Military

To designate nonnuclear targets for fire support operations, the Army adheres to the provisions of STANAG 2147 and QSTAG 221. Target designators consist of two letters followed by four numerals; for example, AA1000. This numbering system is used for each corps-size force.

Normally, nuclear targets are not assigned a special block of target numbers. A target should be assigned a number when it is received at a fire planning agency. If a target is selected for attack, the most appropriate means of attacking the target will be used (nuclear, chemical, or conventional) as determined by target analysis. That analysis is guided by the commander's attack guidance and other factors (nature of target, munitions available, and so forth).

The first letter of the two-letter group designates a particular nation or a corps associated with a particular nation as shown in the table below.

The second letter is assigned by corps down to brigade level. Also, second letter designators are made for corps artillery CPs, corps FS cells, div arty CPs, and division FS cells. The letters I and O are not used.

Blocks of numbers are assigned by those headquarters having two assigned letters. Field artillery elements assign blocks from 0001 through 7999 as needed. A battalion- or squadron-size element with a block of numbers suballocates numbers. Assignments are shown in the following tables, Assignment of Blocks of Numbers, and Subassignment of Blocks of Numbers.