NATO Reporting Names for Chinese and Soviet Aircraft

From 1954 the Air Standards Co-ordinating Committee (ASCC) allocated code names to Chinese and Soviet aircraft. This was essential given the uncertainty in the West about the true designations. The scheme used words beginning B (Bomber), C (Transport), F (Fighter), H (Helicopter), M (Miscellaneous including trainers). For fixed-wing aircraft single syllable words were applied to prop-driven aircraft while two-syllable words were used for jet-engined types. Prior to 1954 NATO used the USAF type number system which ran from 1 to 40, but which offered less flexibility in describing variants. Where appropriate the type numbers are given.

NATO Desig'n Type Service Notes
name     entry  
Bombers        
Backfin Tu-98 Experimental 1955 As Tu-16 with lower wing, shoulder mounted engines
Backfire A Tu-22M01 Bomber 1970 9 pre-production Tu-22
Backfire A Tu-22M1 Bomber 1972 9 aircraft for one squadron
Backfire B Tu-22M2 Bomber 1978 Basic prod'n variant; equipped for AS-4 Kitchen
Backfire C Tu-22M3 Bomber 1983 As -B but with wedge intakes as MiG-25
Badger A Tu-16 Med bomber 1954 Originally Tu-88 flown 1952. NATO Type 39. China Xi'an H-6
Badger B Tu-16RM Anti-shipping 1959 Equipped with AS-1 Kennel
Badger C Tu-16 Anti-shipping 1961 Equipped with AS-2 Kipper
Badger D Tu-16RM MR/Elint 1964 Duck-billed radar nose
Badger E Tu-16R MR/PR 1955 Plain nose and camera bay
Badger F Tu-16RM-2 Elint ? Plain nose, wing pods
Badger G Tu-16K Anti-shipping 1962 Equipped with AS-6 Kingfish
Badger H Tu-16 ECM ? -
Badger J Tu-16P ECM 1982 Strike force jammer escort
Badger K Tu-16 Elint ? Fuselage antennae
Badger L Tu-16 Elint ? Tail sting
Bank B-25 Mitchell Lt bomber 1941 Lend-lease
Barge Tu-85 H bomber 1951 Not mass produced. NATO Type 31
Bark Il-2 Anti-armour 1941 -
Bat Tu-2 Lt bomber 1944 -2D Long range, -2T Torpedo, -2Sh Sht'vick, -1 fighter
Bat Tu-6 PR 1945 PR version of Tu-2
Bat Tu-8 Lt bomber 1946 Long range version of Tu-2
Bat Tu-10 Lt bomber 1945 Improved Tu-2; not into series production
Beagle Il-28 Lt bomber 1950 Il-28R Recce, -T Torpedo, -U trainer. NATO Type 27
Beagle Il-20 Transport 1956 Il-28 as used by Aeroflot
Bear A Tu-95M LR bomber 1956 Free fall weapons only. NATO Type 40
Bear B Tu-95K LR bomber 1958 Equipped for AS-3 Kangaroo
Bear C Tu-95KC MR 1963 Also LR bomber; equipped for AA refuelling
Bear D Tu-95RT EW 1967 Under-fuselage radar
Bear E Tu-95MR PR bomber ? Few only
Bear F Tu-142M ASW 1970 Long range. Many sub-variants
Bear G Tu-95K-22 LR bomber 1975 Equipped for AS-4 Kitchen
Bear H Tu-95MS LR bomber 1984 ALCM carrier; equipped for AS-15
Bear J Tu-142MR Comms relay 1986 Submarine fleet link
Beast Il-10M Lt attack 1945 In Czech as B 33 and Il-10U trainer as CB 33
Beauty Tu-22 Bomber ? Original name, soon changed to Blinder
Bison A M-4 LR bomber 1955 3,500ml range with 10k lb bomb load. NATO Type 37
Bison B M-4 MR 1962 -
Bison C M-4 MR/tanker ? More powerful engines
Blackjack Tu-160 Bomber 1988 Similar to US B-1
Blinder A Tu-22 PR bomber 1966 Originally Tu-105
Blinder B Tu-22 Bomber ? Equipped with AS-4 Kitchen
Blinder C Tu-22 MR ? -
Blinder D Tu-22U Conv trainer ? -
Blowlamp Il-54 Lt bomber 1955 Proto only; possible successor to Il-28
Blowpipe Il-54 - - Alleged alternative to Blowlamp
Blowtorch Il-54 - - Alleged alternative to Blowlamp
Bob Il-4 Lt bomber 1937 -
Boot Tu-91 Lt attack 1956 One turboprop; proto only for A-VMF
Bosun Tu-14T Torp bomber 1953 Originally Tu-81; 3 engined version Tu-82. NATO Type 35
