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Ship Type and Class Designations - 1968

The 1920 directive lasted more or less in its original shape for over 30 years, replaced only on 26 September 1952 with the release of SECNAVINST 5030.1. And as specialization of ships and craft classifications increased in the 1950s and 1960s, dozens of new ship categories meant the release of five (5) additional versions of SECNAVHIST 5030.1 by the end of the latter decade. Version E, released in 1968, and categorizes a very different Navy from half a century before, not the least of which was the breaking out of aircraft carriers from the cruiser type into its' very own type class.

Changing missions and increasing specialization chaged many of the designations as well, with amphibious warfare types now bearing symbols beginning with L, minecraft symbols beginning with M and combatant types subdivided between warships and smaller craft. A number of new type categories appeared, such as Ocean Escorts and Riverine Warfare Craft, as well as new ship types with guided missiles or nuclear propulsion. These changes reflect the evolving strategic needs of a Navy engaged in a hot war in Vietnam, and a tense Cold War with the Soviet Union, as well as the influence of technological change on the composition and capabilites of the Navy.

Letter prefixes are used in conjunction with classification symbols as follows:
E - To indicate a prototype -ship or craft that is in an experimental or developmental status.
T - To indicate that a ship is assigned to MSTS (Military Sea Transportation Service).
F - To indicate that a ship is being constructed for a foreign government.
The letter "N" when used as the last letter of a ship classification symbol denotes nuclear propulsion. When used as the last letter of a service craft classification symbol, the letter "N" indicates a non-self-propelled version of a similar self-propelled service craft.