Painting
Painting (table 12-1) is the application of the final
body coating to ammunition, ammunition components,
or ammunition containers by authorized activities.
Usually, paint color identifies the use or explosive
hazards of the ammunition; however, sometimes it has
no meaning.
Marking
Marking is the application of colored spots, bands,
or symbols on ammunition, ammunition components,
or ammunition containers. Markings, by their color or
shape, identify ammunition fillers or the presence of
specific ammunition components.
Chemical filler ammunition, ammunition com-
ponents, and ammunition containers are identified by
bands that are color-coded (table 12-1). Marking
symbols placed on a line parallel to the colored bands
identifies chemical fillers.
Lettering
Lettering is the use of letters, words, abbreviations,
or numerals on ammunition, ammunition components,
or ammunition containers. Lettering is put on
ammunition by die stamping, stenciling, decals,
etching, or rubber-stamping. Lettering identifies the
type, mark and modification, ammunition lot number,
and loading information of the ammunition item.
Lettering applied in black or white has no color-code
significance.
Mark and Modification Designation
The Mk number is an Arabic numeral and
represents a basic design. A modification (Mod)
number to represent a less than major change in design
follows it. For example, the mark/modification number
assigned to a general-purpose bomb without a change
to the basic design is Mk 82 Mod O. If a minor change
to the basic design is incorporated, it is designated as
Mk 82 Mod 1. If further changes are incorporated, the
modification designations are assigned in sequence,
Mod 2, Mod 3, Mod 4, and so forth.
Some explosive devices and ordnance or armament
(such as cluster weapons and bomblets used in cluster
weapons) are designated by groups of letters and
numbers. An example of this type designation is
BLU-7A/B (table 12-2).
U.S. Army ammunition retains the Army identifier
that uses a letter, numeral, and letter and numeral
system. For example, the model is designated M23. The
first modification of this model is designated M23A1,
and subsequent modifications are designated by
M23A2, M23A3, etc. If the Navy and Army jointly
developed an item, the letters AN (Army/Navy)
precedes the model identifying designation. For
example, a model is designated AN-M173. The first
modification of this model is designated AN-M173A1.
Later modifications are designated as AN-M173A2,
AN-M173A3, etc.
Department of Defense Identification Code
(DODIC) and Navy Ammunition Logistic Code
(NALC)
The Department of Defense Identification Code
(DODIC) is a four-digit code assigned by the Defense
Logistics Services Center (DLSC). It identifies
ammunition and explosive items (non-nuclear) within
the supply system applicable to all the armed forces.
The Navy Ammunition Logistic Code (NALC) is a
four-digit code assigned by Ships Parts Control Center
(SPCC). It identifies Navy-unique items of ordnance.
The DODIC and NALC are interchangeable terms
and are included as part of the letter identification
contained
on
ammunition
and
ammunition
components. These codes are used specifically for
logistic control and ammunition administration.
If an ammunition item or ammunition component
has been modified, a DODIC/NALC code is assigned to
the modified item. For example, Mk 105 Mod O is
assigned code A811 and Mk 105 Mod 1 is assigned
code A894. A complete listing of DODICs and NALCs
12-3
Bomb or Mine
Seventh Model and First Modification
Unit Must Be Expended on Mission
BLU
7A
/B
Table 12-2.Item Identification Designations for Cluster Munitions