NATO Reporting Names for Missiles
The NATO missile designation system is a way to categorize and name missiles developed by countries outside of NATO, particularly those from Russia or China. NATO uses a combination of letters and numbers to codify these missile systems, which makes it easier for NATO members to discuss and identify foreign missiles. Here’s a breakdown of how the system works:
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Surface-to-Surface Missiles ("SS"): These are identified with the prefix "SS" for surface-to-surface, followed by a dash and a number, like SS-18 for the Soviet R-36M ICBM.
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Air-to-Surface Missiles ("AS"): Missiles launched from an aircraft to strike ground targets use the prefix "AS," such as AS-17 for the Russian Kh-31.
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Surface-to-Air Missiles ("SA"): These are designated with the prefix "SA," such as SA-10 for the S-300 air defense system.
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Air-to-Air Missiles ("AA"): These missiles, fired from one aircraft to destroy another, use the prefix "AA," like AA-10 for the Russian R-27 missile.
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Anti-Ship Missiles ("AS"): For missiles designed specifically to target ships, the prefix "AS" is also used, distinguished by the context in which it's used, such as AS-4 for the Russian Kh-22.
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Anti-Submarine Missiles ("AS"): These also share the "AS" prefix, like the AS-12 which can be launched from ships or helicopters.
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Anti-Tank Missiles ("AT"): Missiles designed to destroy tanks carry the prefix "AT," like AT-5 for the Russian Spandrel.
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Anti-Ballistic Missiles ("AB"): These are designed to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles and are designated with the prefix "AB," although this category is not frequently used in open sources.
Each missile system is given a unique number following the prefix. In some cases, suffix letters are added to indicate different versions or upgrades of the missile. For example, SA-10A, SA-10B, etc.
This system is strictly for ease of communication and classification within NATO and is not used by the countries that design or employ these missile systems. They have their own naming conventions.
Air-to-Air missiles
| NATO Designation | Model |
|---|---|
| AA-1 Alkali | Kaliningrad K-5 |
| AA-10 Alamo | Vympel R-27 |
| AA-11 Archer | Vympel R-73 |
| AA-12 Adder | Vympel R-77 |
| AA-13 Arrow | Vympel R-37 |
| AA-2 Atoll | Vympel K-13 |
| AA-3 Anab | Kaliningrad K-8 |
| AA-4 Awl | Raduga K-9 |
| AA-5 Ash | Bisnovat R-4 |
| AA-6 Acrid | Bisnovat R-40 |
| AA-7 Apex | Vympel R-23 |
| AA-8 Aphid | Molniya R-60 |
| AA-9 Amos | Vympel R-33 |
| CH-AA-10 Abaddon | PL-15 |
| CH-AA-7 Adze | PL-12 |
| CH-AA-9 | PL-10 |
Air-to-Surface missiles
| NATO Designation | Model |
|---|---|
| AS-1 Kennel | KS-1 Kometa |
| AS-2 Kipper | K-10S Yen |
| AS-3 Kangaroo | Kh-20 |
| AS-4 Kitchen | Kh-22 Burya |
