HULL CLASSIFICATION SYMBOL

The United States Navy uses 'hull classification symbols' (sometimes called 'hull codes') to identify the types of its ships. The Royal Navy and some European and Commonwealth navies use a somewhat analogous system of Pennant numbers.
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.^[1]
Many of the symbols listed here are not presently in use. The Naval Vessel Register maintains an online database of US Navy ships.
The 1975 ship reclassification 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.
If a ship's hull classification symbol begins with "W," it is a ship of the United States Coast Guard. If it begins with "T-", it is part of the Military Sealift Command and has a primarily civilian crew.

Contents

Warships

Aircraft Carrier type

Surface Combatant type

Submarine type

Patrol Combatant type

Amphibious Warfare type

Combat Logistics Type

Mine Warfare type

Coastal Defense Type

Mobile Logistics Type

Auxiliary

Airships

Support ships

Support type

Service Type Craft

Coast Guard Craft

See also

References

Notes

Warships

Warships are designed to participate in combat operations.

Aircraft Carrier type

All ships designed primarily for the purpose of conducting combat operations by aircraft which engage in attacks against airborne, surface, sub-surface and shore targets. 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 verb "''Voler''" (to fly).^[2] Contrary to popular belief, the "CV" hull classification symbol does 'not' stand for "Carrier Vessel". Since 1935, "CV" has been a two-letter, unitary hull classification symbol, meaning "aircraft carrier." Aircraft carriers are designated in two sequences: The first, which has run from CV-1 USS ''Langley'' to the very latest ships, and the second, the CVE escort carrier sequence, ran from CVE-1 ''Long Island'' to CVE-128 ''Okinawa'' before being discontinued.

★ 'AV': Seaplane Tender (retired)

★ 'AVG': Auxiliary Aircraft Ferry (Escort carrier) (1941-2)

★ 'AVD': Destroyer Seaplane Tender (retired)

★ 'AVP': Patrol Seaplane Tender (retired)

★ 'ACV': Auxiliary Aircraft Carrier (Escort carrier) (1942)

★ 'CV': Fleet Aircraft Carrier (1921-1975), Multi-purpose Aircraft Carrier (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 (retired) (1943-retirement of type)

★ 'CVHA': Assault Helicopter Aircraft Carrier (retired in favor of various L-series amphibious assault ship hull codes)

★ 'CVHE': Escort Helicopter Aircraft Carrier (retired)

★ 'CVL': Light aircraft 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 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, USS Minnesota (BB-22) 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 (pre-1920)

★ 'BB': Battleship

★ 'BBG': Guided Missile Battleship or Arsenal Ship (theoretical only, never assigned)

★ 'BM': Monitor (1920-retirement)

★ 'ACR': Armored Cruiser (pre-1920)

★ 'C': Cruiser (pre-1920 Protected Cruisers and Peace Cruisers)

★ 'CA': (first series) Cruiser (retired, composed all surviving pre-1920 Protected and Peace Cruisers)

★ 'CA': (second series) Heavy Cruiser, category later renamed Gun Cruiser (retired)

★ 'CAG': Guided Missile Heavy Cruiser (retired)

★ 'CB': Large cruiser (retired)

★ 'CBC': Large Command Cruiser (retired, never used operationally)

★ 'CC': Battlecruiser (retired, never used operationally)

★ 'CC': (second usage) Command Cruiser (retired)

★ 'CG': Guided Missile Cruiser

★ 'CGN': Guided Missile Cruiser (Nuclear-Propulsion)

★ 'CL': Light Cruiser (retired)

★ '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 (Nuclear-Propulsion)

★ 'D': Destroyer (pre-1920)

★ 'DD': Destroyer

★ '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 (World War II, later became Ocean escort) ★ 'DE': Ocean escort (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 WWII 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)

★ 'FF': Frigate (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. A new series of frigate-size warships for shallow-water combat at expense of battlegroup performance is under production:

★ 'K': Corvette (retired)

★ 'LCS': Littoral Combat Ship

★ 'M': Monitor (1880s-1920)

Submarine type

All self-propelled submersible types (usually started with SS meaning submersible ship) regardless of whether employed as combatant, auxiliary, or research and development vehicles which have at least a residual combat capability.

