Abbreviations

German

Vehicle

Ground

• Pz – Panzer: Tank (literally: Armor)
  • Pz IV
• PzKpfw – Panzerkampfwagen: Tank (literally: Armor combat vehicle)
  • PzKpfw IV
• SdKfz – Sonderkraftfahrzeug: Special purpose vehicle (index number assigned to all armed forces vehicles)
  • SdKfz 6/2
• ZgKw – Zugkraftwagen: Truck
• Zug - Zugkraftwagen: Truck
• PzSpWg – Panzerspähwagen: Armored scout vehicle
  • sPzSpWg (5 cm KwK 39) (SdKfz 234/2)
• KPz – Kampfpanzer: Battle tank (modern designation)
  • KPz Leopard 1A0
• FlaKPz – Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer: Anti-air cannon tank
  • FlaKPz IV Wirbelwind
• StuG – Sturmgeschütz: Assault gun
  • StuG III
• StuH – Sturmhaubitze: Assault howitzer
  • StuH 42
• Bfw – Befehlswagen: Command vehicle
  • Bfw Jagdpanther
• PzBfw – Panzerbefehlswagen: Command tank
  • PzBfw IV
• JgPz – Jagdpanzer: (Tank based) tank destroyer (literally: Hunting tank)
  • JgPz V Jagdpanther
• PzJg – Panzerjäger: (SPG based) tank destroyer (literally: Tank hunter)
  • PzJg I
• PzWfr – Panzerwerfer: Anti-tank rocket launcher (literally: Tank thrower)
  • PzWfr 42
• SpPz – Spähpanzer: Scout tank
  • SpPz Ru 251
• SPz – Schützenpanzer: Infantry fighting vehicle (literally: Protective tank)
• VK – Versuchskonstruktion: Trial design
  • VK 45.01 (P)
• WT – Waffenträger: Self-propelled gun (literally: Weapon carrier)
• GW – Geschützwagen: (Heavy) self-propelled gun (literally: Heavy gun vehicle)
  • 8,8 cm PaK 43/1 auf Gw III/IV Nashorn
• E – Entwicklung: Development (refers to the proposed standardized tank development projects)
  • PzKpfw E-100
• Ausf. – Ausführung: Model

Air

• StuKa – Sturzkampfflugzeug: Dive bomber (literally: Dive attack airplane)
• PAH – Panzerabwehrhelikopter: Anti-tank helicopter

Naval

• Z – Zerstörer: Destroyer
  • Z 20 Karl Galster, Typ 1936
• K – Kanonenboot: Gun boat
  • K 2, Typ 1937
• T – Torpedoboot: Torpedo boat
• R – Räumboot: Mine sweeper
  • R 41
• S – Schnellboot: Fast attack craft
  • S 100
• LS – Leichtes Schnellboot: Light fast attack craft
• VS – Versuchsschnellboot: Experimental fast attack craft
• SF – Siebelfähre: Siebel ferry (named after Friedrich Siebel)
• AFP – Artilleriefährpram: Artillery ferry barge
• U – Unterseeboot: Submarine

Weaponry (DE)

• FH – Feldhaubitze: Field howitzer
• IG – Infanteriegeschütz: Infantry gun
• Sfl – Selbsfahrlafette: Self-propelled gun (literally: Self-propelled mount/chassis/underlayer)
• KwK – Kampfwagenkanone: Tank gun (literally: Combat vehicle cannon)
• PaK – Panzerabwehrkanone: Anti-tank gun (literally: Armor-defense cannon)
• FlaK – Flugabwehrkanone: Anti-air gun (literally: Air-defense cannon)
• MG – Maschinengewehr: Machine gun (literally: Machine rifle)
  • 7.92 mm MG 42
• MG FF – Maschinengewehr Flügel-Fest: Machine gun wing-fixed
• MG FF/M – Maschinengewehr Flügel-Fest/Minengeschoß: Machine gun wing-fixed/mineshot
• MK – Maschinenkanone: Auto-cannon (literally: Machine cannon), occasionally Motorkanone, cannon firing through engine
  • 30-mm MK 108
• SK – Schiffskanone: Ship cannon (originally used as Schnellfeuerkanone: Quick-firing cannon during WWI)
• TbtK – Torpedobootskanone: Torpedo boat cannon (also used for some destroyer turrets/guns)
• BK – Bordkanone: Board cannon (large caliber guns used on-board of airplanes)
• BR – Bordrakete: Board rocket (rockets used on-board of airplanes)
• K – Kanone: Cannon
• T – Torpedo
• LT – Lufttorpedo: Aerial torpedo (torpedoes used by airplanes)
• L/ – Länge: Length (refers to caliber-length of gun barrels)
  • 8.8-cm L/56 KwK 36 (barrel length of 56x 88-mm = 4.928-m)
• C/ – Construktionsjahr: Year of construction (archaic spelling of Konstruktion)
  • FlaK C/38 (model of 1938)
• L – Lafette: Gun mount
• DopL – Doppellafette: Twin gun mount (literally: Double mount)
• DrhL – Drehturmlafette: Turret gun mount (literally: Turntable turret mount)
• PzB – Panzerbüchse: Anti-tank rifle
  • sPzB 41

