NATO Stock Number 1 NATO Stock Number

A NATO Stock Number, or National Stock Number (NSN) as it is known in the US, is a 13-digit numeric code, identifying all the 'standardized material items of supply' as they have been recognized by all NATO countries including Department of Defense. Pursuant to the NATO Standardization Agreements, the NSN has come to be used in all treaty countries. However, many countries that use the NSN program are not members of NATO, e.g. , and . A two-digit Material Management Aggregation Code (MMAC) suffix may also be appended,[1] to denote asset end use but it is not considered part of the NSN. An item having an NSN is said to be "stock-listed".

Structure

The NATO Stock Number consists of the NATO Supply Class (NSC or FSC) and the National Item Identification Number (NIIN). However the NIIN alone uniquely identifies the item, the FSC merely adds context by indicating the general classification of the item. The format of an NSN might be described as follows: abcd-ef-ghi-jklm Each element, a through m, was originally intended to be a single decimal digit. As inventories grew in complexity, element g became alphanumeric, beginning with capital A for certain newly added items. By 2000, uppercase C was in use.

Federal Supply Classification Group (FSCG) The initial subgroup, abcd, is the Federal Supply Classification Group (FSCG) [2] or National Supply Classification Group (NSCG). In theory, similar items would always have closely related numbers in this section of the NSN, no matter how the section is referred to. As the number of items has steadily increased and the system has become more complicated, it has not always been possible to keep similarity in numbers when the items are similar.

National Item Identification Number (NIIN) The nine digits, ef-ghi-jklm, comprise the NIIN (National Item Identification Number). This format improves readability but is optional as NIINs are often listed without hyphens. The first two digits of the NIIN (the ef pair) is used to record which country was the first to codify the item—which one first recognized it as an important item of supply. This is generally the country of origin, meaning the country of final manufacture. The formal name of the field is CC for Country Code or NCB, because NCB also stands for National Codification Bureau. The NCB is the organisation, typically a government agency, in charge of maintaining the NCS database within a given country. The other 7 characters are a non significant identification number (actually code, as some of these characters may be alphanumeric, although in general NIINs are strictly numeric). Following are the NCB codes: NATO Stock Number 2

Country NCB Code(s)

USA 00 and 01

Unassigned 02 through 10

NATO-standard items 11

West / Germany 12

Belgium 13

France 14

Italy 15

Czech Republic 16

Netherlands 17

South Africa 18

Brazil 19

Canada 20 and 21

Denmark 22

Greece 23

Iceland 24

Norway 25

Portugal 26

Turkey 27

Luxembourg 28

Argentina 29

Japan 30

Israel 31

Singapore 32

Spain 33

Country NCB Code(s)

Malaysia 34

Thailand 35

Egypt 36

Republic of Korea 37

Estonia 38

Romania 39

Slovakia 40

Austria 41

Slovenia 42

Poland 43

United Nations-standard items 44

Indonesia 45 NATO Stock Number 3

Philippines 46

Lithuania 47

Fiji 48

Tonga 49

Bulgaria 50

Hungary 51

Chile 52

Croatia 53

Republic of 54

Latvia 55

Oman 56

Russian Federation 57

Country NCB Code(s)

