How did Soviet subs get their NATO code names?

speed150mph · 10-05-17, 12:11 AM

Just curious, but I was thinking about it today and realized that there is seemingly no real method behind how the names were chosen besides being NATO phonetic alphabet letters (with some exceptions such as the Typhoon and Akula)

But seriously, they arnt sorted by types. Alfa is an SSN, charlie is SSGN, delta is SSBN, echo is SSG and foxtrot is SSK.

It's also not by date they entered service. The first SSBN was Hotel class, and much later, Delta showed up. Same with November vs Alfa, Whiskey vs Kilo.

So did whoever in NATO intelligence just pick a random letter whenever a new Soviet sub rolled down the line, or is there some pattern I'm missing?

10-05-17, 12:11 AM	#1
speed150mph Electrician's Mate Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 132 Downloads: 35 Uploads: 0	How did Soviet subs get their NATO code names? Just curious, but I was thinking about it today and realized that there is seemingly no real method behind how the names were chosen besides being NATO phonetic alphabet letters (with some exceptions such as the Typhoon and Akula) But seriously, they arnt sorted by types. Alfa is an SSN, charlie is SSGN, delta is SSBN, echo is SSG and foxtrot is SSK. It's also not by date they entered service. The first SSBN was Hotel class, and much later, Delta showed up. Same with November vs Alfa, Whiskey vs Kilo. So did whoever in NATO intelligence just pick a random letter whenever a new Soviet sub rolled down the line, or is there some pattern I'm missing? __________________ Americans make better submarines? No my friend, Russia makes better submarines, Americans just make better computers