Joint Electronics Type Designation System

The Joint Electronics Type Designation System, which was previously known as the Joint Army-Navy Nomenclature System (AN System. JAN) and the Joint Communications-Electronics Nomenclature System, is a method developed by the U.S. War Department during World War II for assigning an unclassified designator to electronic equipment. In 1957, the JETDS was formalized in MIL-STD-196.

Computer software and commercial unmodified electronics for which the manufacturer maintains design control are not covered.

Usage

Electronic materiel, from a military point of view, generally includes those electronic devices employed in data processing, detection and tracking (underwater, sea, land-based, air and space), recognition and identification, communications, aids to navigation, weapons control and evaluation, flight control, and electronic countermeasures. Nomenclature is assigned to:

• Electronic materiel of military design
• Commercial electronic materiel that has been modified for military use and requires military identification and design control
• Electronic material which is intended for use by other Federal agencies or other governments that participate in the nomenclature system.