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The United States Navy
United States Navy

The United States Navy is the navy of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy currently has approximately 331,682 personnel on active duty as of 31 December 2008 and 124,000 in the United States Navy Reserve....
 uses hull classification symbols (sometimes called hull codes) to identify the types of its ships. The Royal Navy
Royal Navy

The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British Armed Forces . From the mid-18th century until well into the 20th century, it was the most powerful navy in the world, playing a key part in establishing the British Empire as the dominant world power from 1815 until the early 1940s....
 and some European and Commonwealth navies (19 in total) use a somewhat analogous system of Pennant number
Pennant number

In the modern Royal Navy and other navies of Europe and the Commonwealth of Nations, ships are identified by pennant numbers . The name pennant number arises from the fact that ships were originally allocated a pennant identifying a flotilla or particular type of vessel: for example, in the Royal Navy, the burgee for torpedo boats, :Image:I...
s. All hull classification symbols are at least two letters; for basic types the symbol is the first letter of the type name, doubled, except for aircraft carriers.

The combination of symbol and hull number identify a modern Navy ship uniquely.






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The United States Navy
United States Navy

The United States Navy is the navy of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy currently has approximately 331,682 personnel on active duty as of 31 December 2008 and 124,000 in the United States Navy Reserve....
 uses hull classification symbols (sometimes called hull codes) to identify the types of its ships. The Royal Navy
Royal Navy

The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British Armed Forces . From the mid-18th century until well into the 20th century, it was the most powerful navy in the world, playing a key part in establishing the British Empire as the dominant world power from 1815 until the early 1940s....
 and some European and Commonwealth navies (19 in total) use a somewhat analogous system of Pennant number
Pennant number

In the modern Royal Navy and other navies of Europe and the Commonwealth of Nations, ships are identified by pennant numbers . The name pennant number arises from the fact that ships were originally allocated a pennant identifying a flotilla or particular type of vessel: for example, in the Royal Navy, the burgee for torpedo boats, :Image:I...
s. All hull classification symbols are at least two letters; for basic types the symbol is the first letter of the type name, doubled, except for aircraft carriers.

The combination of symbol and hull number identify a modern Navy ship uniquely. A heavily modified or repurposed ship may receive a new symbol, and either retain the hull number or receive a new one. Also, the system of symbols has changed a number of times since it was introduced in 1907, so ships' symbols sometimes change without anything being done to the physical ship.

Many of the symbols listed here are not presently in use. The Naval Vessel Register
Naval Vessel Register

The Naval Vessel Register is the official inventory of ships and service craft in custody of or titled by the United States Navy. It contains information on ships and service craft that make up the official inventory of the Navy from the time a vessel is authorized through its life cycle and disposal....
 maintains an online database of US Navy ships.

The 1975 ship reclassification
United States Navy 1975 ship reclassification

The United States Navy reclassified many of its surface vessels in 1975, changing terminology and hull classification symbols for aircraft carriers, cruisers, frigates, and ocean escorts....
 of cruisers, frigates, and ocean escorts brought US Navy classifications into line with other nations' classifications, and eliminated the perceived "cruiser gap" with the Soviet Navy
Soviet Navy

The Soviet Navy was the naval part of the Soviet Armed Forces. Often referred to as the Red Fleet, the Soviet Navy would have been instrumental in any perceived Warsaw Pact role in an all-out war with NATO when it would have to stop the naval convoys bringing reinforcements over the Atlantic to the Western European theatre....
.

If a ship's hull classification symbol begins with "W", it is a ship of the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the Military of the United States and one of seven Uniformed services of the United States. In addition to being a military branch at all times, it is unique among the armed forces in that it is also a Admiralty law agency and a Federal government of the United States regulatory agency....
. If it begins with "T-", it is part of the Military Sealift Command
Military Sealift Command

The is a United States Navy organization that controls most of the replenishment and military transport ships of the Navy. It first came into existence on 9 July 1949 when the 'Military Sea Transportation Service' became solely responsible for the United States Department of Defense's ocean transport needs....
 and has a primarily civilian crew.

Hull numbers are assigned classification by classification. Duplication between, but not within, classifications is permitted. Hence, CV-1 was the USS Langley and BB-1 was the USS Indiana.

Warships

Warships are designed to participate in combat operations.

Aircraft carrier type

Aircraft carriers are ships designed primarily for the purpose of conducting combat operations by aircraft
Aircraft

An aircraft is a vehicle which is able to flight by being supported by the air, or in general, the atmosphere, of a planet. Examples include balloons, airplanes and helicopters....
 which engage in attacks against airborne, surface, sub-surface and shore targets. Contrary to popular belief, the "CV" hull classification symbol does not stand for "Carrier Vessel". The "CV" designation was originally derived from cruisers, since aircraft carriers were seen as an extension of the sea control and denial mission of cruisers. The "V" designation for heavier-than-air craft comes from the French
French language

French is a Romance language spoken around the world by around 80 million people as first language, by 190 million as second language, and by about another 200 million people as an acquired tongue, with significant speakers in 54 countries....
 verb voler (to fly). Since 1935, "CV" has been a two-letter, unitary hull classification symbol meaning "aircraft carrier". Aircraft carriers are designated in two sequences: the first sequence runs from CV-1 USS Langley to the very latest ships, and the second sequence, "CVE" for escort carriers, ran from CVE-1 Long Island to CVE-128 Okinawa before being discontinued.