Bounder M-50 LR bomber 1957 Not developed. M-52 had afterburning inboard engines
Box A-20 Boston Lt bomber 1941 Lend-lease
Brassard Yak-28 Tac bomber 1963 Original name soon changed to Brewer
Brawny Il-40 Attack 1953 Abandoned when MiG-15 assumed role
Brewer A Yak-28 Tac strike 1963 -
Brewer B Yak-28L Tac strike 1963 Fitted with bombing and nav radar
Brewer C Yak-28I Tac strike ? Longer fuselage and nacelles
Brewer D Yak-28R Recce ? More internal fuel, external recce pack
Brewer E Yak-28 ECM 1970 -
Buck Pe-2 Lt bomber 1941 -2R recce, -2UT, -2VI HA fighter, Pe-3 fighter.Czech B 32
Bull Tu-4, Tu-80 Bomber 1947 Reverse engineered copy of B-29
Butcher Il-28 Lt bomber ? Original name soon changed to Beagle
Transports        
Cab Li-2 Transport 1937 DC-3 then C-47 lend-lease, then licince built
Camber Il-86 Airliner 1979 Wide-body; advanced version des Il-96
Camel Tu-104 Airliner 1956 A basic, V re-engined, B 100 pass, D re-engined B
Camp An-8 Transport 1955 -
Candid A Il-76 Transport 1974 T increased fuel, TD increased payload
Candid B Il-76M Transport 1975 Mil version of TD
Careless Tu-154 Airliner 1971 M stretched version
Cart Tu-70 Transport 1946 Transport version of Tu-4. Mil version des Tu-75
Cash An-28 STOL utility 1974 Prod trans to Poland 1978; successor to An-2
Cat An-10 Transport 1959 Larger version An-10V also des An-16
Charger Tu-144 Airliner 1968 Supersonic. Mothballed from 1975
Clam Il-18 Transport 1947 Proto only; no relation to Il-18 Coot
Clank An-30 Survey, PR 1974 Development of An-24RT
Classic Il-62 Airliner 1966 M has more seats, greater range
Cleat Tu-114 Transport 1959 Tu-114D LR transport version of Tu-20
Cline An-32 Freighter 1984 Hot/high variant of An-26. To India
Clobber Yak-42 Airliner 1978 M version enlarged
Clod An-14 STOL airliner 1965 -
Clog An-28 Transport 1974 Poss original name for Cash
Coach Il-12 Transport 1947 Li-2 replacement; superceded by Il-14
Coaler An-72 STOL trans 1984 An-74 with skis
Cock An-22 Transport 1967 -
Codling Yak-40 Transport 1968 -
Coke An-24V Transport 1962 An-24T, RT (aux engine), LP firefighting. China as Yun-7
Colt An-2 Utility 1948 V floats, P fire prot, NRK night recce, M ag. China as Yun-5
Colt ? An-3 Utility 1986 Turbo version of An-2
Condor An-124 Transport 1986 -
Cooker Tu-110 Transport 1957 4 engined Tu-104; proto only
Cookpot Tu-124 Airliner 1962 K VIP model
Coot Il-18 Airliner 1959 B 84 seat, V 89 seat, I/D 110 seat, E as D with inc fuel
Coot A Il-20 Elint 1978 ECM and elint variant of Il-18
Coot B Il-22 ACP ? Based on Il-18D
Coot C Il-24N Elint ? ECM and elint variant of Il-18
Cork Yak-16 Transport 1947 Two protos only
Cossack An-225 H transport 1989 Mriya
Crate Il-14 Transport 1953 P civil, M + seats, T freighter, FG survey. Czech as Avia-14
Creek A Yak-12 Utility 1950 Developed from Yak-10
Creek B Yak-12R Utility 1952 Larger engine
Creek C Yak-12M Utility 1955 All metal structure
Creek D Yak-12A Utility 1957 Improved aerodynamics
Crib Yak-8 Feederliner 1945 Based on Yak-6
Crow Yak-12 Trainer 1945 Proto only; not to be confused with Creek
Crusty Tu-134 Airliner 1964 A version entered service 1970
Crusty Tu-134A-3 Survey/recce 1989 -
Crusty Tu-134B Sys trainer 1989 For Tu-26 and Blackjack crews
Cub A An-12BP Transport 1959 China as Yun-8
Cub B An-12 Elint ? -
Cub C An-12 ECM ? -
Cub D An-12 ECM ? -
Cuff Be-30 Airliner 1967 For Aeroflot but not developed
Curl An-26 Transport 1967 Developed from An-24RT
Fighters        
Faceplate Ye-2A Day fighter 1956 Swept-wing MiG-21 proto.
