Chemical A chemical substance is a form of matter having constant chemical composition and characteristic properties. Some references add that chemical substance cannot be separated into its constituent elements by physical separation methods, i.e., w ...

, biological (CB) — and sometimes

radiological In physics, radiation is the emission or transmission of energy in the form of waves or particles through space or through a material medium. This includes: * ''electromagnetic radiation'', such as radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visib ...

— warfare agents were assigned what is termed a military symbol by the U.S. military until the American chemical and biological weapons programs were terminated (in 1990 and 1969, respectively). Military symbols applied to the CB agent fill, and not to the entire weapon. A chemical or biological weapon designation would be, for example, "Aero-14/B", which could be filled with GB, VX, TGB, or with a biological modification kit – OU, NU, UL, etc. A CB weapon is an integrated device of (1) agent, (2) dissemination means, and (3) delivery system. Military symbols can sometimes reflect the name of where a chemical agent is manufactured. For example,

chloropicrin Chloropicrin, also known as PS and nitrochloroform, is a chemical compound currently used as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial, fungicide, herbicide, insecticide, and nematicide. It was used as a poison gas in World War I. Its chemical structural f ...

has the symbol PS, which was derived from the British town in which it was manufactured during the First World War:

Port Sunlight Port Sunlight is a model village and suburb in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, Merseyside. It is located between Lower Bebington and New Ferry, on the Wirral Peninsula. Port Sunlight was built by Lever Brothers to accommodate workers in it ...

Chemical agents

Blood agents

*AC – hydrogen cyanide *CK –

cyanogen chloride Cyanogen chloride is a highly toxic chemical compound with the formula CNCl. This linear, triatomic pseudohalogen is an easily condensed colorless gas. More commonly encountered in the laboratory is the related compound cyanogen bromide, a room-te ...

*SA –

Arsine Arsine (IUPAC name: arsane) is an inorganic compound with the formula As H3. This flammable, pyrophoric, and highly toxic pnictogen hydride gas is one of the simplest compounds of arsenic. Despite its lethality, it finds some applications in ...

Choking agents

*BBC –

bromobenzyl cyanide Bromobenzyl cyanide (BBC) is an obsolete lachrymatory agent introduced in World War I by the Allied Powers. When implemented in World War I, it revolutionized the use of tear agents due to their extreme potency. BBC is toxic like chlorine gas.AMO ...

*CL –

chlorine Chlorine is a chemical element with the symbol Cl and atomic number 17. The second-lightest of the halogens, it appears between fluorine and bromine in the periodic table and its properties are mostly intermediate between them. Chlorine i ...

*CG – phosgene *DP –

diphosgene Diphosgene is an organic chemical compound with the formula ClCO2CCl3. This colorless liquid is a valuable reagent in the synthesis of organic compounds. Diphosgene is related to phosgene and has comparable toxicity, but is more conveniently handl ...

*KJ – stannic chloride *NC – 80%

, 20% stannic chloride *PS – chloropicrin

Blister agents

*H – mustard gas *HD – distilled mustard gas *T – O-Mustard *Q – sesquimustard *L – Lewisite *HL – mustard-lewisite mixture *HT – mustard-T mixture *HQ – mustard-Q mixture *HN – nitrogen mustard *ED – ethyl dichloroarsine *MD – methyl dichloroarsine *PD – phenyl dichloroarsine *CX –

Phosgene oxime Phosgene oxime, or CX, is an organic compound with the formula Cl2CNOH. It is a potent chemical weapon, specifically a nettle agent. The compound itself is a colorless solid, but impure samples are often yellowish liquids. It has a strong, disag ...

Tear agents

*CA –

camite Bromobenzyl cyanide (BBC) is an obsolete lachrymatory agent introduced in World War I by the Allied Powers. When implemented in World War I, it revolutionized the use of tear agents due to their extreme potency. BBC is toxic like chlorine gas.AMO ...

*CN – mace *CNB – mace-

benzene Benzene is an organic chemical compound with the molecular formula C6H6. The benzene molecule is composed of six carbon atoms joined in a planar ring with one hydrogen atom attached to each. Because it contains only carbon and hydrogen atoms ...

mixture *CNC – mace- chloroform mixture *CND *CNS – mace-

-chloroform mixture *CS –

CS gas The compound 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (also called ''o''-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile; chemical formula: C10H5ClN2), a cyanocarbon, is the defining component of tear gas commonly referred to as CS gas, which is used as a riot control agen ...

