APA? BB? CVN? DE?
Ship Letter Designations

U.S. Navy and Coast Guard Ship and Aircraft Designations
Compiled by The Education Institute, United States Navy Memorial Copyright 1996

AB      Crane Ship

AB      USCG; Harbor Launch

ABD     Advance Base Dock

ABSD    Advance Base Sectional Dock

AC      Collier

ACM     Auxiliary Mine Layer

ACV     Aircraft Carrier Tender

ACV     Air-Cushion Vehicles

AD      Destroyer Tender

ADG     Degaussing Vessel

AE      Ammunition Ship

AF      Store Ship

AFD     Mobile Floating Dry Dock

AFDB    Large Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock

AFDL    Small Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock

AFDM    Medium Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock

AFS     Combat Store Ship

AG      Miscellaneous

AGB     Ice Breaker

AGC     General Communications Vessels; 

        WWII:  Amphibious Force Flagship

AGD     Seagoing Dredge

AGDE    Escort Research Ship

AGDS    Deep Submergence Support Ship

AGEH    Hydrofoil

AGER    Surveillance Ship

AGF     Miscellaneous Command Ship

AGL     USCG; Lighthouse Tender

AGM     Missile Range Instrumentation Ship

AGMR    Major Communications Relay Ship

AGOR    Oceanographic Research Ship

AGOS    Ocean Surveillance Ship

AGP     Motor Torpedo Boat Tender

AGR     Radar Picket Ship

AGS     Surveying Ship

AGSC    Surveying Ship, Coastal

AGSL    Satellite Launching Ship

AGSS    Auxiliary Research Submarine

AGTR    Technical Research Ship               

AH      Hospital Ship

AHP     Evacuation Hospital Ship

AK      Cargo Ship

AK(SS)  Cargo Submarine

AKA     Cargo Ship-Attack

AKD     Cargo Ship, Deep Hold

AKL     Cargo Ship, Light

AKN     Net Cargo Ship

AKR     Vehicle Cargo Ship

AKS     General Stores-Issue Ship

AKV     Cargo Ship and Aircraft Ferry

AL      USCG; Lightship

AM      Fleet Minesweeper

AMb     Minesweeper, Base

AMC     Coastal Minesweeper

AMCU    Coastal Minesweeper, Underwater Locator

AMh     Minesweeper, Harbor

AMo     Minesweeper, Harbor

AMS     Motor Minesweeper

AN      Net Laying Ship (now ANL)

ANL     Net Laying Ship (formerly AN)

AO      Oiler

AOE     Fast Combat Support Ship

AOG     Gasoline Tanker

AOR     Replenishment Oiler

AOSS    Submarine Oiler (Tanker)

AOT     Transport Oiler

AP      Transport

APA     Attack Transport (now LPA); 

        or Animal Transport

APb     Base Repair Ship

APB     Barrack Ship-Self-Propelled

APc     Coastal Transport, Small

APC     Cavalry Transport

APD     High Speed Transport

APF     Administration Flagship

APG     Supporting Gunnery Ship

APH     Transport Fitted for Evacuation of Wounded

APL     Barracks Craft

APM     Mechanized-artillery Transport

APN     Non-mechanized-artillery Transport

APP     Troop Barge, Class A

APR     Rescue Transport

APS     Minelaying Submarine; 