Weaponry (CH)

• KDA – Kanone, Kalibergruppe D, Ausführung A: Cannon, caliber group D (30-mm+), variant A (belt-fed)
  • 35-mm Oerlikon KDA auto-cannon
• KAD – Kanone, Kalibergruppe A, Ausführung D: Cannon, caliber group A (20-mm), variant D
  • 20-mm Oerlikon KAD-B17 auto-cannon

Munition

• Gr – Granate: Grenade (synonymous with shell)
• Br – Brand: Incendiary (literally: Burn)
• KGr – Kanonengranate: Cannon shell (literally: Cannon grenade)
• PzGr – Panzergranate: Armor-piercing shell (literally: Armor grenade)
• BrGr – Brandgranate: Incendiary shell (literally: Burn grenade)
• PzBrGr – Panzerbrandgranate: Armor-piercing incendiary shell (literally: Armor burn grenade)
• SpGr – Sprenggranate: High-explosive shell (literally: Burst grenade)
• PzSpGr – Panzersprenggranate: Armor-piercing high-explosive shell (literally: Armor 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-armor-piercing bomb (literally: Burst bomb, thick-walled)
• PC – Panzersprengbombe Cylindrisch: Armor-piercing high-explosive bomb (literally: Armor-bursting bomb, cylindrical)
• PD – Panzersprengbombe Dickwandig: Heavy armor-piercing bomb (literally: Armor-bursting bomb, thick-walled)
• LFK – Lenkflugkörper: (Anti-tank) guided missile (literally: Guided flight body)
• F5w – Torpedo designation: F – 17.7 inch (450 mm) caliber, 5 – roughly 5 meter length, w – whitehead (German designation of Italian F200/450 torpedo)
• G7a/T 1 – Torpedo designation: G – 21 inch (533 mm) caliber, 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)

Prefix/Suffix

• le – leicht: Light
• s – schwer: Heavy
• gp – gepanzert: Armored
• nA – neuer Art: Modernized (literally: New type)
• (r) – russisch: Russian captured vehicle
  • PzKpfw T-34 747(r)
• (e) – englisch: British captured vehicle
  • PzKpfw Mk IV 750(e)
• (t) – tschechisch: Czech captured vehicle
  • PzKpfw 38(t)
• (a) – amerikanisch: American captured vehicle
  • PzKpfw M4 748(a)
• (f) – französisch: French captured vehicle
  • PzKpfw 35S 739(f)
• U – Umbau: Conversion (kit)
  • Messerschmitt Me 410 A-1/U2
• R – Rüstsatz: Upgrade (kit)
  • Messerschmitt 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)
  • Typ 1936A (Mob) Zerstörer