*CS1 – micropulverized CS *CS2 – microencapsulated CS *CR –

CR gas CR gas or dibenzoxazepine (chemical name dibenz 'b'',''f''1,4]oxazepine, is an incapacitating agent and a lachrymatory agent. CR was developed by the British Ministry of Defence as a riot control agent in the late 1950s and early 1960s. A report ...

*CH –

Vomiting agents

*DA –

diphenylchlorarsine Diphenylchloroarsine (DA) is the organoarsenic compound with the formula (C6H5)2AsCl. It is highly toxic and was once used in chemical warfare. It is also an intermediate in the preparation of other organoarsenic compounds. The molecule consists o ...

*DC –

diphenylcyanoarsine Diphenylcyanoarsine, also called Clark 2 (Chlor-Arsen-Kampfstoff 2, being the successor of Clark 1) by the Germans, was discovered in 1918 by Sturniolo and BellinzoniSturniolo, G. und Bellinzoni, G. (1919); ''Boll. chim. pharm.'', 58, 409–410 an ...

*DM –

Adamsite Adamsite or DM is an organic compound; technically, an arsenical diphenylaminechlorarsine, that can be used as a riot control agent. DM belongs to the group of chemical warfare agents known as vomiting agents or sneeze gases. First synthesized in ...

Psycho agents

*BZ –

3-quinuclidinyl benzilate 3-Quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) (IUPAC name 1-azabicyclo .2.2ctan-3-yl hydroxy(diphenyl)acetate; US Army code EA-2277; NATO code BZ; Soviet code Substance 78) is an odorless and bitter-tasting military incapacitating agent.QNB: Incapacitating Age ...

*SN – sernyl (PCP) *K –

lysergic acid diethylamide Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), also known colloquially as acid, is a potent psychedelic drug. Effects typically include intensified thoughts, emotions, and sensory perception. At sufficiently high dosages LSD manifests primarily mental, vi ...

(LSD) A 1729

Nerve agents

*GA – tabun A1205*GB – sarin A1208*GB2 – sarin as a binary agent from mixing OPA (

isopropyl alcohol Isopropyl alcohol (IUPAC name propan-2-ol and also called isopropanol or 2-propanol) is a colorless, flammable organic compound with a pungent alcoholic odor. As an isopropyl group linked to a hydroxyl group ( chemical formula ) it is the s ...

isopropyl amine Isopropylamine (monoisopropyl amine, MIPA, 2-Propylamine) is an organic compound, an amine. It is a hygroscopic colorless liquid with ammonia-like odor. It is miscible with water and flammable. It is a valuable intermediate in chemical industry. ...

) + DF A5823*GD –

soman Soman (or GD, EA 1210, Zoman, PFMP, A-255, systematic name: ''O''-pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate) is an extremely toxic chemical substance. It is a nerve agent, interfering with normal functioning of the mammalian nervous system by inhibiti ...

A1210*GF –

cyclosarin Cyclosarin or GF (cyclohexyl methylphosphonofluoridate) is an extremely toxic substance used as a chemical weapon. It is a member of the '' G-series'' family of nerve agents, a group of chemical weapons discovered and synthesized by a German te ...

A1212*GE – ethyl sarin *GH – O-isopentyl sarin A1221*GS – S-butyl sarin A1255*GV – (dimethylaminoethyl phosphorodimethyl amidoylfluoridate) A5365*VE – VE nerve agent A1517*VG –

Amiton VG (IUPAC name: ''O'',''O''-diethyl ''S''- -(diethylamino)ethylphosphorothioate) (also called Amiton or Tetram) is a "V-series" nerve agent chemically similar to the better-known VX nerve agent. Tetram is the common Russian name for the substance ...

(O,O-diethyl-S- -(diethylamino)ethylphosphorothioate) A1508*VM – Edemo A1664* VS – (O-Ethyl S-2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl ethylphosphonothiolate) A1677*VP – (3-pyridyl 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl methylphosphonate) A1511ref>US 3903098 *VR – VR nerve agent (O-isobutyl S-(2-diethaminoethyl) methylphosphothioate) *VX –

VX nerve agent VX is an extremely toxic synthetic chemical compound in the organophosphorus class, specifically, a thiophosphonate. In the class of nerve agents, it was developed for military use in chemical warfare after translation of earlier discoverie ...

A1701*TZ –

Saxitoxin Saxitoxin (STX) is a potent neurotoxin and the best-known paralytic shellfish toxin (PST). Ingestion of saxitoxin by humans, usually by consumption of shellfish contaminated by toxic algal blooms, is responsible for the illness known as paralyt ...

