MISSILE DESIGNATION

The Department of Defense established a missile and rocket designation sequence. The basic designation (table 3-1) of every guided missile are letters, which are in sequence. The sequence indicates the following:

1. The environment from which the vehicle is launched

2. The primary mission of the missile

3. The type of vehicle

Examples of guided missile designators common to the Aviation Ordnanceman are as follows:

Basic

The basic designator is followed by a design number. In turn, the number may be followed by consecutive letters, which show a modification. For example, the designation of AGM-45C means the missile is an air-launched (A), surface-attack (G), missile (M), forty-fifth missile design (45), third modification (C).

In addition, most guided missiles are given popular names, such as Sparrow, Sidewinder, Harpoon, and Shrike. These names are retained regardless of subsequent modifications to the original missile.

MISSILE IDENTIFICATION

The external surfaces of all Navy guided missiles, except radome and antenna surfaces, are painted white. The color white has no identification color-coding significance when used on guided missiles.

There are three significant color codes used on guided missiles and their components-yellow, brown,

Table 3-1.-Guided Missile and Rocket Designations

and blue. These color codes indicate the explosive hazard in the missile component. If components are painted blue on a practice missile and have a yellow or brown band painted on them, the component has an explosive component that doesn't have a comparable part in a service missile.

Each component of the missile, besides being color coded, is identifiable by lettering stenciled on the exterior surface of the component. The lettering on a component gives information such as the Mark and Mod, type and weight of explosive filler, loading activity symbol and date of loading, temperature range restrictions, and unit serial number.

All missiles used in naval aviation are assigned missile serial numbers. These numbers are shipped with the missile's logbook. The missile serial number is normally the serial number of the leading component of the missile, such as the guidance and/or control components. The serial number is important because it is the number used to track the missile from assembly at a weapons station until it is fired or discontinued from service.

For further information concerning identification of guided missiles, refer to NAVSEA SW010-AF-ORD010/NAVAIR 11-1-117, Identification of Ammunition (latest revision).