★ 'SC': Cruiser Submarine (retired)

★ 'SF': Fleet Submarine (retired)

★ 'SM': Submarine Minelayer (retired)

★ 'SS': Submarine (none in commission)

★ 'SSA': Cargo Submarine (retired)

★ 'SSC': coastal inflitration submerisbles

★ 'SSI': Submarine (Diesel Air-Independent Propulsion)^[3]

★ 'SSK': Hunter-Killer Submarine (retired)

★ 'SSM': midget submarine

★ 'SSN': Attack Submarine (Nuclear-Powered)

★ 'SSBN': Ballistic Missile Submarine (Nuclear-Powered)

★ 'SSG': Guided Missile Submarine (retired)

★ 'SSGN': Guided Missile Submarine (Nuclear-Powered)

★ 'SSO': Submarine Oiler (retired)

★ 'SSP': Submarine Transport (retired)

★ 'SSR': Radar Picket Submarine (retired)

★ 'SSRN': Radar Picket Submarine (Nuclear-Powered) (retired)

★ 'SST': Training Submarine (retired)

★ 'AGSS': Auxiliary Submarine ★ 'AOSS': Submarine Oiler (retired) ★ 'ASSP': Transport Submarine (retired) ★ 'APSS': Transport Submarine (retired) ★ 'LPSS': Amphibious 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

Combatants 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. Brown Water Navy/Riverine Forces, Vietnam War; Few in service today.

★ 'PC': Coastal Patrol, originally Sub Chaser

★ 'PCF': Patrol Craft, Fast; Swift Boat, Brown Water Navy (Vietnam)

★ 'PE': Eagle Boat of World War I

★ 'PF': World War II Frigate, Based on British River class.

★
★ 'PFG': Original designation of USS ''Oliver Hazard Perry'' (FFG-7)

★ 'PG': Gunboat, later Patrol combatant

★ 'PT': Motor Torpedo Boat (World War II)

★ 'PTG': TBD

★ 'PGH': Patrol Combatant, Hydrofoil

★ 'PHM': Patrol, Hydrofoil Missile

★ 'PBR': Patrol Boat, River, Brown Water Navy (Pibber or PBR-Vietnam)

★ 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

All ships having organic capability for amphibious assault and which have characteristics enabling long duration operations on the high seas. There are two classifications of craft here, the amphibious assault ships, built to cross oceans, and Landing Craft, to take troops from the ship to the shore in an invasion.
'Ships'

★ 'AKA': Attack Cargo Ship (out of commission)

★ 'APA': Attack Transport (out of commission)

★ 'LCC': Amphibious Command Ship

★ 'LHA': Amphibious Assault Ship (Attack/Assault, i.e. attack aircraft)

★ 'LHD': Amphibious Assault Ship (Dock, similar to LHA but emphasis on Landing Craft ability)

★ 'LKA': Amphibious Cargo Ship (out of commission)

★ 'LPA': Landing Platform, Amphibious

★ 'LPD': Amphibious Transport, Dock (aka Landing Platform, Dock)

★ 'LPH': Landing Platform, Helicopter (out of commission)

★ 'LSD': Landing Ship, Dock

★ 'LSH': Landing Ship, Heavy

★ 'LSIL': Landing Ship, Infantry (Large) (formerly LCIL)

★ 'LSL': Landing Ship, Logistics

★ '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

★ 'LCAC': Landing Craft, Air Cushioned

★ 'LCFF': (Flotilla Flagship)

★ 'LCH': Landing Craft, Heavy

★ 'LCI(G)(L)(M)(R)': Landing Craft, Infantry (Gunboat) (Large) (Mortar) (Rocket) (World War II era)

★ 'LCL': Landing Craft, Logistics (UK)

★ 'LCM': Landing Craft, Mechanized

★ 'LCP': Landing Craft, Personnel

★ 'LCPA': TBD

★ 'LCS(L)': Landing Craft, Support (Large) (World War II era)

★ 'LCT': Landing Craft, Tank (World War II era)

★ 'LCU': Landing Craft, Utility

★ 'LCVP': Landing Craft, Vehicle and Personnel

Combat Logistics Type

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

★ 'AC': Collier

★ 'AE': Ammunition Ship

★ 'AFS': Combat Stores Ship

★ 'AO': Fleet Oiler

★ 'AOE': Fast Combat Support Ship

★ 'AOR': Replenishment Oiler

★ 'AW': Distilling Ship

Mine Warfare type

All ships whose primary function is mine warfare on the high seas.

