravitaillement pour chars: Tank supply tractor
• RC – Roues-Canon: Wheeled gun (carrier)
  • AMX-10RC
• Mle – Modèle: Model
  • Mle 1923 (7.5 mm)

(FR) Weaponry

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• AAT – Arme Automatique Transformable: general-purpose machine gun
• SA – Semi-automatique: Semi-automatic (cannon)
  • SA35 L/32 (47 mm)
• CA – Canon antiaérien: Anti-aircraft cannon
• CN – Canon: cannon (tank)
  • CN-105-F1 (105 mm)
• CAD – Canon antiaérien double: Twin (mount) anti-aircraft cannon
• CAQ – Canon antiaérien quadruple: Quad (mount) anti-aircraft cannon
• T – Tourelle: turret-mounted (aircraft)
  • MAC 1934T (7.5 mm)

(BE) Weaponry

• MAG – Mitrailleuse d'Appui Général: general support machine gun
  • FN MAG (7.92 mm)
  • FN MAG 60-40 (7.62 mm)

(FR) Munition

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• ACRA – Anti-Char Rapide Autopropulsé:Anti-Tank Quick Self-propelled (missile)
  • ACRA (142 mm)
• Ch.F – Charge Forte: (literally: Strong charge) Designates a shell whose propellant charge is bigger than usual shells. Effects are a higher initial speed, increased penetration but more stress and heating for the cannon.
• HOT – Haut Subsonique Optiquement Téléguidé: High Subsonic, Optical Remote-Guided, Tube-Launched (missile)
  • HOT
• OE – Obus Explosif: High-explosive shell
• OEA – Obus Explosif Acier: High-explosive fuzed (AA) shell
• OEcl – Obus Eclairant: Illumination shell
• OPf – Obus Perforant: Armour-piercing shell
• OPfK – Obus Perforant (avec colorant) K: Armour-piercing naval shell (with type K spotting dye)
• OFl – Obus Flèche: APDS shell (literally: Dart shell)
• OCC – Obus Charge Creuse: HEAT shell (literally: Hollow charge shell)
• PCOT – Perforant Coiffé Ogive Traceur: Armour-piercing Capped Tracer shell
• POT – Perforant Ogive Traceur: Armour-piercing Tracer shell
• AA – Air-Air: Air-to-air (missile)
  • AA-20 Nord
• AS – Air-Sol: Air-to-ground (missile)
  • AS-20 Nord
• SS – Sol-Sol: Ground-to-ground (missile)
  • SS.11
• TP – Traceuse Perforante: Armour-piercing Tracer shell

(FR) Prefix/Suffix

• bis: Second (iteration)
  • B1 bis
• ter: Third (iteration)
  • B1 ter

(FR) Manufacturer/Designer

Back to the French table

• AMX – Atelier de Construction d'Issy-Les-Moulineaux: Issy-Les-Moulineaux construction workshop
  • AMX-13
• APX – Atelier de Puteaux
• ACL – Atelier et Chantiers de la Loire
  • ARL-44 (ACL-1)
• ARL – Atelier de Construction de Rueil: Rueil construction workshop
  • ARL-44
• GIAT – Groupement Industriel de l'Armement Terrestre Industrial group for land weapon systems
  • GIAT M781 (30 mm)
• S/SOMUA – Société d'outillage mécanique et d'usinage d'artillerie: Mechanical tooling and artillery machining company
  • Char de cavalerie SOMUA 1935 S (S.35)
• NC/SNCAC – Société Nationale de Constructions Aéronautiques du Centre
  • NC.900
• SA/SNCASE – Société Nationale de Constructions Aéronautiques du Sud-Est
  • SA.313B Alouette II
• SO/SNCASO – Société Nationale de Constructions Aéronautiques du Sud-Ouest
  • S.O.8000 Narval
• FCM – Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée
  • FCM.36
• DEFA – Direction des Études et Fabrications d'Armes
  • DEFA 551 (30 mm)
• MAC – Manufacture d'Armes de Châtellerault: Châtellerault weapons manufacturer
  • MAC 1934 (7.5 mm)
• FL – Fives-Lille
  • M4A1 (FL10)
• R – Renault
  • R.35 (SA38)
• H – Hotchkiss
  • H.35
• L – Lorraine
  • Lorraine 37L
• D – Dewoitine
  • Dewoitine D.520
• C/CR – Caudron(-Renault)
  • Caudron C.R.714
• MS – Morane-Saulnier
  • Morane-Saulnier M.S.405C1
• F – Farman
  • Farman F.222.2
• MB – Marcel Bloch (renamed to Dassault in 1949)
  • Bloch M.B.174A-3
• MD – Marcel Dassault
  • Dassault M.D.452 IIA
• LeO – Lioré-et-Olivier
  • Lioré-et-Olivier LeO 451 early
• VG – Arsenal (named after Michel Vernisse and Jean Galtier)
  • Arsenal V.G.33C-1
• VB – Arsenal (named after Michel Vernisse and Michel Badie)
  • Arsenal VB.10C-1
• HS – Hispano-Suiza
  • Hispano HS.9 (20 mm)

(BE) Manufacturer/Designer

• FN – Fabrique Nationale Herstal (National Factory Herstal)
  • FN M3P (12.7 mm)
• FRC – Fonderie Royale des Canons (Royal Cannon Foundry)
• SABCA – Société Anonyme Belge de Constructions Aéronautiques: Belgian Limited Company of Aeronautical Constructions
• SV – Stampe-Vertongen
  • R – Renard (named after Alfred Renard)
    • Renard R.36

(FR) Military

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• BCC – Battalion de Chars de Combat: Battle tank battalion
• RCC – Régiment de Chars de Combat: Battle tank regiment
• DCr – Division Cuirassée: Armoured division
• MN – Marine Nationale: French navy (literally: National navy)
• FNFL – Forces Navales Françaises Libres: Free French naval forces
• FAFL – Forces Aériennes Françaises Libres: Free French air forces

German

German abbreviations (quicklinks)‎
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German is spoken as a military language in (among others) the following countries: (AT) Austria (CH) Switzerland (DE) Germany (FRG) Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) (GDR) German Democratic Republic (East Germany)
Vehicle (DE) Vehicle (DE) Ground (DE) Sd.Kfz. Index (DE) Air (DE) Naval Weaponry (CH) Weaponry (DE) Weaponry Munition (DE) Munition Prefix/Suffix (DE) Prefix/Suffix (DE) Beutepanzers Manufacturer/Designer (DE) Manufacturer/Designer Military (DE) Military

(DE) Vehicle

(DE) Ground

(DE) WWII

• Pz. – Panzer: Tank (literally: Armour)
  • Wg. – Wagen: Vehicle
  • Kpfw. – Kampfwagen: (literally: Combat vehicle)
    • Pz.Kpfw. IV F2
  • J./Jg./Jgd. – Jagd Tank destroyer (literally: Hunt)
• Sp. – Späh: Scout
• Bfw. – Befehl(s): Command
  • Bfw. Jagdpanther
• Stu – Sturm: Assault
  • G – Geschütz: Gun
    • StuG III A
  • H – Haubitze: Howitzer
    • StuH 42 G
  • K – Kanone: Cannon
    • StuK40 L43 (75 mm)
    • StuK40 L48 (75 mm)
• Pz.W./Pz.Wfr. – Panzerwerfer: Multitple rocket launcher (literally: Armoured launcher)
  • 15 cm Pz.W.42
• VK – Versuchskonstruktion: Trial design (literally: Experimental construction) or Vollketten/Vollkettenfahrzeug: Fully tracked/Fully tracked vehicle
  • VK 30.02 (M)
  • VK 45.01 (P)
• E – Entwicklung: Development (refers to the proposed standardised tank development projects)
  • E-100
• Ausf. – Ausführung: Model
• Fgst. – Fahrgestell: Chassis
  • Flakpanzer 38, 2 cm, Pz.Fgst.38 (t) Sf.
• Sf./Sfl. – Selbstfahrlafette: Self-propelled gun (literally: Self-propelled carriage)
  • Pz.Sfl.Ic
• GW – Geschützwagen: (Heavy) self-propelled gun (literally: Gun vehicle)
• ZgKw – Zugkraftwagen: Truck
• Zug – Zugkraftwagen: Truck (not to be confused with "Zug", train, or "Zug", platoon)

(GDR) / (FGR) Post-War

• KPz – Kampfpanzer: Battle tank
  • KPz-70
• SPz – Schützenpanzer: Infantry fighting vehicle (literally: Rifleman's tank)
  • SPz BMP-1
• SPW — Schützenpanzerwagen: Armoured personnel carrier (literally: Rifleman's armoured vehicle)
• JPz – Jagdpanzer: Tank destroyer (literally: Hunt tank)
  • JPz 4-5
• RakJPz – Raketenjagdpanzer: (Missile-carrier based) tank destroyer (literally: Rocket hunt tank)
  • RakJPz 2
• VT – Versuchsträger: Test-bed (literally: Experiment carrier)
  • VT1-2

(DE) Sd.Kfz. Index

Only in-game available vehicles & relevant base vehicle are noted down

Sonderkraftfahrzeug (abbreviated Sd.Kfz.) was the ordnance inventory designation used by Nazi Germany during World War II for military vehicles ranging from armoured, tracked & half-tracked.

