A B C D E

F G H I J

K L M N O

P Q R S T

U V W X Y Z

Abbreviations

Phonetic Alphabet

 

 

Glossary - N

NATO Stock Number - (NSNs) were a system of identifying military equipment, from the smallest spare parts to complete vehicles or weapons systems. The system was adopted by Canada after Unification.

The National Codification Bureau (NCB) within each country centrally assigned their national NSNs. The assignment of an NSN fixed the identity of each distinctive item of supply. All NSNs were uniform in composition, length, and structure. Each was represented by a 13-digit number, made up of 3 unique parts:

  • the first four digits were the NATO Supply Classification (NSC) code, which relates the item to the group and class of similar items
  • the next two digits indicated the assigning NCB code (each country had its own two-digit NCB code-the United States used "00" and "01", Canada used "21")
  • the final seven digits were assigned sequentially and had no inherent significance. However, the number related to one and only one item of supply within the codifying country.

Netting Drill - a procedure carried out by wireless (radio) operators; before commencing an operation, radios throughout an armoured regiment (or individual squadrons) or infantry battalion (and individual companies) would carry out netting drills to ensure all wireless sets were tuned to the same frequency and able to communicate with each other.

 
 

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