Manufacturer/Designer

• Ar – Arado
  • Ar 234
• Bf – Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW): Bavarian Airplane Factory (renamed to Messerschmitt in 1938)
  • Bf 109
• BMW – Bayerische Motorenwerke: Bavarian Motor Factory
  • BMW 801
• Bo – Bölkow (from the alternative spelling Boelkow)
  • Bo 105
• BV – Blohm & Voss
  • BV 238
• DB – Daimler-Benz
  • DB 601
• Do – Dornier
  • Do 217
• Fw – Focke-Wulff
  • Fw 190
• Ha – Hamburger Flugzeugbau
• He – Heinkel
  • He 111
• Ho – Horten
  • Ho 229
• Hs – Henschel
  • Hs 129
• Ju – Junkers
  • Ju 87
• Me – Messerschmitt
  • Me 410
• Ta – Focke-Wulff (named after Kurt Tank)
  • Ta 152
• Rh – Rheinmetall
  • 20-mm Rh 202
• Ru – Ruhrstahl
  • Ru 251
• (P) – Porsche
  • PzKpfw VI Ausf. B (P) Tiger II
• (H) – Henschel
  • PzKpfw VI Ausf. B (H) Tiger II
• (A) – Alkett
  • Pz IV/70 (A)
• (V) – VOMAG
  • Pz IV/70 (V)

Military

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

Russian

Vehicle

Ground

• T – Tank
  • T-34
• ISU: Self-propelled mount based on IS heavy tank
  • ISU-122
• SU – Samokhodnaya Ustanovka: Self-propelled mount
  • SU-122
• ZSU – Zenitnaya Samokhodnaya Ustanovka: Anti-aircraft self-propelled mount
  • ZSU-37
• ZRPK – Zenitny Raketno-Pushechny Kompleks: Anti-aircraft missile-gun system
  • ZRPK 2S6 Tunguska
• ASU – Aviadesantnaya Samokhodnaya Ustanovka: Airborne self-propelled mount
  • ASU-85
• BT – Bystrokhodny Tank: Light tank (literally: Fast-moving tank)
  • BT-7
• BTR – Bronev Transporter: Armored personnel carrier (literally: Armored transport)
  • BTR-152A
• RBT – Raketny Bystrokhodny Tank: Rocket tank (literally: Fast-moving rocket tank)
  • RBT-5
• BA – Bronev Avtomobil: Armored car
• BM – Boyevaya Mashina: Rocket launcher vehicle (literally: Combat machine)
  • BM-8-24
• BMP – Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty: Infantry fighting vehicle (literally: Infantry combat machine)
  • BMP-1
• PT – Plavayushchy Tank: Amphibious tank (literally: Floating tank)
  • PT-76
• IT – Istrebitel Tankov: (Missile) tank destroyer (literally: Tank fighter)
  • IT-1

Air

• I – Istrebitel: Fighter (airplane)
  • Polikarpov I-15
• DB – Dalny Bombardirovschik: Long-range bomber
  • Ilyushin DB-3B
• BB – Blizhny Bombardirovschik: Short-range bomber
  • Sukhoi BB-1
• SB – Skorostnoi Bombardirovschik: Fast bomber
  • Tupolev SB 2M-100
• TB – Tyazholy Bombardirovschik: Heavy bomber
  • Tupolev TB-3
• MBR – Morskoi Blizhny Razvedchik: Naval short-range reconnaissance (airplane)
  • Beriev MBR-2
• U – Uchebny: Trainer (airplane)
  • Polikarpov U-2 (original designation of the Po-2)

Naval

• MO – Malyi Okhotnik: Small submarine chaser (literally: Small hunter)
  • MO-4
• BMO – Bronirovanny Malyi Okhotnik: Armored small submarine chaser (literally: Armed small hunter)
• MPK – Malyi Protivolodochnoi Korabl: Small anti-submarine ship
  • MPK pr. 122
• MBK – Morskoi Bronekater: Armored gunboat (literally: Naval combat cutter)
  • MBK pr. 186
• SKR – Storozhevoi Korabl: Observation ship
  • SKR pr. 159

Weaponry

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

Munition

• BR – Broneboynye: Armor-piercing (shell)
• BZ – Broneboyny Zazhigatelny: Armor-piercing incendiary (shell)
• BZT – Broneboyny Zazhigatelny Trassiruyushchy: Armor-piercing incendiary tracer (shell)
• PB – Polu Broneboynye: Semi armor-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: Armor-piercing rocket (literally: Rocket-powered armor-piercing projectile)

Prefix/Suffix

• Oby. – Obyekt: Object (tank prototype)
• Pr. – Proyekt: Project (ship design program)
• E – Ekranami: Up-armored (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 destroyer
• V – Vzryvnoy: Explosive (Reactive Armor)
  • T-64BV
• T – Torpedonosets: Torpedo bomber
  • DB-3T