  • AV: Seaplane Tender
    Seaplane tender

    A seaplane tender is a ship that provides facilities for operating seaplanes. These ships were the first aircraft carriers and appeared just before the World War I....
     (retired)
  • AVG: Auxiliary Aircraft Ferry (Escort carrier) (1941–2)
  • AVD: Seaplane Tender Destroyer (retired)
  • AVP: Seaplane Tender, Small (retired)
  • ACV: Auxiliary Aircraft Carrier (Escort carrier) (1942)
  • CV: Fleet Aircraft Carrier (1921–1975), Multi-purpose Aircraft Carrier
    Aircraft carrier

    An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a navy force to project air power great distances without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations....
     (1975–present)
  • CVA: Attack Aircraft Carrier (category merged into CV, 30 June 1975)
  • CVAN: Attack Aircraft Carrier, Nuclear (category merged into CVN, 30 June 1975)
  • CVB: Large Aircraft Carrier (category merged into CVA, 1952)
  • CVE: Escort aircraft carrier
    Escort aircraft carrier

    The escort aircraft carrier or escort carrier , was a small aircraft carrier utilized by the United Kingdom Royal Navy, the Imperial Japanese Navy and the United States Navy in World War II....
     (retired) (1943–retirement of type)
  • CVHA: Assault Helicopter Aircraft Carrier (retired in favor of several LH-series amphibious assault ship
    Amphibious assault ship

    An amphibious assault ship is a type of helicopter carrier employed to land and support ground forces on enemy territory by an Amphibious warfare....
     hull codes)
  • CVHE: Escort Helicopter Aircraft Carrier (retired)
  • CVL: Light aircraft carrier
    Light aircraft carrier

    A light aircraft carrier is an aircraft carrier that is smaller than the standard carriers of a navy. The precise definition of the type varies by country; light carriers typically have half to two thirds of the aircraft complement of a full-sized carrier....
     (retired)
  • CVN: Multi-purpose Aircraft Carrier (Nuclear-Propulsion)
  • CVS: Antisubmarine Aircraft Carrier (retired)
  • CVT: Training Aircraft Carrier (changed to AVT (Auxiliary))
  • CVU: Utility Aircraft Carrier (retired)


Surface combatant type

Surface combatants are ships which are designed primarily to engage enemy forces on the high seas. The primary surface combatants are battleships, cruisers and destroyers. Battleships are very heavily armed and armored; cruisers moderately so; destroyers and smaller warships, less so. Before 1920, ships were called " no. X", with the type fully pronounced. The types were commonly abbreviated in ship lists to "B-X", "C-X", "D-X" et cetera—for example, before 1920, would have been called "USS Minnesota, Battleship number 22" verbally and "USS Minnesota, B-22" in writing. After 1920, the ship's name would have been both written and pronounced "USS Minnesota (BB-22)". In generally decreasing size, the types are:

  • B: Battleship
    Battleship

    A battleship is a large, heavily armour warship with a main artillery battery consisting of the largest calibre of guns. Battleships were larger, better armed, and better armored than cruisers and destroyers....
     (pre-1920)
  • BB: Battleship
    Battleship

    A battleship is a large, heavily armour warship with a main artillery battery consisting of the largest calibre of guns. Battleships were larger, better armed, and better armored than cruisers and destroyers....
  • BBG: Guided Missile Battleship or Arsenal Ship
    Arsenal ship

    An arsenal ship is a concept for a floating missile platform intended to have as many as five hundred vertical launching system for mid-sized missiles, most likely cruise missiles....
     (theoretical only, never assigned)See .
  • BM: Monitor (1920–retirement)


  • ACR: Armored Cruiser (pre-1920)
  • C: Cruiser
    Cruiser

    A cruiser is a large type of warship, which had its prime period from the late 19th century to the end of the Cold War. The first cruisers were intended for individual raiding and protection missions on the seas....
     (pre-1920 Protected Cruisers
    Protected cruiser

    Protected cruisers were a type of naval cruiser of the late 19th century, so known because their armoured deck offered protection for vital machine spaces from shrapnel caused by exploding shells above....
     and Peace Cruisers)
  • CA: (first series) Cruiser (retired, composed all surviving pre-1920 Protected and Peace Cruisers)
  • CA: (second series) Heavy Cruiser
    Heavy cruiser

    The heavy cruiser was a type of cruiser, a naval warship designed for long range, high speed and an armament of naval guns roughly 203mm calibre ....
    , category later renamed Gun Cruiser (retired)
  • CAG: Guided Missile Heavy Cruiser (retired)
  • CB: Large cruiser
    Alaska class cruiser

    The Alaska class cruisers were a class of six cruisers ordered prior to World War II for the United States Navy. Against typical U.S. battleship and cruiser naming practices,With only a very few exceptions, U.S....
     (retired)
  • CBC: Large Command Cruiser (retired, never used operationally)See .
  • CC: Battlecruiser
    Battlecruiser

    Battlecruisers were large warships in the first half of the 20th century that were first introduced by the Royal Navy. The battlecruiser was developed as the successor to the armoured cruisers, but their evolution was more closely linked to that of the dreadnought battleships....
     (retired, never used operationally)See .
  • CC: (second usage) Command Cruiser (retired)
  • CG: Guided Missile Cruiser
  • CGN: Guided Missile Cruiser (Nuclear-Propulsion)
  • CL: Light Cruiser
    Light cruiser

    A light cruiser is a warship. The term is a shortening of the phrase "light armoured cruiser", describing a small ship that carried armour in the same way as an armoured cruiser: a protective belt and deck....
     (retired)
  • CLC: Command Cruiser
  • CLAA: Antiaircraft Cruiser (retired)
  • CLG: Guided Missile Light Cruiser (retired)
  • CLGN: Guided Missile Light Cruiser (Nuclear-Propulsion) (retired)
  • CLK: Hunter-Killer Cruiser (abolished 1951)
  • CS: Scout Cruiser (retired)
  • CSGN: Strike Cruiser
    Strike cruiser

    For the Strike-class medium cruiser produced by Loronar Defense Industries from the Star Wars universe, see List of Star Wars capital ships....
     (Nuclear-Propulsion)