• Sd.Kfz. 1 – 99: Unarmoured half-tracked vehicles:

• Sd.Kfz. 4 (Maultier based on 4.5-ton trucks)
  • Sd.Kfz. 4/2 (15 cm Pz.W.42)
• Sd.Kfz. 6 (5-ton medium halftrack for engineers)
  • Sd.Kfz. 6/1 (5-ton medium half-track for the artillery)
  • Sd.Kfz. 6/2 (self-propelled FlaK 36 (37 mm))
• Sd.Kfz. 9 (18-ton heavy half-track)
  • 8,8 cm Flak 37 Sfl. (Sd.Kfz.9 with FlaK 37 (88 mm))

• Sd.Kfz. 100 – 199: Tanks and tank variants, such as tank destroyers and self-propelled artillery:

• Sd.Kfz. 121: Pz.II Ausf. A – F
• Sd.Kfz. 138: Marder III H (75 mm AT-gun)
  • Sd.Kfz. 138/2: Jagdpanzer 38(t)
• Sd.Kfz. 139: Marder III (76.2 mm AT-gun)
• Sd.Kfz. 140: Flakpanzer 38(t)
  • Sd.Kfz. 140/1
• Sd.Kfz. 141: Pz.III A – J (KwK36 (37 mm) or KwK L/42 (50 mm))
  • Sd.Kfz. 141/1: Pz.III J1 – M (KwK39 (50 mm) L/60)
  • Sd.Kfz. 141/2: Pz.III N (KwK37 (75 mm))
• Sd.Kfz. 142: StuG III A – E (KwK37 (75 mm))
  • Sd.Kfz. 142/1: StuG III F – G (StuK40 L43 (75 mm) or StuK40 L48 (75 mm))
  • Sd.Kfz. 142/2: StuH 42 (StuH42 (105 mm))
• Sd.Kfz. 161: Pz.IV A – F1 (KwK37 (75 mm))
  • Sd.Kfz. 161/1: Pz.IV F2 – G (KwK40 L43 (75 mm))
  • Sd.Kfz. 161/2: Pz.IV G – J (KwK40 L48 (75 mm))
  • Sd.Kfz. 161/3: Ostwind, Kugelblitz, Möbelwagen
  • Sd.Kfz. 161/4: Wirbelwind
• Sd.Kfz. 162: Jagdpanzer IV
  • Sd.Kfz. 162/1: Panzer IV/70(V) & Panzer IV/70(A) (Jagdpanzer IV with PaK42 (75 mm) L/70)
• Sd.Kfz. 164: Nashorn
• Sd.Kfz. 166: Brummbar
• Sd.Kfz. 171: Pz.V 'Panther'
• Sd.Kfz. 172: Pz.V 'Panther II'
• Sd.Kfz. 173: Jagdpanther
• Sd.Kfz. 181: Pz.VI 'Tiger'
• Sd.Kfz. 182: Pz.VI 'Tiger II'
• Sd.Kfz. 184: Ferdinand / Elefant
• Sd.Kfz. 186: Jagdtiger

• Sd.Kfz. 200 – 299: Reconnaissance vehicles, armoured cars, armoured personnel carriers, and command tanks:

• Sd.Kfz.221: (Leichter Panzerspähwagen (M.G.))
  • Sd.Kfz.221 (s.Pz.B.41)
• Sd.Kfz.222: (Leichter Panzerspähwagen (2 cm))
  • Sd.Kfz.222
• Sd.Kfz. 234: (Schwerer Panzerspähwagen)
  • Sd.Kfz.234/1
  • Sd.Kfz.234/2
  • Sd.Kfz.234/3
  • Sd.Kfz.234/4
• Sd.Kfz. 251: (medium armoured half-track)
  • Sd.Kfz.251/9
  • Sd.Kfz.251/10
  • Sd.Kfz.251/21
  • Sd.Kfz.251/22

• Sd.Kfz. 300+: Mine-clearing and demolition charge laying vehicles

(DE) Air

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• StuKa – Sturzkampfflugzeug: Dive bomber (literally: Dive fighting aircraft)
• PAH – Panzerabwehrhubschrauber: Anti-tank helicopter
  • BO 105 PAH-1

(DE) Naval

• Z – Zerstörer: Destroyer
  • Z20 Karl Galster
• K – Kanonenboot: Gun boat
  • K2
• T – Torpedoboot: Torpedo boat
  • T31
• R – Räumboot: Mine sweeper
  • R-41
• S – Schnellboot: Fast attack craft
  • S-100
• LS – Leichte-Schnellboot: Light fast attack craft
  • LS 3
• VS – Versuchs-Schnellboot: Experimental fast attack craft
  • VS-10
• SF – Siebelfähre: Siebel ferry (named after Friedrich Siebel)
  • SF40 Light
• AF/AFP – Artilleriefährprahm: Artillery ferry barge
  • AF D1
• MZ – Mehrzweckboot: Multi-purpose boat
  • MZ1
• U – Unterseeboot: Submarine

(CH) Weaponry

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• KDA – Kanone, Kalibergruppe D, Ausführung A: Cannon, calibre group D (30 mm+), variant A (belt-fed)
  • Oerlikon KDA (35 mm)
• KAD – Kanone, Kalibergruppe A, Ausführung D: Cannon, calibre group A (20 mm), variant D
  • Oerlikon KAD (20 mm)

(DE) Weaponry

• FH – Feldhaubitze: Field howitzer
• IG – Infanteriegeschütz: Infantry gun
  • s.I.G.33 (150 mm)
• Sfl – Selbstfahrlafette: Self-propelled gun (literally: Self-propelled mount/chassis)
• KwK – Kampfwagenkanone: Tank gun (literally: Combat vehicle cannon)
  • KwK42 (75 mm)
• PaK – Panzerabwehrkanone: Anti-tank gun (literally: Armour-defence cannon)
  • PaK39 L48 (75 mm)
• FlaK/Flak – Flugabwehrkanone/Fliegerabwehrkanone: Anti-air gun (literally: Air-defence cannon)
  • FlaK43 (37 mm)
• MG – Maschinengewehr: Machine gun (literally: Machine rifle)
  • MG34 (7.92 mm)
• MG FF – Maschinengewehr Flügel Fest: Machine gun wing-fixed
  • MG FF (20 mm)
• MG FF/M – Maschinengewehr Flügel Fest/Minengeschoß: Machine gun wing-fixed/mineshot
  • MG FF/M (20 mm)
• MK – Maschinenkanone: Autocannon (literally: Machine cannon), occasionally Motorkanone, cannon firing through an engine
  • MK 108 (30 mm)
• SK – Schiffskanone: Ship cannon (originally used as Schnellfeuerkanone: Quick-firing cannon during WWI)
  • SK C/32 (105 mm)
• TbtK – Torpedobootskanone: Torpedo boat cannon (also used for some destroyer turrets/guns)
• BK – Bordkanone: Board cannon (large calibre guns equipped on aircraft)
  • BK 3.7 (37 mm)
• BR – Bordrakete: Board rocket (rockets equipped to aircraft)
• K – Kanone: Cannon
• T – Torpedo
• LT – Lufttorpedo: Aerial torpedo (torpedoes used by aircraft)
• L/ – Länge: Length (refers to calibre-length of gun barrels)
  • 8.8 cm L/56 KwK36 (barrel length of 56 x 88 mm = 4.928 m)
• C/ – Construktionsjahr: Year of construction (archaic spelling of Konstruktion)
  • 2 cm/65 C/38 (20 mm) (model of 1938)
• L – Lafette: Gun mount
• DopL – Doppellafette: Twin gun mount (literally: Double mount)
• DrhL – Drehturmlafette: Turret gun mount (literally: Turntable turret mount)
• Pz.B. – Panzerbüchse: Anti-tank rifle (literally: Tank rifled gun)
  • s.Pz.B.41 (28/20 mm)