Historical Name

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

Manufacturer/Designer

• ACh – Aleksei Charomsky
  • Yer-2 2ACh-30B: 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
• GAZ – Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod: Gorky Automobile Factory
  • GAZ-AAA
• Il – Ilyushin
  • Ilyushin Il-2M
• KS – Krasnoye Sormovo
• La – Lavochkin
  • Lavochkin La-5
• LaGG – Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov
  • Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3
• M – Myasishchev
• MAI – Moskovsky Avyatsyonny Instytut Moscow Aviation Institute
  • Tandem-MAI
• Mi – Mil
  • Mil Mi-24
• MiG – Mikoyan-Gurevich
  • Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
• OKB – Opytno-Konstruktorskoye Buro: Experimental Design Bureau
• Pe – Petlyakov
  • Petlyakov Pe-2
• Po – Polikarpov
  • Polikarpov Po-2
• STZ – Stalingradsky Traktoriy Zavod: Stalingrad Tractor Factory
  • T-34E (STZ)
• Su – Sukhoi
  • Sukhoi Su-2
• Tu – Tupolev
  • Tupolev Tu-2
• 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
• ZiS – Zavod imeni Stalina: Factory named after Stalin
  • ZiS-43

Military

• 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

French

Vehicle

• Char – Char de bataille: Battle tank
• AMC – Automitrailleuse de Combat: Combat machine gun (vehicle)
  • AMC 35
• AMD – Automitrailleuse de Découverte: Scout machine gun (vehicle)
  • AMD 35 P (Panhard 178)
• AMR – Automitrailleuse de Reconnaissance: Scout machine gun (vehicle)
  • AMR 35
• AML – Automitrailleuse Légère: Light machine gun (vehicle)
  • AML 90 (Panhard 245)
• DCA – Défense contre avions: Anti-air defense
• EBR – Engin Blindé de Reconnaissance: Armored reconnaissance vehicle
  • EBR 90 (Panhard 212)
• VTT – Véhicule de transport de troupe: Armored personnel carrier (literally: Troop transport vehicle)
• CA – Canon d'assaut: Tank destroyer (literally: Assault cannon)
  • CA Lorraine 100
• CAu – Canon automoteur: Self-propelled gun
  • CAu SAu 40
• TRC – Tracteur de ravitaillement pour chars: Tank supply tractor
• RC – Roues-Canon: Wheeled gun (carrier)
  • AMX 10 RC
• Mle – Modèle: Model

Weaponry

• SA – Semi-automatique: Semi-automatic (cannon)
  • 37-mm L/21 SA 18
• CA – Canon antiaérien: Anti-aircraft cannon
• CAD – Canon antiaérien double: Twin (mount) anti-aircraft cannon
• CAQ – Canon antiaérien quadruple: Quad (mount) anti-aircraft cannon

Munition

• 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)
• OE – Obus Explosif: High-explosive shell
• OEA – Obus Explosif Acier: High-explosive fuzed (AA) shell
• OEcl – Obus Eclairant: Illumination shell
• OPf – Obus Perforant: Armor-piercing shell
• OPfK – Obus Perforant (avec colorant) K: Armor-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
• SS – Sol-Sol: Ground-to-ground (missile)
  • 164-mm SS 11 ATGM
• TP – Traceuse Perforante: Armour-piercing Tracer shell

Prefix/Suffix

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

Manufacturer/Designer

• AMX – Atelier de Construction d'Issy-Les-Moulineaux: Issy-Les-Moulineaux construction atelier
  • AMX 13
• APX – Atelier de Puteaux
• ACL – Atelier et Chantiers de la Loire
• ARL – Atelier de Construction de Rueil: Rueil construction atelier
  • ARL 44
• SOMUA – Société d'outillage mécanique et d'usinage d'artillerie: Mechanical tooling and artillery machining company
• SNCAC – Société Nationale de Constructions Aéronautiques du Centre
• SNCASE – Société Nationale de Constructions Aéronautiques du Sud-Est
• SNCASO – Société Nationale de Constructions Aéronautiques du Sud-Ouest
• FCM – Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée
• DEFA – Direction des Études et Fabrications d'Armement
• MAC – Manufacture d'Armes de Châtellerault: Châtellerault weapons manufacturer
  • 7.5-mm MAC 34 MG
• FN – Fabrique Nationale
• FL – Fives-Lille
• R – Renault
• H – Hotchkiss
• L – Lorraine
• S – SOMUA
• D – Dewoitine
  • Dewoitine D.520
• C – Caudron

