The ITU Phonetic Alphabet

The Origin of the ITU Phonetic Alphabet The International Telecommunication (ITU) alphabet was developed after World War II It is also known as the ITU, International, NATO and Aircraft alphabet During World War II the most common alphabet used was that developed by the Allied Armed Forces The war time alphabet was based on the English Language and used words that were not suitable in other languages - so the ITU alphabet was developed

ITU/NATO Phonetic Alphabet Y – Yankee N – November Q – Quebec O – Oscar T – Tango V – Victor X – X-ray Z – Zulu W – Whisky P – Papa R – Romeo S – Sierra U – Uniform A – Alpha B – Bravo C – Charlie D – Delta E – Echo F – Foxtrot G – Golf H – Hotel I – India J – Juliet K – Kilo L – Lima M - Mike This slide lists the phonetic alphabet used by the International Telecommunication community and NATO. It is used by many radio and telephone operation services.

RAF 1942-43 Alphabet A – Apple B – Beer C – Charlie D – Dog E – Edward F – Freddy G – George H – Harry I – In J – Johnny K – King L – Love M - Mother N – Nuts O – Orange P – Peter Q – Queen R – Roger S – Sugar T – Tommy U – Uncle V – Vic W – William X – X-Ray Y – Yoke Z - Zebra This slide lists the phonetic alphabet used by the RAF from 1942 to 1943. Comparing the ITU alphabet and the RAF 1942-43 alphabet only C for Charlie and X for X-ray are the same. There are many more phonetic alphabets in use – used by aviation, military and public services in all parts of the world.