Joint Electronics Type Designation System
The Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), also known as the AN system, is a standardized nomenclature framework used by the U.S. Department of Defense to assign unique alphanumeric identifiers to military electronic equipment and related materiel, facilitating consistent identification, configuration management, and interoperability across branches.[1][2] Originating during World War II as the Joint Army-Navy Nomenclature System, JETDS was formally adopted on February 16, 1943, by the Joint Communications Board to unify electronic equipment designations previously handled separately by the Army and Navy.[3] This system was later expanded to include the Air Force and Canada, with key milestones such as its application to Navy ships and submarines on August 1, 1946, and Canadian integration on August 16, 1951.[3] Today, it is administered through the Joint Electronics Type Designation Automated System (JETDAS), an online management tool that processes requests for unclassified materiel nomenclature in accordance with MIL-STD-196, ensuring unique, non-duplicative designators for items like radios, radars, sonars, countermeasures, navigation aids, and auxiliary equipment.[4][5][2] The core structure of JETDS designators follows the format AN/[Installation]/[Type]/[Purpose]-[Number][Suffix], where the installation letter indicates the platform (e.g., A for piloted aircraft, G for ground-based, S for water surface or submarine), the type letter specifies the equipment category (e.g., R for receiving or radio, P for radar, Q for sonar), and the purpose letter denotes function (e.g., C for communications, N for navigation).[1][3] Sequential numbers are assigned based on submission order, while suffixes like (V) denote variants or modifications, (X) indicate developmental models, and numeric suffixes track specific iterations.[1] Designations apply to complete systems, major groups of units, individual units, and subassemblies, but exclude unmodified commercial off-the-shelf items unless they are integrated into military applications.[3][5] Requests for new designators are submitted via DD Form 61 to the DoD Control Point (managed by the U.S. Army), with JETDAS handling unclassified submissions electronically and providing temporary reservations valid for 60 days to support acquisition and development processes.[5][3] Classified materiel requires hard-copy procedures, and the system emphasizes technical characteristics over descriptive names to avoid duplication and promote standardization.[5] Examples include AN/ARC-210(V), an airborne radio communications transceiver for piloted aircraft, and AN/TPQ-36(V), a transportable ground-based radar for fire control.[1] Overall, JETDS supports integrated product support elements and remains essential for the DoD's electronic materiel lifecycle, from design to maintenance.[2][4]Overview
Applicability
The Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS) is an unclassified nomenclature system designed for identifying military electronic equipment, originally developed during World War II and adopted on 16 February 1943 by the Joint Communications Board for joint Army-Navy use.[6] This system standardizes the assignment of type designations to facilitate design control, configuration management, and logistics across the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).[6] JETDS applies to a wide range of electronic materiel used by the U.S. armed forces, including communications equipment such as radios and wire systems, detection devices like radar, radiacs, infrared sensors, and lasers, as well as navigation aids, data processing units, flight control systems, weapon control systems, electronic countermeasures, meteorological equipment, fiber optics, underwater sound apparatus, training devices, satellites, robotics, and auxiliary or maintenance/support equipment.[6] It emphasizes joint applicability across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and select allied nations including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, with designated number ranges for equipment assignments to ensure interoperability.[6] The system covers items at the unit level and above, such as systems, sets, groups, and subsystems, but excludes non-electronic materiel, unmodified commercial electronic items, software, components below the unit level (e.g., individual parts like capacitors), and equipment not produced under government contracts, orders, drawings, or specifications.[6] Classified items are generally not designated under JETDS to maintain unclassified identification, though special requests for classified nomenclature may be processed with appropriate approvals.[6] As of the current revision, MIL-STD-196G (30 May 2018), JETDS remains mandatory for all DoD departments and agencies in the development, production, procurement, and logistics identification of unclassified electronic materiel, ensuring standardized nomenclature through the Joint Electronics Type Designation Automated System (JETDAS).[6] This ongoing requirement supports efficient materiel management and prevents duplication in designations.[6]Historical Development
The Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS) originated during World War II as the Joint Army-Navy Nomenclature System, aimed at standardizing unclassified designations for electronic equipment to facilitate interoperability between the U.S. Army and Navy. It was formally adopted on February 16, 1943, by the Joint Communications Board, initially applying to all new airborne, radio, and radar equipment developed for the two services. This initiative addressed the rapid proliferation of electronic systems during the war, ensuring consistent identification without revealing sensitive details.[3] Following World War II, the system expanded to encompass the newly independent U.S. Air Force, which separated from the Army in 1947 and continued using the nomenclature for its electronic equipment. The Coast Guard adopted it on 16 January 1950, and the Army fully integrated it on 8 June 1953.[7] In 1957, the Department of Defense formalized the framework under MIL-STD-196, renaming it the Joint Electronics Type Designation System to reflect its broader joint-service application. This standardization proved essential during the Cold War era, as the surge in military electronics—driven by escalating technological demands and geopolitical tensions—necessitated a unified method to manage thousands of items across services.[8][9] Subsequent revisions to MIL-STD-196 incorporated evolving requirements, with notable updates in 1960, 1965, and beyond, culminating in version G released on May 30, 2018, which remains the current standard. To modernize administration, the Joint Electronics Type Designation Automated System (JETDAS) was implemented in fiscal year 1998, shifting from manual processes to digital tools for nomenclature requests and assignments. While JETDS has seen reduced application for highly classified or commercial-off-the-shelf modern systems—where alternative identification methods prevail—it endures for legacy equipment and unclassified materiel, preserving continuity in DoD configuration management.[4][10]Administration and Standards
Organizational Framework
The Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS) is administered jointly by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) through its military branches, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force, to ensure standardized identification of electronic equipment across services.[2][11] This coordinated framework promotes interoperability and avoids duplication in nomenclature assignments for electronic materiel such as radios, radars, and navigation systems.[11] At the core of this administration is the Department of Defense Control Point (DoDCP), the central authority responsible for overseeing the JETDS and serving as the equivalent to a dedicated designation office.[11] Hosted by the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the DoDCP processes requests, maintains the official registry of designations, and coordinates with international partners such as Canada.[11] Each DoD branch operates a Departmental Control Point (DCP) to handle service-specific coordination; for example, the Army's DCP is managed by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command C5ISR Center, the Navy/Marine Corps' by the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, and the Air Force/Space Force's by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.[11][2] The assignment process begins with originators—such as program managers, contractors, or government agencies—submitting a Request for Nomenclature using DD Form 61 via the Joint Electronics Type Designation Automated System (JETDAS) database.[11] The form must include detailed technical data on the item's electrical, mechanical, and functional characteristics to enable unique classification. A Submitter Review Point (SRP) within the originator's organization validates the request before forwarding it to the relevant DCP, which reviews for completeness and service alignment.[11] The DCP then submits it to the DoDCP, which verifies uniqueness against existing registries, assigns the type designator from predefined letter and number pools, and issues the approval.[11] This process applies to new military-designed items, modified commercial equipment, and contributions from federal agencies or allies.[11] Key responsibilities of the DoDCP include preventing nomenclature duplication, managing modifications (such as appending letters like "A" for interchangeable variants), processing cancellations when items are no longer procured or developed, and perpetuating accurate item records in the JETDAS database.[11] DCPs support by facilitating intra-service reviews and ensuring requests align with branch needs, while all parties collaborate to update registries for ongoing configuration management.[11] This structure, governed by MIL-STD-196G, ensures efficient, standardized management of designations across the DoD.[11]Governing Documents and JETDAS