or

• CR – Caudron-Renault
  • Caudron C.714
• MS – Morane-Saulnier
• F – Farman
  • Farman F.222
• SO – Sud-Ouest
• MB – Marcel Bloch (renamed to Dassault in 1949)
  • Bloch MB.162
• MD – Marcel Dassault
  • Dassault MD.452 Mystère
• NC – SNCAC
  • NC.900
• LeO – Lioré-et-Olivier
  • Lioré-et-Olivier LeO.451
• VG – Arsenal (named after Michel Vernisse and Jean Galtier)
  • Arsenal VG.33
• VB – Arsenal (named after Michel Vernisse and Michel Badie)
  • Arsenal VB.10
• HS – Hispano-Suiza
  • 20-mm HS 9 auto-cannon

Military

• BCC – Battalion de Chars de Combat: Battle tank battalion
• RCC – Régiment de Chars de Combat: Battle tank regiment
• DCr – Division Cuirassée: Armored 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

Italian

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, 5 tons, model 1930
• AB – Autoblinda: Armored car
  • AB 41: Armored car, model 1941
• R – Ricognizione: Reconnaisance (vehicle)
  • OTO R3
• SIDAM – Sistema Italiano di Difesa Aerea Mobile: Italian system for mobile air-defense

Manufacturer/Designer

• CR – FIAT (Cacchia Rosatelli: Celestino Rosatelli fighter)
  • FIAT CR.42
• BR – FIAT (Bombardieri Rosatelli: Celestino Rosatelli bomber)
  • FIAT BR.20
• G – FIAT (named after Giuseppe Gabrielli)
  • FIAT G.50
• SM – Savoia-Marchetti
  • Savoia-Marchetti SM.79
• P – Piaggio
  • Ba.88 (P.XI): Ba.88 with Piaggio P.XI 14-cylinder radial engines
  • Piaggio P.108
• C – Macchi (named after Mario Castoldi)
  • Macchi C.200
• Ba – Breda
  • Breda Ba.65
• Re – Reggiane
  • Reggiane Re.2000
• Z – CANT (named after Filippo Zappata)
• FIAT – Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino: Italian automobile factory Turin
• CANT – Cantieri Aeronautici e Navali Triestini: Aeronautical and naval yard Trieste
• OTO – Odero-Terni-Orlando
• OF – OTO-FIAT
• SAFAT – Società Anonima Fabbrica Armi Torino

Weaponry

• SR – Senza Rinculo: Recoilless (gun)

Prefix/Suffix

• CC – Controcarro: Anti-tank (rifle)
  • L3/35 CC
• S – Silurante: Torpedo (airplane)
  • FIAT G.55S
• CN – Caccia Notturno: Night fighter
  • FIAT CR.42CN
• CB – Cacciabombardiere: Fighter-bomber
  • Reggiane Re.2001 CB
• AS – Africa Settentrionale: North Africa (tropical filter)
  • Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-14/AS

or

• AS – Aerosilurante: Air torpedo (airplane)
  • SM.79 AS
• EC – Esperimento Cannoni: Experimental cannons
  • Macchi C.202EC
• A – Artigliere: Artillery
  • Piaggio P.108A
• B – Bombardiere: Bomber
  • Piaggio P.108B
• N – Normale: Normal
  • SM.79 bis /N

or

• N – Nuovo: New
  • C.205N2
• TM – Totalmente Modificato: Completely modified
  • S.M.79 bis /TM

Romanian

Manufacturer/Designer

• IAR – Industria Aeronautică Română: Romanian Aeronautic Industry
  • IAR-81C

Japanese

Aircraft

Army

• Ki – Kitai: Airframe

Navy

First letters (type)