  • D: Destroyer (pre-1920)
  • DD: Destroyer
    Destroyer

    In navy terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a Naval fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, short-range but powerful attackers ....
  • DDE: Escort Destroyer (not to be confused with Destroyer Escort, DE: an Escort Destroyer; DDE, was a Destroyer, DD, converted for antisubmarine warfare) (category abolished 1962)
  • DDG: Guided Missile Destroyer
  • DDK: Hunter-Killer Destroyer (category merged into DDE, 4 March 1950)
  • DDR: Radar Picket Destroyer (retired)
  • DE: Destroyer Escort
    Destroyer escort

    A Destroyer Escort is the classification for a small, relatively slow warship designed to be used to escort convoys of merchant marine ships, primarily of the United States Merchant Marine in World War II....
     (World War II, later became Ocean escort
    Ocean escort

    Ocean Escort was a type of United States Navy warship.Ocean Escorts were an evolution of the World War II destroyer escort types. They were intended as convoy escorts and were designed for mobilization production in wartime or low-cost mass production in peacetime....
    )
  • DE: Ocean escort
    Ocean escort

    Ocean Escort was a type of United States Navy warship.Ocean Escorts were an evolution of the World War II destroyer escort types. They were intended as convoy escorts and were designed for mobilization production in wartime or low-cost mass production in peacetime....
     (abolished 30 June 1975)
  • DEG: Guided Missile Ocean Escort (abolished 30 June 1975)
  • DER: Radar Picket Destroyer Escort (abolished 30 June 1975)
There were two distinct breeds of DE, the World War II Destroyer Escorts (some of which were converted to DERs) and the postwar DE/DEG classes, which were known as Ocean Escorts despite carrying the same type symbol as the World War II Destroyer Escorts. All DEs, DEGs, and DERs were reclassified as FFs, FFGs, or FFRs, 30 June 1975.
  • DL: Destroyer Leader (later Frigate) (retired)
  • DLG: Guided Missile Frigate (abolished 30 June 1975)
  • DLGN: Guided Missile Frigate (Nuclear-Propulsion) (abolished 30 June 1975)
    		• The DL category was established in 1951 with the abolition of the CLK category. CLK 1 became DL 1 and DD 927–930 became DL 2–5. By the mid-1950s the term Destroyer Leader had been dropped in favor of Frigate. Most DLGs and DLGNs were reclassified as CGs and CGNs, 30 June 1975. However, DLG 6–15 became DDG 37–46. The old DLs were already gone by that time.


    • DM: Destroyer Minelayer (retired)
    • DMS: Destroyer Minesweeper (retired)


    • FF: Frigate
      Frigate

      A frigate is a warship. The term has been used for warships of many sizes and roles over the past few centuries.In the 18th century, the term referred to ships which were as long as a ship-of-the-line and were square rig on all three masts , but were faster and with lighter armament, used for patrolling and escort....
       (retired)
    • FFG: Guided Missile Frigate
    • FFL: Light Frigate
    • FFR: Radar Picket Frigate (retired)
    • FFT: Frigate (Reserve Training) (retired)
    		The FF, FFG, and FFR designations were established 30 June 1975 as new type symbols for ex-DEs, DEGs, and DERs. The first new-build ships to carry the FF/FFG designation were the Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7) class frigates
    Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate

    The Oliver Hazard Perry class , is a class of frigates named after Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. The class was designed in the United States in the mid-1970s as general-purpose escort vessels, capable of most naval operations, yet cheap enough to be bought in large quantities to replace World War II-era destroyers....
    . A new series of frigate-size warships for shallow-water combat at expense of battlegroup performance is under production:


    • K: Corvette
      Corvette

      A corvette is a small, manoeuverable, lightly armed warship, originally smaller than a frigate and larger than a offshore patrol vessel, although many recent designs resemble frigates in size and role....
       (retired)


    • LCS: Littoral Combat Ship
      Littoral combat ship

      Two classes of Littoral Combat Ships are the first examples of the United States Navy's next-generation surface combatants: the USS_Freedom_ and the USS_Independence_....


    • M: Monitor (1880s–1920)


    Submarine type

    Submarines are all self-propelled submersible types (usually started with SS) regardless of whether employed as combatant, auxiliary, or research and development vehicles which have at least a residual combat capability. While some classes, including all diesel-electric submarines, are retired from USN service, non-U.S. navies continue to employ SS, SSA, SSAN, SSB, SSC, SSG, SSM, and SST types. With the advent of new Air Independent Propulsion/Power (AIP) systems, both SSI and SSP are used to distinguish the types within the USN, but SSP has been declared the preferred term. SSK, retired by the USN, continues to be used colloquially and interchangeably with SS for diesel-electric attack/patrol submarines within the USN, and more formally by the Royal Navy and British firms such as Jane's Information Group
    Jane's Information Group

    Jane's Information Group is a publishing company specialising in transportation and military topics, which was founded by Fred T. Jane in 1898....
    .

    • SC: Cruiser Submarine (retired)
    • SF: Fleet Submarine
      Submarine

      A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below water. It differs from a submersible, which has only limited underwater capability....
       (retired)
    • SM: Submarine Minelayer (retired)
    • SS: Attack Submarine (Diesel-Electric Power)
    • SSA: Auxiliary/Cargo Submarine (Diesel-Electric Power)
    • SSAN: Auxiliary/Cargo Submarine (Nuclear Power)
    • SSB: Ballistic Missile Submarine
      Ballistic missile submarine

      A ballistic missile submarine is a submarine equipped to launch ballistic missiles . Ballistic missile submarines are larger than any other type of submarine, in order to accommodate SLBMs such as the Russian R-29 or the American Trident missile....
       (Diesel Electric Power)
    • SSBN: Ballistic Missile Submarine
      Ballistic missile submarine