★ 'AM': Minesweeper

★ 'AMb': Harbor Minesweeper

★ 'AMc': Coastal Minesweeper

★ 'AMCU': Underwater Mine Locater

★ 'MSO': Minesweeper - Ocean

★ 'MSC': Minesweeper - Coastal

★ 'MCM': Mine Countermeasures Ship

★ 'MCS': Mine Countermeasures Support Ship

★ 'MH(C)(I)(O)(S)': Minehunter, (Coastal) (Inshore) (Ocean) (Hunter and Sweeper, General)

★ 'CM': Minelayer

★ 'CMc': Coastal Minelayer

★ 'MLC': Coastal Minelayer

★ 'DM': Destroyer Minelayer

Coastal Defense Type

All ships whose primary function is coastal patrol and interdiction.

★ 'FS': Corvette

★ 'PB': Patrol boat

★ 'PBR': Patrol Boat, River

★ 'PC': Patrol, Coastal

★ 'PCE': Patrol Craft, Escort

★ 'PF': Frigate, in a role similar to World War II Commonwealth corvette

★ 'SP': Shore Patrol

★ 'PCF': Patrol Craft, Fast, (Swift Boat)

Mobile Logistics Type

Ships which have the capability to provide direct material support to other deployed units operating far from home base.

★ 'AD': Destroyer Tender

★ 'AGP': Patrol Craft Tender

★ 'AR': Repair Ship

★ 'AS': Submarine tender

★ 'AVP': Seaplane Tender

Auxiliary

★ 'AN': Net Laying Ship

★ 'ATF': Fleet Ocean Tug

★ 'AGHS' - Patrol Combatant Support Ship - Ocean or Inshore

Airships

★ 'ZMC': Airship Metal Clad

★ 'ZNN-G': G-Class Blimp

★ 'ZNN-J': J-Class Blimp

★ 'ZNN-L': L-Class Blimp

★ 'ZNP-K': K-Class Blimp

★ 'ZNP-M': M-Class Blimp

★ 'ZNP-N': N-Class Blimp

★ 'ZPG-3W': surveillance patrol blimp

★ 'ZR': Rigid Airship

★ 'ZRS': Rigid Airship Scout

Support ships

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

Support type

A grouping of ships 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. (Includes 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

★ AGFF Testing Frigate

★ 'AGM': Missile Range Instrumentation Ship

★ 'AGOR': Oceanographic Research Ship

★ 'AGOS': Ocean Surveillance Ship

★ 'AGS': Surveying Ship

★ 'AGSS': Auxiliary Research Submarine

★ 'AGTR': Technical research ship

★ 'AH': Hospital ship

★ 'AK': Cargo Ship

★ 'AKR': Vehicle Cargo Ship

★ 'AKS': Store Issue Ship

★ 'AOG': Gasoline Tanker

★ 'AOT': Transport Oiler

★ 'AP': Transport

★ 'APD': High Speed Transport. Converted Destroyer or Destroyer Escort.

★ 'ARC': Cable Repair Ship

★ 'APL': Barracks Craft

★ 'ARL': Small Repair Ship

★ 'ARS': Salvage Ship

★ 'AS': Submarine tender

★ 'ASR': Submarine Rescue Ship

★ '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

A grouping of 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 [1]

★ 'ATA': Auxiliary Ocean Tug

★ 'DSRV': Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle

★ 'DSV': Deep Submergence Vehicle

★ 'NR': Submersible Research Vehicle

★ 'YC': Open Lighter

★ 'YCF': Car Float

★ 'YCV': Aircraft Transportation Lighter

★ 'YD': Floating Crane

★ '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

★ 'YMN': Dredge (non-self propelled)

★ 'YNG': Gate Craft

★ 'YNT': Net Tender

★ 'YO': Fuel Oil Barge

★ '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

★ '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'', formerly IX 21, was reclassified to "none," effective 1 September 1975.

Coast Guard Craft

Prior to 1965, US 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

★ United States Navy 1975 ship reclassification

★ Pennant number

★ Ship prefix

★ United States Navy Designations (Temporary)

★ Friedman, Norman. US SMALL COMBATANTS: 1987. ISBN 0-87021-7135

★ Naval Vessels Registry (Service Craft): http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrservicecraft/index.htm

★ Naval Vessels Registry (Ships): http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/

References

★ Derdall, Guy and DiGiulian, Tony. USN Ship Designations (last updated: 22 June 2006). Available on-line at www.navweaps.com

★ ''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''.

★ USCG Designations

Notes

1. Derdall and DiGiulian, (section: ''Nomenclature history'')
2. ''United States Naval Aviation 1910-1995'', Appendix 16
3. Subs in the Littoral: Diesels Just Blowing Smoke?, , Joe, Buff, Proceedings of the Naval Institute, 2007