        or Transport, Submarine

APSS    Transport Submarine

APT     Troop Barge, Class B

APV     Transport and Aircraft Ferry

APY     Giant "Y" Boat

AR      Repair Ship

ARB     Repair Ship-Battle Damage

ARC     Cable Repairing Ship

ARD     Auxiliary Repair Dock

ARDC    Auxiliary Repair Dock, Concrete

ARDM    Medium Auxiliary Repair Dry Dock

ARG     Repair Ship, Internal Combustion Engines

ARH     Heavy Hull Repair Ship

ARL     Repair Ship, Landing Craft

ARM     Heavy Machinery Repair Ship

ARS     Salvage Ship

ARSD    Salvage Lifting Vessel

ARST    Salvage Craft Tender

ARV     Aircraft Repair Ship

ARVA    Aircraft Repair Ship, Airframe

ARVE    Aircraft Repair Ship, Engine

ARVH    Aircraft Repair Ship, Helicopter

AS      Submarine Tender

ASB     USCG; Arctic Survey Boat 

ASPB    Assault Support Patrol Boat

ASR     Submarine Rescue Ship

ASSA    Cargo Submarine

ASSP    Transport Submarine

AT      Ocean Tug

ATA     Ocean Tug, Auxiliary

ATC     Mini-Armored Troop Carrier

ATF     Ocean Tug, Fleet

ATL     Tank Landing Craft

ATO     Ocean Tug, Old

ATR     Ocean Tug, Rescue

ATS     Salvage and Rescue Ship

AV      Seaplane Tender

AVB     Aviation Logistic Support Ship

AVC     Catapult Lighter

AVD     Seaplane Tender, Destroyer

AVG     Aircraft Escort Vessel

AVM     Guided Missile Ship

AVP     Seaplane Tender, Small

AVR     Aircraft Rescue Vehicle

AVS     Aviation Supply Ship

AVT     Auxiliary Aircraft Landing Training Ship

AW      Distilling Ship

AWK     Water Tender

AZ      Aircraft Tender (Lighter-than-Air)

BB      Battleship

BBG     Guided Missile Capital Ship

BM      Monitor, First Line

BMR     River Monitor

BMRL    Small River Monitor

BU      USCG; Buoy Boat 

C       Protected Cruiser

CA      Heavy Cruiser; also called Gun Cruiser

CAG     Guided Missile Heavy Cruiser

CB      Large Cruiser; also called Battle Cruiser

CBC     Large Tactical Command Ship

CBG     USCG; Coast Guard Barge 

CC      Battle Cruiser; or Command Ship

CCB     Command and Control Boat

CF      Flying Deck Cruiser

CG      Guided Missile Cruiser

CGN     Guided Missile Cruiser (Nuclear)

CL      Light Cruiser

CLAA    Light Cruiser, Anti-aircraft

CLC     Tactical Command Ship

CLG     Guided Missile Light Cruiser

CLGM    Guided Missile Light Cruiser 

CLK     Hunter-Killer Cruiser

CM      Minelayer

CMc     Coastal Minelayer

CS      Scout Cruiser

CTB     Coastal Torpedo Boat

CV      Aircraft Carrier

CVA     Attack Aircraft Carrier

CVAN    Attack Aircraft Carrier (Nuclear)

CVB     Large Aircraft Carrier

CVE     Escort Aircraft Carrier

CVHA    Helicopter Assault Carrier

CVHE    Helicopter Escort Carrier

CVL     Light Carrier

CVN     Nuclear Propulsion Carrier

CVS     ASW Support Aircraft Carrier

CVT     Training Aircraft Carrier

CVU     Utility Aircraft Carrier

DCH     Damage Control Hulk

DD      Destroyer

DDC     Corvette

DDE     Antisubmarine Destroyer

DDG     Guided Missile Destroyer

DDGS    Guided Missile Destroyer

DDK     Hunter-Killer Destroyer

DDR     Radar Picket Destroyer

DE      Destroyer Escort

DEC     Escort Vessel, Control

DEG     Guided Missile Escort Ship

DER     Escort Vessel, Radar Picket

DL      Frigate

DLG     Guided Missile Frigate

DLGN    Guided Missile Frigate (Nuclear)

DM      Light Minelayer; 

        or Destroyer Minelayer (now MMD)

DMS     High-speed Minesweepers; 

        or Destroyer Minesweeper

DSRV    Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle

DSV     Deep Submergence Vehicle

EAG     Experimental Miscellaneous Auxiliary

EDDE    Experimental Escort Destroyer

FDL     Fast Deployment Logistics Ship

FF      Frigate

FR      USCG; Flood Relief Punt 

FFG     Guided Missile Frigate

HB      USCG; House Boat 

IBS     Inflatable Boat, Small

IFS     Inshore Fire Support Ship (formerly AGC)

IX      Unclassified Miscellaneous Unit

JB      USCG; Jet Boat 

JCC     Joint Command Ship

LBE     Landing Barge, Emergency Repair

LBF     Landing Barge, Flak

LBK     Landing Barge, Kitchen

LBO     Landing Barge, Oiler

LBP     Personnel Landing Boat

LBS     Support Landing Boat

LBV     Vehicle Landing Boat

LBW     Landing Barge, Water

LCA     Assault Landing Craft

LCAC    Landing Craft, Air Cushion

LCB     Landing Craft, Vehicle

LCC     Amphibious Command Ship; 

        WWII-Landing Craft, Control

LCE     Landing Craft, Emergency Repair

LCF     Landing Craft, Flak

LC(FF)  Landing Craft, Infantry (Gunboat)