      A ballistic missile submarine is a submarine equipped to launch ballistic missiles . Ballistic missile submarines are larger than any other type of submarine, in order to accommodate SLBMs such as the Russian R-29 or the American Trident missile....
       (Nuclear-Powered)
    • SSC: Coastal Submarine (Diesel-Electric Power), over 150 tons
    • SSG: Guided Missile Submarine (Diesel-Electric Power)
    • SSGN: Guided Missile Submarine (Nuclear-Powered)
    • SSI: Attack Submarine (Diesel Air-Independent Propulsion)
    • SSK: Hunter-Killer/ASW Submarine (retired)
    • SSM: Midget Submarine, under 150 tons
    • SSN: Attack Submarine (Nuclear-Powered)
    • SSO: Submarine Oiler (retired)
    • SSP: Attack Submarine (Diesel Air-Independent Power) (alternate use), formerly Submarine Transport
    • SSQ: Auxiliary Submarine, Communications (retired)
    • SSQN: Auxiliary Submarine, Communications (Nuclear-Powered)(retired)
    • SSR: Radar Picket Submarine (retired)
    • SSRN: Radar Picket Submarine (Nuclear-Powered) (retired)
    • SST: Training Submarine (Diesel-Electric Power)
    • AGSS: Auxiliary Submarine
    • AOSS: Submarine Oiler (retired)
    • ASSP: Transport Submarine (retired)
    • APSS: Transport Submarine (retired)
    • LPSS: Amphibious Transport Submarine (retired)
    • SSLP: Transport Submarine (retired)
    		SSP, ASSP, APSS, and LPSS were all the same type, redesignated over the years.
  • IXSS: Unclassified Miscellaneous Submarine
  • MTS: Moored Training Ship (Navy Nuclear Prototype School Training Platform; Reconditioned SSBN's)


    • Patrol combatant type

    Patrol combatants are ships whose mission may extend beyond coastal duties and whose characteristics include adequate endurance and sea keeping, providing a capability for operations exceeding 48 hours on the high seas without support. This notably included Brown Water Navy/Riverine Forces during the Vietnam War. Few of these ships are in service today.

    • PBR: Patrol Boat, River, Brown Water Navy (Pibber or PBR-Vietnam)
    • PC: Coastal Patrol, originally Sub Chaser
      Submarine chaser

      A submarine chaser is a small and fast navy Ship specially intended for anti-submarine warfare. Although similar vessels were designed and used by many nations, this designation was most famously used by ships built by the United States of America ....
    • PCF: Patrol Craft, Fast
      Fast Patrol Craft

      Patrol Craft Fast , also known as Swift Boats, were all-aluminum, long, shallow-draft vessels operated by the United States Navy for counterinsurgency operations during the Vietnam War....
      ; Swift Boat, Brown Water Navy (Vietnam)
    • PE: Eagle Boat
      Eagle class patrol craft

      The Eagle class patrol craft were a set of steel ships smaller than destroyers but having a greater operational radius than the wooden-hulled, submarine chasers developed in 1917....
       of World War I
      World War I

      World War I, or the First World War , was a global military conflict which involved the Great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies of World War I and the Central Powers....
    • PF: World War II Frigate, based on British River class
      River class frigate

      The River class frigate was a ship class of 151 frigates launched between 1941 and 1944 for use as anti-submarine convoy escorts in the North Atlantic....
      .
      • PFG: Original designation of
    • PG: Gunboat, later Patrol combatant
    • PGH: Patrol Combatant, Hydrofoil
    • PHM: Patrol, Hydrofoil
      Hydrofoil

      A hydrofoil is a boat with wing-like airfoils mounted on struts below the hull . As the craft increases its speed the hydrofoils develop enough lift for the boat to become foilborne - i.e....
       Missile
    • PR: Patrol, River, such as the USS Panay (PR-5)
      USS Panay (PR-5)

      The second USS Panay of the United States Navy was a river gunboat that served on the Yangtze Patrol in China until lost in the Panay incident of 1937....
    • PT
      PT boat

      PT Boats were a variety of motor torpedo boat , a small, fast vessel used by the United States Navy in World War II to attack larger surface ships....
      : Motor Torpedo Boat
      Motor Torpedo Boat

      Motor Torpedo Boat was the name given to fast torpedo boats by the Royal Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy and the US Navy.During World War II the US Navy boats were usually called by their hull classification symbol of "PT" and are covered under PT boat though the class type was still 'motor torpedo boat'....
       (World War II)
    • PTG: Patrol Torpedo Gunboat
    • Monitor: Heavily gunned riverine boat, Brown Water Navy (Vietnam)
    • ASPB: Assault Support Patrol Boat, "Alpha Boat", Brown Water Navy; also used as riverine minesweeper (Vietnam)
    • PACV: Patrol, Air Cushion Craft, Brown Water Navy (Vietnam)


    Amphibious warfare type

    Amphibious warfare vessels include all ships having organic capability for amphibious warfare and which have characteristics enabling long duration operations on the high seas. There are two classifications of craft: amphibious warfare ships which are built to cross oceans, and landing craft
    Landing craft

    Landing craft are boats and seagoing vehicles used to convey a landing force from the sea to the shore during an Amphibious warfare. Most renowned are those used to storm the beaches of Normandy, the Mediterranean, and many Pacific islands during World War II....
    , which are designed to take troops from ship to shore in an invasion.