Fagot A MiG-15 Fighter 1948 I-310, NATO type 14. Czech S.102. China Shenyang F-2
Fagot B MiG-15bis Fighter 1950 Czech S.103. Poland Lim-1
Fagot MiG-15bisR FR 1954 -
Fagot MiG-15bisT Target tug 1954 -
Fagot MiG-15bisP AW fighter 1954 -
Faithless MiG-23UVP STOL fighter 1967 cancelled
Falcon MiG-15 Fighter 1948 Original name; soon changed to Fagot
Fang La-11 Fighter 1948 -
Fantail La-15 GA 1949 La-174 derived from La-168. Nato type 15&21
Fantail La-15UTI Trainer 1949 La-180
Fantan Nanchang Q-5 GA 1970 Also A-5M. Loosely based on MiG-19
Fargo MiG-9 Fighter 1947 I-300. NATO type 1. F boosted, FR pressurised, UTI trainer
Farmer A MiG-19S Fighter 1955 I-350, Type SM-10 AAR
Farmer B MiG-19PF Fighter 1956 SM-30 catapult trials, SM-50 rocket motor. Czech as S.105
Farmer C MiG-19SF Fighter 1957 Faster
Farmer D MiG-19PM Night fighter 1957 4 AA-1 Alkali , no cannon
Fearless ? - - Cancelled project
Feather Yak-17 Fighter 1947 Successor to Yak-15. NATO type 2/16. Czech S.100
Fencer A Su-19 FB 1970 Prototype and early prod
Fencer B Su-24 FB 1974 Change in rear fuselage
Fencer C Su-24 FB 1978 Better RWR
Fencer D Su-24MK Strike 1988 Export, Libya, Syria
Fencer E Su-24MR ECM/PR 1988 Recce equipped
Fencer F Su-24MP EW 1990 8 aircraft
Fiddler Tu-28P Recce-strike 1961 -
Fiddler Tu-128 - - -
Fin La-7 Fighter 1944 -
Finback A Shenyang J-8 Fighter 1985 -
Finback B J-8 II Fighter 1995 Multi-role
Firebar Yak-28P AW fighter 1963 Fighter version of Brewer
Fishbed A MiG-21 Fighter 1957 -
Fishbed B MiG-21 Fighter 1956 Prototype Ye-5
Fishbed C MiG-21F Fighter 1959 1x30mm cannon. Czech MiG-21S
Fishbed D MiG-21PF/FL AW fighter 1961 No guns, larger radome. FL Indian
Fishbed E MiG-21PF/PFS AW fighter 1962 As D but with broader fin. PFS blown flaps
Fishbed F MiG-21PFM AW fighter 1967 Consolidated model
Fishbed G MiG-21PFM Experimental 1967 STOL prototype
Fishbed H MiG-21R/RF FR ? Tac Recce variant of FL and MF respectively
Fishbed J MiG-21PFMA GA 1968 Changed fuselage. SPS in Czech with RATO
Fishbed K MiG-21MF/SMT/M Fighter 1970 R-13 engine. SMT with RWR. M export version
Fishbed L MiG-21bis Multi-role 1973 Bigger dorsal fairing. R-25 engine. 3rd generation avionics
Fishbed N MiG-21bis-K Multi-role 1977 As L with improved avionics
Fishpot A Su-9 Fighter 1956 Prototype as Su-11 with changed nose
Fishpot B Su-11 Fighter 1959 57° wing sweep
Fishpot C Su-11 Fighter 1961 As C with AA-6 Acrid AAM
Fitter A Su7BM/BKL FB 1959 Fuselage as Su-11. BMK Indian
Fitter B Su-7 Experimental 1966 As Su-7BM with variable-sweep wing. Proto for Su-20
Fitter C Su-17MK,-20 FB 1971 Prod version of B. Su-20 export version