(DE) Munition

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• Gr – Granate: Grenade (synonymous with both shell and shot)
• Br – Brandkörper: Incendiary charge (literally: Blaze body)
• KGr – Kanonengranate: Cannon shell (literally: Cannon grenade)
• PzGr – Panzergranate: Armour-piercing shell (literally: Armour grenade)
• BrGr – Brandgranate: Incendiary shell (literally: Fire grenade)
• PzBrGr – Panzerbrandgranate: Armour-piercing incendiary shell (literally: Armour Fire grenade)
• SpGr – Sprenggranate: High-explosive fragmentation shell (literally: Burst grenade). Sometimes spelled Sprgr.
• PzSpGr – Panzersprenggranate: Armour-piercing high-explosive shell (literally: Armour burst grenade)
• HlGr – Hohlladungsgranate: High-explosive anti-tank shell (literally: Hollow-charge grenade)
• Patr – Patrone: Bullet
• GrPatr – Granatpatrone: Shell (for 15 and 20 mm munition)
• SC – Sprengbombe Cylindrisch: General-purpose bomb (archaic spelling of zylindrisch, literally: Burst bomb, cylindrical)
• SD – Sprengbombe Dickwandig: Semi-armour-piercing bomb (literally: Burst bomb, thick-walled)
• PC – Panzersprengbombe Cylindrisch: Armour-piercing high-explosive bomb (literally: Armour-bursting bomb, cylindrical)
• PD – Panzersprengbombe Dickwandig: Heavy armour-piercing bomb (literally: Armour-bursting bomb, thick-walled)
• LFK – Lenkflugkörper: (Anti-tank) guided missile (literally: Guided flight body)
• F5W – Torpedo designation: F – 17.7 inch (450 mm) calibre, 5 – roughly 5 meter length, W – whitehead (German designation of Italian F200/450 torpedo)
• G7a/T 1 – Torpedo designation: G – 21 inch (533 mm) calibre, 7 – roughly 7 meter length, a – steam propulsion, T 1 – Torpedo model number 1
• L'spur – Leuchtspur: Tracer
• Zerl. – Zerleger: Self-destroying (literally: Disassambler)
• Fp – Füllpulver: Explosive filling (literally: Filling powder)
• DM – Deutsches Modell: German Model (modern designation to differentiate between American M munition)
• Zt.Z – Zeitzünder: Time fuse
• Lh – Lichtspurhülse: Base tracer
• Bd.Z – Bodenzünder: Base fuse. Sometimes spelled Bdz
• m.Hb – mit Haube: Capped

(DE) Prefix/Suffix

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• le – leicht/leichte/leichter: Light
• m — mittlere/mittlerer: Medium
• s – schwer/schwere/schwerer: Heavy
• gp – gepanzert: Armoured
• nA – neuer Art: Modernized (literally: New type)
• U – Umbau: Conversion (kit)
  • Me 410 A-1/U2
• R – Rüstsatz: Upgrade (kit)
  • Me 410 B-6/R3
• /Trop – Tropen: Tropic (variant with air filters)
  • Bf 109 G-2/trop
• (Mob) – Mobilmachung: Mobilization (design modification aimed at simplified and thus faster construction)
  • Type 1936A (Mob)

(DE) Beutepanzer

Many foreign vehicles were captured and used by the Germans during the war and dubbed as Beutepanzer (Lit: Loot Tanks). These would be renamed under German designation, both combat captured and produced within captured countries would follow these designations. Redesignation of both small-arms and cannons follow their own naming and designations. All identification numbers can overlap.

The redesignation of these vehicles would be loosely structured around the overall vehicle type or intended use including for example; year, calibre, pre-existing designation, etc.

• 200 – Armoured Cars
• 300 – Half-tracks
• 400 – Armoured Half-tracks
• 600 – Fully tracked Artillery Tractors
  • 630 – Armoured Artillery Tractors
• 700 – Tanks
• 800 – Self-propelled Guns

Letter code	German	English
(a)	amerikanisch	American
(b)	belgisch	Belgian
(d)	dänisch	Danish
(e)	englisch	English
(f)	französisch	French
(g)	griechisch	Greek
(h)	holländisch	Dutch
(i)	italienisch	Italian
(j)	jugoslawisch	Yugoslavian
(n)	norwegisch	Norwegian
(ö)	österreichisch	Austrian
(p)	polnisch	Polish
(r)	russisch	Russian (Soviet)
(s)	schweizerisch	Swiss
(t)	tschechisch	Czechoslovakian
(u)	ungarisch	Hungarian

Examples:

• In-Game:
  • Pz.35(t) - (LT-35)
  • Pz.38(t) - (LT-38)
  • Pz. T-34 747(r) - (T-34)
  • Pz. M4 748(a) - (M4)
  • Pz. KV-II 754(r) - (KV-2)
  • Pz. KV-IC 756(r) - (KV-1 (1942) modified)

• Not captured In-Game:
  • Pz.Sp.Wg. P 204(f) - (Panhard AMD.35)
  • ZgKw. Ci 301(f) - (Citroën P.7.T)
  • Pz. FCM 737(f) - (FCM.36)
  • Pz. Mk.VII 737(e) - (Tetrach I)
  • Pz. P40 737(i) - (P40/26)
  • Pz. B1/B2 740(f) - (B1 bis/ter)
  • StuG M43 105/25 853(i) - (105/25 M43)

• Some Captured Vehicles Wouldn't Be Fully Designated:
  • Inf.Pz. Mk IV(e) - (Churchill) In-Game premium
  • Jagdpanzer M10(a) - (M10) Not captured In-Game

(DE) Manufacturer/Designer

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• Ar – Arado
  • Ar 234 B-2
• Bf – Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW): Bavarian Aircraft Factory (renamed to Messerschmitt in 1938)
  • Bf 109 K-4
• BMW – Bayerische Motorenwerke: Bavarian Motor Factory
• Bo – Bölkow (from the alternative spelling Boelkow)
  • BO 105 PAH-1
• BV – Blohm & Voss
  • BV 238
• DB – Daimler-Benz
  • DB 601
• Do – Dornier
  • Do 217 E-2
• Fw – Focke-Wulf
  • Fw 190 A-5
• Ha – Hamburger Flugzeugbau (HFB)
• He – Heinkel
  • He 111 H-3
• Ho – Horten
  • Ho 229 V3
• Hs – Henschel
  • Hs 129 B-3
• Ju – Junkers
  • Ju 87 D-5
• Me – Messerschmitt
  • Me 410 A-1
• Ta – Focke-Wulf (named after Kurt Tank)
  • Ta 152 C-3
• Rh – Rheinmetall
  • Rh202 (20 mm)
• Ru – Ruhrstahl
  • Ru 251
• (M) – MAN (Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg)
  • VK 30.02 (M)
• (P) – Porsche
  • VK 45.01 (P)
  • Tiger II (P)
• (H) – Henschel
  • Tiger II (H)
• (A) – Alkett (Altmärkische Kettenwerk GmbH)
  • Panzer IV/70(A)
• (V) – VOMAG (Vogtländische Maschinenfabrik Aktiengesellschaft)
  • Panzer IV/70(V)

(DE) Military

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• KM – Kriegsmarine: German navy (literally: War navy)
• LW – Luftwaffe: German air force (literally: Air weapon)
• BW – Bundeswehr: (Modern) German army (literally: Federation defence)
• RLM – Reichsluftfahrtministerium: Ministry of national aviation
• OKW – Oberkommando der Wehrmacht: High command of the armed forces (Wehrmacht)
• JG – Jagdgeschwader: Fighter division (literally: hunt division)
• NJG – Nachtjagdgeschwader: Night fighter division (literally: night hunt division)
• ZG – Zerstörergeschwader: Heavy fighter division (literally: destroyer division)
• KG – Kampfgeschwader: Bomber division (literally: fight division)
• SKG – Schnellkampfgeschwader: Fast bomber division (literally: fast fight division)
• StG – Sturzkampfgeschwader: Dive bomber division (literally: dive fight division)

Hungarian

(HU) Manufacturer/Designer

• MÁVAG – Magyar Királyi Államvasutak Gépgyára: Hungarian Royal State Railroads' Machine Factory

Italian

Italian abbreviations (quicklinks)‎‎
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Vehicle (IT) Vehicle Manufacturer/Designer (IT) Manufacturer/Designer Weaponry (IT) Weaponry Prefix/Suffix (IT) Prefix/Suffix

(IT) Vehicle

• P – Pesante: Heavy (tank)
  • P26/40: Heavy tank, 26 tons, model 1940
• M – Medio: Medium (tank)
  • M15/42: Medium tank, 15 tons, model 1942
• L – Leggero: Light (tank)
  • L6/40: Light tank, 6 tons, model 1930
• AB – Autoblinda: Armoured car
  • AB 41: Armoured car, model 1941
• AS – Autocarro Sahariano: Saharan Truck
  • AS42
• CV – Carro Veloce: Tankette (literally: Fast cart)
  • CV-33
• R – Ricognizione: Reconnaissance (vehicle)
  • R3 T106 FA
• SIDAM – Sistema Italiano di Difesa Aerea Mobile: Italian system for mobile air-defence
  • SIDAM 25
• VCC - Veicolo da Combattimento Corazzato: Armoured Combat Vehicle
  • VCC Dardo
• VBC - Veicolo Blindato da Combattimento: Armoured Fighting Vehicle
  • VBC (PT-2)