    Ships
    • AKA: Attack Cargo Ship (out of commission)
    • APA: Attack Transport
      Attack transport

      Attack Transport is a United States ship classification.In the early 1940s, as the US Navy expanded in response to the threat of involvement in World War II, a number of civilian passenger ships and some freighters were acquired, converted to transports and given hull numbers in the AP series....
       (out of commission)
    • APD: High speed transport
      High speed transport

      High Speed Transports were converted destroyers and destroyer escorts used to support Amphibious warfare in World War II and afterward. They received the US Hull classification symbol APD; "AP" for transport and "D" for destroyer....
        Converted Destroyer or Destroyer Escort (out of commission)
    • LCC: Amphibious Command Ship
      Amphibious Command Ship

      Amphibious Command Ships in the United States Navy are the large, purpose built ships of the Blue Ridge class command ship. Originally designed to command large amphibious invasions like Operation Overlord, with the lack of amphibious invasions to command, they have become general command ships, serving as floating headquarters for the diffe...
    • LHA: Amphibious Assault Ship
      Amphibious assault ship

      An amphibious assault ship is a type of helicopter carrier employed to land and support ground forces on enemy territory by an Amphibious warfare....
       (Helicopter Assault)
    • LHD: Amphibious Assault Ship (Dock, similar to LHA but emphasis on Landing Craft ability)
    • LKA: Amphibious Cargo Ship
      Amphibious cargo ship

      Amphibious cargo ships were U.S. Navy ships designed specifically to carry troops, heavy equipment and supplies in support of Amphibious warfare, and to provide naval gunfire support during those assaults....
       (out of commission)
    • LPA: Landing Platform, Amphibious
    • LPD: Amphibious Transport, Dock
      Amphibious transport dock

      An amphibious transport dock is an amphibious warfare ship, a warship that embarks, transports, and lands elements of a landing force for expeditionary warfare missions....
       (aka Landing Platform, Dock)
    • LPH: Landing Platform, Helicopter (out of commission)
    • LSD: Landing Ship, Dock
      Dock landing ship

      A Dock landing ship or Landing ship is a form of auxiliary warship designed to support amphibious operations. These amphibious assault ships transport and launch amphibious craft and vehicles with their crews and embarked personnel....
    • LSH: Landing Ship, Heavy
    • LSIL: Landing Ship, Infantry
      Landing Ship, Infantry

      Landing Ship, Infantry was a United Kingdom term for a type of ship used to transport infantry in amphibious warfare during the World War IIThe LSI would take its cargo of infantry close to the target area....
       (Large) (formerly LCIL)
    • LSL: Landing Ship, Logistics
      Landing Ship Logistics

      The Landing Ship Logistic is a term used by the United Kingdom armed forces to describe the Round Table class landing ship logistics Amphibious assault ship used for support of amphibious warfare missions....
    • LSM: Landing Ship, Medium
    • LSM(R): Landing Ship, Medium (Rocket)
    • LSSL: Landing Ship, Support (Large) (formerly LCSL)
    • LST: Landing Ship, Tank
    • LSV: Landing Ship Vehicle


    Landing Craft
    • LCA: Landing Craft, Assault
      Landing Craft Assault

      The Landing Craft Assault was the British and Commonwealth landing craft of the Second World War. It was the main small landing craft used to put troops ashore on Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, Juno Beach, Gold Beach and Sword Beaches....
    • LCAC: Landing Craft, Air-Cushioned
      LCAC

      The Landing Craft, Air Cushioned is a class of Air-cushioned landing craft/hovercraft used as landing craft by the United States Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ....
    • LCFF: (Flotilla Flagship)
    • LCH: Landing Craft, Heavy
    • LCI(G)(L)(M)(R): Landing Craft, Infantry
      Landing Craft Infantry

      The Landing craft, Infantry or LCI were several classes of sea-going amphibious assault ships of the Second World War utilized to land large numbers of infantry directly onto beaches....
       (Gunboat) (Large) (Mortar) (Rocket) (World War II era)
    • LCL: Landing Craft, Logistics
      Landing Ship Logistics

      The Landing Ship Logistic is a term used by the United Kingdom armed forces to describe the Round Table class landing ship logistics Amphibious assault ship used for support of amphibious warfare missions....
       (UK)
    • LCM: Landing Craft, Mechanized
      Landing Craft Mechanized

      The Landing Craft Mechanized or Landing Craft Mechanical was a landing craft designed for carrying vehicles. They came to prominence during the Second World War when they were used to land troops or tanks during Allies amphibious assaults....
    • LCP: Landing Craft, Personnel
    • LCPA: Landing Craft, Personnel, Air-Cushioned
    • LCS(L): Landing Craft, Support (Large) (World War II era)
    • LCT: Landing Craft, Tank
      Landing craft tank

      The Landing Craft, Tank was an amphibious assault ship for landing tanks on beachheads. The first examples appeared during the Second World War....
       (World War II era)
    • LCU: Landing Craft, Utility
      Landing Craft Utility

      The Landing Craft Utility is a type of boat used by amphibious forces to transport equipment and troops to the shore. They are capable of transporting Tracked vehicle or wheeled vehicles and troops from amphibious assault ships to beachheads or Dock ....
    • LCVP: Landing Craft, Vehicle and Personnel
      LCVP

      The Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel or Higgins boat was a landing craft used extensively in World War II. The craft was designed by Andrew Higgins of Louisiana, United States based on boats made for operating in swamps and marshes....


    Combat Logistics Type

    Ships which have the capability to provide underway replenishment to fleet units.

    • AC: Collier
      Collier (ship type)

      Collier is a historical term used to describe a bulk cargo ship designed to carry coal, especially for naval use by coal-fired warships....
    • AE: Ammunition Ship
      Ammunition ship

      An ammunition ship is a warship specially configured to carry ammunition, usually for Navy ships and aircraft. Their cargo handling systems, designed with extreme safety in mind, include ammunition hoists with airlocks between decks, and mechanisms for flooding entire compartments with sea water in case of emergencies....
    • AFS: Combat Stores Ship
      Combat stores ship

      The combat stores ship is a type of United States Navy ship. It has two classes, Sirius and Mars. They provide supplies, including frozen, chilled and dry provisions, and propulsion and aviation fuel to U.S....
    • AO: Fleet Oiler
    • AOE: Fast Combat Support Ship
      Fast combat support ship

      The fast combat support ship is the United States Navy's largest combat logistics ship, designed as an oiler, ammunition and supply ship. All fast combat support ships currently in service are operated by Military Sealift Command ....
    • AOR: Replenishment Oiler
      Replenishment Oiler

      A replenishment Oiler is a naval auxiliary ship with fuel tanks and dry stores capability, which can Underway replenishment.The United States Navy hull classification symbol for this type of ship is AOR....
    • AW: Distilling Ship


    Mine warfare type

    Mine warfare ships are those ships whose primary function is mine warfare
    Mine warfare

    Mine warfare may refer to:*Land mine*Naval mine...
     on the high seas.