LCG     Landing Craft, Gun

LCH     Landing Craft, Headquarters

LCI     Landing Craft, Infantry

LCI(G)  Landing Craft, Infantry (Gunboat)

LCI(L)  Landing Craft, Infantry (Large)

LCI(M)  Landing Craft, Infantry (Mortar)

LCI(R)  Landing Craft, Infantry (Rocket)

LCM     Landing Craft, Mechanized

LCN     Landing Craft, Navigational

LCP     Landing Craft, Personnel

LCPL    Landing Craft, Personnel, Large

LCPN    Landing Craft, Personnel, Nested

LCPR    Landing Craft, Personnel, Ramped

LCPSY   Landing Craft, Personnel, Survey

LCP     Landing Craft, Personnel, Utility

LCR     Landing Craft, Rubber

LCRL    Landing Craft, Inflatable Boat (Large)

LCRS    Landing Craft, Inflatable Boat (Small)

LCS     Landing Craft, Support

LCSL    Landing Craft, Infantry (Support)

LCSR    Landing Craft, Swimmer Reconnaissance

LCSS    Landing Craft, Support (Small)

LCT     Landing Craft, Tank

LCT(A)  Landing Craft, Tank (Armored)

LCT(R)  Landing Craft, Tank (Rocket)

LCU     Landing Craft, Utility

LCV     Landing Craft, Vehicle

LCVP    Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel

LFR     Inshore Fire Support Ship 

        (formerly AGC, IFS, LSMR)

LFS     Amphibious Fire Support Ship

LHA     Amphibious Assault Ship (General Purpose)

LHD     Amphibious Assault Ship (Multi-Purpose)

LKA     Amphibious Cargo Ship

LPA     Amphibious Transport

LPD     Amphibious Transport Dock

LPH     Amphibious Assault Ship

LPR     Amphibious Transport (Small)

LPSS    Amphibious Transport Submarine

LSB     Landing Ship, Bombardment

LSC     Landing Ship, Carrier (Derrick-Hoisting)

LSD     Landing Ship, Dock

LSE     Landing Ship, Emergency Repair

LSF     Landing Ship, Fighter Direction

LS(FF)  Landing Ship (Flotilla Flagship)

LSG     Landing Ship, Gantry

LSH     Landing Ship, Headquarters

LSI     Landing Ship, Infantry (giant "Y" boat)

LSI(G)  Landing Ship, Infantry (Gunboat)

LSI(L)  Landing Ship, Infantry (Large)

LSI(M)  Landing Ship, Infantry (Mortar)

LSI(R)  Landing Ship, Infantry (Rocket)

LSM     Landing Ship, Medium

LSMR    Landing Ship, Medium (Rocket)

LSS     Landing Ship, Stern-Chute

LSS(L)  Landing Ship, Support (Mark III)

LSSC    Light SEAL Support Craft

LSSR    Landing Craft, Reconnaissance

LST     Landing Ship, Tank

LSTH    Landing Ship, Tank (Casualty Evacuation)

LSTS    Landing Ship, Tank (Small)

LSU     Landing Ship, Utility

LSV     Landing Ship, Vehicle

LVA     Landing Vehicle, Assault

LVCP(H) Landing Vehicle, Hydrofoil

LVHX    Landing Craft, Hydrofoil

LVT     Landing Vehicle, Tracked (Mark)

LVT(A)  Landing Vehicle, Tracked (Armored)(Mark)

LVTP    Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Personnel Carrier

LVTR    Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Vehicle Recovery

LVTU    Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Utility Cargo 

LVW     Landing Vehicle, Wheeled (Mark)

LWT     Amphibious Warping Tug

MB      Motor Boat

MCB     USCG; Motor Cargo Boat 

MCBL    USCG; Motor Cargo Boat (Light) 

MCM     Mine Countermeasures Ship

MCS     Mine Countermeasures Ship

MHA     Minehunter, Auxiliary

MHC     Minehunter, Coastal (Non-magnetic)

ML      USCG; Motor Launch 

MM      Minelayer, Fleet

MMA     Minelayer, Auxiliary

MMC     Minelayer, Coastal

MMD     Minelayer, Fast (formerly DM)

MMF     Minelayer, Fleet

MON     Monitor (new riverine warfare type)

