What do the USS navy ships letters and numbers stand for?

Answer 1

** Edits **

- Hull numbers are not hyphenated.

- Ships names are capitalized, i.e. USS YORKTOWN

- LCC - Amphibious Command and Control (not communications)

I assume you are refering to "Hull Numbers" such as CV-10. These uniquely identify a vessel particularly when names are re-used.The USS Lexington was CV-2 and CV-16, the USS Yorktown was CV-5 and CV-10 as well as numerous other vessels.

• BB - Battleships
• CV - Aircraft carriers
• CA - Heavy cruisers
• CL - Light Cruisers
• CG - Cruiser - Guided Missile
• DD - Destroyers
• DE - Destroyer Escorts
• FF - Frigates
• SS - Submarines are SS

An N at the end of the designation indicate Nuclear powers (CVN or CGN or SSN)

Others that have been used:

• PGM - Patrol Gunboat Missile
• PT - Motor Torpedo Boats
• PG - Patrol Gunboats
• DDG-FFG - Guided missile destroyer or Frigate

There is a whole class of ships that begin with L that are Landing craft used for amphibious attacks:

• LST - Landing Ship Tank
• LSD - Landing Ship Dock
• LLH - Light Helicopter
• LCC - Communications
• ATA - Attack Transport

And there is the Auxiliary Class that provides Supplies to the fleet:

• AO - Auxiliary Oiler

The USS at the front of the name is for United States Ship. There are also USNS which is United States Naval Supply. They are manned by civilian personnel and are merchant marine vessels.

Answer 2

The represent the ships' designation. The number is combined with letters to indicate the main function. The number sequences are used for various hull types.