    • AM: Minesweeper
    • AMb: Harbor Minesweeper
    • AMc: Coastal Minesweeper
    • AMCU: Underwater Mine Locater
    • MSO: Minesweeper
      Minesweeper (ship)

      A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations....
      —Ocean
    • MSC: Minesweeper
      Minesweeper (ship)

      A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations....
      —Coastal
    • MCM: Mine Countermeasures Ship
    • MCS: Mine Countermeasures Support Ship
    • MH(C)(I)(O)(S): Minehunter
      Minehunter

      Minehunters are mine countermeasure vessels that actively detect and destroy individual naval mines. Minesweeper s, on the other hand, clear mined areas as a whole, without prior detection of mines....
      , (Coastal) (Inshore) (Ocean) (Hunter and Sweeper, General)
    • CM: Minelayer
    • CMc: Coastal Minelayer
    • MLC: Coastal Minelayer
    • DM: Destroyer Minelayer
    • DMS: Destroyer Minesweeper


    Coastal defense type

    Coastal defense ships are those whose primary function is coastal patrol and interdiction.

    • FS: Corvette
      Corvette

      A corvette is a small, manoeuverable, lightly armed warship, originally smaller than a frigate and larger than a offshore patrol vessel, although many recent designs resemble frigates in size and role....
    • PB: Patrol boat
      Patrol boat

      A patrol boat is a small naval ship generally designed for coastal defense duties.There have been many designs for patrol boats. They may be operated by a nation's navy, coast guard, or police force, and may be intended for marine and/or estuary or river environments....
    • PBR: Patrol Boat
      Patrol boat

      A patrol boat is a small naval ship generally designed for coastal defense duties.There have been many designs for patrol boats. They may be operated by a nation's navy, coast guard, or police force, and may be intended for marine and/or estuary or river environments....
      , River
    • PC: Patrol, Coastal
    • PCE: Patrol Craft, Escort
    • PCF: Patrol Craft, Fast, (Swift Boat)
    • PF: Frigate
      Frigate

      A frigate is a warship. The term has been used for warships of many sizes and roles over the past few centuries.In the 18th century, the term referred to ships which were as long as a ship-of-the-line and were square rig on all three masts , but were faster and with lighter armament, used for patrolling and escort....
      , in a role similar to World War II Commonwealth corvette
      Corvette

      A corvette is a small, manoeuverable, lightly armed warship, originally smaller than a frigate and larger than a offshore patrol vessel, although many recent designs resemble frigates in size and role....
    • PG: Patrol, Gunboat
      Gunboat

      A gunboat is literally a boat carrying one or more guns. The term is rather broad, and the usual connotation has changed over the years ....
    • PR: Patrol, River
      River gunboat

      A river gunboat is a type of gunboat adapted for river operations. River gunboats required shallow draft for river navigation. They would be armed with relatively small caliber cannons, or a mix of cannons and machine guns....
    • SP: Shore Patrol
      Shore patrol

      Shore patrol are service members that are provided to aid in security for the U.S. Navy, United States Coast Guard, United States Marine Corps, and the United Kingdom Royal Navy while on shore....


    Mobile logistics type

    Mobile logistics ships have the capability to provide direct material support to other deployed units operating far from home ports.

    • AD: Destroyer Tender
      Destroyer tender

      Destroyer tender is a ship designed to provide maintenance support to a flotilla of destroyers or other small warships. The use of this class has faded from its peak in the first half of the 20th century as the roles of small combatants have evolved ....
    • AGP: Patrol Craft Tender
    • AR: Repair Ship
    • AS: Submarine tender
      Submarine tender

      A submarine tender is a type of ship that supplies and supports submarines.Submarines are relatively small compared to most oceangoing vessels, and generally do not have the ability to carry large amounts of food, fuel, torpedoes, and other supplies, nor to carry a full array of maintenance equipment and personnel....
    • AVP: Seaplane Tender
      Seaplane tender

      A seaplane tender is a ship that provides facilities for operating seaplanes. These ships were the first aircraft carriers and appeared just before the World War I....


    Auxiliary type

    An auxiliary ship is designed to operate in any number of roles supporting combatant ships and other naval operations.
    • AN: Net Laying Ship
      Net laying ship

      A net laying ship, also known as a net layer or net tender, was a type of small auxiliary ship built for the US Navy during World War II....
    • ARL: Auxiliary Repair Light
      Achelous class repair ship

      The Achelous class repair ship was a class of ship built by the US Navy during World War II .As the US gained experience in amphibious warfare, it was realized that some sort of mobile repair facility would be useful for repairing the damage that frequently occurred to smaller vessels such as LCVP's ....
      —light craft or landing craft repair ship (World War II
      World War II

      World War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a Participants in World War II, including all of the great powers, organised into two opposing military alliances: the Allies of World War II and the Axis powers....
      -era, out of commission)
    • ATF: Fleet Ocean Tug
    • AGHS: Patrol Combatant Support Ship—Ocean or Inshore


    Airships

    • ZMC: Airship Metal Clad
      ZMC-2

      The Aircraft Development Corporation ZMC-2 was the only successfully-operated metal-skinned airship ever built. It was built in Grosse Ile Township, Michigan, first flown on August 19, 1929, and flew safely for over ten years....
    • ZNN-G: G-Class Blimp
      G-Class Blimp

