Reportable Item Code
Definition
The NATO categorization system for devices and personnel required for operations.
The reportable item code (RIC) is published by the
NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency
(NC3A).
Use
You can use this object to:
Categorize material planning objects (MPOs)
Define material information for reference force elements
Describe jobs
Use interfaces for NATO data processing procedures
For more information, see Functions for the Reportable Item Code .
Structure
The RIC consists of an alphanumerical code in a hierarchical structure, usually in the sequence two letters/two digits/two letters (for example, AD32FG). The individual items (hierarchy levels) describe the following categories:
Main group
Main Category
Functional category
Subcategory
Type
Subtype
The letter Z is used if an item cannot be specified in more detail.
Example
Example for the items (hierarchy levels):
Main group
The main group defines the family of an item. This means that all codes with the main group C belong to the “artillery” family and all codes with the main group E to the “ships” family, for example.
Main Category
The main category defines the general categories within the main group. For example, the main categories in the main group “Armor” include “Tank,” “Armored fighting vehicle,” and “Armored support vehicle.”
Functional category
The functional category defines the function of an item within each main category. For example, the functional categories in the main category “Tank” include “Main battle tank” and “Light tank.”
Subcategory
The subcategory divides the items in each functional category. In the case of weapon systems, the criterion is the caliber of the weapon or gun. For example, the functional category “Main battle tank” includes the subcategories “84mm,” “90mm,” “105mm,” “120mm,” “125mm,” “140mm,” and “152mm.”
Type
This level lists all the item types in a particular subcategory. Only the basic types are listed, characteristics and variants are not included. For example, the subcategory “Main battle tank 120mm” includes the types “Leopard-2,” “M1,” and “Challenger.”
Subtype
Each distinguishing feature and each variant of a type is listed. For example, the type “Main battle tank 120mm M1” includes the subtypes “A1” and “A2.”