Fitter D Su-17M2 FB 1975 As C with doppler radar and laser designator
Fitter E Su-17UM Trainer ? As D with two seats
Fitter F Su-22 FB ? Exprt version of D
Fitter G Su-17UM, - 22 Trainer 1983 Two-seat version of H. Su-22 is export version
Fitter H Su-17M3 GA ? Taller fin than D
Fitter J Su-22M GA 1981 Export version of H to Libya
Fitter K Su-17M4 GA 1983 Similar to H
Flagon A Su-15 AW fighter 1969 Successor to Su-11 Fishpot
Flagon B Su-15 Experimental 1967 STOL prototype
Flagon C Su-15 Trainer ? Two seat Flagon A
Flagon D Su-21 AW fighter ? As Su-15 but with compound wing
Flagon E Su-21 AW fighter ? As D but with better avionics, more powerful engine
Flagon F Su-21 AW fighter ? As E with ogival nose cone
Flanker A Su-27 Fighter 1977 Prototype
Flanker B Su-27 Multi-role 1987 Basic production
Flanker C Su-27UB Trainer 1987 2 seat
Flanker D Su-27K,-33 Carrier fighter 1994 Arrester hook
Flashlight A Yak-25F AW fighter 1954 -
Flashlight B Yak-25R Recce 1956 -
Flashlight C Yak-27P AW fighter 1957 Upgraded A more powerful engines
Flashlight D Yak-25R FR 1959 -
Flipper Ye-166,I-75F Experimental 1961 Su-15 competitor; scaled up MiG-21
Flogger A MiG-23S/SM Fighter 1967 Pre-prod. Designed as Ye-23
Flogger B MiG-23M/MF AW fighter 1972 R-27 engine; MF R-29 engine
Flogger C MiG-23UM/UB Trainer 1972 Derived from MiG-23M
Flogger D MiG-27 GA 1975 MiG-23 optimised for GA
Flogger E MiG-23MS Fighter 1974 Export variant of MiG-23MF
Flogger F MiG-23BN GA 1976 Export variant of Flogger D
Flogger G MiG-23MF Fighter 1978 As MiG-23MF with smaller dorsal fin
Flogger H MiG-23BN Fighter 1978 As Flogger G with more avionics
Flogger J MiG-27 GA 1981 New nose shape
Flogger K MiG-23bis Counter-air 1986 Pivoting wing pylons
Flora Yak-23 Fighter 1948 NATO Type 28. Derwent engine. Czech as S.101
Forger A Yak-38MP VTOL fighter 1975 -
Forger B Yak-38U Trainer ? -
Foxbat A MiG-25 Fighter 1967 Fitted AA-6 Acrid AAMs
Foxbat B MiG-25R PR 1972 Recce-bomber
Foxbat C MiG-25U Trainer 1972 2 seat
Foxbat D MiG-25RD PR/Elint 1974 As B with larger SLAR panel
Foxbat E MiG-25M Fighter 1978 A with look down/shoot down radar
Foxbat F MiG-25 SEAD 1988 Fittde with AS-11 Kilter ASM
Foxhound A MiG-31 Fighter 1983 MiG-25 replacement
Foxhound B MiG-31M Fighter 1996 Much improved
Frank Yak-9P Fighter 1943 -
Fred P-63 K'cobra Fighter 1942 -
Freehand Yak-36 Experimental 1967 V/STOL development
Freestyle Yak-41/141 Fighter 1990 Carrier VTOL
Fresco A MiG-17 Fighter 1953 Prototype SI. NATO Type 20
Fresco B MiG-17P AW fighter 1954 Izmurud radar
Fresco C MiG-17F Fighter ? Cut back tailpipe. Poland Lim-5P. China F-4
