scope:

Purpose:

In accordance with the authority in DoD Directive 5135.02, this issuance:

• Establishes policy and assigns responsibilities to promote clarity and consistency throughout the DoD in referencing military aerospace vehicles.

• Designates the Secretary of the Air Force as lead agent to ensure consistency and uniformity of compliance with this issuance.

• Provides for consistent assignment of unique Mission-Design Series (MDS) designators to all military aerospace vehicles.

• Authorizes:

o Publication of DAFI 16-401/AR 70-50/NAVAIRINST 13100.16, which governs the designation and naming functions for military aerospace vehicles.

o A DoD-wide list of approved MDS designators and popular names for military aerospace vehicles, maintained on the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC)'s Common Access Card-enabled DoDTechipedia website.