Special  Material  Identification  Codes A special material identification code (SMIC) adds information   to   the   National   Stock   Number.   The inventory  managers  assign  the  SMIC  to  provide visibility to selected items and to ensure maintenance of their technical integrity. The requests for assignment of  SMIC  codes  are  forwarded  to  NAVSUP  for processing. The SMICs are made up of two alpha or numeric characters and are reflected in card columns 21-22   of   MILSTRIP/MILSTRAP   documents.   The SMIC maybe assigned by an inventory manager to an item when it requires the following: l l l l control in source, quality, technical design or configuration   requirements; control in procurement, stocking, and issue; special receipt, inspection, testing, storage or handling;  and weapon system applicability. The following is an example of an NSN with SMIC The first character of the SMIC has no meaning by itself. For example, the second position “F” signifies fighter  aircraft.  The  letter  in  the  first  position  breaks down the general type of fighter aircraft into specific models.  The  following  are  some  examples  of  these breakdowns: BF F-4  Fighter  aircraft EF F-8 Fighter aircraft FF F-9  Fighter  aircraft MF F-4  Fighter  aircraft PF F-14  Fighter  aircraft SF F-18  Fighter  aircraft The second position of the SMIC  assigned by the Aviation Supply Office ASO identifies the applicable weapons system or equipment. Most of the SMICs you will use are ASO assigned codes, and these are the codes discussed in this chapter. If you need more information, refer to NAVSUP P-437, appendix 17, for a complete listing of assigned SMICs. The following is a listing of the second character of a SMIC that you will usually encounter: A  - C  - E  - F  - H - N - P  - Q - S  - T  - Attack  aircraft Cargo/transport  aircraft Special  electronic  aircraft Fighter aircraft Helicopters Jet  engines Patrol aircraft Turbo  prop  engines Antisubmarine  aircraft Trainer or cargo/transport aircraft The SMICs are made up of various combinations of letters and numbers. This combination of letters and numbers might be the same but have a different meaning when  used  by  other  inventory  managers.  Some  of  these inventory  managers  are  SPCC  Strategic  Systems Project  Office  (SSPO),  NAVAIR,  Naval  Mine  Warfare Engineering Activity (NWEA), NAVSUP and Naval Sea  Systems  Command  (NAVSEA).  You  must  use NAVSUP P-437 as your reference when conducting technical research to make sure the information used is correct. NAVY ITEM CONTROL NUMBER As  we  have  discussed  in  a  previous  paragraph, NSNs  are  required  for  all  items  centrally  managed  or bought  for  supply  system  stock.  With  changes  of equipment and products, the Navy buys new items from the suppliers. New items entering the Navy supply system  are  identified  in  time  to  permit  assignment  of NSNs before shipment. In  numerous  instances,  the Navy Item Control Number (NICN) is used to identify the items before an NSN can be assigned Some items are permanent y identified by the NICN because of the nature of the items. The NICN designation includes the following: l l l l 3-9 Inventory  Control  Point  ICP  control  numbers Kit  numbers Publications and forms ordering numbers Local  Navy  Activity  Control  (NAC)  numbers