      The G-Class Blimps were a series of non-rigid airships used by the United States Navy. In 1935 in aviation, instead of developing a new design airship, the Navy purchased the Defender for use as a trainer and utility airship assigning it the designator G-1....
    • ZNN-J: J-Class Blimp
      J-Class Blimp

      The J-class blimps were non-rigid airships designed by the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in the early 1920s for the USA United States Navy....
    • ZNN-L: L-Class Blimp
      L-Class Blimp

      The L class blimps were training airships operated by the United States Navy during World War II. In the mid-1930s, the Goodyear Aircraft Company built a family of small non-rigid airships that the company used for advertising the Goodyear name....
    • ZNP-K: K-Class Blimp
      K-Class Blimp

      The K-class non-rigid airship was a class of blimps built by the Goodyear Aircraft Company of Akron, Ohio for the US Navy. These blimps were powered by two radial air-cooled engines mounted on outriggers on the side of the control car that hung under the envelope....
    • ZNP-M: M-Class Blimp
      M-Class Blimp

      The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company of Akron, Ohio built the M-class blimp for the US Navy as the follow-on to the K-Class anti-submarine warfare blimp used during World War II....
    • ZNP-N: N-Class Blimp
      N-Class Blimp

      The N-Class, or as popularly known, the Nan ship, was a line of non-rigid airships built by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company of Akron, Ohio for the US Navy....
    • ZPG-3W: surveillance patrol blimp
    • ZR: Rigid Airship
      List of airships of the United States Navy

      This is a list of airships of the United States Navy...
    • ZRS: Rigid Airship Scout


    Support ships

    Support ships are not designed to participate in combat, and are generally not armed.

    Support type

    Support ships are designed to operate in the open ocean in a variety of sea states to provide general support to either combatant forces or shore based establishments. They include smaller auxiliaries which, by the nature of their duties, leave inshore waters.

    • ACS: Auxiliary Crane Ship
    • AG: Miscellaneous Auxiliary
    • AGDE: Testing Ocean Escort
    • AGDS: Deep Submergence Support Ship
    • AGER: Environmental Research Ship
    • AGF: Miscellaneous Command Ship
      Command ship

      Command ships serve as the flagships of the Commander of a naval fleet. They provide communications, office space, and accommodations for a fleet commander and his staff, and serve to coordinate fleet activities....
    • AGFF: Testing Frigate
    • AGM: Missile Range Instrumentation Ship
      Missile Range Instrumentation Ship

      Missile Range Instrumentations Ships, Range Ships, or Tracking Ships, are ships equipped with antennas and electronics to support the launching and tracking of missiles and rockets....
    • AGOR: Oceanographic Research Ship
    • AGOS: Ocean Surveillance Ship
    • AGS: Surveying Ship
    • AGSS: Auxiliary Research Submarine
    • AGTR: Technical research ship
      Technical research ship

      Technical research ships were used by the United States Navy during the 1960s to gather Military intelligence by monitoring the Telecommunication of nations in various parts of the world....
    • AH: Hospital ship
      Hospital ship

      A hospital ship is a ship designated for primary function as a healthcare facility or hospital; most are operated by the military forces or navy of various countries around the world, as they are intended to be used in or near war zones....
    • AK: Cargo Ship
      Cargo ship

      A cargo ship or freighter is any sort of ship or vessel that carries cargo, goods, and materials from one port to another. Thousands of cargo carriers ply the world's seas and oceans each year; they handle the bulk of international trade....
    • AKR: Vehicle Cargo Ship
    • AKS: Store Issue Ship
    • AOG: Gasoline Tanker
      Gasoline tanker

      Gasoline tankers came into use after the demise of the coal-carrying collier, which provided coal for ship's engines. With the advent of ships which ran on oil and used on board gasoline motors, and warships with aircraft which required gasoline, the gasoline tanker was created as a vital class....
    • AOT: Transport Oiler
    • AP: Transport
    • ARC: Cable Repair Ship
    • APL: Barracks Craft
    • ARL: Small Repair Ship
    • ARS: Salvage Ship
    • AS: Submarine tender
      Submarine tender

      A submarine tender is a type of ship that supplies and supports submarines.Submarines are relatively small compared to most oceangoing vessels, and generally do not have the ability to carry large amounts of food, fuel, torpedoes, and other supplies, nor to carry a full array of maintenance equipment and personnel....
    • ASR: Submarine Rescue Ship
      Submarine rescue ship

      A Submarine rescue ship serves as a surface support ship for rescue vehicles during submarine rescue operations. It conducts these operations using the McCann Rescue Chamber, and for Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles during submarine rescue operations....
    • AT: Ocean-Going Tug
    • ATA: Auxiliary Ocean Tug
    • ATF: Fleet Ocean Tug
    • ATS: Salvage and Rescue Ship
    • AVB: Aviation Logistics Support Ship
    • AVT: Auxiliary Aircraft Landing Training Ship


    Service type craft

    Service craft are navy-subordinated craft (including non-self-propelled) designed to provide general support to either combatant forces or shore-based establishments. The suffix "N" refers to non-self-propelled variants.