MON     USCG; Monomy Surfboat

MRB     USCG; Motor Rescue Boat 

MS      Motor Ship

MSA     Minesweeper, Auxiliary

MSB     Minesweeping Boat

MSC     Mine Countermeasures Ship

MSD     Minesweeper, Drone

MSF     Minesweeper, Fleet (Steel Hull)

MSH     Coastal Mine Hunter

MSI     Minesweeper, Inshore

MSL     Minesweeping Launch

MSM     Minesweeper, River

MSO     Minesweeper, Ocean

MSR     Minesweeper, Patrol

MSS     Minesweeper, Special Device

MSSC    Medium SEAL Support Craft

NP      Small Patrol Craft 

NR      Submersible Research Vehicle (Nuclear)

OBB     Battleship, Second Line

OBM     Monitor, Second Line

OCA     Cruiser, Second Line

OCC     Battle Cruiser, Second Line

OCL     Light Cruiser, Second Line

OCM     Mine Layer, Second Line 

OCV     Aircraft Carrier, Second Line

ODD     Destroyer, Second Line

PA      Contraction of "APA"

PACV    Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle

PB      Patrol Boat

PBM     Multi-Purpose Patrol Boat

PBR     River Patrol Boat

PC      173' Submarine Chaser

PCC     173' Subchaser, Control

PCE     Patrol Escort

PCEC    180' Escort, Control

PCER    Patrol Rescue Escort

PCF     Patrol Craft, Inshore

PCH     Patrol Craft, Hydrofoil

PCS     Patrol Craft, Submarine

PCSC    136' Subchaser, Control

PE      Patrol Escort; or Frigate

PF      Frigate

PG      Patrol Gunboat

PGH     Hydrofoil

PGH     Patrol Gunboat, Hydrofoil

PGM     Motor Gunboats (converted SCs and PCs)

PHM     Patrol Hydrofoil, Missile

PR      River Gunboat

PSB     USCG; Port Security Boat - Reserve 

PT      Motor Torpedo Boat

PTC     Motor Boat, Subchaser

PTF     Fast Patrol Boat

PY      Patrol Vessel Converted Yacht

PYC     Patrol Vessel Converted Yacht, Coastal

RA      7-Man Rubber Boat (later RB-7)

RB      10-Man Rubber Boat (later RB-10)

SC      110' Subchaser

SCC     110' Subchaser, Control

SDV     Swimmer Delivery Vehicle

SES     Surface Effect Ships

SF      Fleet Submarine

SKB     USCG; Skiff (Large) 

SKI     USCG; Skiff, Ice 

SKL     USCG; Skiff, Light 

SKM     USCG; Skiff, Medium 

SL      Ship-of-the-Line

SLWT    Side Loading Warping Tub

SM      Minelaying Submarine

SP      Motor Patrol Boat

SS      Submarine (also, Merchant Steamship)

SSA     Cargo Submarine

SSB     Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine

SSBN    Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine (Nuclear)

SSC     Cruiser Submarine

SSG     Guided Missile Submarine

SSGN    Guided Missile Submarine (Nuclear)

SSK     Antisubmarine Submarine

SSN     Submarine (Nuclear)

SSO     Submarine Oiler

SSP     Submarine Transport

SSR     Radar Picket Submarine

SSRN    Radar Picket Submarine (Nuclear)

SSS     Strike Support Ship

SST     Target and Training Submarine

STAB    SEAL Team Assault Boat

SWATH   Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull

SWCL    Special Warfare Craft, Light

SWCM    Special Warfare Craft, Medium

TB      Torpedo Boat

TLL     Tank Lighter

TLLW    Tank Lighter (medium tank-well type)