• A: Carrier-based fighter plane
  • A6M
• B: Carrier-based attack bomber
  • B5N
• C: Carrier-based reconnaissance plane
  • C6N
• D: Carrier-based dive bomber
  • D3A
• E: Ship-based reconnaissance hydroplane
  • E16A
• F: Ship-based observation hydroplane
  • F1M
• G: Land-based attack bomber
  • G4M
• H: Flying boat
  • H6K
• J: Land-based fighter plane (also used as suffix for conversions)
  • J2M
  • N1K1-J
• K: Trainer plane (also used as suffix for conversions)
  • A5M4-K
• L: Transport plane (also used as suffix for conversions)
  • H6K2-L
• MX: Special purpose plane (gliders, decoys, test beds), no numbering
  • MXY
• N: Fighter hydroplane (also used as suffix for conversions)
  • N1K
  • A6M2-N
• P: Land-based bomber
  • P1Y
• Q: Patrol plane
• R: Land-based reconnaissance plane
  • R2Y
• S: Night fighter
  • S1A

Second letters (manufacturers/designers)

• A – Aichi
  • D3A
• He – Heinkel
  • A7He1
• K – Kawanishi
  • H6K
• M – Mitsubishi
  • A6M
• N – Nakajima
  • J1N
• W – Kyushu
  • J7W
• Y – Yokosuka
  • D4Y

Ground

Vehicle type

• Ke: Light (tank)
  • Type 98 Ke-Ni: Light tank, fourth version, model of Imperial Japanese year 2598 (1938)
• Chi: Medium (tank)
  • Type 3 Chi-Nu: Medium tank, tenth version, model of Imperial Japanese year 2603 (1943)
• Ju: Heavy (tank)
  • Type 97 Ju-Ro: Heavy tank, second version, model of Imperial Japanese year 2597 (1937)
• O: Super-heavy (tank)
  • O-I: Super-heavy tank, first version
• Ho: Self-propelled (gun)
  • Type 3 Ho-Ni III: Self-propelled gun, fourth version, third variant, model of Imperial Japanese year 2603 (1943)
• Ka: Amphibious (tank)
  • Type 2 Ka-Mi

Order system

• I: First
• Ro: Second
• Ha: Third
• Ni: Fourth
• Ho: Fifth
• He: Sixth
• To: Seventh
• Chi: Eighth
• Ri: Ninth
• Nu: Tenth

Suffix

• Ko: First variant
  • A6M5 ko
• Otsu: Second variant
  • Ki-84 otsu
• Hei: Third variant
  • Ki-45 hei
• Tei: Fourth variant
• Kai – Kazizo: Improved (appended to the name, as opposed to the designation as with the variant indicators)
  • N1K1-J Shiden -> N1K2-J Shiden-Kai

Manufacturer/Designer

• HI: Vickers (UK)
  • 40-mm HI Type 91 auto-cannon, based on the QF 2-pdr Mk VIII
• RU: Lewis (UK)
  • 7.7-mm RU Type 92 MG, based on the .303-in Lewis MG

Czech

Vehicle

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

Manufacturer/Designer

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

Swedish

Vehicle

• Strv – Stridsvagn: Tank (literally: Combat vehicle)
• Ikv – Infanterikanonvagn: Assault howitzer (literally: Infantry (support) gun vehicle)
• Sav – Stormartillerivagn: Assault gun (literally: Assault artillery vehicle)
• Pvkv – Pansarvärnskanonvagn: Tank destroyer

Weaponry

• ksp – Kulspruta: Machine gun
  • 8 mm ksp m/22
• akan – Automatkanon: Autocannon
  • 13.2 mm akan m/39

English

Vehicle (US)