(IT) Manufacturer/Designer

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Acronym	Company	Note / Translation	Example
Air vehicles
C.R.	Caccia Rosatelli	(Fighter) named after Celestino Rosatelli	FIAT C.R.42
B.R.	Bombardiere Rosatelli	(Bomber) named after Celestino Rosatelli	FIAT B.R.20
G.		named after Giuseppe Gabrielli	FIAT G.50
S. S.M.	Società Anonima Costruzioni Aeronautiche Savoia	Savoy Aeronautical Constructions Company	Savoia S.81
	Marchetti	named after Alessandro Marchetti	Savoia-Marchetti S.M.79
P.	Piaggio		Piaggio P.108
M.C.	(Aeronautica) Macchi	Aeronautics Machi	Macchi M.C.200
	Castoldi	named after Mario Castoldi
Ba.	Società Italiana Ernesto Breda	Italian Company Ernesto Breda	Breda Ba.65
Re.	Officine Meccaniche Reggiane SpA	Technical Bureau Reggiane Subsidiary	Reggiane Re.2000
CANT Z.	Cantieri Aeronautici e Navali Triestini	Aeronautical and naval yard Trieste	CANT Z.1007
	Zappata	named after Filippo Zappata
Ro.	Industrie Meccaniche e Aeronautiche Meridionali	Southern Mechanical and Aeronautical industries	IMAM Ro.57
	Aeroplani Romeo	named after the initial company name (Romeo Aircraft)
Helicopters
AB	Agusta-Bell		AB 205A-1
A	Agusta		A.109EOA-2
Ground vehicles
OTO	Odero-Terni-Orlando		OTOMATIC
FIAT	Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino	Italian automobile factory Turin	FIAT 6614
OF	OTO-FIAT		OF-40
Armament
SAFAT	Società Anonima Fabbrica Armi Torino	Turin arms factory incorporated company	Breda-SAFAT (12.7 mm)

(IT) Weaponry

• SR – Senza Rinculo: Recoilless (gun)

(IT) Prefix/Suffix

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Affix	Meaning	Translation	Example
A	Artigliere	Artillery	P.108A
AS	Aerosilurante	Air torpedo	G.55S
	Africa Settentrionale	North Africa (trop. Filter)	Bf 109 G-14/AS
B	Bombardiere	Bomber	P.108B
CB	Caccia Bombardiere	Fighter-Bomber	Re.2001 CB
CC	Contro Carro	Anti-Tank (rifle)	L3/33 CC
CN	Caccia Notturno	Night-Fighter	Re.2001 CN
EC	Esperimento Cannoni	Experimental Cannons	C.202EC
N	Normale	Normal	S.M.79 bis/N
	Nuovo	New	C.205N2
TM	Totalmente Modificato	Completely Modified	S.M.79 bis/T.M
CIO	Caccia Intercettore Ogni tempo	Fighter-Interceptor All-time	F-104S
CBO	Caccia Bombardiere Ogni tempo	Fighter-Bomber All-time

Japanese

Japanese abbreviations (quicklinks)‎
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Japanese is spoken as a military language in the following countries: (JP) Japan (IJA) Imperial Japanese Army (IJN) Imperial Japanese Navy (SDF) Japanese Self Defense Forces (MAN) (Former) Manchukuo/Manchuria And other former puppet states
Vehicle (JP) Vehicle (JP) Air (IJA) Army (IJA) Nicknames (IJN) Navy (IJN) First letters (role) (IJN) Second letters (manufacturers/designers) (IJN) Full and Model designation (IJN) Official name designation (SDF) JASDF (JP) Ground (IJA) Army (IJA) Vehicle type (IJA) Order system (SDF) JGSDF (SDF) Prototype designations (JP) Naval (IJN) Naming convention (JMSDF) Naming convention Weaponry and munition (JP) Weaponry and munition Manufacturer/Designer (IJN) Manufacturer/Designer
(JP) Calendar and Type Numbers
Japanese Imperial Year: Starts with the founding of Japan in 660 BC Japanese Era Name (年号): Literally "year name" are names given to (usually) reign periods of Japanese Emperors. Shisaku number: After the shift of using nengō years, the navy re-adopted the use of nengō for their prototype planes to distinguish them from adopted models.
Year	Japanese Imperial Year	Nengō Era	Type Number	Shisaku Number
1868 ⋮ 1912	2528 ⋮ 2572	Meiji 1 ⋮ Meiji 44	Type 1 ⋮ Type 44
1912 ⋮ 1926	2572 ⋮ 2586	Taishō 1 ⋮ Taishō 15	Type 1 ⋮ Type 15
1927	2587	Shōwa 2	Type 87
1928	2588	Shōwa 3	Type 88
1929	2589	Shōwa 4	Type 89
1930	2590	Shōwa 5	Type 90
1931	2591	Shōwa 6	Type 91	6-Shi
1932	2592	Shōwa 7	Type 92	7-Shi
1933	2593	Shōwa 8	Type 93	8-Shi
1934	2594	Shōwa 9	Type 94	9-Shi
1935	2595	Shōwa 10	Type 95	10-Shi
1936	2596	Shōwa 11	Type 96	11-Shi
1937	2597	Shōwa 12	Type 97	12-Shi
1938	2598	Shōwa 13	Type 98	13-Shi
1939	2599	Shōwa 14	Type 99	14-Shi
1940	2600	Shōwa 15	Type 100 Type 0	15-Shi
1941	2601	Shōwa 16	Type 1	16-Shi
1942	2602	Shōwa 17	Type 2	17-Shi
1943	2603	Shōwa 18	Type 3	18-Shi
1944	2604	Shōwa 19	Type 4	19-Shi
1945	2605	Shōwa 20	Type 5	20-Shi
Post-War
1946 ⋮ 1960 ⋮ 1989	2606 ⋮ 2620 ⋮ 2649	Shōwa	Type 46 ⋮ Type 60 ⋮ Type 89
1989 1990 ⋮ 1993 ⋮ 2019	2649 2650 ⋮ 2653 ⋮ 2679	Heisei	Type 89 Type 90 ⋮ Type 93 ⋮ Type 19
2019 ⋮ Present	2679 ⋮ Present	Reiwa	Type 19 ⋮ Present

(JP) Vehicle

(JP) Air

(JP) Variants (small-scale modifications)
	Heavenly Stems	Japanese		Latin equivalent
		Kanji	Romaji
1	甲	コウ	Kō	a
2	乙	オツ	Otsu	b
3	丙	ヘイ	Hei	c
4	丁	テイ	Tei	d
Not used in practice
5	戊	ボ	Bo	e
6	己	キ	Ki	f
7	庚	コウ	Kō	g
8	辛	シン	Shin	h
9	壬	ジン	Jin	i
10	癸	キ	Ki	j
Other
Improved		改 (改善)	Kai (Kaizen)

(IJA) Army

• Ki – Kitai: Airframe
  • Ki-10-I – Army Type 95 Model 1 Fighter
  • Ki-43-II – Army Type 1 Model 2 Fighter

Notes:

• Kitai numbering is purely for Airframe/Prototype indexing. Official designation of planes went through Type designation + role.
• Japanese names for Army planes are popular nicknames for pilots and civilians alike, as they were popularized with Japanese documentaries and propaganda. Unlike Navy planes, these are not part of the official plane designation.
  • Other Japanese nicknames for planes are:

(IJA) Nicknames

• Ki-43 – Hayabusa (隼, Peregrine falcon)
• Ki-44 – Shoki (鍾馗, Demon)
• Ki-45 – Toryū (屠龍, Dragonslayer)
• Ki-49 – Donryū (呑龍, Storm Dragon)
• Ki-61 – Hien (飛燕, Flying Swallow)
• Ki-67 – Hiryū (飛龍, Flying Dragon)
• Ki-84 – Hayate (疾風, Gale)
• Ki-200 – Shusui (秋水, Sharp Sword)

(IJN) Navy

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In the late 1920s, The navy adopted a short designation naming scheme to indicate the role and manufacturer of the plane.

(IJN) First letters (role)

Letter	Japanese	Role	Example
A	艦上戦闘機	Carrier-based fighter plane	A6M
B	艦上攻撃機	Carrier-based attack bomber	B5N
C	艦上偵察機	Carrier-based reconnaissance plane	C6N*
D	艦上爆撃機	Carrier-based dive bomber	D4Y
E	水上偵察機	Ship-based reconnaissance hydroplane	E13A
F	水上観測機	Ship-based observation hydroplane	F1M
G	陸上攻撃機	Land-based attack bomber	G4M
H	飛行艇	Flying boat	H6K
J	陸上戦闘機	Land-based fighter plane	J2M
K	練習機	Trainer	K10W*
L	輸送機	Transport	L2D*
M	特殊機	Special purpose	M6A*
N	水上戦闘機	Fighter hydroplane	N1K
P	陸上爆撃機	Land-based bomber	P1Y
Q	哨戒機	Patrol plane	Q1W*
R	陸上偵察機	Land-based reconnaissance plane	R2Y
S	夜間戦闘機	Night fighter	S1A*
X	実験	Experiment (Special Purpose)	JXFw (Fw 190)

Notes:

• All (But X) can be added to an already existing plane as a suffix to indicate a role refit:
  • A6M-N
  • N1K-J
• X will always be directly after the first designation, replacing the type-number.
• ^* – Planes that aren't in-game

(IJN) Second letters (manufacturers/designers)

Letter	Japanese Manufacturer	Foreign Manufacturer	Foreign Example
A	Aichi	North American	KXA (NA-16)
B		Boeing	AXB (P-12 / F4B)
Bu		Bücker	KXBu (Bü 131)
C		Consolidated	HXC (P2Y)
D	Showa	Douglas Dewoitine Northrop	LXD (DC-4E) AXD (D.500) DXD (Northrop BT)
F		Fairchild	LXF (Fairchild 91)
Fw		Focke-Wulf	JXFw (Fw 190)
G	Hitachi	Grumman	AXG (Grumman F)
H	Hiro	Hawker	AXH (Nimrod)
He		Heinkel	AXHe (He 100)
J	Nihon	Junkers	LXJ (Ju 86)
K	Kawanishi	Kinner	LXK (Kinner Envoy)
M	Mitsubishi	Airspeed	LXM (Airspeed Envoy)
N	Nakajima
P	Nihon
S	Sasebo
Si	Showa
V		Vought	AXV (V-141)
W	Wanatabe (Kyushu)
Y	Yokosuka
Z	Mizuno

(IJN) Full and Model designation

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After 1929, aircraft of the Japanese navy were designated by Type designation same as army planes together with model designation to indicate variant information.