Experimental agents

Material Testing Program EA (Edgewood Arsenal) numbers: * EA 1152 - Diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) * EA 1205 - Tabun (GA) * EA 1208 - Sarin (GB) * EA 1210 - Soman (GD) * EA 1212 - Cyclosarin (GF) *EA 1221 - O-isopentyl sarin *EA 1255 - S-butyl sarin * EA 1285 - Tetraethyl pyrophosphate (TEPP) * EA 1298 - Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), an analogue and active metabolite of

MDMA 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly seen in tablet form (ecstasy) and crystal form (molly or mandy), is a potent empathogen–entactogen with stimulant properties primarily used for recreational purposes. The desire ...

*EA 1475 -

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly seen in tablet form (ecstasy) and crystal form (molly or mandy), is a potent empathogen–entactogen with stimulant properties primarily used for recreational purposes. The desired ...

*EA 1476 - A

dimethylheptylpyran Dimethylheptylpyran (DMHP, 3-(1,2-dimethylheptyl)-Δ6a(10a)-THC, 1,2-dimethylheptyl-Δ3-THC, A-40824, or EA-2233) is a synthetic analog of THC, which was invented in 1949 during attempts to elucidate the structure of Δ9-THC, one of the act ...

variant ("red oil") * EA 1508 - VG * EA 1517 - VE * EA 1653 - LSD in tartrate form * EA 1664 - Edemo (VM) *EA 1677 - VS, a "V-series" nerve agent * EA 1701 - VX * EA 1729 - LSD in free base form * EA 2092 - Benactyzine * EA 2148-A - Phencyclidine (PCP) *EA 2233 - A dimethylheptylpyran variant **Eight individual isomers numbered EA-2233-1 through EA-2233-8 * EA 2277 - BZ ("Substance 78" to Soviets) * EA 3148 - A "V-series" nerve agent, Cyclopentyl S-2-diethylaminoethyl methylphosphonothiolate ("Substance 100A" to Soviets) * EA 3167 - A BZ variant * EA 3443 - A BZ variant * EA 3528 - LSD in malleate form * EA 3580 - A BZ variant * EA 3834 - A BZ variant * EA 5365 - GV * EA 5823 - Sarin (GB) as a binary agent from mixing OPA (

) + DF

Biological agents

Mycotic biological agents

*OC - Coccidioides mycosis

Bacterial biological agents

*N - anthrax *TR - anthrax *LE -

plague Plague or The Plague may refer to: Agriculture, fauna, and medicine *Plague (disease), a disease caused by ''Yersinia pestis'' * An epidemic of infectious disease (medical or agricultural) * A pandemic caused by such a disease * A swarm of pe ...

*UL -

tularemia Tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium ''Francisella tularensis''. Symptoms may include fever, skin ulcers, and enlarged lymph nodes. Occasionally, a form that results in pneumonia or a throat infe ...

(schu S4) *TT - wet-type UL *ZZ - dry-type UL *SR - tularemia *JT - tularemia (425) *HO - cholera *AB - bovine

brucellosis Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonosis caused by ingestion of unpasteurized milk or undercooked meat from infected animals, or close contact with their secretions. It is also known as undulant fever, Malta fever, and Mediterranean fever. The ...

*US - porcine brucellosis *NX - porcine brucellosis *AM - caprine brucellosis *BX - caprine brucellosis *Y - bacterial

dysentery Dysentery (UK pronunciation: , US: ), historically known as the bloody flux, is a type of gastroenteritis that results in bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms may include fever, abdominal pain, and a feeling of incomplete defecation. Complications ...

*LA -

Glanders Glanders is a contagious zoonotic infectious disease that occurs primarily in horses, mules, and donkeys. It can be contracted by other animals, such as dogs, cats, pigs, goats, and humans. It is caused by infection with the bacterium ''Burkhold ...

*HI -

Melioidosis Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by a gram-negative bacterium called ''Burkholderia pseudomallei''. Most people exposed to ''B. pseudomallei'' experience no symptoms; however, those who do experience symptoms have signs and symptoms t ...

*DK -

diphtheria Diphtheria is an infection caused by the bacterium '' Corynebacterium diphtheriae''. Most infections are asymptomatic or have a mild clinical course, but in some outbreaks more than 10% of those diagnosed with the disease may die. Signs and s ...

*TQ -

listeriosis Listeriosis is a bacterial infection most commonly caused by '' Listeria monocytogenes'', although '' L. ivanovii'' and '' L. grayi'' have been reported in certain cases. Listeriosis can cause severe illness, including severe sepsis, men ...