• P – Pursuit (aircraft)
• A – Attacker (aircraft)
• B – Bomber
• F – Fighter (aircraft)
• X – Experimental
  • XA-38 Grizzly: Experimental Attacker 38
• TB – Torpedo Bomber
• PB – Patrol Bomber
• SB – Scout Bomber: Dive bomber
• OS – Observation Scout (aircraft)
  • OS2U-1: Navy Observation Scout 2, Vought No.1
• M – Model
  • Medium Tank, M4 Sherman: Model 4 medium tank
• T – Trial (model)
  • T26 Pershing: Trial model 26 medium tank
• A – Advancement
  • Medium Tank, M4A1 Sherman: Model 4, Advancement 1 medium tank
• E – Experimental
  • Medium Tank, M4A1E8 Sherman: Model 4, Advancement 1, Experimental 8 medium tank
• LVT – Landing Vehicle, Tracked
  • LVT(A)-1
• LST – Landing Ship, Tank
• (A) – Amphibious
  • LVT(A)-1
• HMC – Howitzer Motor Carriage
• GMC – Gun Motor Carriage
• CGMC – Combination Gun Motor Carriage
• MGMC – Multiple Gun Motor Carriage
• SPG – Self-Propelled Gun
• SPRR – Self-Propelled Recoilless Rifle
• SPAA – Self-Propelled Anti-Air
• MRLS – Multiple Rocket Launcher System
• AT – Anti-Tank
• CAS – Close Air Support
• MBT – Main Battle Tank
• USS – United States Ship: Honorific styling
  • USS Texas
• DD – Destroyer
  • DD-445 Fletcher destroyer
• DE – Destroyer, Escort
• CL – Cruiser, Light: Light cruiser
  • CL-4 Omaha light cruiser
• CA – Cruiser, Armored: Heavy cruiser
  • CA-134 Des Moines heavy cruiser
• CV – Cruiser, Voler: Aircraft carrier (historically based on aviation cruisers)
  • CV-2 Lexington aircraft carrier
• CB – Cruiser, Battle: Battlecruiser
• BB – Battleship
  • BB-61 Iowa battleship
• PG – Patrol Gunboat
• PT – Patrol Torpedoboat
• PC – Patrol Chaser: Submarine chaser
• SS – Submarine
• SSN – Submarine, Nuclear-powered
• SSBN – Ballistic Missile Submarine, Nuclear-powered
• (RISE) – Reliability Improved Selected Equipment
  • M60A1 (RISE/Passive) Patton
• (AOS) – Add-On Stabilization
  • M60A1 (AOS) Patton
• W – Wet munition storage
  • M4A2 (76) W Sherman
• HVSS – Horizontal Volute Spring Suspension
  • M4A3 (105) HVSS Sherman
• CCKW – General Motors designation: C – designed in 1941, C – conventional cab, K – all-wheel drive, W – dual rear axles

Vehicle (UK)

• A – Armour Index of the General Staff (historical index number)
  • A22 Infantry Tank Mk IV, Churchill I
• FV – Fighting Vehicle (modern index number)
  • FV4007 Centurion Mk 1
• F. – Fighter
  • Spitfire F.24
• FR. – Fighter-Reconnaissance
  • Seafire FR.47
• FAW. – Fighter All-Weather
  • Sea Venom FAW.20
• LF. – Long-range Fighter

or

• LF. – Low-altitute Fighter
  • Spitfire LF. Mk IX
• FB. – Fighter-Bomber
  • Sea Fury FB.11
• B. – Bomber
  • Canberra B.2
• B(I). – Bomber (Interdictor)
  • Canberra B(I).6
• TB. – Torpedo Bomber
  • Hampden TB. Mk I
• TF. – Torpedo-Fighter
  • Firebrand TF. Mk IV
• HMS – His/Her Majesty's Ship: Honorific styling
  • HMS Dreadnought

Vehicle (other)

• HMAS – His/Her Majesty's Australian Ship: Honorific styling
• HMCS – His/Her Majesty's Canadian Ship: Honorific styling
  • HMCS Haida
• HMNZS – His/Her Majesty's New Zealand Ship: Honorific styling
  • HMNZS Leander

Manufacturer/Designer (US)

• GMC – General Motors Company (not to be confused with Gun Motor Carriage)
  • GMC CCKW-353

(Army) Air Force

• BN – Boeing (Renton plant, Washington)
  • B-29A-BN Superfortress
• CO – Consolidated (San Diego plant, California)
  • B-24D-25-CO Liberator
• DT – Douglas (Tulsa plant, Oklahoma)
  • A-26C-45-DT Invader
• DB – Douglas Bomber (company designation)
  • Douglas DB-7 (A-20 Havoc)
• LO – Lockheed (Burbank plant, California)
  • P-38L-5-LO Lightning
• NA – North American (Inglewood plant, California)
  • P-51D-20-NA Mustang
• NH – North American (Columbus plant, Ohio)
  • F-86F-25-NH Sabre
• NO – Northrop (Hawthorne plant, California)
  • P-61C-1-NO Black Widow
• RE – Republic (Farmingdale plant, New York)
  • P-47D-25-RE Thunderbolt
• VE – Vega (Burbank plant, California)
  • B-17G-60-VE Flying Fortress