Fresco D MiG-17PF Fighter 1957 Limited AW Scan Fix AI radar
Fresco E MiG-17PFU Fighter ? Upgraded D with AAM only
Fritz La-9 Fighter 1946 -
Frogfoot A Su-25, -25BM GA 1980 Single seat
Frogfoot B Su-25UB Trainer 1989 2 seat Also UBK with arrester hook
Frogfoot Su-28 Trainer 1989 Also as Su-25UT
Frosty Il-40 Fighter ? Alleged fighter version
Fulcrum A MiG-29 Fighter 1984 -
Fulcrum B MiG-29UB Trainer 1984 2 seat. No radar
Fulcrum C MiG-29 Fighter ? Active ECM in revised fuselage
Fulcrum D MiG-29K Naval fighter 1997 Carrier-borne
Fulcrum E MiG-29M,MiG-33 Tac fighter 1997 Air-surface capability
? Fullback Su-34 Fighter    
Helicopters        
Halo Mi-26 Heavylift 1983 Many variants
Hare Mi-1 Utility 1951 Poland SM-1. NATO Type 32
Hare Mi-1U Trainer 1952 -
Harke Mi-10 Transport 1962 Mi-10K with shorter u/c
Harp Ka-20 ASW 1961 Proto of Ka-26
Hat Ka-10M Utility 1954 Flying motorcycle
Havoc Mi-28 Attack 1991 -
Haze A Mi-14PL ASW 1975 Boat-hulled version of Mi-8
Haze B Mi-14BT ECM ? Mine countermeasures
Haze C Mi-14PS SAR ? -
Helix A Ka-27 ASW 1981 Replaced Ka-25; commercial Ka-32, export Ka-28
Helix B Ka-29 EW 1985 Replaced Hormaone B; OTH target acquisition
Helix C Ka-32 Utility 1984 Civil version of Helix D
Helix D Ka-27 SAR ? Replaced Hormaone C
Hen Ka-15 Utility 1954 Based on Ka-10M
Hermit Mi-34 Trainer 1994 -
Hind A Mi-24 Attack 1974 Based on Mi-8
Hind B Mi-24 Attack 1972 As Hind A with 4 weapons pylons
Hind C Mi-24 Training 1974 Simplified Hind A
Hind D Mi-24D Assault 1976 AT-2 Swatter. Mi-25 export
Hind E Mi-35 Assault 1978 As Hind D with AT-6 Spiral
Hind F Mi-24P Assault 1982 AS Hind E with nose turret. Export Mi-25P
Hind G1 Mi-24R NCB recce ? Hind D with no nose sensor
Hind G2 Mi-24K AOP ? No weapons
Hip A Mi-8 Utility 1961 Prototype
Hip B Mi-8A Utility 1962 2nd prototype
Hip C Mi-8AT Utility 1963 Mi-8P commercial, -8TB armed
Hip D Mi-8 Comms ? Comms relay
Hip E Mi-8TBK Assault 1975 12.7mm MG, rocket pods, 4xAT-2 Swatter
Hip F Mi-8TBK Assault ? Export Hip E
Hip G Mi-9 ACP 1979 -
Hip H Mi-17 Assault 1981 Later engine, tail rotor changed
Hip J Mi-8SMV ECM ? -
Hip K Mi-8PPK EW ? -
Hog Ka-18 Utility 1960 4 seat Ka-15
Hokum A Ka-50 Assault 1987 -
Hokum B Ka-52 Trainer 1997 Side-by-side 2 seat
Homer Mi-12 Transport 1974 -
Hoodlum A Ka-26 Utility 1965 -
Hoodlum B Ka-126 Transport 1992 Turboprop
Hook A Mi-6 Transport 1961 -
Hook B Mi-6VKP ACP ? Numerous aerials
Hook C Mi-22 ACP ? Aerials changed
Hoop Ka-22 Convertiplane 1961 Vintokrilya
Hoplite Mi-2 Utility 1963 Turbo version of Mi-1. Poland SM-3. Mi-2M 11 pass
Hoplite Mi-2US Gunship 1988 Armour, 2x12.7mm, 1x14.5mm HMGs
