The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has long been at the forefront of military alliances, fostering cooperation among its member nations to ensure global security. Behind the scenes, NATO has utilized a unique system of nicknames for various weapons systems, allowing for efficient communication and identification within its military framework. The first letter of these nicknames often offers a glimpse into the type of weapon, unveiling an array of aircraft and missiles.

One of the key aspects of NATO’s weapon nickname system lies in the first letter of each nickname, which serves as a distinctive identifier for the type of weapon in question. By following the first letter you can quickly ascertain the intended weapon category.

Fighters: The “F” Series

When it comes to fighter aircraft, the letter “F” takes center stage in NATO’s naming convention. This designation encompasses a range of formidable aerial combat aircraft, such as MIG-35 (Fulcrum F) and

SU-27 (Flanker).  Note these are two syllables for get jets aircraft.

Bombers: The “B” Series

In the realm of bombers, NATO’s nickname system designates the letter “B” as the symbol of these strategic heavyweights, such as TU-160 (Blackjack) and TU-95 (Bear).  With bomber aircraft two syllables designates jet and one syllable designates turboprop aircraft.

Air-to-Surface Missiles: The “K” Series

Stepping away from aircraft, NATO’s weapon nickname system also extends to air-to-surface missiles. In this domain, the letter “K” serves as the primary identifier. This category encompasses an array of missiles systems designed to engage targets on the ground, as an example, AS-4 (Kitchen) and AS-10 (Karen).

Below are other examples of NATO nicknames associated with various weapons systems.

ELINT/Reconnaissance

IL-20 (Coot-A)
IL-22 (Coot-B)

Maritime Patrol (Turboprop)

IL-38 (May)
BE-12 (Mail)
Y-9 (Milt)

Maritime Patrol (Jet)

A-50 (Mainstay)

Helicopter

KA-25 (Hormone-A)
KA-27 (Helix A)
KA-28 (Helix D)
KA-29 (Helix B)
KA-32 (Helix C)

Fighter (Jet)

MIG-15 (Fagot)
MIG-17 (Fresco)
MIG-23 (Flogger)
MIG-25 (Foxbat)
MIG-27D (Flogger J)
MIG-29 (Fulcrum)
MIG-31 (Foxhound)
MIG-35 (Fulcrum F)
SU-17 (Fitter)
SU-22 (Fitter K)
SU-24 (Fencer)
SU-25 (Frogfoot)
SU-27 (Flanker)

Bomber (Jet)

TU-16 (Badger)
TU-22 (Blinder)
TU-22M (Backfire)
TU-160 (Blackjack)

Bomber (Turboprop)

TU-95 (Bear)
TU-142 (Bear J)

Air-to-Surface Missiles

AS-2 (Kipper)
AS-3 (Kangaroo)
AS-4 (Kitchen)
AS-5 (Kelt)
AS-6 (Kingfish)
AS-7 (Kerry)
AS-10 (Karen)

Surface-to-Air Missiles

SA-1 (Goa)
SA-4 (Ganef)
SA-5 (Gammon)
SA-6 (Gainful)
SA-7 (Grail)
SA-8 (Gecko)

Surface-to-Air (Navy) Missiles

SA-N-2 (Guideline)

SA-N-6 (Grumble)
SA-N-3 (Goblet)
SA-N-6 (Grumble)
SA-N-7 (Gadfly)
SA-N-8 (Gremlin)
SA-N-9 (Gauntlet)

Surface-to-Surface Missiles

SS-1 (Scud)
SS-2 (Sandal)
SS-4 (Sandal)
SS-11 (Sego)
SS-12 (Scaleboard)
SS-13- (Savage)
SS-16-(Sinner)

SS-26 (Stone)

Surface-to-Surface (Navy) Missiles

SS-N-2 (Styx)
SS-N-3 (Shaddock)
SS-N-5 (Serb)
SS-N-7 (Starbright)
SS-N-12 (Sandbox)
SS-N-17 (Snipe)
SS-N-20 (Sturgen)
SS-N-21 (Sampson)
SS-N-22 (Sunburn)
SS-N-23 (Skiff)
SS-N-26 (Strobile)
SS-N-27 (Sizzler)