Navy

• 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
  • AD-2 Skyraider: Navy Attacker, Douglas No. 2
• F – Grumman
  • F4F-3 Wildcat: Navy Fighter 4, Grumman No. 3
• H – McDonnel
  • F2H-2 Banshee: Navy (Jet) Fighter 2, McDonnell No. 2
• J – North American
  • PBJ-1 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)
  • Vought V-156 (SB2U Vindicator)
• Y – Consolidated
  • PBY-5 Catalina: Navy Patrol Bomber, Consolidated No. 5

Manufacturer/Designer (UK)

• AEC – Associated Equipment Company
  • AEC Armoured Car Mk II
• BAe – British Aerospace
• G – Gloster
  • G.41F (Gloster Meteor F.4)
• MB – Martin-Baker
  • MB.5

Manufacturer/Designer (other)

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

Weaponry (US)

• MCLOS – Manual Command to Line of Sight
• SACLOS – Semi-Automatic Command to Line of Sight
• TOW – Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided
• AIM – Air-launched, Interception, Missile
• BGM – Multi-launched, Ground-attack, Missile
• VADS – Vulcan Air Defense System
• AN – Army/Navy
  • 20-mm AN-M2 auto-cannon
• HB – Heavy Barrel
  • 12.7-mm M2HB MG

Weaponry (UK)

• BL – Breech-loading (cannon): Usually for (naval) guns of 5 inch caliber and upwards.
  • 356-mm BL 14-inch Mk VII cannon
• QF – Quick-firing (cannon): Usually for (naval) guns of up to 5 inch caliber.
  • 113-mm QF 4.5-inch Mk II cannon
• RP – Remote-powered (control): System of direct unified control of turrets (RP.10: Hydraulic, RP.50: Electric)
  • RP.10 Mk I mount
• HA – High-angle (mount): Mounting for large-caliber 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)
• ADEN – Armament Development Establishment, Enfield
• RARDEN – Royal Armament, Research and Development Establishment, Enfield
• pdr – Pounder: Gun designations based on the pound (lb) weight of their projectiles.
  • 76.2-mm QF 17-pdr
• cwt – Hundredweight (centum weight): Gun designations based on weight (barrel and breech) in cwt (1-cwt = 112-lb)
  • 76.2-mm QF 3-inch 20-cwt (20-cwt = 2,250-lb)

Munition

• B – Ball-Point
• I – Incendiary
• IT – Incendiary Tracer
• IAI – Immediate Action Incendiary
• FI – Fragmentation Incendiary
• FIT – Fragmentation Incendiary Tracer
• T – Tracer
• P – Practice
• PT – Practice Tracer
• AP – Armor-Piercing
• API – Armor-Piercing Incendiary
• APT – Armor-Piercing Tracer
• APIT – Armor-Piercing Incendiary Tracer
• APC – Armor-Piercing Capped
• APCBC – Armor-Piercing Capped Ballistic Capped
• APCR – Armor-Piercing Composite Rigid
• APHE – Armor-Piercing High-Explosive
• APDS – Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot
• APDSFS – Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot Fin-Stabilized
• HVAP – High-Velocity Armor-Piercing
• HVAPT – High-Velocity Armor-Piercing Tracer
• HE – High-Explosive
• HEF – High-Explosive Fragmentation
• HEI – High-Explosive Incendiary
• HEFI – High-Explosive Fragmentation Incendiary
• HEFT – High-Explosive Fragmentation Tracer
• HEFIT – 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)

Munition (UK)

• RP-3 – Rocket Projectile, 3-inch

Military (US)

• USAAF – United States Army Air Force
• USAF – United States Air Force
• USMC – United States Marine Corps
• USN – United States Navy
• VMF – Marine Fighter Squadron: V – Fixed-wing aircraft, M – Marine Corps, F – Fighter
  • VMF-312 – Marine Fighter Squadron No. 312
• VMA – Marine Attacker Squadron: V – Fixed-wing aircraft, M – Marine Corps, A – Attacker
  • VMA-332 – Marine Attacker Squadron No. 332

Military (UK)

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

Military (other)

• RAAF – Royal Australian Air Force
• RCAF – Royal Canadian Air Force
• RNZAF – Royal New Zealand Air Force