Chlamydial biological agents

*SI - psittacosis

Rickettsial biological agents

*RI -

rocky mountain spotted fever Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial disease spread by ticks. It typically begins with a fever and headache, which is followed a few days later with the development of a rash. The rash is generally made up of small spots of bleedin ...

*UY - rocky mountain spotted fever *OU -

Q fever Q fever or query fever is a disease caused by infection with ''Coxiella burnetii'', a bacterium that affects humans and other animals. This organism is uncommon, but may be found in cattle, sheep, goats, and other domestic mammals, including ...

*MN - wet-type OU *NT - dry-type OU *YE - human

typhus Typhus, also known as typhus fever, is a group of infectious diseases that include epidemic typhus, scrub typhus, and murine typhus. Common symptoms include fever, headache, and a rash. Typically these begin one to two weeks after exposure. ...

*AV -

murine typhus Murine typhus, also known as endemic typhus or flea-borne typhus, is a form of typhus transmitted by fleas (''Xenopsylla cheopis''), usually on rats, in contrast to epidemic typhus which is usually transmitted by lice. Murine typhus is an under- ...

Viral biological agents

*OJ -

yellow fever Yellow fever is a viral disease of typically short duration. In most cases, symptoms include fever, chills, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle pains – particularly in the back – and headaches. Symptoms typically improve within five days. ...

*UT - yellow fever *LU - yellow fever *FA - Rift Valley fever *NU -

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus is a mosquito-borne viral pathogen that causes Venezuelan equine encephalitis or encephalomyelitis (VEE). VEE can affect all equine species, such as horses, donkeys, and zebras. After infection, equines m ...

*TD - Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis virus *FX - Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis virus *ZX - Eastern equine encephalitis virus *ZL -

smallpox Smallpox was an infectious disease caused by variola virus (often called smallpox virus) which belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus. The last naturally occurring case was diagnosed in October 1977, and the World Health Organization (WHO) c ...

*AN -

Japanese B encephalitis Japanese encephalitis (JE) is an infection of the brain caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). While most infections result in little or no symptoms, occasional inflammation of the brain occurs. In these cases, symptoms may include he ...

Biological vectors

*AP =

Aedes aegypti ''Aedes aegypti'', the yellow fever mosquito, is a mosquito that can spread dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika fever, Mayaro and yellow fever viruses, and other disease agents. The mosquito can be recognized by black and white markings on its le ...

mosquito Mosquitoes (or mosquitos) are members of a group of almost 3,600 species of small flies within the family Culicidae (from the Latin ''culex'' meaning " gnat"). The word "mosquito" (formed by ''mosca'' and diminutive ''-ito'') is Spanish for "li ...

Biological toxins

*X - botulinum toxin A *XR - partially purified botulinum toxin A *W - ricin toxin *WA - ricin toxin *UC - staphyloccocal enterotoxin B *PG - staphylococcal enterotoxin B *TZ -

saxitoxin Saxitoxin (STX) is a potent neurotoxin and the best-known paralytic shellfish toxin (PST). Ingestion of saxitoxin by humans, usually by consumption of shellfish contaminated by toxic algal blooms, is responsible for the illness known as paralyt ...

*SS - saxitoxin *PP -

tetrodotoxin Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin. Its name derives from Tetraodontiformes, an order that includes pufferfish, porcupinefish, ocean sunfish, and triggerfish; several of these species carry the toxin. Although tetrodotoxin was discovere ...

Others

Simulants

*MR - molasses residuum *BG - Bacillus globigii *BS - Bacillus globigii *U - Bacillus globigii *SM -

Serratia marcescens ''Serratia marcescens'' () is a species of rod-shaped, Gram-negative bacteria in the family Yersiniaceae. It is a facultative anaerobe and an opportunistic pathogen in humans. It was discovered in 1819 by Bartolomeo Bizio in Padua, Italy.Serra ...

*P - Serratia marcescens *AF - Aspergillus fumigatus mutant C-2 *EC -

Escherichia coli ''Escherichia coli'' (),Wells, J. C. (2000) Longman Pronunciation Dictionary. Harlow ngland Pearson Education Ltd. also known as ''E. coli'' (), is a Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic, rod-shaped, coliform bacterium of the genus '' Esc ...

*BT - Bacillus thuringiensis *EH - Erwinia hebicola *FP - fluorescent particle

Radiological agent

*RA -

References

Bibliography

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chemical Weapon Designation Chemical warfare Military terminology Military symbols