Posted: 5/1/2008 9:50:20 AM EDT
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M-16, M-249, M-561, M-7, etc. etc. Are they just assigned numbers, or is there a reason they're numbered the way they are? Same goes for Mk. designations |
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Convoluted. since WWII, it sbeen a designation of which in a line this constitutes. IE, the M4 carbine followed the M3 carbine. The M9 pistol was followed by the m11 (the M10, as I understand it, was a MAC 10 semi auto version only purchased by SF) The M14 was followed by the M16 (maybe the FAL was the M15?) don't know. Sometimes they start over (like the M1 tank). If its a derivative, they may add an additional number instead of calling the the MOD3 or A2. Ie the M55 derivative may be the M552 (kinda like S&W pistols) Prior to WWII, it was year of inception. so the M1919, M1911, M1918, M1917 M1903. M1 Rifle M1 Carbine etc etc started off the trend. Experimental models get a nomenclature hence the jumps in numbers. Why the F-35 is the F-35 I don't know. |
Well the F-35 is kind of an odd-ball designation, because of a goof at a press conference: It is the program office's desire to designate the JSF as the F-35. This request is consistent with the statement made by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquistition, Technology and Logistics during the public announcement of the contract award. He said the JSF would be called the F-35. This is also consistent with the X-35 designation of the Lockheed concept demonstration aircraft. The USAF, USMC, and USN variants will have the Series designators of A, B, and C respectively. Usually aircraft are given the next design number based on the primary mission of the airplane. Lockheed had expected the JSF to be designated the F-24 as that was the next fighter design to be handed out. |
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M is for Model. The number following once the item is officially in production. The number is taken from what revision of the item it is. Sometimes the Army would skip numbers in a model series to avoid having too many of a certian number to avoid confusion. Also, if something was newly developed or along a different line - then the numbers would start over - like in the cases of the M1 Abrams. Additionally, new revisions get the A1 type suffixes (or E1 type suffix for field expedient approved revisions). Now, its all screwed up. But, this is the Army way... Hope this helps... |
Everything follows the same pattern. When a new item is being evaluated it recieves the designation XM-### where ### is the next sequential number available for that items in that series. Series being carbine, pistol, rifle, machinegun, small arms ammunition, eating utensil, etc. If it is accepted for general issue then the X is dropped off. For small arms ammunition 855 isn't that high when you consider: - All small arms ammunision is in the same number series. Every 9mm, .45, 5.56mm, 7.62mm, .50 cal, .38, 12 gage shotgun, etc. The Army definition of "small arms" includes everything up to and including 30mm. with a different number for every loading. FMJ, tracer, API, blanks, match ammo, etc. - The series also includes things like proof loads that are not generally issued - Pretty much any load being tested gets an XM number assignment and most never make it past that stage so the number is dropped. The OP also asked about Mk designations. For weapons the Army uses the "M" like they do for everything else. Navy uses Mk and USAF uses GAU. They are still sequential numbers but they are in completely different series. |
If you mean the howitzer, I think there was an M776 that is basically the same gun without all the electronics. How they got from 1 to 776 is another question. Do they lump everything indirect fire into one series? |