Finland 58

Albania 59

Kuwait 60

Ukraine 61

[[]] 62

Morocco 63

Sweden 64

Papua, New Guinea 65

Australia 66

Afghanistan 67

Georgia 68

[[]] 69

Saudi Arabia 70

United Arab Emirates 71

India 72

Serbia 73

Pakistan 74

Bosnia-Herzegovina 75

Brunei 76

Montenegro 77

Jordan 78

Peru 79

New Zealand 98

United Kingdom 99 NATO Stock Number 4

As the list shows, users of the NCS system not only include the 28 NATO member countries, but the 37 NATO-sponsored countries as well. It is also grouped into tiers indicating participation and access. Tier 1 Nations (, , Bosnia-Herzegovina, , , , , , , , Japan, Kordan, , Republic of Macedonia, , , , Papua-New Guinea, , , , , , , , , , ) Nation has access to unclassified NSN data. There is a one-way data exchange and it does not participate in technical NCS management. Tier 2 Nations (Australia, , , , Republic of Korea, , New Zealand, Russian Federation, ) Nation has a codification system that has been certified as fully NCS compliant. There is a two-way data exchange and participation in technical NCS management. Tier 3 Nations (, , , , , , , , , Germany, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , the , and the United States): Nation is a NATO member and has a full membership in the NATO Codification Bureau (NCB).

Department of Defense Identification Code (DODIC) This is an alphanumeric four-symbol code consisting of one or two letters followed by two or three numerals. (The numeral "Zero" (0) and the letter "O" (O) are considered the symbol "O" in the alphanumeric system to reduce confusion). This code is shown either after the NSN or on the line underneath it on the container. The DODIC identifies the item, while the NSN identifies what type of item it is and how it is packaged and contained. Sometimes The DODIC also contains a two-numeral NCB code prefix for the manufacturer's or repacker's country if it is different from the packager's country. • AO59 is the DODIC code for 5.56mm NATO M855 Ball type ammunition. • Bulgaria has the NCB code number 50. • 50-AO59 is Bulgarian-manufactured 5.56mm NATO ammunition equivalent to M855 Ball.

Department of Defense Ammunition Code (DODAC) The DODAC includes the 4-digit NSC of the ammunition and the 4-symbol DODIC. This is used in calculating ammunition transactions to reduce errors. It is notated on DD Form 581, DA Form 3151-R, and most ammunition reports. • 1305 is the NSC for Ammunition Through 30mm. • AO59 is the DODIC code for 5.56mm NATO M855 Ball type ammunition. • 1305-AO59 is the DODAC code for a transaction involving a lot or amount of 5.56mm NATO ammunition.

NATO Symbols • A container marked with a "square cross" in a circle ⊕ means the item is made exactly to NATO standards and specifications. • A container marked with a rounded "Cross pattée" means it is a substitute item that is compatible and acceptable by NATO standards. • A solid circle • indicates Ball Ammunition. • A empty circle with dashed lines ◌ indicates Blank Ammunition. • A horizontal straight line through vertical rectangles or cartridge shapes lll indicates linked ammunition. • Early US Military ammunition boxes were also marked with a B for cloth belts or L for metal link belts. When the symbol was straight it indicated .30 ammunition and when the symbol was angled it indicated .50 ammunition. NATO Stock Number 5

Lot Number The Lot Number consists of the three-letter manufacturer's code, the two-numeral year of manufacture, and a batch code that consists of 1 or more numerals. It will contain either the manufacturer's three letter code or that of the repacker that subcontracted the lot. The year and batch number in the Lot Number will track down when it was made if a batch is faulty or defective.

History The NSN is an expanded version of the older Federal Stock Number (FSN), which lacked the national-origin code labeled ef above, in the second subgroup. Items predating 1974 in warehouses are frequently stenciled with FSNs. As of 1998, the system is principally administered by the within the U.S. Department of Defense. Other stock numbering systems are in use within the US DoD, but as of 2005, the NSN remained the most common and least ambiguous way to identify most standardized items of supply.

Federal Stock Number A Federal Stock Number (FSN) was an 11-digit numeric code. It was first used by the Defense Munitions Board's Cataloging Agency in 1949 to identify items in the Joint Army-Navy Catalog System. The Federal Stock Number was used officially from 1953 to 1974, when it was replaced by the National Stock Number. The conversion from FSN to NSN was typically done by adding "00" between the first set of numbers (the Federal Supply Class, or FSC) and the second set of numbers. For example, the FSN:

FSN would become NSN

3139-121-6210 ------> 3139-00-121-6210

8415-082-5645 ------> 8415-00-082-5645

NIIN Catalogs NIIN / NSN Catalogs include a significant number of items directly associated with military equipment in general, as well as items of a more generic use. These include Electronic Components, Medical Equipment, Office Furniture, Food items, Clothing, Industrial goods (pumps, valves, motors...) and all kinds of Fasteners (bolts, nails, rivets...), to name a few. For this reason, catalogs have a broader appeal, beyond their original audience (Defense agencies and their direct contractors.) The US Catalog covers in the order of 6 Million NIINs (Items of Supply) for a total of 13 Million Items of Production (Part Number + Manufacturer reference). The NATO Support Agency compiles on a regular basis the catalogs of several member nations, for the production of the NATO Master Catalogue of References for Logistics (NMCRL). This combined catalog, totaling 16 Million NIINs for approximately 32 Million Parts, is then published on DVD. Several companies or governmental agencies publish NIIN Catalogs online or on other media. These catalogs vary greatly in term of the completeness of the information as some items and/or some segments of information may be excluded, for [USA] Security reasons or simply for lack of interest by the target audience. The distribution of these catalogs vary also in terms of the subscription cost and access or export restrictions. Some merely provide a "Part Number" lookup, while others offer advanced features such as parametric search (Search of items driven by the technical characteristics such as physical dimensions, material, color etc.) or links to associated data set. NATO Stock Number 6

Fictionalized NSNs It is not unheard of for certain numbers to be referred to in works of fiction as if they were NSNs—especially in military science fiction. This can be seen as a variation on the false document technique, something used creatively in order to lend an air of authenticity. • The M41A Pulse Rifle, from the movie Aliens, has been referred to as having NSN 3055-00-721-4790, as if it were real (though its FSG is incorrect: 30 is Mechanical Power Transmission Equipment, while 10, Weapons, is probably the right FSC). • The spacecraft hull repair kit that the player must use in the sci-fi computer game Mission Critical, to stop the decompression emergency, has "NSN 5920-385-19468" stenciled on the side of its plastic box.

References

[1] http:/ / www. e-publishing. af. mil/ shared/ media/ epubs/ PUBS/ AF/ 23/ 23011002/ 020203/ 020203. pdf

[2] http:/ / www. logisticsinformationservice. dla. mil/ H2/ search. aspx

External links

• WebFLIS Public Search (http:/ / www. logisticsinformationservice. dla. mil/ webflis/ pub/ pub_search. aspx)

• UK National Codification Bureau NSN (http:/ / www. mod. uk/ DefenceInternet/ AboutDefence/ WhatWeDo/

EquipmentandLogistics/ UKNCB/ UnitedKingdomNationalCodificationBureau. htm)

• "Federal Stock Number" - About.com (http:/ / usmilitary. about. com/ od/ glossarytermsf/ g/ fedstknum. htm)

• AC/135 Group of directors on Codification (http:/ / www. . int/ structur/ AC/ 135/ welcome. htm) Article Sources and Contributors 7 Article Sources and Contributors

NATO Stock Number Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=599211631 Contributors: AnnaFrance, Anotherclown, Apeloverage, Brad&ronni, Brian in denver, CapitalR, Cleduc, Ebehn, FedLogisticsResearch, Frap, Ghartsho, Green Giant, Hotspur23, IllaZilla, JCawley, JackCundy99, Jaredmcguire, Jaxl, Jlganley, Ketiltrout, Kobalt08, KramarDanIkabu, Leftbrainstuff, LorenzoB, Michael Dorosh, Mikeblas, MilborneOne, Mv gibson, Nabla, OlEnglish, Orlady, P199, PM Poon, Phillsox, Pmsyyz, Ponyo, Samcorp123, SithiR, Taquito1, The Yeti, Yworo, 32 anonymous edits Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

Image:M20060923.Supply.NSN.gif Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:M20060923.Supply.NSN.gif License: Public Domain Contributors: JCawley, Magii2k License

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