    • AB: Crane Ship
    • AFDB: Large Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock
    • AFDL: Small Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock
    • AFDM: Medium Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock
    • APB: Self-Propelled Barracks Ship
    • APL: Barracks Craft
    • ARD: Auxiliary Repair Dry Dock
    • ARDM: Medium Auxiliary Repair Dry Dock
    • ATA: Auxiliary Ocean Tug
    • DSRV: Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle
      Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle

      A Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle is a type of Deep Submergence Vehicle used for rescue of downed submarines and clandestine missions. While DSRV is the term most often used by the United States Navy, some nations have other designations for their vehicles....
    • DSV: Deep Submergence Vehicle
    • NR: Submersible Research Vehicle
    • YC: Open Lighter
    • YCF: Car Float
      Car float

      A railroad car float is an unpowered barge with rail tracks mounted on its deck. It is used to move railroad cars across water obstacles, or to locations they could not otherwise go, and is pushed or towed by a tugboat....
    • YCV: Aircraft Transportation Lighter
    • YD: Floating Crane
      Crane (machine)

      A crane is a lifting machine equipped with a winder , wire ropes or chains and Sheave that can be used both to lift and lower materials and to move them horizontally....
    • YDT: Diving Tender
    • YF: Covered Lighter
    • YFB: Ferry Boat or Launch
    • YFD: Yard Floating Dry Dock
    • YFN: Covered Lighter (non-self propelled)
    • YFNB: Large Covered Lighter (non-self propelled)
    • YFND: Dry Dock Companion Craft (non-self propelled)
    • YFNX: Lighter (Special purpose) (non-self propelled)
    • YFP: Floating Power Barge
    • YFR: Refrigerated Cover Lighter
    • YFRN: Refrigerated Covered Lighter (non-self propelled)
    • YFRT: Range Tender
    • YFU: Harbor Utility Craft
    • YG: Garbage Lighter
    • YGN: Garbage Lighter (non-self propelled)
    • YLC: Salvage Lift Craft
    • YM: Dredge
      Dredge

      Dredging is an excavation activity or operation usually carried out at least partly underwater, in shallow seas or fresh water areas with the purpose of gathering up bottom sediments and disposing of them at a different location....
    • YMN: Dredge
      Dredge

      Dredging is an excavation activity or operation usually carried out at least partly underwater, in shallow seas or fresh water areas with the purpose of gathering up bottom sediments and disposing of them at a different location....
       (non-self propelled)
    • YNG: Gate Craft
    • YNT: Net Tender
    • YO: Fuel Oil Barge
      Barge

      A barge is a flat-bottomed boat, built mainly for river and canal transport of heavy goods. Most barges are not self-propelled and need to be towed by tugboats or pushed by towboats....
    • YOG: Gasoline Barge
    • YOGN: Gasoline Barge (non-self propelled)
    • YON: Fuel Oil Barge (non-self propelled)
    • YOS: Oil Storage Barge
    • YP: Patrol Craft, Training
    • YPD: Floating Pile Driver
    • YR: Floating Workshop
    • YRB: Repair and Berthing Barge
    • YRBM: Repair, Berthing and Messing Barge
    • YRDH: Floating Dry Dock Workshop (Hull)
    • YRDM: Floating Dry Dock Workshop (Machine)
    • YRR: Radiological Repair Barge
    • YRST: Salvage Craft Tender
    • YSD: Seaplane Wrecking Derrick
      Derrick

      A derrick is a lifting device composed of one mast or pole which is hinged freely at the bottom. It is controlled by lines powered by some means such as man-hauling or motors, so that the pole can move in all four directions....
    • YSR: Sludge Removal Barge
    • YT: Harbor Tug (craft later assigned YTB, YTL, or YTM classifications)
    • YTB: Large Harbor Tug
    • YTL: Small Harbor Tug
    • YTM: Medium Harbor Tug
    • YTT: Torpedo Trials Craft
    • YW: Water Barge
    • YWN: Water Barge (non-self propelled)
    • IX: Unclassified Miscellaneous Unit
    • X: Submersible Craft
    • "none": To honor her unique historical status, USS Constitution
      USS Constitution

      USS Constitution is a wooden-hull ed, three-Mast heavy frigate of the United States Navy. Named after the United States Constitution by President George Washington, she is the oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat in the world. is the oldest commissioned vessel by three decades; however, Victory is permanently drydo...
      , formerly IX 21, was reclassified to "none", effective 1 September 1975.


    Coast Guard craft


    Prior to 1965, U.S. Coast Guard ships used the same designation as naval ships.

    • CG: all Coast Guard Ships in the 1920s (retired)
    • WAVP: sea going Coast Guard seaplane tenders (retired)
    • WDE: sea going Coast Guard destroyer escorts (retired)
    • WHEC: Coast Guard High Endurance Cutters
    • WMEC: Coast Guard Medium Endurance Cutters
    • WPC: Coast Guard patrol craft—later reclassed under WHEC
    • WPB: Coast Guard Patrol cutters
    • WPG: seagoing Coast Guard gunboats (retired)


    See also


    • List of hull classifications
      List of hull classifications

      The list of hull classifications comprises an alphabetical list of the hull classification symbols used by the United States Navy to identify the type of a ship....
    • Ship prefix
      Ship prefix

      A ship prefix is a combination of letters, usually abbreviations, used in front of the name of a civilian or naval ship.Prefixes for civilian vessels may either identify the type of propulsion, such as "SS" for steamship, or purpose, such as "RV" for research vessel....
    • United States Navy Designations (Temporary)
      United States Navy Designations (Temporary)

      United States Navy Designations , are a form of U.S. Navy ship designation, intended for temporary identification use.Such designations usually occur during periods of sudden mobilization, such as that which occurred prior to, and during, World War II or the Korean War, when it is determined that a sudden temporary need is found for a ship...
    • Hull classification symbol (Canada)
      Hull classification symbol (Canada)

      The Canadian Navy uses hull classification symbols to identify the types of its ships. The Royal Navy and some European and Commonwealth navies use a somewhat analogous system of Pennant numbers....


    Sources

    • Derdall, Guy and DiGiulian, Tony. USN Ship Designations (last updated: 22 June 2006). Available on-line at
    • United States Naval Aviation 1910–1995, Appendix 16: US Navy and Marine Corps Squadron Designations and Abbreviations. US Navy, c.1995. Quoted in Derdall and DiGiulian, op cit.


    Further reading

    • Friedman, Norman. U.S. Small Combatants, Including PT-Boats, Subchasers, and the Brown-Water Navy: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, Md: Naval Institute Press, 1987. ISBN 0870217135.


    External links

    • —U.S. Navy
    • —U.S. Navy