• A6M3 mod. 22Ko – Type 0 Carrier Fighter Model 22A (Kō)
  • Model 22A (Kō) – 2nd airframe / wing refit
  • Model 22 (Kō) – 2nd engine refit
  • Model 22A (Kō) – 1st small-scale refit (armament) (check Heavenly stems)

(IJN) Official name designation

After July 1943, adopted planes got a name instead of a full type and model designation.

• Fighters: Weather and meteorological names

• Naval fighters: Wind names (usually ending with pū or fū「風」)

• A7M Reppū (烈風, Strong Wind)
• N1K Kyōfū (強風, Strong Wind)
• J6K Jinpū (陣風, Squall)

• Interceptors: Lightning names (usually ending in den「電」)

• J2M Raiden (雷電, Lightning Bolt)
• J5N Tenrai (天雷, Heavenly Thunder)
• J7W Shinden (震電, Magnificent Lightning)
• N1K Shiden (紫電, Violet Lightning)

• Night fighters: Light names (usually ending in ko「光」)

• J1N-S Gekkō (月光, Moonlight) (not in-game variant)
• P1Y-S Kyokkō (極光, Aurora) (not in-game variant)

• Heavy Bombers: Mountains names (usually ending in zan「山」)

• B6N Tenzan (天山, Heavenly Mountain)
• G5N Shinzan (深山, Deep Mountain)
• G8N Renzan (連山, Mountain Range)

• Bombers: Star or constellation names (usually ending in sei「星」)

• D4Y Suisei (彗星, Comet)
• B7A Ryūsei (流星, Shooting Star)

• Land-based Bombers: Galaxy names (usually ending in ga「河」)

• P1Y Ginga (銀河, Galaxy)

• Patrol: Sea or ocean names (usually ending in kai「海」or yo「洋」)

• Q2M Taiyō (大洋, Great Sea) (not in-game variant (Ki-67))

• Reconnaissance: Cloud names (usually ending in un「雲」)

• R2Y Keiun (景雲, Cirrus Cloud)

• Trainers: Trees, plants and flowers

• Transports: Sky names (usually ending in ku「空」)

• H8K-L Seikū (晴空, Clear Sky) (not in-game variant)

• Miscellaneous: Landscape names

• J8M1 Shūsui (秋水, Autumn Water / Sharp Sword) (not in-game variant)

• Purpose-built kamikaze aircraft: Flower names (usually ending in ka「花」)

• Kikka (橘花, Orange Blossom)

(SDF) JASDF

Basically based on the US military aircraft naming regulations as the Self-Defense Forces have been established on the basis of the US Military.

Pre-Fix

• X: Experimental (実験・試作)
  • Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin'

Mission Role

• C: Cargo (輸送機)
• E: Electronic Warfare (電子戦機)
• F: Fighter (戦闘機)
  • Mitsubishi F-1
• K: Tanker (空中給油)
• L: Liaison (連絡機)
• M: Mine Sweeper (掃海)
• O: Observation (観測)
• P: Patrol (哨戒機)
• R: Reconnaissance (偵察機)
• S: Anti-Submarine (対潜機)
• T: Training (練習機)
  • Mitsubishi T-2
• U: Utility (救難、捜索又は多用途)

Vehicle Type

• H: Helicopter (ヘリコプター)
  • Kawasaki OH-1 Ninja
• S: Seaplane (飛行艇)
• V: VTOL (ティルトローター機)
• G: Glider (グライダー)

(JP) Ground

(IJA) Army

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(IJA) Vehicle type

Japanese			English
Romaji	Katakana	Kanji	Literal	Role
Ke	ケ	軽 (Kei)	Light	Light tank
Chi	チ	中 (Chū)	Medium	Medium tank
O	オ	大 (Ō)	Large	Heavy Tank
Ho	ホ	砲 (Hō)	Gun	SPG

Other (Don't follow order system):

• Ka: Amphibious (tank) (IJN)
  • Type 2 Ka-Mi (Was named after the designer, Kamishi)
  • Type 3 Ka-Chi
  • Type 4 Ka-Tsu

• Other:
  • Type 98 Ta-Se (Taikū Sensha)
  • Type 98 So-Ki
  • Type 5 Na-To

(IJA) Order system

Order	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
Katakana	イ	ロ	ハ	ニ	ホ	ヘ	ト	チ	リ	ヌ	ル	オ
Romaji	I	Ro	Ha	Ni	Ho	He	To	Chi	Ri	Nu	Ru	O

• The chosen order of vehicles was based on the Japanese poem Iroha (いろは) in Katakana, which contains each character of the Japanese syllabary exactly once. (A total of 47)
• Early Japanese tanks were designated only by order without a role:
  • Type 89 I-Go – 1st model of the Imperial Japanese year 2589 (1929)
  • Type 95 Ro-Go – 2nd model of the Imperial Japanese year 2595 (1935)
  • Type 95 Ha-Go – 3rd model of the Imperial Japanese year 2595 (1935)

(SDF) JGSDF

(SDF) Prototype designations

2 years after the start of the JSDF (1956) until the 1980s; the JGSDF used 2 letter code prototype codes starting at SS and going further alphabetically:

• SS – Experimental Tracked Armored Vehicle developed into: Type 60 SPRG
• ST(A) – Experimental Medium Special Vehicle developed into: Type 61 MBT
  • STB developed into: Type 74 MBT
• SU – Experimental Armored Transport developed into: Type 60 APC
  • SUB developed into: Type 73 APC
• SV – Experimental Self-Propelled Mortar developed into: Type 60 SPM (81 mm)
• SW – Experimental Mine-Disposal Vehicle
• SX – Experimental Self-Propelled Howitzer developed into: Type 60 SPM (107 mm)
• SY – Experimental Self-Propelled Gun developed into: Type 56 SPH (105 mm)
• SZ – Experimental Special Transport Vehicle

(JP) Naval

(IJN) Naming convention

Ships usually maintain their original name as laid down if a ship-type reclassification / remodel happened.

• Carriers — names related to flying animals, actual or mythological

• Shōkaku (翔鶴, Soaring Crane)

• Battleship — provinces, or alternate names of Japan

• Settsu (摂津, Settsu Province)
• Ise (伊勢, Ise Province)
• Hyūga (日向, Hyūga Province)
• Fusō (扶桑, Fusang (Classical name for Japan))

• Battlecruisers and heavy cruisers — mountains

• Ikoma (生駒, Mount Ikoma)
• Kongō (金剛, Mount Kongō)
• Haruna (榛名, Mount Haruna)
• Furutaka (古鷹, Mount Furutaka)
• Aoba (青葉, Mount Aoba)
• Myōkō (妙高, Mount Myōkō)

• Light cruisers — river names

• Kuma (球磨, River Kuma)
• Isuzu (五十鈴, River Isuzu)
• Sendai (川内, River Sendai)
• Yūbari (夕張, River Yūbari)
• Agano (阿賀野, River Agano)

• Converted to Heavy Cruisers:

• Kako (加古, River Kako)
• Mogami (最上, River Mogami)
• Mikuma (三隈, River Mikuma)
• Suzuya (鈴谷, River Suzuya)
• Tone (利根, River Tone)

• Training cruisers — Shinto shrines

• Destroyers — weather, wind, tide, current, wave, moon, season, other natural phenomenon, plants

• Mutsuki (睦月, January)
• Satsuki (皐月, May)
• Ayanami (綾波, Twilled Waves)
• Hatsuharu (初春, Early Spring)
• Nenohi (子日, New Year Day)
• Yūdachi (夕立, Evening Squall)
• Yūgumo (夕雲, Evening Clouds)
• Hayanami (早波, Early Waves)
• Kiyoshimo (清霜, Clear Frost)
• Shimakaze (島風, Island Wind)
• Akizuki (秋月, Autumn Moon)

• Torpedo boats: birds

• Chidori (千鳥, Plover)

• Submarines — number sequence starting off the Iroha

• 1st-Class: I-1 — ...
• 2nd-Class: Ro-1 — ...
• 3rd-Class: Ha-1 — ...