| AS-5 Kelt | Kh-11 / KSR-2 |
| AS-6 Kingfish | Kh-26 / KSR-5 |
| AS-7 Kerry | Kh-66 / Kh-23 Grom |
| AS-8 | 9M114V Shturm-V |
| AS-9 Kyle | Kh-28 |
| AS-10 Karen | Kh-25 |
| AS-11 Kilter | Kh-58 Izdeliye D-7 |
| AS-12 Kegler | Kh-25MP / Kh-27PS |
| AS-13 Kingbolt | Kh-59 Ovod |
| AS-14 Kedge | Kh-29 |
| AS-15 Kent | Kh-55 / Kh-65S Izdeliye 120 |
| AS-16 Kickback | Kh-15 |
| AS-17 Krypton | Kh-31 |
| AS-18 Kazoo | Kh-59M Ovod-M |
| AS-19 Koala | 3M25A Meteorit-A |
| AS-20 Kayak | Kh-35 / Kh-37 Uran |
| AS-21 | Kh-90 GELA |
| AS-22 Kazoo | Kh-59MK2 / Kh-69 |
| AS-23 Kodiak | Kh-101 / Kh-102 |
| AS-24 Killjoy | Kh-47M2 Kinzhal |
| CH-AS-1 Kraken | YJ-6 |
| CH-AS-5 Keystone | CJ-10 |
| CH-AS-X-13 | Air-launched DF-21D derivative |
Anti-Tank missiles
| NATO Designation | Model |
|---|---|
| AT-1 Snapper | 3M6 Shmel |
| AT-2 Swatter | 3M11 Falanga |
| AT-3 Sagger | 9M14 Malyutka |
| AT-4 Spigot | 9M111 Fagot |
| AT-5 Spandrel | 9M113 Konkurs |
| AT-6 Spiral | 9M114 Shturm |
| AT-7 Saxhorn | 9M115 Metis |
| AT-8 Songster | 9M112 Kobra |
| AT-9 Spiral-2 | 9M120 Ataka |
| AT-10 Stabber | 9M117 Bastion |
| AT-11 Sniper | 9M119 Svir / Refleks |
| AT-12 Swinger | 9M118 Sheksna |
| AT-13 Saxhorn-2 | 9M131 Metis-M |
| AT-14 Spriggan | 9M133 Kornet |
| AT-15 Springer | 9M123 Khrizantema |
| AT-16 Scallion | 9A1472 Vikhr / Vikhr-M |
Surface-to-Air missiles
| NATO Designation | Model |
|---|---|
| CH-AB-1 | DF-11 |
| CH-AB-2 | HQ-19 |
| CH-SA-3 | HN-5 |
| CH-SA-4 | HQ-7 |
| CH-SA-6 | HQ-6 |
| CH-SA-7 | QW-1 |
| CH-SA-8 | QW-2 |
| CH-SA-10 | FN-6 |
| CH-SA-15 | HQ-17 |
| CH-SA-16 | HQ-16 |
| CH-SA-N-4 | HHQ-7 |
| CH-SA-N-9 | HHQ-9 |
| CH-SA-N-16 | HHQ-16 |
| CH-SA-N-17 | HHQ-10 |
| CH-SA-N-21 | HHQ-9B |
| SA-1 Guild | S-25 Berkut |
| SA-2 Guideline | S-75 Dvina / Volkhov / Desna |
| SA-3 Goa | S-125 Nyeva |
| SA-4 Ganef | 9M8 Krug |
| SA-5 Gammon | S-200 Volga |
| SA-6 Gainful | 2K12 Kub / Kvadrat |
| SA-7 Grail / Galosh | 9K32 Strela-2 |
| SA-8 Gecko | 9K33 Osa |
| SA-9 Gaskin | 9K31 Strela-1 |
| SA-10 Grumble | S-300 P / PS / PT |
| SA-11 Gadfly | 9K37 Buk |
| SA-12 Gladiator / Giant | S-300V |
| SA-13 Gopher | 9K35 Strela-10 |
| SA-14 Gremlin | 9K36 Strela-3 |
| SA-15 Gauntlet | 9K330 / 9K331 / 9K332 Tor |
| SA-16 Gimlet | 9K310 Igla-1 |
| SA-17 Grizzly | 9K37 Buk-M1-2 |
| SA-18 Grouse | 9K38 Igla |
| SA-19 Grison | 2K22 Tunguska |
| SA-20 Gargoyle | S-300PM / PMU Favorit |
| SA-21 Growler | S-400 Triumf |
| SA-22 Greyhound | Pantsir-S1 |
| SA-23 Gladiator/Giant | S-300VM "Antey-2500" |
| SA-24 Grinch | 9K338 Igla-S |
| SA-26 | Pechora-2M |
| SA-27 Gollum | Buk-M3 |
| SA-29 Gizmo | 9K333 Verba |
| SA-N-1 Goa | 4К90 Volna [SA-3] |
| SA-N-2 Guideline | М-2 Volkhov-M [SA-2] |
| SA-N-3 Goblet | 4K60 / 4K65 Shtorm |
| SA-N-4 Gecko | 9M33 Osa-M [SA-8] |
| SA-N-5 Grail | 9K32 Strela-2 [SA-7] |
| SA-N-6 Grumble | S-300F Fort [SA-10] |
| SA-N-7 Gadfly | 9M38 / 9M38M Uragan [SA-11] |
| SA-N-8 Gremlin | 9K34 Strela-3 [SA-14] |
| SA-N-9 Gauntlet | 3K95 Kinzhal [SA-15] |
| SA-N-10 Grouse | 3M38 Igla [SA-18] |
| SA-N-11 Grison | 3M87 Kashtan [SA-19] |
| SA-N-12 Grizzly | 3K37 Smerch / Shtil [SA-17] |
| SA-N-14 Grouse | 9K38 Igla [SA-18] |