UT      USCG; Utility Boat 

UTL     USCG; Utility Boat, Light 

UTM     USCG; Utility Boat, Medium 

UTML    USCG; Utility Motor Launch 

WAG     USCG; Miscellaneous Auxiliary

WAGB    USCG; Icebreaker 

WAGC    USCG; Amphibious Force Flagship 

WAGR    USCG; Miscellaneous Auxiliary 

WAK     USCG; Cargo Ship

WAO     USCG; Oiler 

WARC    USGC; Cable Layer 

WATO    USCG; Ocean Tug, Old

WAVR    USCG; 104' Air-Sea Rescue Vessel 

WHEC    USCG; High Endurance Cutter  

WIX     USCG; Training Cutter 

WLB     USCG; Seagoing Buoy Tender 

WLI     USCG; Inland Buoy Tender, Large

WLIC    USCG; Construction Tender

WLM     USCG; Construction Buoy Tender 

WLR     USCG: River Buoy Tender 

WLV     USCG; Light Ship 

WMEC    USCG; Medium Endurance Cutter

WP      USCG; Work Punt 

WPB     USCG; Patrol Craft 

WPR     USCG; River Gunboat

WPY     USCG; Yacht

WPYC    USCG; Yacht, Coastal

WR      USCG; Reserve 

WYNG    USCG; Gate Vessel 

WYP     USCG; District Patrol Vessel 

WYTL    USCG; Harbor Tug, Small        

X       Submersible Craft

YA      Ash Lighter

YAG     Miscellaneous Auxiliary Service Craft

YAGR    Ocean Radar Station Ship

YC      Open Car Lighter

YCD     Fueling Barge

YCF     Car Float, Railroad

YCK     Open Cargo Lighter

YCV     Aircraft Transportation Lighter

YD      Floating Crane

YDG     Degaussing Vessel

YDT     Diving Tender

YE      Ammunition Lighter

YF      Covered Lighter

YFB     Ferry Boat or Launch

YFD     Yard Floating Dry Dock

YFN     Covered Lighter

YFNB    Large Covered Lighter

YFND    Dry Dock Companion Craft

YFNG    Covered Lighter (Special Purpose) 

        (later YFNX)

YFNX    Lighter (Special Purpose) (formerly YFNG)

YFP     Floating Power Barge

YFR     Refrigerated Covered Lighter

YFRN    Refrigerated Covered Lighter 

        (non-self-propelled)

YFRT    Range Tender

YFT     Torpedo Transportation Lighter

YFU     Harbor Utility Cart

YG      Garbage Lighter

YGN     Garbage Lighter (non-self-propelled)

YH      Ambulance Boat

YHB     House Boat

YHLC    Salvage Lift Craft, Heavy

YHT     Heating Scow

YLA     Open Landing Lighter

YLC     Salvage Lift Craft

YLLC    Salvage Lift Craft, Light

YM      Dredge

YMLC    Salvage Lift Craft, Medium

YMN     Dredge (non-self-propelled)

YMP     Mine Planter

YMS     Motor Minesweepers

YMT     Motor Tug

YN      Net Tender

YNG     Gate Craft

YNT     District Net Tender (Tug Class)

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

YPK     Pontoon Stowage Barge

YR      Floating Workshop

YRB     Repair and Berthing Craft

YRBM    Repair, Berthing, and Messing Craft

YRBM(L) Repair, Berthing, and Messing Craft (Large)

YRC     Submarine Rescue Chamber

YRDH    Floating Dry Dock Workshop, Hull

YRDM    Floating Dry Dock Workshop, Machine

YRL     Covered Lighter, Repair

YRR     Radiological Repair Barge

YRST    Salvage Craft Tender

YS      Stevedoring Barge

YSD     Seaplane Wrecking Derrick

YSP     Salvage Pontoon

YSR     Sludge Removal Barge

YT      Harbor Tug

YTB     Large Harbor Tug

YTL     Small Harbor Tug

YTM     Medium Harbor Tug

YTS     District Tug, Harbor, Small

YTT     Torpedo Testing Barge

YV      Drone Catapult and Control Craft

YVC     Catapult Lighter

YW      Water Barge

YWN     Water Barge (non-self-propelled)

Notes

B (prefix)     Ship was built by the US for a British 
                     Commonwealth Navy

E (prefix)     Experimental

F (prefix)     Ship being constructed for a foreign government

N (suffix)     Ships: nuclear-propelled; service craft: non-propelled 
                  version of similar, self propelled craft

O (prefix)     Denotes "old"

RC             Revenue Cutter

T (prefix)     Ship assigned to Military Sealift Command

W (prefix)     Coast Guard vessel

X (prefix)     Denotes "not a Navy vessel"

X (suffix)     Unofficially designates new classes or designs

Rxxx; Sxxx     NOAA vessel

CSS            Confederate States Ship

HIJMS          His Imperial Japanese Majesty's Ship

HMS            Her Majesty's Ship

HMAS           His/Her Majesty's Australian Ship

HMCS           His/Her Majesty's Canadian Ship

HMNZS          His/Her Majesty's New Zealand Ship

HNMS           Her Netherlands Majesty's Ship

USCGC          U.S. Coast Guard Cutter