• Gunboats: places of scenic beauty and historic interest

• Coast defence ship/Escort ships: islands

• Shōnan (昭南, Singapore Island)

• Submarine tenders — whales
• Seaplane tenders — abstract noun, idiomatic word, notable achievement vessels in past war(s)

(JMSDF) Naming convention

(Note: Unlike the IJN, ship names are in Hiragana instead of Kanji)

• Helicopter destroyers and Helicopter carriers (DDH) — traditional provinces and mountains
• Guided missile destroyers (DDG) — mountains and weather terms

• Small destroyers (DD) — weather terms

• JDS Harukaze (DD-101) (はるかぜ, Spring Wind)
• JDS Ayanami (DD-103) (あやなみ, Twilled Waves)
• JDS Yūgure (DD-184) (ゆうぐれ, Twilight)

• Frigates (DE) — rivers (early on weather terms)

• JDS Akebono (DE-201) (あけぼの, Daybreak)
• JDS Ikazuchi (DE-202) (いかづち, Thunder)
• JDS Isuzu (DE-211) (いすず, Isuzu River)
• JDS Chikugo (DE-215) (ちくご, Chikugo River)

• Submarines (SS) — ocean currents and legendary auspicious animals
• Replenishment oilers (AOE) — lakes
• Amphibious transport docks and Troopships (LST) — peninsulas

(JP) Weaponry and munition

Like most Japanese military equipment, weapons and munitions are usually just designated with by Type-designation + Role.

(IJN) Manufacturer/Designer

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• HI / BI: Vickers (UK)
  • 7.7 mm/94 (0.303") "HI" Type
  • 12 mm/62 (0.50") "HI" Type, based on the MG Mark III
  • 40 mm/62 (1.575") "HI" Type, based on the QF 2pdr Mk VIII (Otherwise designated as Type 91)
• RU: Lewis (UK)
  • 7.7 mm/87 (0.303") "RU" Type, based on the .303 in Lewis MG (Otherwise designated as Type 92)
• KA: Canet (FR)
  • 12.6"/38 (32 cm) "KA" Type, based on the Canet 34 cm Model 1880 (Otherwise designated as Type 41)
• Koku: Krupp (DE)

Polish

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(PL) Vehicle

(PL) Ground

• TK – Tankietka: Tankette
• TP – X-Tonowy, Polski: X-Tons Polish
  • 7TP
• wz. – wzór pattern

(PL) Naval

• ORP – Okręt Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej: Warship of the Republic of Poland (honorific styling)
  • ORP Garland

Romanian

Romanian abbreviations (quicklinks)‎
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Romanian is spoken as a military language in the following countries: (RO) Romania
Vehicle (RO) Vehicle (RO) Ground (RO) Air Manufacturer/Designer (RO) Manufacturer/Designer

(RO) Vehicle

(RO) Ground

• TACAM – Tun Anticar pe Afet Mobil: Anti-tank gun on mobile gun carriage
  • TACAM R-2
  • TACAM T-60

(RO) Air

• JIS – Jumo Italian Savoia-Marchetti Italian manufactured S.M.79's with Jumo engines
  • JIS-79B
• JRS – Jumo Romanian Savoia-Marchetti Romanian manufactured S.M.79's with Jumo engines
  • JRS-79B

(RO) Manufacturer/Designer

• IAR – Industria Aeronautică Română: Romanian Aeronautic Industry
  • IAR-81C
• SET – Societatea Pentru Exploatări Technice: Technical Development Society
• S – Savoia-Marchetti
  • S-79B Romanian Designation Of S.M.79 B

Russian

Russian abbreviations (quicklinks)‎
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Vehicle (RU) Vehicle (RU) Ground (RU) Air (RU) Naval Weaponry (RU) Weaponry Munition (RU) Munition Prefix/Suffix (RU) Prefix/Suffix Historical Name (RU) Historical Name Manufacturer/Designer (RU) Manufacturer/Designer Military (RU) Military

(RU) Vehicle

(RU) Ground

Abbreviation	Russian	Translated	Role	Example
T	Танк	Tank		T-34
SU	Самоходная установка	Self-propelled mount	SPG	SU-122
ISU		Self-propelled mount based on IS-series tanks	SPG	ISU-152
ASU	Авиадесантная самоходная установка	Airborne self-propelled mount	Airborne SPG	ASU-57
ZSU	Зенитная самоходная установка	Zenithal self-propelled installation	SPAA	ZSU-37
ZPRK	Зенитный пушечно-ракетный комплекс	Zenithal missile-gun system	SAM	ZPRK 2S6
BT	Быстроходный танк	Fast-moving tank	LT	BT-7
RBT	Ракетный быстроходный танк	Rocket fast-moving tank	LT	RBT-5
BA	Бронеавтомобиль	Armoured car	AC	BA-11
BTR	Бронетранспортёр	Armoured transporter	APC	BTR-152A
BM	Боевая Машина	Combat machine	MLRS	BM-13N
BMP	Боевая Машина Пехоты	Infantry combat machine	IFV	BMP-1
BMD	Боевая Машина Десанта	Airborne combat machine	Airborne IFV	BMD-4
PT	Плавающий танк	Floating tank	Amphibious LT	PT-76B
IT	Истребитель танков	(Missile) Tank fighter	TD	IT-1

(RU) Object List

Object (Объект) indexing was used in the Soviet and Russian tank industry for the ministry of defence to index tank designs, starting from prototype/design stage to production variants. They're not used chronologically and were until 1959 not mandatory for companies to be used, after which the ministry would index all new tank designs to even through the Russian Federation.

• 1 — 99 - Gorky Automobile Factory (GAZ)
• 100 — 199 - Ural Railway Car Building Factory (Uralvagonzavod plant №183)
• 201 — 299 - Leningrad Kirov Plant (LKZ)
• 300 — 349 - Ural Plant of Transport Engineering (UZTM)
• 400 — 499 - Malyshev Factory (HZTM)
• 500 - Omsktransmash (plant №174)
• 501 — 549 - Rubtsovsk Engineering Works
• 550 — 599 - Mytishchi Machine Building Factory (MMZ)
• 600 — 699 - Kurgan Engineering Factory (KMZ)
• 700 — 799 - Chelyabinsk Kirov (Tractor) Plant (ChKZ, ChTZ)
• 800 — 849 - Various
• 850 — 899 - Moscow Automobile Factory (ZIS, ZIL)
• 900 — 999 - Stalingrad (Volgograd) Tractor Factory (STZ, VgTZ)
• 1000 — 1050 - Kutaisi Automotive Factory (KAZ)

(RU) GRAU

(RU) 1960 (Current)

Only vehicle relevant equipment will be noted down - the index if far larger than this example list.

Divisions:

1. Radio and electronics equipment
2. Artillery systems
3. Artillery ammunition, rockets
4. Artillery propelling charges
5. Air defence equipment
6. Infantry armament
7. Infantry ammunition
8. Rocket technology
9. Rocket armament
10. Equipment
11. Rocket and space technology
12. Rocket and space equipment
13. Space Facilities
14. Rocket and space technology
15. Rocket technology
16. Strategic Missile Forces equipment
17. Rocket and space equipment
18. Rocket and space technology

Div.	Letter	Role	Equipment	Name (Note)	(Equipped on)
1	A	Automated Fire Control Devices	1A7	Tobol	ZSU-23-4
	B	Meteorological, Sonometric, and Seismic Reconnaissance Equipment	1B12	(Thermometer)	T-64A
	RL	Radar & Radio Equipment	1RL34		ZSU-37-2
	P	Weapon Sights	1P67-1	(TV-sight)	T-80BVM
	PZ	Anti-Aircraft Optics	1PZ3		BMP-2
2	A	Artillery	2A70		BMP-3
	K	Battle group archetype	2K22	Tunguska	Group centered around 2S6
	S	Self-propelled gun system	2S25	Sprut-SD
3	BK	HEATFS projectiles	3BK12M		2A46M
	BM	APDS Projectiles	3BM60	Svinets-2	2A46M-5
	V	Fuses	3V21		3OF26
	OF	HE Projectiles	3OF26		2A46M-1
	D	Smoke Projectiles	3D3		D-10T2S
6	P	Firearms	6P49	KORD	T-90A
	G	Grenade launchers	6G26	(AG-30)	BMP-2M
7	P	Grenade launcher ammunition	7P36	Naib (VOG-30)	6G26 (AG-30)
9	K	(Missile) Systems	9K127	Vikhr	Ka-50
	M	Missiles	9M113	Konkurs	BMP-1
	P	Launchers	9P149	Sthurm-S

(RU) Air

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Prior to 1941, the USSR used a letter code system to identify aircraft by their role and function. This was phased out quickly in favor of manufacturer codes, although numerous aircraft retained their letter codes.
The list below is by no means comprehensive. The naming system was done more on a "case-by-case" basis and was less methodical than this list may imply, and also had numerous exceptions or one-off design classifications.