| SA-N-20 Gargoyle | S-300FM [SA-20] |
| SA-X-25 | 9M337 Sosna-R |
| SA-X-28 | S-350E Vityaz 50R6 |
Surface-to-Surface missiles
| NATO Designation | Model |
|---|---|
| CH-SS-3 | DF-4 |
| CH-SS-4 | DF-5 |
| CH-SS-4 Mod 2 | DF-5A |
| CH-SS-4 Mod 3 | DF-5B |
| CH-SS-5 | DF-21 |
| CH-SS-5 Mod 2 | DF-21A |
| CH-SS-5 Mod 5 | DF-21D |
| CH-SS-5 Mod 6 | DF-21E |
| CH-SS-6 | DF-15 |
| CH-SS-6 Mod 2 | DF-15A |
| CH-SS-6 Mod 3 | DF-15B |
| CH-SS-7 | DF-11 |
| CH-SS-7 Mod 2 | DF-11A |
| CH-SS-10 | DF-31 |
| CH-SS-10 Mod 2 | DF-31A |
| CH-SS-10 Mod 3 | DF-31AG |
| CH-SS-11 | DF-16 |
| CH-SS-18 | DF-26 |
| CH-SS-20 | DF-41 |
| CH-SS-22 | DF-17 |
| CH-SS-N-1 Scrubbrush | SY-1 |
| CH-SS-N-2 Safflower | HY-1 Ship-launched |
| CH-SS-N-3 | JL-1 |
| CH-SS-N-4 Sardine | YJ-8 |
| CH-SS-N-5 Sabbot | SY-2 |
| CH-SS-N-6 | C-802 |
| CH-SS-N-7 | YJ-82 |
| CH-SS-N-13 | YJ-18A |
| CH-SS-N-14 | JL-2 |
| CH-SS-N-20 | JL-3 |
| CH-SSC-1 Silkworm | HY-1 |
| CH-SSC-2 Silkworm | HY-1 Ground-launched |
| CH-SSC-3 Seersucker | HY-2 Ground-launched |
| CH-SSC-5 Saples | YJ-16 |
| CH-SSC-6 Sawhorse | HY-3 |
| CH-SSC-7 Sadsack | HY-4 |
| CH-SSC-8 Saccade | YJ-83 |
| CH-SSC-9 | CJ-10 |
| CH-SSC-9 | CJ-10 |
| CH-SSC-13 Splinter | CJ-100 |
| SS-1 Scud | R-11 / R-300 |
| SS-1 Scunner | R-1 |
| SS-2 Sibling | R-2 |
| SS-3 Shyster | R-5 / R-5M |
| SS-4 Sandal | R-12 |
| SS-5 Skean | R-14 |
| SS-6 Sapwood | R-7 |
| SS-7 Saddler | R-16 |
| SS-8 Sasin | R-9 / R-9A |
| SS-9 Scarp | R-36 |
| SS-10 Scrag | GR-1 |
| SS-11 Sego | UR-100 |
| SS-12 Scaleboard | 9M76 |
| SS-13 Savage | RT-2 |
| SS-14 Scapegoat & Scamp | RT-15 |
| SS-15 Scrooge | RT-20 |
| SS-16 Sinner | 15Zh42 |
| SS-17 Spanker | MR-UR-100 |
| SS-18 Satan | R-36M |
| SS-19 Stiletto | UR-100N |
| SS-20 Saber | RT-21M / 15Zh45 |
| SS-21 Scarab | 9M79 |
| SS-22 Scaleboard | 9M76 |
| SS-23 Spider | 9M714 |
| SS-24 Scalpel | RT-23 |
| SS-25 Sickle | RT-2PM |
| SS-26 Stone | |
| SS-27 Sickle-B | RT-2UTTH Topol-M |
| SS-28 Saber 2 | 15Zh53 |
| SS-N-1 Scrubber | 4K40 / P-1 |
| SS-N-2 Styx | 4K51 / P-15 |
| SS-N-3 Sepal | R-35 / 4K44 / 3M44 |
| SS-N-3 Shaddock | 4K95 / P-5 |
| SS-N-30 | 3M14 |
| SS-N-4 | R-13 |
| SS-N-5 Sark | R-21 |
| SS-N-6 Serb | R-27 |
| SS-N-7 Starbright | 4M66 / P-70 Ametist |
| SS-N-8 Sawfly | R-29 |
| SS-N-9 Siren | 4K85 / P-120 Malakhit |
| SS-N-12 Sandbox | 4K77 / 4K80 / P-500 Bazalt |
| SS-N-14 Silex | 83R / 84R / 85R |
| SS-N-15 Starfish | 82R |
| SS-N-16 Stallion | 86R / 88R |
| SS-N-17 Snipe | R-31 |
| SS-N-18 Stingray | R-29R |
| SS-N-19 Shipwreck | 3M45 / P-700 Granit |
| SS-N-20 Sturgeon | R-39 Rif |
| SS-N-21 Sampson | S-10 Granat |
| SS-N-22 Sunburn | 3M80 / P-270 Moskit |
| SS-N-23 Skiff | R-29RM / R-29RMU2 Sineva / R-29RMU2.1 Layner |
| SS-N-24 Scorpion | 3M25 / Kh-80 / P-750 Meteorit |
| SS-N-25 Switchblade | 3M24 / Kh-35 Uran |
| SS-N-26 Strobile | 3M55 / P-800 Oniks 'Yakhont' |
| SS-N-27 Sizzler | 3M54 Kalibr |
| SS-N-29 | RPK-9 Medvedka / 89R |
| SS-NX-10 | |
| SS-NX-11 | |
| SS-NX-13 | R-27K |
| SS-NX-28 | R-39M Grom |
| SS-NX-32 | RSM-56 Bulava / 3M30 |
| SS-X-29 | RS-24 Yars |
| SS-X-30 | RS-28 Sarmat |
| SS-X-31 | RS-26 |
| SS-X-32 | BZhRK Barguzin |
| SSC-X-9 Skyfall | 9M730 Burevestnik |