The primary governing document for the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS) is MIL-STD-196G, issued on May 30, 2018, which establishes uniform procedures for preparing nomenclature requests and assigning type designations and item names to electronic military equipment across the Department of Defense (DoD).[11] This standard specifies the use of DD Form 61 for formal requests, outlines criteria for applicability to items like radios, radar sets, and infrared equipment, and ensures consistency in nomenclature to avoid duplication and support logistics interoperability.[2] Complementing MIL-STD-196G, the Joint Electronics Type Designation Automated System (JETDAS) serves as the DoD's centralized database for managing JETDS processes, including the submission and tracking of nomenclature requests, assignment of designations, and configuration management of electronic materiel; it has been operational since the 1980s to streamline administrative workflows.[2] JETDAS functions as a secure, computer-based tool that identifies type similarities and differences among equipment, aiding in inventory control and maintenance planning throughout the DoD and defense industry.[11] Key procedures within JETDAS involve online submission of DD Form 61 through a dedicated portal at https://tdas7.army.mil/, which requires enrollment via a service-specific submitter review point (SRP) or department control point (DCP) and authentication with a Common Access Card (CAC).[2] The system employs built-in checks to validate requests for compliance with MIL-STD-196G, including algorithms that verify the uniqueness of proposed type designations by cross-referencing existing entries to prevent conflicts. Furthermore, JETDAS integrates with broader DoD logistics platforms to facilitate data sharing for supply chain tracking and sustainment activities. Updates to the governing framework, as seen in the transition to MIL-STD-196G, reflect adaptations for modern requirements, such as incorporating provisions for evolving electronic technologies while deprecating obsolete specifiers no longer relevant to current materiel.[9] These revisions ensure the system remains viable for contemporary applications, including advanced electronic components, without altering core nomenclature principles. The administration of these documents and tools falls under designated DoD control points to maintain oversight.Core Components
Type Designation Format
The Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS) employs a standardized format for assigning unique identifiers to electronic military equipment, consisting of the "AN/" prefix followed by three uppercase letters, a hyphen, and a serial number, such as AN/ARC-1.[10] This structure, formalized in MIL-STD-196, facilitates interoperability and configuration management across U.S. Department of Defense services by encoding key attributes into a compact code.[4] The prefix "AN/" denotes adoption under the joint nomenclature system, originally established in 1943 as the Joint Army-Navy system and evolved into JETDS.[10] The three letters provide a categorical breakdown: the first indicates the primary installation or platform, the second the equipment type, and the third the specific purpose or function.[10] These letters are selected from predefined sets to ensure consistency, with certain combinations restricted (e.g., cryptographic equipment limited to National Security Agency use).[10] The following tables outline the standard codes for each position, as defined in MIL-STD-196G Table I (current as of 2018).[4][9]Installation (First Letter)
| Letter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | Piloted aircraft |
| B | Underwater mobile, submarine |
| C | Cryptographic (NSA only) |
| D | Pilotless carrier |
| F | Fixed ground |
| G | General ground use |
| K | Amphibious |
| M | Ground, mobile |
| P | Pack or portable |
| S | Water surface craft |
| T | Ground, transportable |
| U | General utility |
| V | Ground, vehicle |
| W | Water surface and underwater |
| Z | Piloted and/or pilotless aircraft |
Equipment Type (Second Letter)
| Letter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | Invisible light, heat radiation |
| B | COMSEC (NSA only) |
| C | Carrier-electronic wave/signal |
| D | Radiac |
| E | Laser |
| F | Fiber optics |
| G | Telegraph or teletype |
| I | Interphone and public access |
| J | Electromechanical or inertial wire covered |
| K | Telemetering |
| L | Countermeasures |
| M | Meteorological |
| N | Sound in air |
| P | Radar |
| Q | Sonar and underwater sound |
| R | Radio |
| S | Special or combination |
| T | Telephone (wire) |
| V | Visual/visible light |
| W | Armament |
| X | Facsimile to television |
| Y | Data processing or computer |
| Z | Secure (NSA only) |
Purpose (Third Letter)
| Letter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | Auxiliary assembly |
| B | Bombing |
| C | Communications (receiving/transmitting) |
| D | Direction finder, reconnaissance and surveillance |
| E | Ejection and/or release |
| G | Fire control or searchlight directing |
| H | Recording/reproducing |
| K | Computing |
| M | Maintenance/test |
| N | Navigational aids |
| Q | Special or combination |
| R | Receiving/passive detecting |
| S | Detecting/range and bearing, search |
| T | Transmitting |
| W | Automatic flight or remote control |
| X | Identification and recognition |
| Y | Surveillance (search, detect, and multiple target tracking) and control |