Base Models

• A – Avtozhir (Autogyro)
  • A-4
• ARK – Arktichyeskii (Arctic Exploration Aircraft)
  • ARK-3
• B - Bombardirovshchik (Bomber)
  • No aircraft were assigned the index "B" only
• I – Istrebitel (Fighter)
  • I-16
• G – Gruzovoi (Cargo)
  • G-3
• R – Razvedchik (Reconnaissance)
  • R-5
• S – Samolyot (Aircraft)
  • No aircraft were assigned the "S" index only
• Sh – Shturmovik (Ground attacker)
  • No aircraft were assigned the index "Sh" only
• T – Torpedonosets (Torpedo (bomber))
  • T-1
• U – Uchebny (Trainer)
  • U-2
• VIT – Vozdushnyi Istrebitel Tankov (Flying Tank Destroyer)
  • VIT-2

Prefix Modifiers

• B – Blizhniy (Short-range)
  • BB-1 (Short-range bomber)
  • BI (Short-range fighter)
• B – Bronirovannyi (Armoured)
  • BSh-2 (Armoured ground attacker)
• D – Dvukhmestnyi (Two-seat)
  • DI-8 (Two-seat fighter)
• D – Dalniy (Long-range)
  • DB-3 (Long-range bomber)
• F – Frontovoy (Frontline)
  • FB (Frontline bomber)
• G – Gydro (Hydro)
  • GST (Hydroplane transport)
• K – Korablennyi (Shipborne)
  • KR-1 (Shipborne reconnaissance)
• K – Kreiser (Cruiser)
  • KR-6 (Cruiser reconnaissance)
• KO – Korablennyi (Shipborne)
  • KOR-1 (Shipborne reconnaissance)
• L – Lyogki (Light)
  • LBSh (Light armoured ground attacker)
• M – Morskoi (Marine/seaplane)
  • MBR-2 (Marine short-range reconnaissance)
  • MDR-2 (Marine long-range reconnaissance)
• P – Pikiruyuschii (Dive)
  • PB (Dive bomber)
• P – Passazhirskii (Passenger)
  • PS-41 (Passenger aircraft)
• S – Skorostnoi (Fast)
  • SB (Fast bomber)
  • SPB (Fast dive bomber)
• Sh – Shturmovoi (Ground attack)
  • ShB (Ground attack bomber)
• T – Tiazholyi (Heavy)
  • TB-3 (Heavy bomber)
  • TIS (Heavy fighter-escorter)

Suffix Modifiers

• OM – Otkrytogo Morya (Open sea)
  • ROM-1
• P – Pushechny (Cannon)
  • ITP (Fighter heavy cannon)
• PL – dlya Podvodnikh Lodok (for Submarines)
  • SPL (Aircraft for submarines)
• S – Soprovozhdenya (Escorter)
  • TIS (Heavy fighter escorter)
  • DIS (Twin-seat fighter escorter)
• S – Skladnoi (Folding)
  • IS-1
• T – Transportnyj (Transporter)
  • GST (Hydroplane transporter)
• T – Trenirivochnyi (Advanced (trainer))
  • UT-3 (Advanced trainer)
  • UTI-26 (Advanced trainer fighter)

(RU) Naval

• MO – Malyi Okhotnik: Small submarine chaser (literally: Small hunter)
  • MO-4
• BMO – Bronirovanny Malyi Okhotnik: Armoured small submarine chaser (literally: Armed small hunter)
  • BMO
• MPK – Malyi Protivolodochnoi Korabl: Small anti-submarine ship
  • MPK pr.122A
• MBK – Morskoi Bronekater: Armoured gunboat (literally: Naval combat cutter)
  • MBK pr.186
• SKR – Storozhevoi Korabl: Observation ship
  • SKR Groza, Uragan type (1943)

(RU) Weaponry

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• UB – Universalniy Berezina: Berezin universal (MG)
  • Berezin UB (12.7 mm)
• DP – Degtyarov Pulemyot: Degtyarov MG
• DT – Degtyarov Tankovy: Degtyarov tank (MG)
  • DT (7.62 mm)
• DA – Degtyarov Aviatsonny: Degtyarov airplane (MG)
  • DA (7.62 mm)
• PV – Pulemet Vozdushny: Airborne MG
  • PV-1 (7.62 mm)
• ShKAS – Shpitalny-Komaritski Aviatsionny Skorostrelny: Shpitalny-Komaritsky airplane rapid-fire (MG)
  • ShKAS (7.62 mm)
• DShK – Degtyaryova-Shpagina Krupnokaliberny: Degtyarov-Shpagin large-calibre (MG)
  • DShK (12.7 mm)
• A – Afanasev (MG)
  • A-12.7 (12.7 mm)
• B – Berezin (autocannon)
  • B-20 (20 mm)
• Yak-B – Yakushev-Borzov (MG)
  • YaK-B (12.7 mm)
• ShVAK – Shpitalny-Vladimirov Aviatsionny Krupnokaliberny: Shpitalny-Vladimirov airplane large-calibre (autocannon)
  • ShVAK (20 mm)
• TNSh – Tankovy Nudelman-Shpitalny: Nudelman-Shpitalny tank (autocannon)
  • TNSh (20 mm)
• PTB – Pushka Taubin-Baburin: Taubin-Baburin cannon
  • PTB-23 (23 mm)
• VYa – Volkov-Yartsev (autocannon)
  • VYa-23 (23 mm)
• NS – Nudelman-Suranov (autocannon)
  • NS-23 (23 mm)
• NR – Nudelman-Rikhter (autocannon)
  • NR-30 (30 mm)
• GSh – Gryazev-Shipunov (autocannon)
  • GSh-23-2 (23 mm)
• N-37D – Nudelman 37 mm Dulny tormoz: Nudelman 37 mm (autocannon with) muzzle brake
  • N-37D (37 mm)
• KPVT – Krupnokaliberniy Pulemyot Vladimirova Tankovy: Vladimirov large-calibre tank MG
  • KPVT (14.5 mm)
• ZPU – Zenitnaya Pulemotnaya Ustanovka: Anti-aircraft MG mount
• NSVT – Nikitina-Sokolova-Volkova Tankovy: Nikitin-Sokolov-Volkov tank (MG)
  • NSVT (12.7 mm)
• PKT – Pulemyot Kalashnikova Tankovy: Kalashnikov tank MG
  • PKT (7.62 mm)
• SGMT – Stankovy Goryunova Modernizirovany Tankovy: Goryunov modernized mounted tank (MG)
  • SGMT (7.62 mm)
• 20-K – Gun No. 20 of the Korolyov factory
  • 20-K (45 mm)
• L-11 – Gun No. 11 of the Leningrad factory
  • L-11 (76 mm)

(RU) Munition

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• BR – Broneboynye: Armour-piercing (shell)
• BZ – Broneboyny Zazhigatelny: Armour-piercing incendiary (shell)
• BZT – Broneboyny Zazhigatelny Trassiruyushchy: Armour-piercing incendiary tracer (shell)
• PB – Polu Broneboynye: Semi armour-piercing (shell)
• O – Oskolochno: Fragmentation (shell)
• OZ – Oskolochno Zazhigatelny: Fragmentation incendiary (shell)
• OZT – Oskolochno Zazhigatelny Trassiruyushchy: Fragmentation incendiary tracer (shell)
• OF – Oskolochno Fugasny: High-explosive fragmentation (shell)
• Sh – Shrapnel (shell)
• FAB – Fugasnaya Aviatsionnaya Bomba: High-explosive aircraft bomb
• OFAB – Oskolochno Fugasnaya Aviatsionnaya Bomba: High-explosive fragmentation aircraft bomb
• RS – Reaktivny Snaryad: Rocket (literally: Rocket-powered projectile)
• RBS – Reaktivny Broneboyny Snaryad: Armour-piercing rocket (literally: Rocket-powered armour-piercing projectile)

(RU) Prefix/Suffix

• Oby. – Obyekt: Object (tank prototype)
• Pr. – Proyekt: Project (ship design program)
  • Pr.1124 early
• E – Ekranami: Up-armoured (literally: With screens)
  • KV-1E
• M – Modernizirovany: Modernized
  • IS-4M
• S – Skorokhodnuyu: Lightened (literally: Fast)
  • KV-1S
• SP – Soprovzhdeniya Pekhoty: Infantry support
  • T-126(SP)
• U – Uluchshenny: Improved
  • Pr. 7U
• V – Vzryvnoy: Explosive (Reactive Armour)
  • T-64BV
• T – Torpedonosets: Torpedo bomber

(RU) Historical Name

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• IS – Iosef Stalin (tank)
  • IS-1
• KV – Kliment Voroshilov (tank)
  • KV-2 (1939)
• SMK – Sergey Mironovich Kirov (tank)
  • SMK