Hormone A Ka-25 ASW 1967 Ka-25K commercial
Hormone B Ka-25 EW ? OTH radar; mid course guidance for SSMs
Hormone C Ka-25 SAR ? -
Horse Yak-24 Transport 1955 NATO Type 38
Horse Yak-24U Trainer ? -
Hound A Mi-4 Utility 1952 Mi-4P Aeroflot, Mi-4SKh agri. NATO Type 36
Hound B Mi-4MA ASW ? -
Hound C Mi-4 ECM ? -
Trainers and misc      
Madcap An-71 AEW 1987 Based on An-72
Madge Be-6 MR 1949 Flying boat. NATO Type 34
Maestro Yak-28U Trainer ? Variant of Brewer A
Magnet Yak-17UTI Trainer 1960 2 seat Feather. NATP Type 26
Magnum Yak-30 Trainer 1960 Orig Yak-104. Unsucc competitor with Maya and TS-11
Maiden Su-11 Trainer ? 2 seat Fishpot C
Mail Be-12/Be-14 MR/ASW 1967 -
Mainstay Be M-50 AEW 1987 Based on Il-76
Mallow Be-10 ASW 1961 Flying boat
Mandrake Yak-26 SR 1956 Recce version of Flashlight A
Mangrove Yak-27R PR 1959 Tac recce version of Flashlight C
Mantis Yak-32 Experimental 1961 Single-seat Yak-30
Mare Yak-14 Assault 1948 Glider. NATO Type 24. Czech NK14
Mark Yak-7 Trainer 1941 UTI-26 then Yak 7V. Yak -7A and -B single seat
Mascot Il-28U Trainer ? Variant of Beagle. NATO Type 30
Max Yak-18 Trainer 1947 -18A improved, P aerobatic, T four seat
Max B Yak-18U Trainer 1947 Nosewheel u/c
Maxdome Il-86 ACP 1994 -
May A Il-38 ASW 1970 Evolved from Il-18
May B Il-38M EW 1984 Additional radome
Maya L-29 Trainer 1961 Czech Delfin
Mermaid Be-40,-42,-44 ASW 1995 Flying boat
Midas Il-78 FR 1988 Il-76 based
Midget MiG-15UTI Trainer 1949 Version of Fagot. NATO Type 29. Czech CS.102, Poland SBLim-1
Mink UT-2 Trainer 1935 Supplanted by Yak-18
Mist Ts-25 Glider 1947 25 pass. NATO Type 25
Mole Be-8 Utility 1947 Flying boat. NATO Type 33
Mongol A MiG-21U Trainer 1962 Version of MiG-21PF Fishbed
Mongol B MiG-21US/UM Trainer 1966 2 seat MiG-21SPS and MiG-21MF
Moose Yak-11 Trainer 1948 Le-10, then C.11 Czech
Mop GST MR 1940 Licence-built PBN-1/PBY-5. MP-7 transport variant
Moss Tu-126 AEW 1970 -
Mote MBR-2 MR 1934 Flying boat
Moujik Su-7U Trainer ? 2 seat Fitter
? Mouse Yak-18M Trainer ?  
Mug Che-2 MR 1939 Flying boat; MDR-6
Mule Po-2 Utility 1929 Orig U-2
Mystic A M-17 PR 1982 High altitude research
Mystic B M-55 PR 1995 Twin engines, new fuselage

The Reporting scheme appears to have ceased around 1990 after which Chinese, Russian or Ukrainian designations have been used. The above is not intended to be a complete list of Chinese or Soviet aircraft, merely those with reporting names. Later variants of types included above or types without a NATO reporting name have been excluded. Any changes or additions would be most welcome.

With thanks to Robert Beechy and 'TJ'.