(RU) Manufacturer/Designer

• ACh – Aleksei Charomsky
  • Yer-2 (ACh-30B) (e): Yermolayev Yer-2 with 2 Charomsky ACh-30B diesel engines
• AM – Aleksandr Mikulin
  • Su-6 (AM-42): Su-6 with Mikulin AM-42 V-12 engine
• ANT – Andrei Nikolaevich Tupolev
• Ar – Arkhangelsky
  • Arkhangelsky Ar-2
• BI – Bereznyak-Isayev
  • Bereznyak-Isayev BI
• GAZ – Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod: Gorky Automobile Factory
  • GAZ-AAA (4M)
• Il – Ilyushin
  • Ilyushin IL-2M (1943)
• KS – Krasnoye Sormovo
• La – Lavochkin
  • Lavochkin La-5
• LaGG – Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov
  • Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3-66
• M – Myasishchev
• MAI – Moskovsky Avyatsyonny Instytut Moscow Aviation Institute
  • Tandem MAI
• Mi – Mil
  • Mil Mi-24A
• MiG – Mikoyan-Gurevich
  • Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
• OKB – Opytno-Konstruktorskoye Buro: Experimental Design Bureau
• Pe – Petlyakov
  • Petlyakov Pe-2-1
• Po – Polikarpov
  • Polikarpov Po-2
• STZ – Stalingradsky Traktoriy Zavod: Stalingrad Tractor Factory
  • T-34E STZ
• Su – Sukhoi
  • Sukhoi Su-2 MV-5
• Tu – Tupolev
  • Tupolev Tu-2S-44
• VK – Vladimir Klimov
  • Yak-3 (VK-107): Yakovlev Yak-3 with Klimov VK-107 V-12 engine
• Yak – Yakovlev
  • Yakovlev Yak-1
• Yer – Yermolayev
  • Yermolayev Yer-2 (M-105)
• ZiS – Zavod imeni Stalina: Factory named after Stalin
  • ZiS-30

(RU) Military

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• VVS – Voyenno-Vozdushnye Sily: Soviet air force (literally: Military air force)
• VMF – Voyenno-Morskoy Flot: Soviet Navy (literally: Military maritime fleet)
• SA – Sovetskaya Armiya: Soviet army
• IAP – Istrebitelny Aviatsionny Polk: Fighter air regiment
• GvIAP – Gvardeysky Istrebitelny Aviatsionny Polk: Guards fighter air regiment
• ShAP – Shturmovoy Aviatsionny Polk: Ground attack air regiment

Spanish

Spanish abbreviations (quicklinks)‎
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Spanish is spoken as a military language in the following countries: (AR) Argentina (ES) Spain
Vehicle (AR) Vehicle (AR) Ground Manufacturer/Designer (AR) Manufacturer/Designer (ES) Manufacturer/Designer

(AR) Vehicle

(AR) Ground

• TAM – Tanque Argentino Mediano: Argentine Medium Tank

(AR) Manufacturer/Designer

• FAdeA – Fábrica Argentina de Aviones: Argentine Aircraft Factory
  • Ae – Dirección General de Aerotécnica: Directorate General of Aerotechnics (1927–1936)
  • FMA – Fábrica Militar de Aviones: Military Aircraft Factory (1938–1943)
  • IAe – Instituto Aerotecnico: AeroTechnical Institute (1943–1952)
  • IA – meaning not specified (1952 to present)
• IAME – Industrias Aeronáuticas y Mecánicas del Estado: State Aeronautical and Mechanical Industries (1951-1956)
  • DINFIA – Dirección Nacional de Fabricación e Investigación Aeronáutica: National Directorate of Aeronautical Manufacturing and Research (1956-1967)
  • IME – Industrias Mecánicas del Estado: State Mechanical Industries (1967 to present)

(ES) Manufacturer/Designer

• AC – Aerotécnica: Aerotechnic
• AISA – Aeronáutica Industrial SA.: Aeronautical Industrial SA.
• CASA – Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA.: Aeronautical Constructions SA.
  • CASA 2.111 (Spanish Licensed He 111)
• HA – Hispano Aviación: Hispanic Aviation
  • HA-1109 (Spanish Licensed Bf 109)
  • HA-1112 (Spanish Modified Bf 109)

Swedish

Swedish abbreviations (quicklinks)‎
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Swedish is spoken as a military language in the following countries: (FI) Finland (SE) Sweden
Vehicle (SE) Vehicle (SE) Ground (SE) Air Prefix/Suffix (SE) Prefix/Suffix (SE) Air force (SE) Ground projects Weaponry (SE) Weaponry Munition (SE) Munition

(SE) Vehicle

(SE) Ground

vagn (wagon) indicates that the vehicle is "tracked" while bil (from Automobile, car) indicates that the vehicle is "wheeled".

• strv – stridsvagn: Tank (literally: Combat wagon)
  • Strv m/38
• strf – stridsfordon: (Heavy) infantry fighting vehicle (literally: Combat vehicle)
  • Strf 9040C
• tgdb – terrängdragbil: Off-road tractor unit (literally: Terrain pull-car)
  • Lvtgdb m/40
• sav – stormartillerivagn: Assault gun (pre 1950s designation, literally: Assault artillery wagon)
  • Sav m/43 (1946)
• ikv – infanterikanonvagn: Assault gun (post 1950s designation, literally: Infantry cannon wagon)
  • Ikv 103
• pvkv – pansarvärnskanonvagn: Tracked self-propelled anti-tank gun (literally: Anti-armour cannon wagon)
  • Pvkv m/43 (1946)
• lvkv – luftvärnskanonvagn: Tracked self-propelled anti-air gun (literally: Anti-air cannon wagon)
  • Lvkv 42
• pvrbv – pansarvärnsrobotvagn: Tracked self-propelled anti-tank missile (literally: Anti-armour robot wagon)
  • Pvrbv 551
• lvrbv – luftvärnsrobotvagn: Tracked self-propelled anti-air missile (literally: Anti-air robot wagon)
  • Lvrbv 701

(SE) Air

• fpl – flygplan: Aeroplane
• hkp – helikopter Helicopter

(SE) Prefix/Suffix

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(SE) Air force

• A – Attack: Strike Aircraft/Attacker
  • A21A-3
• B – Bomb: Bomber
  • B3C
• J – Jakt: Pursuit Aircraft/Fighter (Jakt = Pursuit)
  • J26
• S – Spaning: Reconnaissance Aircraft (Spaning = Scouting)
• SK – Skol: Trainer Aircraft (Skol = School)
  • SK60B
• T – Torped: Torpedo Bomber
  • T18B-1
• Ö – Övning: Advanced Trainer Aircraft (Övning = Practice)

(SE) Ground projects

• VEAK – Vagn Eldledning AutomatKanon: Wagon Fire-control AutoCannon (literall)
  • VEAK 40
• UDES – Underlagsgrupp Direkt Eld Stridsfordon: Material group Direct Fire Combat vehicle (literall)
  • UDES 33

(SE) Weaponry

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• ksp – kulspruta: Machine gun (literally: Bullet sprayer)
  • 8 mm ksp m/22
• kan – kanon: Cannon
  • 75 mm kan m/41
• akan – automatkanon: Autocannon
  • 30 mm akan m/55
• pvkan – pansarvärnskanon: Anti-tank cannon
  • 75 mm pvkan m/43
• lvkan – luftvärnskanon: Anti-aircraft cannon
  • 75 mm lvkan m/37
• fsthaub – fästningshaubits: Fortress howitzer
  • 150 mm fsthaub m/02
• rbs – robotsystem: Missile system
  • Rbs 55

(SE) Munition

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• gr – granat: Grenade (synonymous with shell)
• prj – projektil: Projectile (often as a substitute for fullprj – fullprojektil) Solid projectile (literally: Full projectile)
• sl – spårljus: Tracer (literally: Track light)
• pprj – pansarprojektil: Armour-piercing projectile (literally: Armour projectile)
• pgr – pansargranat: Armour-piercing shell (literally: Armour grenade)
• hpgr – halvpansargranat: Semi-armour-piercing shell (literally: Half armour grenade)
• sgr – spränggranat: High-explosive shell (literally: Burst grenade)
• spgr- sprängpansargranat: High-Explosive Squash-Head shell (literally: Burst armour grenade)
• psgr – pansarspränggranat: High-Explosive Anti-Tank shell (literally: Armour burst grenade)
• rökgr – rökgranat: Smoke shell (literally: Smoke grenade)
• rb – robot: Missile (literally: "robot")
  • Rb24
• srak – sprängraket: High-explosive rocket (literally: Burst rocket)
  • 15 cm srak m/51
• psrak – pansarsprängraket: High-Explosive Anti-Tank rocket (literally: Armour burst rocket)
  • 14,5 cm psrak m/49A
• hprak – Halvpansarraket Semi-armour-piercing High-Explosive rocket (literally: Half-armour rocket)
  • 18 cm hprak m/49
• mb – minbomb High capacity / General purpose bomb (literally: Mine bomb)
  • 600 kg mb m/50
• sb – sprängbomb High-Explosive Fragmentation bomb (literally: Burst bomb)
  • 120 kg sb m/61